The Mulberry Tree, Jude Deveraux
The Mulberry Tree, Jude Deveraux
5 Rating(s)
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The Mulberry Tree

Author: Jude Deveraux

Narrator: Karen Ziemba

Abridged: 4 hr 22 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/01/2002


Synopsis

A young widow inherits a run-down farmhouse and a whole new beginning in Virginia in this charming and emotional novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Summerhouse.

Quiet, unassuming, and overweight, Lillian did anything and everything to please her husband of twenty years, the illustrious self-made billionaire James Manville. Since the tender age of seventeen, she had obeyed this powerful older man’s every command and in return she received a life beyond her wildest dreams. Elaborate mansions. Trips around the world. The finest jewels and the most luxurious fashions.

But when Jimmie dies suddenly in a plane crash, Lillian’s pampered life comes to an abrupt halt. She learns that Jimmie has bequeathed all of his riches to his devious siblings. All, that is, except an old farmhouse in small-town Virginia. Although Lillian is devastated by Jimmie's death and apparent betrayal, she soon discovers a well of secrets connected to Jimmie’s past and uncovering them, she thinks, will help her to better understand the man she loved and mysteriously lost.

What Lillian doesn’t foresee is how her unexpected circumstances quickly transform her. She loses weight, changes her name to avoid further harassment from the press, and, with the help of Matthew Longacre, a kind, handsome local man, begins to renovate the farmhouse and establish friendships with the quirky townspeople. In time she develops her own thriving business and an inner strength she never knew existed. But, though Lillian’s new life seems as strong as the mulberry tree firmly planted outside her farmhouse, there remain secrets and lies that threaten to uproot the past she cherished and the future she will fight to protect.

About Jude Deveraux

Jude Deveraux was born in Fairdale, Kentucky as Jude Gilliam. After earning a degree in art from Murray State University and studying teaching at the University of New Mexico, she taught fifth grade in Santa Fe, New Mexico until her first book, “The Land of Enchantment”, was accepted for publication by Avon books.

The American Romance novel author is well known for her historical romances and has forty-one New York Times bestsellers to date, including “Moonlight in the Morning” and “A Knight in Shining Armor”. There are more than sixty million copies of her books in print worldwide. Deveraux, who was described as "a popular romance author" by the New York Times in 2009, appeared as herself in the 1987 romance novelist documentary “Where the Heart Roams”.

Jude has lived in England and Egypt as well as in several American states, and she has traveled around the world. In her spare time, she likes to read nonfiction and murder mysteries, work in her garden, and in her boxing class, she enjoys showing much younger males that she can throw a mean right cross.


Reviews

AudiobooksNow review by Gidget on 2008-07-01 22:09:42

This book is great! I loved the story line and it really kept me on my toes. I couldn't put this one down.

Goodreads review by Joann on July 02, 2009

I finally finished reading The Mulberry Tree by Jude Deveraux. This book started out with a bang and hooked me in immediately, but then started to slide downward, drifting into a kind of humdrum that nearly had me closing the book for good. The only saving grace came in the form of my Book Pal at......more

Goodreads review by Lyn *Nomadic Worlds on December 01, 2018

I'd forgotten how good JD's writing was!......more

Goodreads review by Candice on August 02, 2013

I wouldn't read it again. It was ok but too many characters made this tedious and a bit confusing. Still not sure what happened to a few of the golden six. Left with a lot of loose ends but so exhausted from reading this book I don't even care. The romance didn't catch me, with the main character elu......more

Goodreads review by Sophie on August 28, 2013

Not sure I can say I disliked this book... but I certainly wouldn't classify it as a romance which is probably why it didn't sit well with me. The plot was a bit more mystery/small town story than it was contemp romance. I found the characters kind of BLAH but I had nothing against the book itself.......more

Goodreads review by Kate on December 11, 2007

There are two books in my collection that I read occasionally when I need a light read and something kind of fun, and this is one of them. It is the story of Lillian Manville, the wife of billionaire James Manville, who is killed when his plane crashes in the middle of the night. He dies, leaving Li......more