The Pruning

Ora Murphy

Summary

Ora Murphy’s heartwarming contemporary romance novel, The Pruning, follows Ruth Anasco in her struggle to find her roots and establish an identity for herself and her children. Brought up by distant adoptive parents, Ruth remains unclear about her heritage until she meets the daughter of a prominent Jewish family at a boarding school in Spain. The family invites her into their home, treating her as their own and inspiring her to practice Judaism. More than 20 years later, still passionate about Judaism, she applies to begin the official conversion process. Awaiting the results of her application with apprehension, Ruth meets Samuel, a man whose whole identity is tied to his Jewish roots. As their love story evolves, cracks begin to appear when the question of identity arises. In flashbacks, readers also learn of Ruth’s first marriage to Hector, an egotistical painter who is physically and emotionally abusive. When she leaves him ten years later, the story recounts her endeavor to provide a stable home for her three children. An inspiring and loveable main character, Ruth shows personal growth throughout the story as she learns to value who she is and makes strides in her career and personal life. Minor characters are equally well-developed, propelling or challenging Ruth’s search for her identity. The author builds suspense with surprising turns. In the beginning, Samuel seems the perfect match for Ruth, but his hesitance in accepting her as she is, and his broken promises raise doubts. Meanwhile, ex-husband Hector pleads his way back into Ruth’s life, but his past behavior makes her wary. The story’s ending is thoroughly satisfying as Ruth finally finds answers for long-held questions and discovers who she truly is. The Pruning raises essential questions about identity and the importance of a sense of self-worth regardless of one’s roots. It is an irresistible read for anyone attracted to the theme of identity interlaced with a soul-stirring romance.

Available since: 09/14/2020.

Romance

Other books that might interest you

The Hellcat and The King

Barbara Cartland

Faced with a forced marriage to the King of Karanya, who’s said to be “…a beast, rude, disagreeable and horrible to look at!”, flame-haired, green-eyed young Zenka is horrified. Even more so when she hears that the depraved King holds orgies at his Castle! But since the match is decreed by Queen Victoria herself, there’s no escape.
 
On her long journey through the night towards a loveless marriage in a strange country, it seems Fate has come to taunt her in the shape of a charming stranger. Appearing under cover of darkness in her private carriage, this thief in the night steals a kiss that Zenka will never, ever forget.

Show book

A Rainbow to Heaven

Barbara Cartland

A spoilt, rich child with a financier father and an immaculate pedigree, Diana’s a glamorous and beautiful young ‘girl about town’ with an enviable social life. That means she has her pick of London’s most eligible bachelors – including handsome ‘ladies man’ Hugo, Lord Dalk, who pursues her relentlessly, as much for her social standing as for her beauty.But although Hugo ‘ticks all the boxes’, something in Diana tells her she deserves more in a man. So when friends Loelia and Jack Standish introduce her to an altogether different kind of man – their philosopher friend Barry Dunbar, ‘one of the greatest young intellects in Europe’ she’s intrigued. But when she meets him, she hates him. He’s dismissive of her trivial lifestyle and unimpressed by her beauty. Tragically, Diana’s world is turned upside down when her father is found dead by his own hand because his financial empire has crashed, taking with it many companies and countless investors’ precious ‘nest eggs’. Alone, penniless and cast out by the society she loves, Diana runs away from it all, including Hugo, and finds herself work as a teashop waitress, where she falls ill with pneumonia. Only now does she realise she’s in love with Barry Dunbar, only to learn that on his oriental travels, he has become a Buddhist monk. Has she discovered the love of her life just days too late?

Show book

Sheikh's Secret Love-Child

Caitlin Crews

To claim his heir, an Arabian king must seduce the beautiful waitress he never forgot in this sexy international romance. 
 
Playboy Sheikh Malak assumed he’d never inherit the throne of his home country. But when his brother unexpectedly abdicates, he finds himself King of Khalia! Now past indiscretions must be put aside . . . until he uncovers the hidden consequence of one delicious passion with an innocent waitress. Malak will claim his heir, but fiercely protective Shona won’t let him just take their son. Malak’s only choice is to bind Shona to him—as his Queen!

Show book

The Lost Heiress (Ladies of the...

Roseanna M. White

Roseanna White Debuts Sparkling British Historical RomanceBrook Eden has never known where she truly belongs. Though raised in the palace of Monaco, she's British by birth and was brought to the Grimaldis under suspicious circumstances as a babe. When Brook's friend Justin uncovers the fact that Brook is likely a missing heiress from Yorkshire, Brook leaves the sun of the Mediterranean to travel to the moors of the North Sea to the estate of her supposed family.The mystery of her mother's death haunts her, and though her father is quick to accept her, the rest of the family and the servants of Whitby Park are not. Only when Brook's life is threatened do they draw close--but their loyalty may come too late to save Brook from the same threat that led to tragedy for her mother.As heir to a dukedom, Justin is no stranger to balancing responsibilities. When the matters of his estate force him far from Brook, the distance between them reveals that what began as friendship has grown into something much more. But how can their very different loyalties and responsibilities ever come together?And then, for a second time, the heiress of Whitby Park is stolen away because of the very rare treasure in her possession--and this time only the servants of Whitby can save her.

Show book

Danger By The Nile

Barbara Cartland

Kit Newbury, the spoilt and unhappy daughter of a rich financier, invites her friend Taryna home for the holidays. She convinces Taryna to pose as a wealthy Canadian heiress, to appease her snobbish stepmother. But as the innocent masquerade thrusts them into a glittering world of fabulous wealth, Tarnya soon realises their deception could quickly unravel. As mysterious undercurrents begin to surface within the world of wealth and amusement, Taryna is drawn not just into a secret mission by the unscrupulous financier, but into the arms of the handsome Michael. Is this the true lights of love or does Micheal really love the money she pretends she has? What Taryna discovers, how she saves her friend and what happens to her fragile and untried heart are all revealed in this passionate story of friendship, truth and love.

Show book

An Unexpected Joy

Ruth Reid

Abigail has driven other suitors away, but can Micah find a way to show her he cares?Being a caregiver for Micah Zook’s grandmother is the answer to Abigail’s prayers. In fact, the elderly lady keeps finding ways to set Abigail up with her grandson. Despite Abigail’s constant chatter, Micah realizes he’s beginning to care for her—until he makes a decision that leaves her feeling betrayed. With Christmas in their midst, can Micah find a way to reconcile with Abigail and to reveal the true feelings of his heart?

Show book