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ZURI: A Love Story
Renny Kudrow, Director of the Kihali Animal Orphanage in Kenya, is an authority on animal communication. But human communication? Not so much, thinks Starlite Higgins, the new vet he has just hired over the objections of Kihali's Board of Directors. She finds him prickly, remote, critical.
ZURI—the word means “beautiful” in Swahili—begins with the rescue of an orphaned rhino calf, Zuri, and almost fails when Starlite suddenly panics. Renny fears he has made a mistake hiring her and does not hide his disappointment. Starlite, anxious to please and accustomed to professional success, tries unsuccessfully to win his approval. Each hides a terrible secret and, despite their growing attraction, Renny and Starlite remain at odds.
Renny's expertise in interpreting animal thought and emotion combine with Starlite's medical skills to help heal Zuri's physical and psychological wounds. Gradually, the orphaned baby rhino overcomes her traumatic memories, and, so, too, Renny and Starlite face their own scarred pasts. As the dedicated scientist and the brave, resourceful vet fall in love with the irresistible Zuri, their emotional walls fall away. Freed from the anchors of the past, they find it more and more difficult to resist their deep feelings for each other.
Based on extensive research, the novel's triggering event is the near-extinction of Africa's black rhino. Rhino horn is now more valuable than gold and the illicit trade in wild animals is third only to the smuggling of drugs and weapons. Current scientific findings about animal intelligence and communication underlie ZURI's plot twists and turns—elephants (also at the orphanage) are far more intelligent than once thought and rhinos, with their heightened sense of smell and hearing, have extraordinary memories and bond closely with humans.
ZURI draws on the power of human-animal relationships, the heroic accomplishments of African animal orphanages, and the people, foreign and Kenyan, drawn to careers involving the care and conservation of wild animals. Filled with drama and danger that lead to a happy ending, ZURI will appeal to a wide audience of readers who love animals and have personally experienced the intense, mystical bond between humans and animals.
ZURI contains no sex or cursing and is appropriate for adult and YA readers.
ZURI—the word means “beautiful” in Swahili—begins with the rescue of an orphaned rhino calf, Zuri, and almost fails when Starlite suddenly panics. Renny fears he has made a mistake hiring her and does not hide his disappointment. Starlite, anxious to please and accustomed to professional success, tries unsuccessfully to win his approval. Each hides a terrible secret and, despite their growing attraction, Renny and Starlite remain at odds.
Renny's expertise in interpreting animal thought and emotion combine with Starlite's medical skills to help heal Zuri's physical and psychological wounds. Gradually, the orphaned baby rhino overcomes her traumatic memories, and, so, too, Renny and Starlite face their own scarred pasts. As the dedicated scientist and the brave, resourceful vet fall in love with the irresistible Zuri, their emotional walls fall away. Freed from the anchors of the past, they find it more and more difficult to resist their deep feelings for each other.
Based on extensive research, the novel's triggering event is the near-extinction of Africa's black rhino. Rhino horn is now more valuable than gold and the illicit trade in wild animals is third only to the smuggling of drugs and weapons. Current scientific findings about animal intelligence and communication underlie ZURI's plot twists and turns—elephants (also at the orphanage) are far more intelligent than once thought and rhinos, with their heightened sense of smell and hearing, have extraordinary memories and bond closely with humans.
ZURI draws on the power of human-animal relationships, the heroic accomplishments of African animal orphanages, and the people, foreign and Kenyan, drawn to careers involving the care and conservation of wild animals. Filled with drama and danger that lead to a happy ending, ZURI will appeal to a wide audience of readers who love animals and have personally experienced the intense, mystical bond between humans and animals.
ZURI contains no sex or cursing and is appropriate for adult and YA readers.
108 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2012
7 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Harris
23 books37 followersRuth Harris is a New York Times and Amazon bestselling author and a Romantic Times award winner for “best contemporary.” Ruth’s emotional, entertaining fiction has topped Amazon’s Movers and Shakers list and her highly praised novels have sold millions of copies in hard cover, paperback and ebook editions, been translated into 19 languages, sold in 30 countries, and were prominent selections of leading book clubs including the Literary Guild and the Book Of The Month Club. In their e-book editions, Ruth's novels have been featured on Ereader News Today, Pixel of Ink and Kindle Nation Daily.
