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Friend Me

A Novel of Suspense

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About The Book

When a lonely wife and her frustrated husband each secretly pursue companionship online, neither dreams that a real woman is behind their virtual creations, threatening their marriage—and their lives.

“You’re afraid you are becoming unfaithful, aren’t you?”

Scott and Rachel’s marriage is on the brink of disaster. Scott, a businessman with a high-pressure job, just wants Rachel to understand him and accept his flaws. Rachel is a lonely housewife, desperate for attention and friendship. So she decides to create a virtual friend online, unaware that Scott is doing the exact same thing. But neither realizes that there’s a much larger problem looming. . . .

Behind both of their online creations is Melissa, a woman who is brilliant— and totally insane. Masquerading as both friend and lover, Melissa programmed a search parameter into the Virtual Friend Me software to find her perfect man, but along the way she forgot to specify his marriage status. And Scott is her ideal match. Now Melissa is determined to have it all—Scott, his family, and Rachel’s life.

As Melissa grows bolder and her online manipulations transition into the real world, Scott and Rachel figure out they are being played. Now it’s a race against time as Scott and Rachel fight to save their marriage, and their lives, before it’s too late.

Excerpt

Friend Me CHAPTER ONE
Melissa

Melissa Montalvo folded her hands on her lap and stared across the table at her final interviewer.

He adjusted the name badge on his shirt. Chief Software Scientist Aaron Getz. “You’ve excelled in both your other interviews, but this is a different kind of meeting.” He leaned in toward Melissa. She felt his gaze upon her. He was slender, with dark eyes that burned under thick, curling eyebrows.

This was it. She either had the job or she didn’t.

“I’d like you to take a look at this, Melissa.” Getz withdrew a letter envelope from his jacket pocket, turned it facedown, and slid it across the rosewood table. “I think you’ll be pleased.”

She searched his face, but his eyes gave nothing away. It must be a job offer, but . . .

Melissa picked up the unsealed envelope bearing the embossed Virtual Friend Me logo, and withdrew the letter inside. Getz’s eyes remained noncommittal as she unfolded the paper.

Dear Ms. Montalvo:

Virtual Friend Me is pleased to offer you the position of chief architect . . .

Her chest constricted as the breath caught in her throat. They were offering her the second position in software development? And more. They were proposing a salary 10 percent above what she had requested.

Getz continued to look at her with the same deadpan expression. What did he expect her to say? “Mr. Getz . . .”

“Call me Aaron, Melissa.”

“I’m very pleased with the offer. When do you want me to start?” She held the employment offer with both hands, unwilling to let it escape her grasp.

Getz smiled. “How about Monday? Or do you need a couple of weeks to finish up with your current employer?”

“No, Monday is fine.” She shut her eyes, a rush of relief washing over her. “I would like to know a little more about the project, though. It’s all been so super-secret.”

“No hurry. We want you to be completely comfortable with everything we’re doing here.”

His hand glided unerringly across the table to rest on hers. His lotioned skin felt soft and slimy as the fingers moved across the back of her hand.

She pulled back, looked down at his pale hand still poised like some serpent over the spot where her hand had been.

“Problem?” he asked.

She choked back the revulsion she felt at being touched that way. “No, no problem,” she said stiffly, struggling to regain composure.

“The project. Can you tell me more about it now?”

Getz’s hand slid silently back behind the tabletop.

“No problem. We can take a few minutes right now.”

If he had noticed her reaction to his touch, he wasn’t showing it. If a man was going to touch her, she wanted it to be on her own terms. She would not be used.

Getz continued, “What we’ve got going on here is, in my estimation, the most aggressive, cutting-edge, artificial intelligence project in the nation. At least in terms of social networking. And you are going to be a major part of it.” He leaned forward, eyebrows raised. “No one outside this company is to know what we’re doing until it’s done. That’s very important. Can you agree to that?”

“Yes.”

“Here it is.” Getz held up both hands, as if ready to catch a ball. “You know about the whole social-networking thing. We’ve got Facebook, MyLife, and all the rest. People are looking to the web for friendships, for relationships at all levels.”

