Her Missing Pieces

Moonshine, GA #1

by Susan Sands

Showing up from the dead is best done in person…

Sixteen years ago, teenager Sadie Brubaker disappeared from her small Georgia town without a trace. Sheriff Chase Blackburn was a young deputy who worked the case diligently, refusing to give up even when others did. Her disappearance haunts him still, making him question the town and his law enforcement skills. Then one afternoon, astonishingly, Sadie, still heart-breakingly beautiful, arrives with no memory and a suitcase full of questions.

When her mother dies, Sadie discovers her entire life is a lie. Her “mother” found her traumatized and injured at a bus stop—a teen with no memory and created an instant family. Sadie knew she had amnesia but never why, so she sets out for the town she doesn’t remember, determined to dig up the answers.

Sadie and the sheriff work together to solve the puzzle pieces of her life so she can understand who she was, decide who she wants to be, and if they can have a future together.

Genres: Mystery

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 27, 2024

About the author

A self-described late bloomer, Susan Sands began writing on her fortieth birthday. Her first Southern women’s fiction title, Again, Alabama, was published a mere eight years later.

Susan enjoys cooking, painting--when the mood strikes, playing tennis, and staring into space while contemplating her next novel.

Growing up in small-town Louisiana, Susan's passion for reading sparked her interest in writing—eventually. She now creates stories about the quirky characters and fascinating relationships that are uniquely Southern.

Susan holds a degree in elementary education, and has lived in the Roswell/Alpharetta suburb of Atlanta with her husband. Susan has three grown children.

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great mystery, what happens when someone who everyone thought was dead arrives back in the town she vanished from thirteen years ago, she has no memories from her past, will they return?

Randi Collins has been happily living with her adopted, mother Thelma in Nebraska, she has no memory of her life before she was sixteen, but when Thelma passes away suddenly she discovers her other life as Sadie Brubaker and the lie she has been living, fulfilling Thelma’s wishes Randi and her dog Daisy Mae pack the car and head to the small town of Moonshine in Georgia to uncover her past, she has been told to go and see the local sheriff Chase Blackburn.

Sheriff Chase Blackburn has grown up here in Moonshine and was a young deputy when sixteen year old Sadie vanished he has never given up hope that she was still alive and when she walks into his office he knows who she is instantly he is shocked when he hears that she has no memory of her past, one thing he does know is that he will do everything her can to help her regain those memories.

Sadie has led such a quiet life for the last thirteen years and meeting people from her past especially her mother and step father is bringing back memories good and bad and Chase is there to help every step of the way, the secrets she uncovers will shock her. I really enjoyed this story, it is so good fabulous characters and a wonderful setting, and a beautiful romance, will Sadie be able to forgive the past and move on with the future and where will she live?

I do highly recommend this one, it really is a great story, and I look forward to visiting Moonshine again.

My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her missing pieces.
Susan Noel Sands

#Smalltownromance


I absolutely enjoyed this story.

A story about a young girl abused, and one day goes missing.
Sadie- Randi
Has a story to tell, and it's a good one.
Missing pieces they fall together soon.This is a story not to be missed.

Small town stories are always the best, and this one, Pulls at your heart strings for sure.
Absolutely loved this story.
I'm excited to have a book 2 coming for this series. The author did an amazing job on this book.I loved it.



Thank you Susan Noel Sands.

[Caroline|Page~Turners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadie Brubaker is missing from her small Georgia town. It’s been thirteen years and still she is now where to be found. The young local Sheriff, Chase Blackburn, refused to give up when his investigation was going nowhere. Others gave up and he never did, and thirteen years later the whole case still haunts him. When Sadie shows up one afternoon back in that small Georgia town, she has no memory of what happened. Sadie and Sheriff Blackburn team-up to piece together her past and find the answers to all her questions.

Her Missing Pieces, written by author Susan Sands is a phenomenal story of doing whatever it takes to discover your past. This is an amazing story full of mystery, intrigue and the perfect amount of romance. I loved all of the people in this wonderful book from Sadie to Sheriff Blackburn and the small town they live in. This heartbreaking story will pull at your heartstrings for sure. This awesome read hits all the feels and is so inspiring I read it in one sitting. Sands is so talented at capturing the reader at the very first page and taking them through a roller coaster of a story. She writes with such finesse that it makes her an auto buy author for me. I love that this is the first installment of a new series. I look forward to reading the next book. Don’t pass up this wonderful book, I highly recommend it.