Ruth writes about strong, savvy, smart and witty women who struggle to succeed and, when sometimes they don’t get what they want, they find something even better along the way. Critics have compared Ruth to Nora Ephron and Joan Didion and called her books "brilliant," “steamy,” "stylishly written," ”richly plotted,” “first-class entertainment” and “a sure thing.”
With her husband, Michael, Ruth indulges her wild side and writes bestselling thrillers with vivid characters, international backgrounds and compelling plots. Their thrillers have made numerous appearances in the top 3 of Kindle’s prestigious Movers & Shakers list; in the Top 100 in the Kindle Store; Hooked has appeared continually on three Medical bestseller lists since its publication; #1 and #2 on two different Political bestseller lists; #14 on the Thrillers bestseller list.
Publisher’s Weekly called Ruth's and Michael's thrillers "Slick and sexy [with] all the sure elements of a big seller written by pros who know how to tell a story.” Readers have raved, calling their books “awesome,” “gripping,” “chilling,” “a must-read,” and “a real page-turner.”
It's no surprise Ruth is a writer. Her Mom was an RN who had a trove of big-city hospital stories—some funny, some sad, some touching—and told them with great style. Her Dad loved words, word play and language (Ruth still has his collection of dictionaries) and he is remembered by those who knew him as "always reading." Ruth's paternal grandfather was noted for his extensive library and both her parents were avid readers: her Mom loved popular fiction and her Dad bought four or five newspapers every day and subscribed to what seemed to be every magazine published—from Life and Look to BusinessWeek and Organic Gardening.
As a girl, Ruth wanted to be a professional ice skater. In her teens, she wanted to be a lawyer—a summer job in a law office cured her! After college, she got a beginner's job in publishing and her career path—first as an editor and then as a writer—was set.
Ruth writes about strong, savvy, smart and witty women who struggle to succeed and, when sometimes they don’t get what they want, they find something even better along the way. Critics have compared Ruth to Nora Ephron and Joan Didion and called her books "brilliant," “steamy,” "stylishly written," ”richly plotted,” “first-class entertainment” and “a sure thing.”
With her husband, Michael, Ruth indulges her wild side and writes bestselling thrillers with vivid characters, international backgrounds and compelling plots. Their thrillers have made numerous appearances in the top 3 of Kindle’s prestigious Movers & Shakers list; in the Top 100 in the Kindle Store; Hooked has appeared continually on three Medical bestseller lists since its publication; #1 and #2 on two different Political bestseller lists; #14 on the Thrillers bestseller list.
Publisher’s Weekly called Ruth's and Michael's thrillers "Slick and sexy [with] all the sure elements of a big seller written by pros who know how to tell a story.” Readers have raved, calling their books “awesome,” “gripping,” “chilling,” “a must-read,” and “a real page-turner.”
It's no surprise Ruth is a writer. Her Mom was an RN who had a trove of big-city hospital stories—some funny, some sad, some touching—and told them with great style. Her Dad loved words, word play and language (Ruth still has his collection of dictionaries) and he is remembered by those who knew him as "always reading." Ruth's paternal grandfather was noted for his extensive library and both her parents were avid readers: her Mom loved popular fiction and her Dad bought four or five newspapers every day and subscribed to what seemed to be every magazine published—from Life and Look to BusinessWeek and Organic Gardening.
As a girl, Ruth wanted to be a professional ice skater. In her teens, she wanted to be a lawyer—a summer job in a law office cured her! After college, she got a beginner's job in publishing and her career path—first as an editor and then as a writer—was set.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 23, 2021
Really enjoyed this sweet but important novella about a director of an African animal orphanage and a vet's struggle to save an injured rhino calf after its mother is brutally murdered by poachers. On one level the story is a tender glimpse into the intelligent world of animals; on another it's an expose of the tragic world of poaching and the wildlife it endangers. Add to that an engaging love story between the protagonists, and you have a delightful way to spend a few hours.