“I know. It’s been a major cultural phenomenon.”

“The big question is, how can someone, some company, break into that in a really unique way? Facebook already has more than eight hundred million active users. That’s from them, their own statistics. Eight hundred million! That’s better than eleven percent of the entire population of planet Earth. Do you know how many friends each user has?”

She shook her head.

“I’ll tell you how many. The average Facebook user has over one hundred friends.” Getz’s green eyes grew large, intense. “Do the math. Fifty percent of their active users log on every day. Every one of them has an average of one hundred thirty friends, right? How many people are potentially touched by all that? How many?”

Melissa worked the numbers. She had only gotten to the first set before Getz spoke again.

“Half of eight hundred million is four hundred million. Multiply that by a hundred thirty. Know what you’ll get? Fifty-two billion people!”

“But that’s more people than there are on the whole Earth,” answered Melissa. “What sense would it make? That would mean we’re hitting many people more than one time.”

“Exactly. So we have overlap. What it comes down to is we’re hitting all those millions of people six, seven, maybe eight times a day. Somehow, we’re touching all of them.”

Melissa considered the implications. “Okay, so there’s all this social interaction. I get that. But how does that help us? How do we benefit?”

“Okay, here’s where it gets good. Imagine . . .” He raised one finger right in front of her nose. “Just imagine we’ve got a percentage of those ‘friends’ working for us. Even a very small percentage. Keep imagining. What if we could get those workers of ours to recommend movies, products, vacations . . . you name it. Would that be huge?”

Nodding, she stretched herself mentally.

“Are you imagining? You get online with Facebook, and we’ve got one of your friends telling you how great the latest chick flick is, and that you ought to go see it. Or she’s using some new kind of dish soap and you ought to try it. Any kind of product, you just name it. As they say, this is the most amazing concept since sliced bread. And you’re going to be front and center, right in the middle of all of it.”

Getz stood up and turned to the whiteboard behind him. “We do it like God did it, but better.” With a bright blue marker he drew a circle on the board. “We create them.”

“Create them? How’s that?” It was common among software developers to use the word create freely. But to create people? Where was this going?

“Let me illustrate it for you.” He drew a smile in the circle, then added two eyes, with turned-up, innocent-looking eyebrows. “So far, so good. We’ve got a friendly face. What’s missing?”

“A body?”

“That’s good, but what I mean is, what’s missing in the face? Don’t answer. It’s a nose.” He drew a rounded triangle in the center.

“Now, how about the body? Should it be slender or fat? Your call.”

“Fat. It should be fat because the face is round.”

“Right, because the two go together. We know what makes us comfortable.” He sketched a rotund figure into the drawing, which began to look like the Pillsbury Doughboy.

“Now, Melissa, look at his right hand. It’s empty. Tell me which object you prefer.” As he spoke, he drew a handgun in the right hand, paused, then erased the handgun and replaced it with an umbrella. Then he erased the umbrella and faced her. “Which did you like? The gun or the umbrella?”

“I liked the umbrella.”

“Why?” He redrew the umbrella.

“Because you drew a friendly figure to start with, and the umbrella was more consistent with that. The gun looked out of place.”

“You’ve got it. We just designed someone you were comfortable with. It was simple, it was intuitive, and it was interesting.”

I know where this is going. I’m a mile ahead of you, Mr. Getz.

“Here it is, Melissa. Plain and simple. We are going to provide the means to let people custom-design their own friends. Yes, I really mean friends. We’ve got the technology, you know that. What we’ve lacked was the platform to make it worthwhile. Social networking—Facebook and all the rest—gives that to us.”

Silence settled in the air as he allowed the implications of that to form in her mind.

“Let’s imagine Jane Doe sitting at home. She’s worried, she’s depressed, she wants someone to confide in. Who’s she going to turn to?”

“Her friends?”

“But those friends are real people. She doesn’t dare tell them what’s really going on. For all she knows, it could be all over Facebook in an hour, and then the whole world would know her secret. No, she needs someone she can trust with the deepest secrets of her life.

