Win a Kindle HDX & read an excellent debut novel! My review of "Friend Me" by John Faubion
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and check out my review of John Faubion's debut novel below:
about the book...
“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.
Expect to find your heart racing as you dive into "Friend Me", a novel that will have you on the edge of your seat as you encounter a frightening, all-too-plausible scenario. What if your virtual friend and lover became your enemy, in the flesh? John Faubion has taken a fascinating concept with the "Virtual Friend Me" software, and spun it into an absorbing tale. The villain is deliciously creepy, and yet you can't help but sympathize with Melissa at the same time, as you learn of her past and her desperate desire for someone to simply love her. I not only thought that the underlying premise of this novel was a unique one, but that it was a brilliant way to explore the challenges that can exist in our marriages, as couples can so easily grow apart. I actually encourage couples to both read this book, not only for some great entertainment, but as a starting place to examine the state of their own marriage, and discuss the risks of the internet, whether the risk of spending so much time online your marriage is ignored, to discussing internet pornography or other dangers that lurk online. Faubion examines similar issues in a manner that makes for absorbing reading, while providing a beautiful portrayal of forgiveness and a clear look at what it means to follow God. My only criticism of the book is that I didn't find it realistic that the police would not play a more active role in the scenes that led up to the climax of the novel. However, I was willing to suspend a bit of my belief in order to follow the story where it would lead me. From start to finish, this is quite a ride!
I am greatly impressed by this debut novel, and award it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of the publisher, Howard Books (a division of Simon & Schuster) and the Litfuse Publicity Group, for the purposes of this unbiased review.
John Faubion is celebrating his debut novel, Friend Me, with a Kindle HDX giveaway!
One winner will receive:
my review...
Expect to find your heart racing as you dive into "Friend Me", a novel that will have you on the edge of your seat as you encounter a frightening, all-too-plausible scenario. What if your virtual friend and lover became your enemy, in the flesh? John Faubion has taken a fascinating concept with the "Virtual Friend Me" software, and spun it into an absorbing tale. The villain is deliciously creepy, and yet you can't help but sympathize with Melissa at the same time, as you learn of her past and her desperate desire for someone to simply love her. I not only thought that the underlying premise of this novel was a unique one, but that it was a brilliant way to explore the challenges that can exist in our marriages, as couples can so easily grow apart. I actually encourage couples to both read this book, not only for some great entertainment, but as a starting place to examine the state of their own marriage, and discuss the risks of the internet, whether the risk of spending so much time online your marriage is ignored, to discussing internet pornography or other dangers that lurk online. Faubion examines similar issues in a manner that makes for absorbing reading, while providing a beautiful portrayal of forgiveness and a clear look at what it means to follow God. My only criticism of the book is that I didn't find it realistic that the police would not play a more active role in the scenes that led up to the climax of the novel. However, I was willing to suspend a bit of my belief in order to follow the story where it would lead me. From start to finish, this is quite a ride!
I am greatly impressed by this debut novel, and award it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of the publisher, Howard Books (a division of Simon & Schuster) and the Litfuse Publicity Group, for the purposes of this unbiased review.
about the author...
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.
Check out what other people are saying as part of the Litfuse tour at: http://litfusegroup.com/author/JFaubion
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One winner will receive:
- A brand new Kindle Fire HDX
- Friend Me by John Faubion
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