Gold Coaster Francine Pappadis Friedman's experiences at Internet dating may have been a bomb, but her first attempt at authoring a book is anything but.

Friedman has penned, MatchDotBomb: A Mid-life Journey through Internet Dating (Wheatmark Publishing, $15.95), an easy-to-read, sometimes funny, other times sad, gem of a book about looking for Mr. Cyber Right when she finds herself widowed after her husband of 31 years, Bob, dies.

"I wanted to write this book as a way to help other suddenly-single adults who, perhaps, had been one-half of a couple for many years and then, through death, divorce, or a break-up, found themselves alone and we're trying to deal with their new single status," said Friedman, a 50-something fundraising and communications consultant. "I think online dating is great. The odds are good, but sometimes, the goods are odd."

As a result of her nine months of Internet dating, Friedman went on 30 to 40 dates, and she takes us with on a few of her romps with Mr. Wrongs. Some men were interesting, she said, and the few that she might have considered going out on a second date with, well, they didn't ask her, which she says was a real wake-up call.

"I know many people have met their spouses there," Friedman said of the Internet. "I only just happened to meet the leftovers."

Really, all Friedman is looking for is this: One decent, kind, honest, accountable man, with a generosity of spirit, intelligence, and a great sense of humor. Unfortunately, she had no luck finding him online. "But I credit these guys from cyberspace with teaching me who I am," she said.

Friedman decided to try Internet dating after being convinced by friends to give it a whirl. But the mother of two grown children soon found herself viewing profiles of men who advertised themselves as "Lover Boy," "Gun in My Pocket" and "Want a Wife Right Now?"

"There's no male bashing or mean spiritedness in the book, but some of these guys were just obnoxious," said Friedman, who grew up in Lake View and attended Immaculata High School and St. Mary's of the Lake for elementary school.

Friedman's book was also a journey into self-discovery. After losing her mother, husband, and brother all within three years, and all in July, the former English/journalism teacher found it healing to spill her emotions out on paper. She chronicles her experiences with big doses of humor and in a poignant way that anyone who has ever been looking for love can relate to.

Friedman who says she's probably overly generous in her male tolerance level and believes in giving people the benefit of the doubt has never had a second date with any of her online acquaintances, but she found that each failed encounter taught her something. Ultimately, she is making peace with her husband's death and her newfound single status, and has decided that she's responsible for her own happiness--with or without a significant other.

"I wanted to focus on where I was going instead of with whom," Friedman said. "The whom would come later." The book, she says, is a wake-up call to both sexes to stop waiting for Mr. or Ms. Right and instead concentrate on living life to the fullest.

Friedman offers this advice for newly-single women and men (the book is definitely not for women only): "Don't get so caught up in trying to find the perfect traveling companion that you miss the journey altogether."

Matchdotbomb is available at Barnes & Noble, 1130 N. State St., Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark St. and Amazon.com. It can also be special ordered at any local bookstore.