A Woman on the Knife's Edge: Hearts and Sails Book 4 - Adventurous Historical Fiction

Hearts and Sails #4

by Alina Rubin

"First, do no harm."

After Jamie Flowers rejects her love, surgeon Ella Parker leaves the ship heartbroken. With the help of her sharp-tongued friend Matilda, she finds solace in healing and treats Lillian, a young wife trapped in illness and a cruel marriage. When Lillian is confined to a mental asylum, Ella finds herself reunited with her brilliant teacher Dr. Miller and offered the position she has always dreamed of.

At first glance, the asylum seems a haven, but beneath the polished halls lies a darker reality. As Ella learns the true cost of progress, she must discern who is truly insane before she—and the patients she’s sworn to protect—fall prey to the “accidents” that plague the asylum.

Meanwhile, Jamie lives under the shadow of a death sentence. Told by Dr. Miller he will not survive past twenty, he left his home to spare his family from grief and wishes to save Ella from the same burden.

Can Ella uncover the truth about the asylum’s dangers and about Jamie before it’s too late?


The fourth novel in the Hearts and Sails series, by award-winning author, Alina Rubin.


Author

Alina Rubin is a best-selling author who celebrates heroines with strong voices and able hands. Amidst the pandemic, she authored her debut novel while working in IT. Her characters took her on a journey beyond her wildest dreams. She’s an accomplished speaker and an owner of Hearts and Sails Author Services.

Her novel, A Girl with a Knife, has won the Illinois Soon to be Famous Author Competition. Her book series is set in the Regency England era, but her characters are more likely to suture wounds and climb rigging than dance at a ball.

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.

430 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2025

About the author

Alina Rubin is a best-selling author who celebrates heroines with strong voices and able hands. Amidst the pandemic, she authored her debut novel while working in IT. Her characters took her on a journey beyond her wildest dreams. She’s an accomplished speaker and an owner of Hearts and Sails Author Services.

Her novel, A Girl with a Knife, has won the Illinois Soon to be Famous Author Competition. Her book series is set in the Regency England era, but her characters are more likely to suture wounds and climb rigging than dance at a ball.

Alina obtained a B.S. and M.S. degrees in Business and Information Technology from DePaul University. She lives near Chicago with her husband and daughter. She enjoys yoga, hiking, and traveling.

Download free prequel Hearts by the Sea: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ne4u00p6he
Email: alina@alinarubinauthor.com
Website and Blog: https://alinarubinauthor.com
Facebook: Alina Rubin Author
Instagram: Alina.Rubin.Author

Reviews

[Alina Rubin]

Direct Amazon link https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQK3LSSL

I'm excited to bring my readers A Woman on the Knife's Edge, Book 4 of Hearts and Sails. It's part adventure, part mystery, and part romance. Ella's and Jamie's story continues, and practically all characters from previous novels reappear.
Ella's medical journey takes her to a new place—a mental asylum. In early 19th century England, there are important changes to how the insane are treated. With her esteemed teacher, Dr. Miller, Ella is thrilled to be part of this change—but is there a darker reality hiding behind the beautiful facade?
Meanwhile Jamie is determined to keep his friend Conor out of trouble and help him find his missing mother. When danger arises, Jamie's ready to give his life—his heart could only last a few more month, or so Dr. Miller told him.
Enjoy the twists and turns, love and war, friendships and feuds.

[Rosemary O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and well-researched story!

A Woman on the Knife's Edge: Hearts and Sails Book 4 - Adventurous Historical Fiction

Alina Rubin’s A Woman on a Knife's Edge was a wonderful continuation of Ella’s journey. A female surgeon in the 1700’s was an amazing accomplishment. She perseveres despite cultural prejudice and failures of people she holds in high esteem. Rubin’s detailed research into the time period brings to life a vivid picture of the time and this woman as she achieves the almost unachievable. It was, once again, a pleasure to read this latest story in book 4 of the Hearts and Sails series.