May 17, 2013
"Zuri" is a story that encompasses a rainbow of emotions. Reading the murder of Zuri's mother was a hugely emotional experience. I felt like the child watching "Bambi" for the first time. "Zuri" is the sort of novel that changes lives and inspires people to act for their planet. Written for both adults and children, "Zuri" by Ruth Harris is a novel that should hit your reading list and be at the top of the TBR pile.
The character of Zuri, the baby rhino is beautifully written. She is a baby but has seen the "tourist creatures" before but not the ones with the "shiny sticks that make a boom noise." When the poachers cut off her mother's horn and the first chapter ends with her calling out for her mother, I was sobbing. There is a recovery period where the animal must build trust. As Zuri recovers, Renny and Starlite's relationship deepens. There's a beautiful scene in which the pair watches Zuri sleep and Renny identifies with her nightmares. Starlite probes lightly and reveals information Renny didn't realize anyone knew. The conversation is casual and yet intimate and shows a great talent for those emotionally driven moments. Harris is an author who knows when to give with both guns but to also hold back which drives the reader to bond with the character.
Underwritten in "Zuri" is a great deal of information. Harris had to have gone deep in her research of this novel. Harris gives us the realistic and detailed look at both poaching and animal protection. Making the novel seem less like an instructional manual is a beautiful and subtle love story between Renny and Starlite. To be honest, this reader fell a little in love with Renny as well as he built a bond with both human and animal.
The character of Zuri, the baby rhino is beautifully written. She is a baby but has seen the "tourist creatures" before but not the ones with the "shiny sticks that make a boom noise." When the poachers cut off her mother's horn and the first chapter ends with her calling out for her mother, I was sobbing. There is a recovery period where the animal must build trust. As Zuri recovers, Renny and Starlite's relationship deepens. There's a beautiful scene in which the pair watches Zuri sleep and Renny identifies with her nightmares. Starlite probes lightly and reveals information Renny didn't realize anyone knew. The conversation is casual and yet intimate and shows a great talent for those emotionally driven moments. Harris is an author who knows when to give with both guns but to also hold back which drives the reader to bond with the character.
Underwritten in "Zuri" is a great deal of information. Harris had to have gone deep in her research of this novel. Harris gives us the realistic and detailed look at both poaching and animal protection. Making the novel seem less like an instructional manual is a beautiful and subtle love story between Renny and Starlite. To be honest, this reader fell a little in love with Renny as well as he built a bond with both human and animal.
October 5, 2020
Wow, What a Story!
The beginning cut deep. I feared and worried during the middle, and cried at the end. A master storyteller coaxed me through a maze of fascinating, brilliant, and heartwarming twists and turns and left me feeling uplifted and satisfied, but yearning for more of the loveable Zuri, quirky Boozie, majestic Maise, and the delightful Renny and Starlight. I hope there's a sequel! ZURI slides to the top of my favorite books of 2020!
The beginning cut deep. I feared and worried during the middle, and cried at the end. A master storyteller coaxed me through a maze of fascinating, brilliant, and heartwarming twists and turns and left me feeling uplifted and satisfied, but yearning for more of the loveable Zuri, quirky Boozie, majestic Maise, and the delightful Renny and Starlight. I hope there's a sequel! ZURI slides to the top of my favorite books of 2020!
January 27, 2021
After a Black Rhino is killed and her baby brutally maimed at the hands of poachers, the caretakers at an Animal Reserve do their best to save the baby's life. Very short story about the devastating impact poachers have on our wildlife.
August 3, 2012
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 elephants distinctive alarm system that there is an emergency. He calls his team together and they head in the direction of the disturbance along with their new veterinarian Dr. Starlite Higgins. What they find is an orphaned baby rhino protecting her mother who has been killed by poachers for her horn worth $80,000. The team must find a way to secure the baby rhino and get her back to the orphanage to save her life. What follows is the story of love and trust and the efforts of the team as well as a goat named Boozie who are determined to nurse ZURI back to health and teach her to trust again.