“So, Jane Doe goes to our website and we let her design the perfect friend. A virtual friend.”

“She designs one online?”

“We start with something as simple as the basic personality types and have her build from there. So she chooses introverted or outgoing, friendly or reserved, kind or difficult, understanding or impatient.

“Someone’s going to choose an impatient friend?”

“The important thing is that we provide the choice. From there she picks her friend’s hair, physique, family background, age, everything. Maybe she builds the sister she never had. Perhaps she builds a high school friend she lost touch with. It’s up to her.”

Melissa realized what Getz was presenting to her was not only doable, it was perfect. Why has no one ever done this? “So, how far does this go? Synthesized voice? Conversations? The whole works? I mean, I can see getting all of this done if we have the resources.”

“We take it as far as we can, Melissa. And we’ve definitely got the resources. I envision our Jane Doe building her friend and then we automatically register her friend on Facebook. From then on, she can interact with her virtual friend just as easily as she could with a real person.” He flashed a conspiratorial smile. “Well, any way but physical.”

She didn’t like what Getz was doing with his eyes and squirmed under his gaze.

Melissa pointed at the whiteboard, drawing Getz’s eyes off her. “And how do we profit from this?”

He blinked, turned back to her. “We make money two ways. First, even though we start out with this as a free service, eventually we ramp it up and charge money for the ‘premium’ friend. People won’t hesitate. Second, these friends can sell products, services. Old-fashioned click-through advertising will be like a horse cart compared to what we can offer.”

I’ve got it, Mr. Getz. You won’t see me coming till I run over you.

“This is fascinating. I never . . .”

“I’ve only begun to scratch the surface here, Melissa. For instance, well, may I ask you a personal question?”

“Go ahead.”

“Is your mother living?”

It felt like she’d been struck in the chest with a rock. Why in the world would he ask her a question like that? Her, of all people. Could he know?

Control. She shook her head slowly. “No, she’s not.”

Getz bent over the table, palms flat, his face close to hers. “Then here’s the big one, Melissa. We can give her back to you in every way but physically.”

Yes, it’s true. We can do that. The potential, the power of what they had in their hands was overwhelming. She shook off the lightheaded feeling.

People would be re-creating deceased children, mothers, fathers. They’d be getting e-mails on their birthdays from people who’d been gone for many years. Was it a kind of self-deception? Sure, but how different was it from hanging a picture of a loved one in the hallway? Wasn’t it there to remind you of the person? Something to help you recall old conversations, hugs, and special times? And perhaps to imagine what might have been?

I can make it real.

She felt again the pressure of Getz’s gaze on her as she worked through it mentally, emotionally. This will work, and I can do it.

Another idea tugged on the edges of her mind with tiny, insistent fingers. The one that would make it supremely worthwhile. Not now. Later. I’ll think about that when the time comes.

•  •  •

THE WAY HE’S LOOKING AT me. A shiver fluttered along Melissa’s exposed forearm.

She needed to steer the conversation somewhere else, and still stroke the man’s ego. “How did you come up with the idea? I mean, this isn’t just numbers lined up in columns. This is genius.”

He rolled his head to one side, as if savoring the memory. “I remember the moment of . . . inspiration . . . when the concept of the virtual friend came to me. It left me nearly breathless. This was the multimillion-dollar idea I’d been searching for all my adult life.”

She watched an expression slither over his features and recoiled at the way it made her feel. The man was a snake.

“And you will be the greatest asset of all. Your design and architectural talents will make the virtual friend a reality, Melissa. There is nothing to stop us.”

Us. She swallowed, smiled back.

“We’ll make an incredible team, Mr. Getz.”

No one had to tell her she was good. And there was much more he would learn about her, but he could wait a little longer for that surprise.

He slid his soft fingers across her hand. “Yes, Melissa. The two of us will be working very closely over the next four or five years. A project this size will surely take that long before it’s ready for the world to see. And all the time, we’ll be working together, planning, developing. Both of us learning what the other has to offer.”

The question was, how closely would they be working? Getz was a predator. He probably thought of himself as the big brass ring every girl wants to snag, but she wasn’t here to become his trophy. She was here for work, serious work.