[Lou Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 of the Hearts and Sails series did not disappoint. I was so mad on how Book 3 ended but loved Ella's and Jamie's outcome in this book. This is another fast moving historial book set in the early 19th century England. It deals with women's roles in this era as well as mental illness and how patients were treated. There is plenty of action and past characters are re introduced.

You can read this book as a stand alone but you would enjoy it so much more if you started with Book 1 as some of the characters are introduced from the start.

I received this book as an ARC and give my review honestly

[Michelle Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy from the author, and this book did not disappoint! The adventures of Ella, Jaime, new and old friends kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book wondering what was going to happen next. The theme around exploring mental illness was an interesting one that the author took and I appreciated how she kept to the theme of women empowerment through the novel showing Ella’s significance to helping explore another aspect of the medical world.
As always, we were left with more questions as the book concluded, anxiously awaiting the next book and adventures!

[Alfmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books that teach without being boring or pedantic. A continuation of the Hearts and Sails series, A Woman on the Knife's Edge is a smooth reading novel with star-crossed lovers, action, and an interesting exploration of many aspects of early 19th century medicine. It was a time of innovation and exploration in treatment of mental illness, anesthesia, and others. The heroine, Ella, a young woman who masqueraded as a man to become a physician and surgeon and joined the Royal Navy, is based on a real woman in the British army during the Napoleonic Wars: Mary Ann Bulkley. There is a lot of history to learn in A Woman on the Knife's Edge!

I received an advanced review copy.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alina you have done it again!!!!!!! I wait for Alina Rubin's books like Philly fans wait for game day for the Birds! Ella and Jamie's story has me on an emotional rollercoaster and I love it! I have been eagerly awaiting book 4 and it gave everything I needed it to give and more! New characters, twist, laughs, and I can say that I have literally "clutched my pearls" several times.
I would love to elaborate but get it and read it for yourselves...thank me later!

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the first three books in the "Hearts and Sails" series,
so main characters were familiar and expectations were high.
This story kept me at the edge of my seat. I did not rest until I finished the book.
There is plenty of action, adventure, and fateful turns of events.
I would highly recommend this book to those
who enjoy reading Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins, and detective stories.
Great book!

[Michael Rubinshteyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy.
It is an engrossing read and page turner, Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins,
Arthur Conan Doyle, and Agatha Christie combined and taken to a different level.
Many characters are familiar to those who have read first three books
about Ella Parker. But what a story!
I will not reveal any spoilers. Read the book for yourself, you will not be disappointed.
It is another great book by Alina Rubin.

[Jamie Rubinshteyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is completely original yet it expertly follows the tradition
of both Edgar Allan Poe and Fyodor Dostoevsky: drama, mystery, action, fate,
detective story, romance, social commentary, ethical issues,
hard questions involving mental health, and some horror as well.
It can be easily made into a powerful movie, just following the story as is.
Congratulations to Alina Rubin for a serious achievement!

[Carrie D. Krause · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved seeing Dr. Ella again as she faced her greatest challenge yet—recovering from heartbreak while practicing as a surgeon. The ethical issues explored with Dr. Miller were fascinating and as I pieced the clues together I got increasingly nervous! Jamie’s revelation was profound. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Jenny Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book kept me at the edge of my seat til the end, even more than the previous books in the series. I have thoroughly enjoyed following Ella's medical pursuits, and following Ella and Jamie's story. Alina's writing makes you feel like you are part of the story, and pulls you in like the undertow of the sea. Highly recommend all of her wiring!

[Linda Ulleseit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another poignant adventure for Ella! My heart broke, too, when Jamie rejected her because they belong together! The travails they endure in this one are painful but hopeful. (and no, I won't ruin the ending!) The insane asylum bits are well researched and makes a unique setting for Ella's skills, and the evil characters are very well done. Don't miss this one!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The saga of Dr Ella Parker continues. Always riveting, historically accurate and constant edge of your seat action—mental health and illness explored quite graphically. Looking forward to Abigail’s Song.

[Elisabeth Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating story with unexpected twists and turns. Enjoyed it very much!