Orphan #8

Publisher Marketing: A stunning debut novel inspired by true events, "Orphan Number Eight "tells the fascinating story of a woman who must choose between revenge and mercy when she encounters the doctor who subjected her to dangerous medical experiments in a New York City Jewish orphanage. In 1919 Rachel Rabinowitz is a vivacious four-year-old living with her family in a crowded tenement on New York City s lower east side. When tragedy strikes, Rachel is separated from her brother Sam and sent to a Jewish orphanage where Dr. Mildred Solomon is conducting medical research. Subjected to X-ray treatments that leave her disfigured, Rachel suffers years of cruel harassment from the other orphans. But when she turns fifteen, she runs away to Colorado hoping to find the brother she lost and discovers a family she never knew she had. Though Rachel believes she s shut out her painful childhood memories, years later she is confronted with her dark past when she becomes a nurse at Manhattan s Old Hebrews Home, and her patient is none other than the elderly, cancer-stricken Dr. Solomon. Rachel becomes obsessed with making Dr. Solomon acknowledge, and pay for, her wrongdoing. But each passing hour Rachel spends with the old doctor reveals to Rachel the complexities of her own nature. She realizes that a person s fate to be one who inflicts harm or one who heals is not always set in stone. Lush in historical detail, rich in atmosphere, and based on true events, "Orphan Number Eight"is a powerful, affecting novel of the unexpected choices we are compelled to make that can shape our destinies." Review Citations: Romantic Times 07/01/2015 pg. 28 (EAN 9780062338303, Paperback) Contributor Bio:  Van Alkemade, Kim Kim van Alkemade was born in New York. Her creative nonfiction has appeared in literary journals including Alaska Quarterly Review, So to Speak, and CutBank. She teaches writing at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. Contributor Bio:  Auer, Ginny Ginny Auer s passion is sharing stories that matter her own, and those of worthy individuals and organizations. During her creative career she has worked as an actor, model, singer, speech teacher, and voice talent. Ginny has also served as spokesperson, fundraiser, and lead storyteller for nonprofit organizations that focus on science education, community health, and women s well-being. Her latest adventure was an eighty-two-day, cross-country train tour of the US with her eight-year-old daughter. Ginny plans to share their stories, and her perspective on widowhood and what comes next, through her "Live Huge" blog and other creative endeavors. Contributor Bio:  Arndt, Andi Andi Arndt is a professional voice actor whose bright, clear voice has entranced listeners. Her audiobook credits include several books by Debbie Macomber, Tom Perrotta s "Nine Inches", Risa Green s "Projection", and many more.