She still clutched the employment letter in one hand as she looked up at the whiteboard.

Getz asked, “So, what do you think? Are you starting to see the possibilities?”

Always the suggestive comments. How should she answer? “The possibilities? Yes, absolutely. This is brilliant.”

Melissa looked up at Getz, who still stood by the whiteboard. Keep his mind on the project. “We could build out a library of celebrity characters. Everyone from Madonna to Steve Jobs. People would go crazy.”

“There you go, you’ve got the idea,” said Getz. “Already in the plans. What else?”

Melissa looked at the whiteboard, then back to Getz, forcing herself to remain clear and focused. “Some people will just be looking for a new relationship. A boyfriend. Or a girlfriend. Someone to talk to. There’s that.”

“Premium content.” Getz grinned. “And you’ve just approached what’s probably going to be the main profit center. What we call ‘The Virtual Ideal.’ There’s something inside people that’s always searching for that ideal relationship. We’re going to come pretty close to fulfilling that.”

I have an ideal man, and he’s not virtual. He exists somewhere, and this will help me find him.

Getz erased the Doughboy figure with the umbrella off the whiteboard. “I’ve got a meeting with our CEO, Dan Hammersmith, in a few minutes. He’ll want to meet you on Monday when you come in. You can go through all the Human Resources rigmarole then, all right?”

“Sure,” said Melissa. “That sounds great. I’ll be here when the doors open.”

Getz reached toward her and took her hand before she could withdraw it. He held on to it as he looked into her eyes, eyebrows slightly raised.

“I’d like to talk to you more before then. There’s a lot we need to discuss before we . . .” He grinned, mirthlessly. “Before we get down and dirty, so to speak.” He paused. “I could, say, meet you for dinner tonight? Just talk through some things? I think it’s going to be important to know we’re compatible, that we think the same way about things, don’t you?”

Here it is. Oh, I know you, Getz. Down, dirty, and compatible.

She looked at his left hand. No wedding ring. She didn’t want to lose this job before she got it.

No matter. If it went wrong, she knew what to do. “Sure, Mr. Getz. What do you have in mind?”

“Aaron, call me Aaron,” he said. He still gripped her hand. “I’ve got your address from your résumé. How about I pick you up at six-thirty and we go out to the Tuscan Villa? It’s in downtown Indianapolis near where you live.”

She hid a shudder, as if she were in the coils of a venomous serpent.

Getz hesitated. Had he seen her react?

“Don’t worry. Strictly professional. Do you like Italian okay?”

She withdrew her hand. “That will work. I’ll expect you then. And thank you for working out the job.”

Melissa could still feel Getz’s green eyes on her as she walked through the double glass doors to the street outside.

Reading Group Guide

This reading group guide for Friend Me includes an introduction, discussion questions, ideas for enhancing your book club, and a Q&A with author John Faubion. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book.


Introduction

Rachel and Scott’s marriage had gotten a little stale. Faced with just the kids at home and Scott at work until late at night, Rachel decided to log on to a new website—VirtualFriendMe.com. From that moment on, the family’s life began to spiral out of control. One woman—Melissa—manages to manipulate both Rachel and Scott using the website’s interface, learning their deepest secrets and driving a wedge further between the couple. When Rachel faces a near-death experience, Scott decides to come clean about his online relationship, and together Scott and Rachel resolve to stop Melissa before she can do more damage to their family. Friend Me is about love, family, and the faith needed to overcome new obstacles in the digital age.  

Topics & Questions for Discussion 

1. The epigraph to Friend Me quotes Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” What is true, honest, just, etc. about the concept of the VirtualFriendMe website? Why do you think Rachel was initially attracted to the site?
 
2. Why do you think the story begins with Melissa’s point of view? Is Friend Me ultimately her story?
 
3. How would you characterize Melissa Montalvo? What are her motivations for doing the things she does? How does her past inform her future?
 
4. Discuss Scott and Rachel’s marriage issues. Would you consider their problems out of the ordinary? Why or why not?
 
5. In this day and age, questions about fidelity and the Internet can be tricky. At what moment do you think that Scott crossed the line into infidelity—if ever? Did his interactions with Alicia make him unfaithful?
 