This story hits you in the face with the true reality of wildlife poaching and the effect it has on the animals and people involved. Africa is especially vulnerable to poachers who are so greedy they use any means possible to achieve their horrific goals. The Rhino population is slowly diminishing in South Africa where tourism is an invaluable source of income and the protection of the animals is vital.
The characters of Renny and Starlite while each dealing with emotional upheavals of their own join forces to nurture and protect these magnificent animals and forge a bond that is inevitable. The characters and the scenic descriptions of the African landscape lend to the luscious backdrop of this story.
We are also privy to the intelligence of animals and their capacity for forgiveness and love. Also in the forefront is the ability animals have to nurture each other as Boozie the loveable goat makes it her mission to draw ZURI out of her nightmare and teach her to trust again.
This is a cautionary tale about human greed yet a loving portrayal of animals and their struggle for survival. I recommend this book to all readers it is a unique blend of human and animal interaction that will teach and enthrall you.
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 elephants distinctive alarm system that there is an emergency. He calls his team together and they head in the direction of the disturbance along with their new veterinarian Dr. Starlite Higgins. What they find is an orphaned baby rhino protecting her mother who has been killed by poachers for her horn worth $80,000. The team must find a way to secure the baby rhino and get her back to the orphanage to save her life. What follows is the story of love and trust and the efforts of the team as well as a goat named Boozie who are determined to nurse ZURI back to health and teach her to trust again.
This story hits you in the face with the true reality of wildlife poaching and the effect it has on the animals and people involved. Africa is especially vulnerable to poachers who are so greedy they use any means possible to achieve their horrific goals. The Rhino population is slowly diminishing in South Africa where tourism is an invaluable source of income and the protection of the animals is vital.
The characters of Renny and Starlite while each dealing with emotional upheavals of their own join forces to nurture and protect these magnificent animals and forge a bond that is inevitable. The characters and the scenic descriptions of the African landscape lend to the luscious backdrop of this story.
We are also privy to the intelligence of animals and their capacity for forgiveness and love. Also in the forefront is the ability animals have to nurture each other as Boozie the loveable goat makes it her mission to draw ZURI out of her nightmare and teach her to trust again.
This is a cautionary tale about human greed yet a loving portrayal of animals and their struggle for survival. I recommend this book to all readers it is a unique blend of human and animal interaction that will teach and enthrall you.
April 14, 2023
Great read
If you are interested in the heartbreaking incidents of wildlife poaching and the lives of those who work with these endearing animals, this book is for you. It is a heart-wrenching tale in places but with hope for the animals in others. Highly recommended.
If you are interested in the heartbreaking incidents of wildlife poaching and the lives of those who work with these endearing animals, this book is for you. It is a heart-wrenching tale in places but with hope for the animals in others. Highly recommended.
August 19, 2012
Zuri Africa. An orphan. A love story
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, has no boundary of species.
A poor young Rhino witnessed the horrible incident of her mother's murder and was injured herself. Luckily, she is found right away by talented operators of the park nearby that cares for orphaned wild animals. While she is badly injured from poachers, she is also severally grief stricken and heart broken by the horrific loss of her beloved mother. She is too young and will not eat for the humans. She has lost the will to survive. together, the humans slowly mend her physical injuries but, are unable to successfully help her with the severe psychological trauma she has endured. While desperately seeking a resolution, before they loose her for good; they end up trying an unconventional method. With the help of an unlikely friend she begins to recover from her emotional loss and begins to trust these humans and recover. As much as the humans help her, she is also helping the troubled humans. they have had to work hard together and build trust in each other. They form bonds they never knew existed. Especially, as evidence of poachers resurface and the rescuers are faced with preventing them.
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, has no boundary of species.
