Light Sword Publishing

There are millions of singles in the world of online dating, but local author Rene D. Schultz is only looking for one: Mr. Right.

She recently published a book featuring stories about her Internet dating disasters.

"Searching4MrRight.com" compiles 23 funny, heartfelt and sometimes frightening real-life accounts of her dates made through online sites, such as Match.com. Published by Light Sword Publishing and released July 19, the book can be found on bookstore Web sites.

"It's a difficult place to live, unless you accept it with a sense of humor," she said of single life.

Now touring and signing her book, Schultz, 54, of Thousand Oaks, is next scheduled to appear at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Westside Pavilion, 10850 W. Pico Blvd., West Los Angeles. She is to appear next month at Barnes & Noble in Westlake Village; that event begins at 1 p.m. Oct. 6.

Meanwhile, she is taking submissions of others' online dating stories for her upcoming book, "Searching for Love."

Eight years ago, at the end of a 24-year marriage in which she raised two sons, she found herself ignorant of the ins and outs of dating, she said. She eventually thrust herself into the unstable and intimidating world of online dating, encouraged by her sister, Corky Johnson.

"I can actually hear her speaking to me as I read the book. It's funny, intuitive and an easy read," said Johnson, 57, of Westlake Village.

The online dating scene resulted in the best and worst of times, Schultz said.

One chapter tells of her thrilling and hilarious two-day trip with a gang of tough bikers. "I had the best time of my life in two days, (better) than people have in a lifetime," she said.

Another chapter tells the graphic and terrifying story of a date with a man she dubbed "The PREDaTOR," who she said sexually assaulted her. She did not reveal his name but said he is a law enforcement official. She never pressed charges against him.

"My fear was dragging my kids through an ordeal and getting nowhere," she said. "I want people to be aware of the fact that they have to be very careful. I was very new to this, very trusting."

The book will appeal to a variety of people, not just Internet daters, Johnson said. "People will be surprised by her experiences," she said. "(My sister) put her heart and soul into this book."

For more information, visit www.searching4mrright.com.