6. Do you think that Scott is a good husband? Do you like his character? Do you blame him for what happened to Rachel—or was he also a victim?
 
7. On page 134, Scott argues with himself, “maybe there was a virtual love? Something was happening….no, he couldn’t be falling in love with her” (134). Do you think there is such a thing as “virtual love”? What is the difference between Scott’s love for Rachel and his love for Alicia?
 
8. How would you describe Rachel and virtual Suzanne’s relationship? Did the relationship change over the course of the story? How so?
 
9. What irony can be found in Melissa’s nickname for Rachel—The Other?
 
10. Revisit the scene on page 215 when Scott asks little Scotty about the new babysitter Alicia. What was your reaction when Scotty says, “she told us that we could just call her Mommy”? Do you think that this was a red flag for Scott? Why do you think he did not confess his virtual relationship to Rachel in that moment?
 
11. Do you think Scott and Rachel could have fixed their marriage problems without the wake-up call they received in the form of Rachel’s near-death by poison? Can you make the argument that the attempted murder acted as a silver lining in this case? Why or why not?
 
12. Discuss the ending of the novel. Were you surprised to learn that Rose killed Melissa? Who do you think is the hero or heroine of this story?
 
13. What role does faith play in Friend Me? Without faith, do you think that Rachel and Scott could have defeated evil?

Enhance Your Book Club

1. Friend Me touches on many themes relevant to popular culture, particularly the Internet and how our privacy can be compromised with the click of a button. These same concerns are the focus of the popular television series Catfish. Have a TV night with your reading group and watch a few episodes of the show. Afterwards, discuss with the group the ways in which the show is similar to Scott and Rachel’s story. Did Melissa “catfish” the couple?
 
2. The concept of a friend online that could be as real as any friend in reality is interesting—and still very new. The author, John Faubion, has brought his concept to life on his website. Log on to www.christiansuspense.com/suspense-home/virtual-person-friend-me/ with your reading group. Spend a few minutes on the site, and afterwards, have a conversation about friendships in the digital age. Do you think that friendship can exist in many forms? Why or why not? Give examples from your own life or from other stories you have read.
 
3. Continue on the trend of strange romances and read Illusion by Frank Peretti with your reading group. What similarities can you draw between the two stories? What differences? Has anyone in your reading group ever had an unconventional relationship?   
 

A Conversation with John Faubion  1. Is this your first novel? Describe the experience of writing, from the idea for the story to the final draft. Were there any surprises in the writing process? First novel?  

Yes, at least the first anyone will ever see. The earlier one (on the back side of my hard disk) is consigned to darkness forever.

The Experience.  

The whole virtual friend concept came to me one day in a software design meeting. I was not thinking about writing it as a novel. The idea appealed to me as a way to generate income, and do it in a way that would be totally fresh and unique.
I was pretty excited about the idea, and told my wife about it that evening. I was all ready for her to provide some enthusiastic encouragement, but instead she said, “Don’t you dare do that. Can you not see what people would do with it?”
Well —no, I hadn’t thought about the dark side of it. I was still all wrapped up in the coolness of the idea. But she was right. In the end, she said, “Why don’t you just write about it? It would be a great story.” I’m glad she did.
Now I’ll tell you some things about the writing process. Not what makes it hard, or time-consuming, or frustrating. I’m going to confess something else. I really got into my character’s personas.
Here’s a single example. Too much of this, and I’ll embarrass myself. When Melissa tells Scott her real name for the first time I get really emotional. If you are conflicted about my villain (and she is truly a villain), then I am more so. Melissa’s whole life has crystallized down to this one poignant moment. He loved me for what I’ve been to him. Will he love me as I am? Dismiss entirely the fact that she’s all about killing his wife and children to have him. Can you get into her head and heart here? It’s frightening, and that because it is so, so, human. Jesus said, “The first shall be last.” Melissa, however, sees the world entirely through the lenses of her own desires. Nothing else matters. She, and her perceived needs, are all that matter.
When I write about Scott’s weakness, I feel it. And Rachel? I’ve seen Rachel in the eyes of not a few discouraged wives. The point is, when I write these characters onto the page, I feel all the things they feel. Perhaps that is common for writers, but it caught me by surprise.
In the early drafts of Friend Me, I didn’t like Scott very much. If I caught myself being sympathetic to him I had to back off and consider my own character. Did I see too much of myself in him? It was pretty scary.
I’d like to see people read the book, then consider the whole question of “virtual love.” Of course, there is no such thing. It’s just a construct for narcissism and loving yourself. “Rejoice in the wife of thy youth.” “Drink waters from thine own cistern.” That’s real.

