ZURI: Africa. An orphan. A love story.

by Ruth Harris

Overview

FOR READERS WHO LOVED WATER FOR ELEPHANTS. "A must-read!"
They rescue threatened animals, but can they rescue each other?

Renny Kudrow, Director of the Kihali animal orphanage in Kenya, is a brilliant elephant whisperer who understands animal communication.
But human communication?

Not so much, thinks Starlite Higgins, the orphanage's talented wildlife vet he has hired over the objection of others who think a woman is not up to the job. Renny is prickly, remote, critical, and Starlite, anxious to please and accustomed to success, is unable to win his approval.

When Renny and Starlite must work together to save the life a baby rhino fatally wounded by poachers, they must face the secrets they both hide--and the attraction they can no longer deny.

Meet the brave, adorable baby rhino, Zuri (the word means "beautiful" in Swahili), the wise, maternal elephants, Doris and Maisie who take care of her, and Boozie, a sprightly and mischievous young goat who becomes Zuri's best friend and gives her a reason to live.

Get to know Ian Stewart-Montgomery, the witty, elegant and handsome half-Kenyan, half-English photo safari guide, the Kenyan wildlife experts, string bean-skinny Jomo and strong, athletic Muthengi, and all the other human and animal friends who find an enchanted home at beautiful Kihali.

ZURI will appeal to readers who love animals, adventure and inspiring stories about second chances.

ZURI, written to bring attention to the devastating poaching crisis that is endangering the existence of vulnerable African wildlife, is suitable for a wide range of readers and contains no sex or cursing.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940015522402
Publisher:	Word International
Publication date:	09/08/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	427 KB

About the Author

Ruth Harris is an Amazon and million-copy New York Times bestselling author and a Romantic Times award winner for "best contemporary." Her "stylishly written," ”richly plotted” novels have been published in hard cover, paperback and ebook editions, translated into 19 languages, appeared frequently on Amazon's Movers and Shakers list and were #1 on various Kindle bestseller lists numerous times.

Ruth writes about strong, resourceful people who struggle to succeed and, when sometimes they don’t get what they want, find something even better along the way. Critics have compared her to Nora Ephron and Joan Didion and called her books "brilliant," "stylishly written," ”richly plotted,” “first-class entertainment” and “a sure thing.”

Ruth loves to hear from her readers and always answers her email. Contact her at harris.ruth.. Read her lively blog at and follow her on twitter @RuthHarrisBooks and Pinterest at

RUTH EXPLAINS WHY SHE WROTE ZURI:

A life-long lover of animals, I wrote ZURI to draw attention to the greed-motivated poaching which has brought African rhinos and elephants to the brink of extinction. The valiant efforts of the scientists, conservationists and veterinarians who rescue baby animals orphaned and left to die by the slaughter provided the real-life inspiration for ZURI.

ZURI's plot twists and turns are based on extensive research and current scientific studies of animal psychology and behavior. Rhinos, with their heightened sense of smell and hearing, have extraordinary memories and bond closely with humans. Elephants are far more intelligent than once thought and possess sophisticated methods of communication.

The illicit global trade in wild animals is third only to the smuggling of drugs and weapons. Rhino horn, of no medical value, is more valuable than gold and elephants tusks are sought after for the manufacture of ivory trinkets.

I hope ZURI will draw attention to the crisis faced by these majestic animals and have donated to organizations dedicated to this effort.

Editorial Reviews

Ruth Harris has the unique ability to seamlessly bring together a story filled with compassion and realism mixed with a true sense of empathy and A KISS AT KIHALI is no exception. A KISS AT KIHALI brings to our consciousness the intelligence and emotions of animals along with the all too real dangers they face from poachers.

The Kihali Animal Orphanage in Kenya encompasses 23,000 acres of protected Nakuru Reserve. Renny Kudrow is the director of the orphanage and is alerted by the elepha

Confessions of a Reader - Marilou George

Ruth Harris has the unique ability to seamlessly bring together a story filled with compassion and realism mixed with a true sense of empathy and ZURI is no exception. ZURI brings to our consciousness the intelligence and emotions of animals along with the all too real dangers they face in the wild at the hands of poachers.

The Kihali Animal Orphanage in Kenya encompasses 23,000 acres of protected Nakuru Reserve. Renny Kudrow is the director of the orphanage and is alerted by the elepha

Marilou George

Wonderful! This is a beautiful story of love, strength, and survival in Africa. A great read for young adults and older readers. This is also a fantastic read for anyone who knows the beauty of emotional connection with a animal as well, with humans. It has a sad truth of what is done to animals for profit but, also shows humanity at its best. the strength to survive and overcome a tragedy.

Amazon - David Ramsey

Wonderful! This is a beautiful story of love, strength, and survival in Africa. it is a great read for young adults and older: due to the graphic accounts of animal poaching and attacks. This is also a fantastic read for anyone who knows the beauty of emotional connection with a animal as well, with humans. It has a sad truth of what is done to animals for profit but, also shows humanity at its best. the strength to survive and overcome a tragedy.

David Ramsey

A must read! I first heard about ZURI through SPOTS South Africa (Strategic Protection of Threatened Species). I thought, why not? I got a sample on my Kindle app on my iPhone and immediately realized that I had to get the full book. I downloaded the full book and could not put it down. I finished it in about a day altogether. I absolutely adored Zuri and her willpower to not give up. Every character was brilliant and I loved them all. (Minus the two poachers.) Boozie was also a special

Amazon - Michelle Michelle

A must read! I first heard about ZURI through SPOTS South Africa (Strategic Protection of Threatened Species). I thought, why not? I got a sample on my Kindle app on my iPhone and immediately realized that I had to get the full book. I downloaded the full book and could not put it down. I finished it in about a day altogether. I absolutely adored Zuri and her willpower to not give up. Every character was brilliant and I loved them all. (Minus the two poachers.) Boozie was also a special

Michelle Michelle

NYTimes bestselling author, Ruth Harris, takes a departure from the women's stories she is famous for.

A KISS AT KIHALI begins on the worst day of a baby rhino's life; the day she is orphaned. Her mother is brutally murdered by poachers and the baby barely escapes being butchered. Harris weaves the sorry facts about human greed decimating the rhino and elephant populations of Africa, without giving up the elements of

Book Lovin Babes - Dana Taylor

NYTimes bestselling author, Ruth Harris, takes a departure from the women's stories she is famous for telling. In ZURI, the leading lady is a baby rhino.

The story begins on the worst day of Zuri's life; the day she is orphaned. Her mother is brutally murdered by poachers for her horn valued at $80,000. Zuri herself barely escapes being butchered into lucrative "bush meat." Harris weaves the sorry facts about human greed decimating the rhino population, without giving up the elements of

Dana Taylor

A must read for animal lovers. An awesome story about the intelligence of animals, how they just want to live in peace and how they value life. Based on the surge of wildlife poaching events, unfortunately also a sad story. Poaching is fuelled by Asian countries and syndicates. It plagues the world, but especially Africa. How can humans be so brutal, barbaric and greedy?

In contrast, you get to learn how Zuri, a baby rhino orphaned when her mother is killed for her horn, makes a new fri

Amazon - O du Plessis

A must read for animal lovers. An awesome story about the intelligence of animals, how they just want to live in peace and how they value life. Based on the surge of wildlife poaching events, unfortunately also a sad story. Poaching is fuelled by Asian countries and syndicates. It plagues the world, but especially Africa. How can humans be so brutal, barbaric and greedy?

In contrast, you get to learn how Zuri, a baby rhino orphaned when her mother is killed for her horn, makes a new fri

O du Plessis