In the Hands of Women,
(June 2023) takes the reader on an electrifying ride through the dawn of the
20th century, delving into the restrictive state of women’s rights, backroom
abortions, the plight of immigrants to the Lower East Side of NYC and the
prison system at Blackwell’s Island, all through the voice of a young O
Threadbare, (June 2024)
is a historical novel written as a tribute to Jane Rubin’s great-grandmother,
Mathilda (Tillie), who died from a ‘woman’s disease’ in the early years of the
twentieth century. It explores the ultra-conservative late Victorian era
through a Jewish female character living among the poor, struggling to build a
garment company and pushing back against antisemitic and misogynistic values
dominating the time. She acquired wealth, only to have life upended by a cruel,
unexpected challenge.
Over There (June 2025)
brings four family members of Threadbare and In the Hands of Women, all doctors
and nurses, into The Great War, each facing down authentic challenges of the
period. Meticulously researched and crafted on four stages, the reader
experiences the jarring reality of trench warfare, magnificent rise of the
American Hospital in Paris, unimagined medical innovations owed to the
dedication of healthcare workers, and the universal, frightening impact war has
on children.
read an excerpt...
I glanced at Nurse Hammond. Her head was bent to the wood
floor, hands squeezed so tightly, I could see the white in her knuckles. The
navy muslin dress worn beneath her white apron matched the dark circles under
her eyes. I held back from the pack of students as they left the ward.
Nurse Hammond was at the end of her night shift, little time
left to hear the full story.
“Nurse, were you in delivery during the twins’ births?” I
whispered.
“I was.” She straightened her back, darting her eyes to the
nursery.
I took a step closer to her. “Did anything unusual happen?”
After a lengthy pause, she rubbed her fingers, eyes
downcast.
“Nurse Hammond, what happened?” I persisted.
“You know Adams, always impatient.” She turned her eyes from
the floor then to mine. “He couldn’t stand the mother’s screaming and knocked
her out cold with ether. Then he went in deep with the forceps, taking forever.
I think he would have had more luck if he kept her awake and changed her
position.” She took in a sharp breath. “But who am I to say? You can’t utter a
word. I need my job. I’ve four children at home.”
I nodded, understanding. “You can trust me. Go home and get
some rest.” I scurried down the hall to the nursery.
“Where’ve you been, Isaacson?” Dr. Adams barked as I walked
through the doorway.
“My apology doctor, lavatory.”
Dr. Adams crossed his arms on his chest, haughtily shaking
his head at the ring of men standing around the twins’ bassinettes. “See there,
gentlemen? That’s what happens when women are allowed into the profession.
Always needing to fix their hair.”
Blood shot to my face. How long would he get away with his
negligence? I stifled my annoyance,
while studying the infants. The smaller baby’s hand began to tremor.
about Jane Loeb Rubin...
Author, Jane Loeb Rubin has won numerous awards
including the Historical Novel Society's First Chapters short list for Over
There, released May, 2025 by Level Best Books. She will be speaking at numerous
Florida events as listed on her website.
With an extensive healthcare background Ms. Rubin
began writing in 2009 after a serious cancer diagnosis. She now has a four-book
deal with Level Best Books (Threadbare-2024, In the Hands of Women-2023, Over
There-2025, The Hat Trick-2026), following the fictional life of her
great-grandmother’s family.
In the Hands of Women, (June 2023) takes the reader
on an electrifying ride through the dawn of the 20th century, delving into the
restrictive state of women’s rights, backroom abortions, the plight of
immigrants to the Lower East Side of NYC and the prison system at Blackwell’s
Island, all through the voice of a young OB/Gyn, Tillie’s younger sister,
Hannah.
Threadbare, (June 2024) is a historical novel
written as a tribute to Jane Rubin’s great-grandmother,
Mathilda (Tillie), who
died from a ‘woman’s disease’ in the early years of the twentieth century. It
explores the ultra-conservative late Victorian era through a Jewish female
character living among the poor, struggling to build a garment company and
pushing back against antisemitic and misogynistic values dominating the time.
She acquired wealth, only to have life upended by a cruel, unexpected
challenge.
Over There (June 2025) brings four family members of
Threadbare and In the Hands of Women, all doctors and nurses, into The Great
War, each facing down authentic challenges of the period. Meticulously
researched and crafted on four stages, the reader experiences the jarring
reality of trench warfare, magnificent rise of the American Hospital in Paris,
unimagined medical innovations owed to the dedication of healthcare workers,
and the universal, frightening impact war has on children.
The Hat Trick, Ms. Rubin’s work in process (May
2026) transports her family characters into the mid-1920’s in the years before
the Borscht Belt in Sullivan County, NY.
Ms. Rubin, a graduate of the University of Michigan
(BS, MS) and Washington University (MBA), retired from a 30-year career as a
healthcare executive to begin writing full-time. She lives with her husband,
David, an attorney, in Northern New Jersey. Between them, they have five adult
children and seven grandchildren. Ms. Rubin’s work is available at all on-line
retailers, Indigo Books, select Barnes and Noble Book stores and upon request from
Level Best Books.
Readers Favorite Review:
http://www.readersfavorite.com/book-review/over-there
Website: http://www.janeloebrubin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janeloebrubinauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janeloebrubin/