Surprises?  

I didn’t know until I was more than eighty percent done how it would end. So that was just as much a surprise for me as it was for you.

2. Questions raised by this novel are very current questions, ones that remain still largely unresolved. In your opinion, what does constitute infidelity on the Internet? When do you think Scott became unfaithful in the story?  

I’m going for the quick and easy answer here, simply because it’s not that complicated.
When Jane asked him, “Male or female friend?” Scott replied, “Female.” At that point, he’d crossed over. He was done. When a guy does that, he’s made a sharp turn onto the wrong road. He became unfaithful.
Want to make it more complicated? We can talk about him putting work before family, and on and on. But those things can change in an afternoon. However, when he said, “Female,” he was g-o-n-e. Guys understand this.
Do we think that only only sexual sin was in scope when Jesus said in Matthew 5, “But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart”? When a husband chooses some woman other than his wife as his confidante, companion, or female best friend, he’s turned down the road of infidelity.

3. Who is your favorite character in the story and why?  

Easy. Melissa. She’s really bad. But doesn’t it bother you when you find yourself sympathizing with her? Imagine how enjoyable it is to write about character like that.
My second favorite is “all the rest.”

4. One of the joys of this story is the shifting point of view—from Melissa, to Rachel, to Scott. The reader gets to experience the inside story of all three, very different characters. What was your experience like from writing from a female point of view? Was it more difficult to write as Melissa or Rachel than Scott?  

Melissa’s character was the most fun to write. Absolutely no question about it. Are you familiar with Satan’s five infamous, “I will’s” in Isaiah 14? Her character has that sense to it.
Scott’s character was difficult only because I was forced into so much self-examination.
Rachel’s was the most difficult. I still don’t understand women. The things that make sense to women don’t make sense to me. Whatever you may think I know, I only know from observation. My faithful wife Beth, my heroic agent Linda Glaz, and equally tenacious editor, Amanda Demastus, were constantly on my case about improving Rachel. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I heard, “No woman would _______.” You fill in the blank. So I’m totally indebted to the wise women who nudged me along into grudging assent as to what a woman really thinks.
As to whether or not I was successful in writing from a female point of view, I will leave to you. I hope you’ll write and tell me. Correct me, if you like. It’s all welcome.

5. What would you name as the major theme(s) of this story?  

Being real and being faithful.
The epigraph to Friend Me is Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
We live in an age where people choose to exist in virtual worlds. Facebook is an example, but not the only one. Each of these virtual worlds touches on reality, but they are not in fact real themselves.
One theme of the story is that Scott Douglas substituted a made-up, virtual wife for a real wife and lover. Foolish. It was not true, not honest, not just, not pure or any of the rest. We need to focus on real people, real lives. Real friends. Real love.
Another theme is the absolute necessity of faithfulness in the Christian life. Faithfulness to our Lord Jesus, to our husbands and wives. If we want to be used of God, faithfulness is the key. Timothy 1:12, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.”

6. You have spent many years working as a missionary. Did that experience help inform this story in any way?  

Sounds like a great time for an exciting answer! However, it is not the efforts associated with being a missionary that informed the story. Rather, it’s the normal struggles of the Christian life (over many years) that did the job. “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love.” We all know what it’s like. As we see the day approaching, the battle will intensify. It won’t be long before we’re all full of stories to tell about our defeats and victories in the Christian life.
In future books we’ll deal with more missionary-related ideas. I will run out of years before I run out of things I want to write about.

