title: By the Book
author: Fischer-Dixon, Eva
description: Martha Masterson was a librarian in the small city of Giffords, Arizona, when she was brutally attacked and left for dead by five teenagers. Her life is mysteriously intertwined with the life of a dying billionaire, William J. Talbot. Talbot leaves the majority of his wealth to his aid, Jack Trades, a man with a much troubled past. While visiting Martha in the hospital, Jack finds himself falling in love with the seriously hurt woman. After Talbot's death, Martha slowly recovers and learns the fascinating history of her benefactor, William Talbot. Through Jack, she learns the story of Talbot's mother, Helena Talbotowicz, who survived the German occupation of her country, Poland, but could not escape the brutality of the liberating soldiers of the Red Army. Martha also learns about the everlasting love between the young Polish girl and her doctor, Colonel Matthew Collins, a love that remained alive for decades, through difficult decisions, unhappy marriages, and six children. Martha develops deep feelings for Jack, but she wonders that after the brutality that she had survived if she could she be a real partner to him. Before his death, Talbot instructed Jack to take revenge on those who harmed Martha. Will she be strong enough to prevent Jack for taking deadly revenge on those who committed their crimes on her person by the book?