[Patty Duplechin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love a good mystery with a little romance, this book is for you. After Randi loses her memory thirteen years ago, she is happy with her life with her adopted mother, Thelma. So when Thelma passes away, she’s shocked to find out that she is not who she is. That her whole life was a lie, especially with her adopted mother, Thelma. Her life takes an unbelievable turn. She’s confused, hurt and afraid.With the help of Thelma’s lawyer, she accepts the last wishes of Thelma. She returns to a small Georgia town where she is back from the dead. Who can she trust but Sheriff Chase Blackburn. He worked on her case when Randi, no, Sadie Brubaker went missing. He knew her from school and worked hard to find her. He refused to give up. So he’s shocked when she shows up at his office. He recognized right away. Those blue eyes. As she struggles with amnesia, some things are slowly coming back when she meets her mother, and step-father. Where is her sister? She has a revaluation when she meets her stepdad. Their family held secrets. The abuse, her mother never standing up for her daughters and losing her sister to the state. Can she forgive her mother? Can she forgive Thelma? She’s still mourning the loss of Thelma. Can she remember everything? Will she get in trouble for using the wrong name? Why did her adopted mother not tell her about being Sadie even though she was only trying to protect her from something or someone. Thelma did get her therapy but nothing worked. Chase is constantly there for Randi/Sadie. She seems to have strong feelings for Chase. Can they find their way to each other? Chase has been hurt by his ex wife. Will his heart finally melt or will he let her walk away? Between the Randi/Sadie and Chase, they work hard for her to get her memory back in full. I was so rooting for this couple and her family. Will they be able to forgive and move forward? Her mother was an abused victim. Lots of twists and turns. I didn’t want to put the book down. Worth the read. I received this book for my honest review. I give it voluntarily.

[DeeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart stopper!

I feel as if I held my breath, the whole time I was reading this story. She went missing 13 years ago and thought to be dead.
But she is back in town and she walks right into Sheriff Chase Blackburns Police Department.

Sadie Brubaker has been living her life as Randi Collins. She has amnesia and can’t remember anything. She is living with what she thinks is her adopted mother Thelma. But when Thelma passes, she leaves a letter sending Randi and her dog Daisy May to Moonshine Georgia. Chase has spent most of his life, thinking about Sadie and where she went. It even ruined his marriage.

This book is filled with mysteries. You will definitely not be able to put it down. There’s so much going on in this story mother and daughter are reunited. Sisters are reunited. All the truths are coming out and there’s a sweet romance going on , and to top it all off, there’s a dog. Who doesn’t like a story with a dog.

This is definitely in my top 10 summer reads. I highly recommend it. I was given this ARC in return for my honest review.

[Berta Greenleaf Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much. It was one you can get your teeth into. I loved the missing parts of her life coming back together with her present. So many different paths and people in her life. I liked putting her with the sheriff, they made a sweet couple. Sadie finally started getting her memories back as soon as she got into her hometown. I liked the way she handled some of the meaner people in town. Chase and Sadie get their HEA. I recommend this book to all romantic suspense readers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Earlier this year I read Susan Sands’ 4-book series Louisiana and fell in love with her writing. This past weekend I received an ARC of her new work Her Missing Pieces, book #1 in her Moonshine series. I inhaled it in less than two days. It is an incredible romantic mystery.

Randi Collins is 29 and has a sheltered life, raised by her adoptive mother in Nebraska. The story begins with her adoptive mother Thelma passing away unexpectedly. Randi feels totally lost. This is heightened by the fact that Randi has no memory prior to being sixteen. She has lived thirteen years with this condition. After Thelma’s death her attorney contacts Randi. Randi inherits the entire estate including her home in Nebraska and property in Louisiana.

Randi also receives a letter from Thelma which starts Randi on a great quest. It affirms that Thelma knew details of Randi’s life that have been hidden. The letter states that Randi lived in Moonshine, Georgia before coming to Nebraska, and that her real name is Sadie Brubaker. Thelma’s letter tells Randi that she must return to Moonshine and to only trust Sheriff Chase Blackburn. Randi’s crusade begins!

