Susan Ashline's Blog

Hear radio legend Brother Wease talk to me about my real-life story of deception and danger, as told in my new book, A Jacket Off the Gorge. It's about my entanglement with a conman who'd faked his own death and stole a valuable treasure that police believe is buried.

A Jacket Off the Gorge: True Story of the Biggest Liar

Reads like a psychological thriller, while imparting critical messages about incarceration versus rehabilitation; mental health treatment for offenders; and abuses by those we entrust to uphold the law -- police, judges, parole, attorneys.

I wrote a book about a brainwashing cult...while, in a sense, brainwashed myself.

My new book, A Jacket Off the Gorge: True Story of the Biggest Liar follows the story of a master manipulator who came into my life, hiding a secret of a stolen treasure...and his past that included faking his own death.

This news story gives a great rundown of the deceit and manipulation.

I was an author writing about a brainwashing cult…while brainwashed myself.

My new book, A Jacket Off the Gorge: True Story of the Biggest Liar, is on sale now— get your copy today!

Part true crime, part memoir—This is the story of my life where it intersected with a dangerous psychopath, a master manipulator skilled in deception, who faked his own death and stole a treasure of gold and silver coins that police believe are buried. What is real and what is fantasy? The lines get blurred for both author and reader as they follow a series of unpredictable and shocking events that eventually end in death.

I am thrilled to announce my new book, A Jacket Off the Gorge, acquired by Post Hill Press, is now for sale.

Click here to pre-order TODAY!

This is a crazy, unbelievable true story. It launches November 28, 2023 (I refuse to say "It drops ... ". Going to use big girl words instead).
A Jacket Off the Gorge: True Story of the Biggest Liar

A mother and son, among nine cult members convicted in the 2015 beating death of Lucas Leonard, 19, will be released from prison Thursday, after serving five year sentences.

Click to learn more.

Without a Prayer: The Death of Lucas Leonard and How One Church Became a Cult

**SPOILERS**

Where are the Word of Life Cult Members Now?
Click to find out.

Without a Prayer: The Death of Lucas Leonard and How One Church Became a Cult

Enjoy never-before-shared pictures of Lucas Leonard, the victim in my book, Without a Prayer: The Death of Lucas Leonard and How One Church Became a Cult.

Luke was 19 years old when he was beaten to death by members of the Word of Life Christian Church, a cult outside of Utica, New York. Nine individuals were convicted in his death, including his mother, father, and one of his sisters.

Debi Leonard will be freed from prison tomorrow. She participated in killing her teenage son, Lucas Leonard, inside the Word of Life Cult in rural upstate New York, in 2015.

I don't think she's ever asked Luke to forgive her, because as far as I know, she still refuses to accept responsibility for her role in his death. In fact, she blames him.

Read about it here.

Without a Prayer: The Death of Lucas Leonard and How One Church Became a Cult

For updates and information on the Word of Life cult, "like" my author Facebook page.

Click here.

Without a Prayer: The Death of Lucas Leonard and How One Church Became a Cult

Debi Leonard will be released from prison next Thursday.

She was given a sentence of five years prison, plus five years parole for her role in the beating death of son Lucas Leonard, 19, in the Word of Life cult outside of Utica -- the story chronicled in my book, Without a Prayer: The Death of Lucas Leonard and How One Church Became a Cult.

Without a Prayer: The Death of Lucas Leonard and How One Church Became a Cult

Debi's release date is listed officially as January 18 (Saturday), 2020. But New York prisons don't release on weekends. And since she's going on parole, release will likely be Thursday (and not Friday), to get her ready for parole.