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. “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 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. 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