A solitary trip to Georgia is exhausting for sheltered Randi, but she prevails. Upon meeting Chase, he recognizes her immediately. Does she have family? Were locals her friends or enemies? Legally she been declared dead years ago. Legally who is she? Randi or Sadie? Will returning to her hometown dislodge her memory? Will her memory be restored completely? Was her memory loss created by a threat and does that threat still exist? Plus, what are the new feelings and sensations that occur when she and Chase are together?

Her Missing Pieces is a wonderful read. I’m totally captivated by the author’s writing. Anxiously I’m awaiting book #2 in her Moonshine series. Book Rating: 5 STARS!

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story dealing with the complexities of trauma, domestic violence, memory loss and human resilience. The author delicately acknowledges these themes without making the book a draining read.

[Gwen Chester · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good and had me guessing from almost page one. Randi Collins grew up calling Thelma, mother never knowing she had another family. She thought she had been adopted as a baby, but it turns out she came to live with Thelma when she was 16 and Thelma had found her traumatized and injured at a bus stop. She kept her and created a whole new identity for her that is when Randi Collins was born. That part was easy as she had amnesia from her injuries and could not remember her past. She now lived in Hickman, Nebraska with her dog Daisy Mae and her mother Thelma until that terrible morning when she woke up and found her mother dead. Randi was now 29 so 13 years of her life had been a lie.

Now she had to deal with having no one now that Thelma was gone. She had the body cremated and spread the ashes in Thelma's beloved garden, a place where they had spent many happy memories. Then she had to meet with the lawyer. Naturally Thelma had left everything to her, and she had left her a letter trying to explain how she had become her mother. She had planned on a road trip for her and Randi to reconnect her with her past and now Randi would have to make that trip alone. Come to find out she was from Moonshine Georgia which is about a 2-day trip from Nebraska. Her real name is Sadie Brubaker and a policeman in Moonshine has been contacted to help with her memory and past should she go to Georgia. He was one of the police that worked the original case when 16-year-old Sadie Brubaker had disappeared.

So now Randi and Daisy Mae are headed to Moonshine Georgia to try and resolve her past and get some of her memory back from her first 16 years of life. To see if any of her family is left and how they will receive her back into their lives. Naturally Randi is terrified of what she will find but it is time for her to know her past and see if she has a future in Georgia.

I got this book from Book Sirens and will be happy to leave my review.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The start of the Moonshine series this is one that grabs you and doesn’t let go until the last page has been turned. Randi is sweet girl who grew up with her mom Thelma, her dog Daisy Mae in Nebraska thinking she was always born to her but in reality, Thelma found a 16 yr girl traumatized, injured at a bus stop instead of turning her over to the authorities she kept her created another identity and Randi Collins was born easy believable because she had amnesia and didn’t remember her past. Fast forward thirteen years her mom past away and she learns her mother wasn’t her mother and her life has been a lie promoting so many internal questions but meeting with the attorney where her mom left a letter trying to explain as best she could how she found her becoming a mom how she planned a road trip to reconnect her past with her today so to speak but she passed away before that could happen. Randi is now having to take the trip alone but knowing she is headed to Georgia Moonshine her name is Sadie Brubaker and a policeman was waiting to assist her with finding the answers he worked the original missing persons case when she just disappeared. Sheriff Chase Blackburn embark upon the adventure of finding the truth where will it lead them, will she get the answers she is looking for, will she be able to thank her mom for loving her when she needed it most, will she learn why/how she ended up on that bus stop so abused, and will she find the family, maybe peace, and a little happiness somewhere along the way?

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Missing Pieces by Susan Sands, book one in the Moonshine series, is an amazing story full of mystery, intrigue and the perfect amount of romance. Sadie Brubaker is missing from her small Georgia town. It’s been thirteen years and she is still nowhere to be found. The young local Sheriff, Chase Blackburn, refused to give up when his investigation was going nowhere; despite others giving up, he never did. Thirteen years later the whole case still haunts him. When Sadie shows up one afternoon back in that small Georgia town of Moonshine, she has no memory of what happened. Sadie and Sheriff Blackburn team-up to piece together her past and find the answers to all her questions. Chase, a man with a few layers of his own, is determined to keep Sadie safe as he helps her navigate the challenges her returning memory brings into her life while also tentatively exploring feelings that begin to blossom between them.

