A Kindle mystery novel whose unknown villain appears only as a sexy avatar is being offered free to SL participants through Wednesday, October 17th.

To get your complimentary enovel, “Femme Fatale Online” by Eugene Rodgers, email a request to rodgersmystery@gmail.com (your SL anonymity is safe since you don’t have to disclose your avatar or RL names). Include the letters “SLE” in the email.

You will receive a PDF copy, the same as we send to professional reviewers. (Amazon doesn’t allow authors to give out free copies in the same form as books ordered from them). You can read the book on Kindles, tablets, computers, and phones.

The book captivates readers with its story of an avatar who blackmails the hero, Rick, into industrial espionage and threatens the lives of him and his family. Detailed information on the book and author can be found on the book’s Amazon page (go to Amazon.com, search for “Femme Fatale Online,” and click on the title when it comes up) and on the book’s Facebook page (facebook.com/rodgersmystery).

Enjoy the challenge of following the clues, identifying the red herrings, and trying to figure out the real person behind the terrifying “Joan” avatar. As an anonymous reviewer posted on Amazon, “Who is the Femme Fatale Online? Read the book to find out. You may never use the internet again!” Have fun reading a story that’s part thriller and a subplot that has elements of romances, where a suspect tries to seduce the hero. Anyone who has ever wondered about the real person behind an SL friend, or suspected they weren’t who they pretended to be, will find the novel particularly engaging.

“Femme Fatale Online” was featured on the cable TV program, “America Trends.” Eugene Rodgers was named Virginia Author of the Year for an earlier book. He researched the background for the novel in SL, where his avatar is “Adolphe Menjou.”

Get your free copy if you appreciate mysteries and don’t object to some racy parts and raw language. And please post a review—even a one-sentence review—on Amazon.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Avatars, Dirrogates, AR, and “Memories With Maya”-A Book Review and Commentary by Allen Eppenberger

Thursday, June 13, 2013 Allen Eppenberger, amazon, book review, Clyde DeSouzza, commentary, kindle edition, Memories With Maya, second life 1 comment

I ZOOMED IN AS SHE approached the steps of the bridge, taking voyeuristic pleasure in seeing her pixelated cleavage fill the screen. What was it about those electronic dots that had the power to turn people on? There was nothing real in them, but that never stopped millions of people every day, male and female, from deriving sexual gratification by interacting with those points of light. It must all be down to our perception of reality.

Dsouza, Clyde (2013-02-27). Memories With Maya. . Kindle Edition.

The first paragraph of chapter one from the book is something we’ve all asked ourselves as residents of Second Life. What is the pleasure we derive from either socializing or wandering aimlessly in exploring a sim that’s new to us?

I became aware of Mr. DeSouza while following commentary in an Augmented Reality group I follow on LinkedIn.com. His summary page reads: Clyde DeSouza works behind the scenes with leading Stereographers and professionals in the film making and Broadcast TV industry. His work also includes advising Government and educational institutions in the creation of collaborative environments and advanced media labs to further the knowledge capital of a country.