The Perfect Match / T. Wayne Bloodworth (ePub)

Dr. Zack Folsom, a gifted heart surgeon, immerses himself in his work to shield the pain of losing his wife in an auto accident. He allows his devotion to his profession to further isolate him from their only son, Brody, who grows up resenting his father. Zack becomes increasingly frustrated with hospital politics and the general state of medicine and doesn't like the sarcastic and irascible person he has become. His life is empty and he yearns for simpler times with a family.

A turning point comes when an unsolicited, but lucrative, offer to purchase his startup, a surgical robotics company, comes from Mr. Giovanni Marcello, an Italian international businessman. If accepted, the offer would allow Zack to exit the demands of the hospital, but possibly force him to give up his first love--performing surgery. As he explores the offer, he is introduced to Gabriella Benetti, the attractive Italian attorney for the purchaser and the first woman to whom Zack is attracted since his wife's death.

Gabriella's influence, along with visits to his parents, Papa Santos and Mama Morales, and a trip to Italy with the family-oriented Mr. Marcello, intensifies his desire for home and family.

Zack's best friend, Armando Morales, with whom he grew up, assists Zack in the sale of his company until the relationship is severely jeopardized by the discovery that Armando is using cocaine.

The complex family dynamics are suddenly simplified when Armando is hospitalized in critical condition and the family depends on Zack for guidance. But the real shocker comes after the health crisis when a long-held family secret is finally revealed.