When Susan Lorraine Kadera opened her DNA results, she expected simple percentages. Instead, she discovered eight rare genetic markers—ancient signatures that survived migrations, wars, oceans, and centuries to reach her. These rare genes carried names like Akhenaten, Kilimanjaro, Yellow Emperor, Crazy Horse, Marco Polo, The Goddess, and Europa. Each one revealed a hidden chapter of her ancestry, connecting her to civilizations and peoples she never knew were part of her story.

THE WOMAN WITH EIGHT RARE GENES is a memoir of identity, ancestry, and the quiet truths written in our blood. Through vivid storytelling, Susan explores her Cherokee roots, African echoes, Asian migrations, European homelands, and the deep matrilineal strength carried through generations of women. Her journey blends creative nonfiction with personal reflection, showing how DNA can illuminate histories that were forgotten, erased, or never spoken aloud.“These genes carried names like Akhenaten, Yellow Emperor, Crazy Horse, Marco Polo, and The Goddess… yet they lived inside me, unchanged for thousands of years.”

This book is for anyone who has ever wondered where they come from, who they belong to, or what stories their DNA might tell. It is a reminder that we are all more connected than we realize—and that sometimes, one test can reveal the truth we’ve carried all along.