7. Describe any research that went into the writing of this story. Was it a lot or a little? Did real life events, such as the Manti Te’o scandal, give your ideas for your story?  

I’ve got a fairly complete writeup on how the story came to be on my blog (http://christiansuspense.com/why-friend-me). Basically, I thought I might have found the ideal software project. . . virtual friends. Because I’m now a professional software developer, I’m pretty familiar with the market and the available technology.
When I shared the idea with other people, I got some predictable reactions. “Oh, you’ve got to see Catfish!” “Seriously, did you hear about Manti Te’o?” “Cool, have you seen Second Life?”
So this story line connects with a lot of people. Like many things, it is the abuse of a good idea that turns it toward the dark side.

8. Who is your favorite author and why?  

Cyril M. Kornbluth, who died in 1958, still in his thirties. I think he was the best science fiction writer of all time. Read his short story, The Little Black Bag, sometime. It was done as a Twilight Zone episode (Season 1, episode 7) later on.
The best Christian novel I’ve read lately was Havah: The Story of Eve, by Tosca Lee. She writes things that make me think.

9. Do you agree that Rose is the heroine of the novel? Without Rose’s intervention, do you think that Rachel would have survived Melissa’s attack?  

Rose is not the heroine. Rachel is. Heroic—because she led a faithful Christian life throughout. Rose was motivated only by bitterness, not a sense of righteousness.
As to whether or not she could have survived the attack, I can assure you she would have. Some way!

10. What is next for you as a writer?  

Lots of books! I enjoy this business of writing. The thing is, I know what I like to read myself, so that’s what I try and write for others. It’s what I like to call High-Contrast Suspense. That is, my villains are really villainous. Just like light and darkness.
The Lord willing, in everything I write you should be able to discern a clear Christian world view. I am determined not to fail in that, so long as God gives me the years to do it.

About The Author

Photograph (c) Rob Slaven Photography

John Faubion has spent many years in Asia as a missionary with his family. Since returning to the United States, John has worked as a senior software developer for a large appliance chain. He teaches an adult Sunday school class and enjoys writing and driving his 1949 Packard automobile. John lives near Indianapolis with his wife, Beth, and their daughter.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Howard Books (February 4, 2014)
  • Length: 368 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781476738727

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“Right from the start Friend Me caught me off-guard and threw me into the first loop of an action-packed ride that is anything but what you expect. Filled with rich characters and complicated situations, Friend Me is a compelling read that makes you glad you took the ride. Don't miss this book.”

– Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author of the Books of Mortals series and Iscariot

Friend Me offers an intense page-turning experience that will leave the reader satisfied and thirsty for more.”

– CBA Retailers & Resources

"Suspense drips from the lines of this novel.”

– Nike Chillemi, author of the Sanctuary Point series

Friend Me is a suspense-filled trip torn from tomorrow’s headlines; an all-too-believable story that had me turning pages to the unexpected end. I’m anxious to read more from this debut author.”

– Richard L. Mabry, MD, author of Stress Test and Heart Failure

Friend Me captured me from page one and wrapped me in thought-provoking suspense until the end. The intriguing plot made it nearly impossible to put this book down. Mr. Faubion has crafted a great story that will grab your attention and stick with you long after you read the last page.”

– Larry W. Timm, pastor of Gracepoint Church in Peabody, Kansas

Friend Me is an exciting foray into today’s cyber-culture. I loved every minute of the hero’s frantic efforts to extricate himself and his wife from the virtual-web of the villainess. Fascinating characters and exciting plot twists make this a stellar read.”

– V. B. Tenery, author of Dead Ringer and The Watchman

“John Faubion introduces a new and different kind of chiller, an uncharted world of cyber suspense. The writing? It’s fabulous.”

– Donn Taylor, author of Deadly Additive and Rhapsody in Red

“This thought-provoking tale reveals the frailty and potential wickedness in all of us and the terrible, life-altering things we are capable of when we yield to our own selfish desires and devices.”

– Creston Mapes, bestselling author of Poison Town

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