Ms. Sands pulled me into this story, her characters' lives, especially Sadie's more than the others, from the beginning. She did an outstanding job unveiling the complicated and traumatic family dynamics, as Sadie's memory begins to return. Filled with mysteries, you will not be able to put this story down. There’s so much going on in this story: mother and daughter are reunited, sisters are reunited, all the truths are revealed and there’s a sweet romance going on. I look forward to visiting the town of Moonshine again.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Missing Pieces ~ Moonshine #1 by Susan Sands

Publisher Description
Showing up from the dead is best done in person…

Simply...Brilliant a fantastic start to a new series. I fell in love with this story from the beginning, as I was transported there immediately, It is a great read and quite exciting, I couldn’t put it down, I love all the characters they jump at you from the page.

The story starts with a prologue into the night that Sadie Brubaker leaves Moonshine. In fear for her life, at 16 years old Sadie runs away from home and her abusive stepfather, without a trace. A young deputy Chase Blackman is on the case.

13 years later when Thelma the woman Sadie believes is her adoptive mother dies, a whole mystery emerges. When Sadie was running to save her life at 16 she had a head injury and lost her memory and didn't know who she was and where she lived.
Sadie returns to Moonshine after the death of Thelma and has been instructed to contact the sheriff, Chase Blackman.

Her Missing Pieces has been written brilliantly, and I enjoyed this book so much that I didn't want it to end. I highly recommend this book to all and look forward to reading the next in the series.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:

Easy-to-read, Great world building, Happily Ever After, Informative, Inspirational, Original, Page-turner, Realistic, and Wonderful characters

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Randi wakes and finds her adopted mom dead sadness shock and then finding her whole world and life upturned is an understatement . This is how this gripping, heartwarming yet also unsettling story begins. Having never read any of Susan's books before I'm so glad I read this one. She is a superb writer the way she pulls the reader into the story is quite something special. This is one of those stories that some might find difficult to read, with the child abuse and the misogynistic tendencies of a step father and her mom's husband. But the way the story plays out is very complex, challenging and yet compassionately written. When Randi/Sadie finally returns to her past home she meets the handsome sheriff Chase who recognises her straightaway. Between the two of them and his momma the slowly try to rebuild her memories. The characters are so believable and the small-town community is as you'd expect. The changes, growth and forgiveness Randi/Sadie makes her into a stronger caring woman. I cannot recommend this book enough and look forward to the next in this series.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredibly emotional story this one was. Sadie Brubaker disappeared from her home as a sixteen year old and was declared legally dead. Years later Sadie walks into town after her mother dies and Sadie realises that she has been living a lie. Sadie meets with Sheriff Chase Blackburn who has been searching for her for years. Sadie remembers nothing about before she was sixteen but she has been protected by her mum since she was found traumatised and hurt with no memory. I couldn’t put this one down, it was so intriguing and intense, heartbreaking and emotional. Sadie is one strong woman who has been through hell and yet has forgiveness and compassion and wants to help her mother who has been traumatised and abused for years. This is book one in Susan’s new Moonshine series and what an incredible introduction to this town and the people who live there.

[BHK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Missing Pieces Susan Sands is a romantic mystery that blends suspense and emotional depth. Thirteen years after her mysterious disappearance, Sadie Brubaker returns to her hometown, stirring old memories and unresolved emotions. Sheriff Chase Blackburn, once a young deputy haunted by Sadie's case, finds himself rekindling his dedication to uncovering the truth. As Sadie and Chase delve into the past, they face shocking revelations about Sadie's life and identity.
This novel is a beautifully written blend of self discovery and healing. The characters are compelling, and the story of lost memories and love is captivating. As a long time fan of Susan Sands, I found this novel to be another exceptional read!