A poor young Rhino witnessed the horrible incident of her mother's murder and was injured herself. Luckily, she is found right away by talented operators of the park nearby that cares for orphaned wild animals. While she is badly injured from poachers, she is also severally grief stricken and heart broken by the horrific loss of her beloved mother. She is too young and will not eat for the humans. She has lost the will to survive. together, the humans slowly mend her physical injuries but, are unable to successfully help her with the severe psychological trauma she has endured. While desperately seeking a resolution, before they loose her for good; they end up trying an unconventional method. With the help of an unlikely friend she begins to recover from her emotional loss and begins to trust these humans and recover. As much as the humans help her, she is also helping the troubled humans. they have had to work hard together and build trust in each other. They form bonds they never knew existed. Especially, as evidence of poachers resurface and the rescuers are faced with preventing them.
July 14, 2014
This isn't a book that I would typically read, yet I really enjoyed it! The first chapter starts out with Zuri's point of view. Zuri is a baby rhino. It made me stop and think--are there really people who study rhinos enough that they know how they're feeling and what they're thinking? I believe there are. The story then switches over to humans, with Zuri still in the picture.
I loved Starlite, the vet. She had great ideas and was trying really hard to overcome a tragedy from her recent past, which came out bit by bit throughout the story. Renny, too, is struggling with things from his past and is trying to move on. I love that he is able to realize he was a little too quick to judge and stepped back to try and fix things.
I'm trying to put my finger on what exactly it is about this story that I enjoyed so much. I loved the compassion and loyalty these vets and animal caregivers showed. They were persistent in trying to find the poachers and in trying to help these injured animals recover. I loved reading about the animals and the ways that they helped each other. And I loved the ending--everything came full circle.
Content: Two swear words, that I remember; very mild romance; some violence, mostly related to animals and animal cruelty, but it wasn't too graphic. Clean!
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*
I loved Starlite, the vet. She had great ideas and was trying really hard to overcome a tragedy from her recent past, which came out bit by bit throughout the story. Renny, too, is struggling with things from his past and is trying to move on. I love that he is able to realize he was a little too quick to judge and stepped back to try and fix things.
I'm trying to put my finger on what exactly it is about this story that I enjoyed so much. I loved the compassion and loyalty these vets and animal caregivers showed. They were persistent in trying to find the poachers and in trying to help these injured animals recover. I loved reading about the animals and the ways that they helped each other. And I loved the ending--everything came full circle.
Content: Two swear words, that I remember; very mild romance; some violence, mostly related to animals and animal cruelty, but it wasn't too graphic. Clean!
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*
September 25, 2013
When Zuri, a rhino calf, witnesses her mother brutally murdered by poachers, she is suffering from trauma and grief. After being taken to Kihali Animal Oprhanage, it’s touch and go whether she’ll survive, until chief vet introduces Boozie, the goat, for company. Boozie’s natural love of others brings Zuri out of her grief and helps her find the will to live again.
Zuri is a true love story. A love of animals, the environment, and how human love can heal wounds. It highlights how we need to stop poaching and wildlife trafficking before it’s too late. How human’s selfish greed threatens to wipe out the magnificent and beautiful creatures on this earth. It’s about devotion of people who dedicate their lives to keeping these animals safe. But It’s also a story about survival of animal and human spirit, and how we can both learn to heal each other.
A must read for anyone who cares about animals and the environment, because what we do to them, we do to ourselves.
Zuri is a true love story. A love of animals, the environment, and how human love can heal wounds. It highlights how we need to stop poaching and wildlife trafficking before it’s too late. How human’s selfish greed threatens to wipe out the magnificent and beautiful creatures on this earth. It’s about devotion of people who dedicate their lives to keeping these animals safe. But It’s also a story about survival of animal and human spirit, and how we can both learn to heal each other.
A must read for anyone who cares about animals and the environment, because what we do to them, we do to ourselves.
March 14, 2013
A pleasant, light read mainly about poaching, animal-saving and some romance. It would have been more enjoyable if it was longer, and had even deeper character development. I was glad only the first chapter was written in first person from the rhino orphan's point of view. I'm not always against animal-first-person-narrative, but felt it wouldn't have been very effective in this book.
July 4, 2012
Short. Not bad. Parts felt rushed. I would have like to see what could be done with a longer story. I was not a fan of the first person present narration. There are no surprises in here but Zuri was still entertaining.
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February 25, 2016kindle (africa) I had it under an old name Zuri African Orphan a love story
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews