Winner of the Illinois Soon To Be Famous Author ContestWomen could not be surgeons. She did it anyway.After the heartbreaking loss of her mother and a cruel attack by her drunken father, Ella Parker decides that dishonesty is fine when it serves her needs. At a time when wealthy young ladies do little more than embroidery, Ella escapes her luxurious but lonely life, and meets an eccentric ship surgeon who—once she impresses him with her quick-thinking and empathy—allows her to assist him during a surgery.Compelled by Ella’s intelligence and interest in medicine, the doctor prepares her for a medical career, but there’s a catch: in early 19th century England, women are not accepted into universities. To fulfil her dream of becoming a doctor, Ella must disguise herself as a young man with aspirations of becoming a doctor. After changing her look and name, Ella finds her footing as she performs dissections, conducts experiments, and cares for patients. She also tutors Oli, a kind but struggling fellow student, but she must take caution. Even in her loneliest moment, she cannot trust anyone or make friends.As Ella continues to excel in her studies, brilliantly saving the life of a patient, she becomes a top contender for the apprenticeship with a famed professor. Dogged by fear of discovery, she must choose between truth and lies, and distinguish between real and false friends, before her pretense is uncovered. Praise for A Girl with a KnifeWinner of the Illinois Soon To Be Famous Author Contest“A Girl With a Knife” was praised by judges for its “immersive, realistic setting and (judges) were impressed by the medical and historical research that went into the book.”????? “A Girl with a Knife is a riveting, juiced-up morality tale, predicted blockbuster success!” ~ 9 Minute Books Review Team "I could tell that much research was used for this. I think this would be a good miniseries or even series on Netflix."RW Biga, the bestselling author of Education of Adam and Fate's Collision.Author bio:Alina Rubin is an IT professional and a mom, who, during the pandemic, wrote her first novel. Writing became her passion, and her characters took her on a journey beyond her wildest dreams.Her debut novel, A Girl with a Knife, won the Illinois Soon to Be Famous Author Award.Alina obtained a B.S. and M.S. in Business and Information Technology from DePaul University. She lives near Chicago with her husband and daughter. She enjoys yoga, hiking, and traveling.

“WOW! This book completely hooked me from the first page to the last… I literally couldn’t put it down… Amazing.” Goodreads reviewer ?????Germany 1939: “No, please don’t make me leave you!” Sophie cries, desperately trying to hold her loved ones in her arms before she is pulled away. “I can’t leave without you, I can’t bear it…”When Sophie Weiss boards the SS St Louis, the Nazis have taken everything from her, and her last hope is to escape. But when she meets fellow Jewish refugees Rosa, Hannah and Rachel on board, their friendship gives Sophie hope there might be happiness in her future, after all.But when the boat is refused entry at a port they thought would be safe, the women face a terrifying return to Europe. Until word reaches the ship that a friend of her family is willing to take Sophie in—but only her. Quickly, Sophie unpicks the lining of her coat and breaks her late mother’s emerald into four parts. Handing a piece to each of her friends, the women promise to meet in Paris when this nightmare is over.Watching the SS St Louis grow smaller on the horizon, Sophie grips her emerald with a fierce determination and whispers a promise: I will find a way to help you all, no matter what… But with her friends facing an uncertain fate, has she made a promise she can’t possibly keep?This is the first book in the unmissable Emerald Sisters series that follows the incredible stories of four brave young women, as they each forge their futures against the backdrop of the Second World War. Perfect for fans of Roberta Kagan, Kristin Harmel and Kate Quinn.Readers are loving The Girl on the Boat:“Beautiful… I was hooked from the very first page. A phenomenal novel… I was heartbroken… Keep the tissue box close by because you will surely need it. This unputdownable gem of a read is definitely a favourite… I love everything about this story… [a] ten star read.” Page Turners ?????“Amazing… Beautiful… I found myself not wanting the story to end… A tearjerker.” Goodreads reviewer ?????“Hard to put down read!!… Amazing… I couldn’t put the book down for a minute!” Goodreads reviewer ?????“Will tear your heart out but leave you with hope… A must-read!” @diane.likes.to.read ?????“Unforgettable… will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.” Goodreads reviewer ?????“Hooks you from the beginning pages… a book that you won’t want to put down.” Goodreads reviewer ?????“Heartbreaking… Absolutely brilliant… Outstanding.” Goodreads reviewer ?????“Powerful… completely consumed me… Fabulous.” Christian Bookaholic ?????“Exceptional… I loved it. I couldn’t put it down.” Goodreads reviewer ?????“Kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire book… I need the next one!” @booksreadbyprairiegirl“Heartbreaking… I really could not put this book down.” @Inspiredbypmdd ?????