[Rose Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, full of mystery, drama, suspense, emotions, abuse, lies, amnesia, twists and turns. When Randi (Sadie) mother dies, she leaves a letter along with her will, explaining how she found her. Sadie will return to her hometown where she disappeared ears ago. On the return trip, she meets up with Chase , who is now sheriff, but does recognize her right away. Hoping that her memory does return and she can find out what really happened to her. Has many twists and turns that you have to keep reading till the end. A real page turner with all the characters being strong whether bad or good. Can't wait for the next story in this series. Would recommend to others.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Missing Pieces is a coming home story with the heroine not remembering where home actually is. By Susan Sands this is the first in the Moonshine Series. This entertaining story has likable characters, a most intriguing plot and a villain too old and now too sick to prosecute but boy will the reader want them to do just that. A great setting even if the community is about 50 years behind the times.

Being a Southern I recognize all the expressions, the community’s actions but felt that they were much more something my grandmother’s era would do. Of course, she passed many years ago being born around 1900. Other than that one fact, I loved the story, showing the stigma associated with abuse in a family and how hard it is to escape from it.

[Patricia Baxes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly an exceptional read…it truly deserves more than 5 stars. The storyline is well thought out; the characters are well developed; the plot twists and turns drive you to all sorts of assumptions that end up wrong; and the HEA literally will make your heart hurt. This book grabs you from the start—and each revelation brings something new to consider. I wanted to know more…and so will you. This definitely belongs on your TBR list! (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and was totally blown away by it!) ❤️❤️

[enjoyingbooksagain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts:
When Sadie’s mother dies she soon learn that the person who raised her wasnt really her mom & the life she knew was all a lie.
So having no memory of her past she sets out to discover what happened to her Author Susan Sands masterfully intertwines suspense,mystery and trauma, into a story that will have you guessing till the end.
This is book one of the moonshine series and I can’t wait to learn more about Sadie’s and the people from her past. Thank you @susansands for letting me read this story I really enjoyed it

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a bit hesitant at first since this book involves some topics I generally avoid. However, Susan Sands balances out the heavier parts of the book with plenty of heartwarming moments and surprises. I was quickly engrossed in the story and couldn't put it down. I kept wanting to learn more about Sadie's backstory as she regained more of her memory. The characters truly felt real, and I can't wait to read more in the series!

[Jen B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I should have guessed the outcome, but I was too caught up in the story and the hope for a HEA for Sadie and Chase. How can you not like Chase who unapologetically "couldn't help grinning like a weirdo"?. There were bits in the middle that dragged a bit, but the rest was paced well.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sherri Babb · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a mysterious read. I have fallen in love with his book and this author. Her writing is incredible. From the very first page I was held captive by her writing. She weaves a mystery that will have you turning page after page. You will just have to know what is going to happen next. Let me tell you that you will not be disappointed. This book is a MUST read. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Randi/Sadie & Sheriff Chase Blackburn: Book 1 of Moonshine: Amnesia/ missing person/ mystery romance: Susan Sands pulled me into this story right away, and I was hooked. I enjoyed reading the development of Randi/Sadie and the journey, growth, and healing she endured throughout this story. Excited to read more from this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very different story indeed! From the very first page you are pulled into a mystery. Questions and answers leading to more questions.

The characters and the town become real and you want to visit this beautiful place and meet the people.

A must read!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Dorothy Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Excellent Book

Susan is a new author to me what a fabulous book I could not put it down can not wait for the next book in this series this book should be a ten star book I highly recommend this book to everyone Dorothy Schaefer

[Jenny’s Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Missing Pieces by Susan Sands is the best book to start my September TBR honestly I would recommend it I was hook on the beginning I couldn’t stop reading and the more I read the more invested I was Susan Sanda is my new favorite author and I can not wait for the second book.

[Shannon Sands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists and turns until the last page!! I could not put this book down. Sadie is such a unique character and her story is entrancing. The relationships she has and forms throughout the book are deep. I felt fully immersed in Moonshine, GA. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

[Patricia Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!!!!!
It starts out one way, then it turns another way. Loved the characters, the suspense the twist and the ending and now can't wait for book #2!!!

[Sherry Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that had me thinking oh my goodness and what is going to happen next!!! It was full of surprises, heartache, forgiveness, and I absolutely loved it!!!!

[Katie Ngoh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. I liked the storyline a lot! I just wish I got to know more about Sadie’s life after figuring out her past!