At age three, author Ruth Hostak longed for the love of her mother who abandoned her and her two older sisters to an orphanage. Seven years later, they were taken back to her home with two half-sisters and her mother's then-boyfriend. At age sixteen, Ruth quit school, was unhappy at home, and yearned for a stable environment. She moved out and chose to live with other family members, returning to school and earning a high school diploma. Ten years later, she attended the college of her dreams and graduated with honors. In Love and Forgiveness Ruth narrates her story, a story illustrating dedication and perseverance and one that showed her there were no limits to what she could accomplish. As she was unsuccessful with two marriages, she continued to immerse herself in a world of personal and professional growth. She learned to love unconditionally, to forgive others, and to fully accept herself. In this memoir, Ruth shares how she learned the importance of a life devoted to something bigger than herself. During these transformational experiences, she found passion and fulfillment in helping others, and gratitude became her daily prayer. In the end, she received the best gift she could have asked for; The last words her mother spoke to her were: "Ruthie, I love you".