REVIEW: "If you've ever traveled the rough road of romance and got lost..."

Want to check out ROADMAPS FOR THE SEXUALLY CHALLENGED?

Here's the Amazon link! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TYKV5ZG

NEW AMAZON REVIEW BY HONOR BRIGHT:

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought:
Extra Hankies -- keep plenty of these on hand to wipe away tears of laughter and recognition.

Product Details:
Hardhitting: 332 relentlessly honest pages.
Purchaser: Anyone who's ever had a heart.
Language: Explicit; also, erotic, enraged, empathetic, empowering.

Book Description: If you've been right there and done very nearly that, "Roadmaps" can take you, via clear and easy-to-read lines, right home to the 1990s LA, CA., but it's not a trip for nostalgia junkies alone.

If you've ever lived in any big city you'll recognize the oases of beloved parks and restaurants tucked between the freeways and skyscrapers, and if you've ever had community you'll recognize the friends, neighbours, and teachers offering travel tips and advice on your route.

If you've ever traveled a rough road of romance anywhere, and got lost, "Roadmaps" can take you back. Retrace your steps and you will recognize landmarks you might have missed before, in the same places you once took a wrong turn.

If you've never been down that road, or you're an old traveler on the verge of taking another trip, use "Roadmaps" as a cautionary guide. Like a modern take on the Regency and Victorian tales of romance written to caution young ladies before it might be too late, and their young lives blighted forever, "Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged" could be a challenge to us all. "Don't go unconscious for love."

Wherever you may travel, may you come to a point like "Roadmaps" brings us to, with a dazzling three hundred and sixty degree view.


--Honor Bright (Yep, it's a nom de plume!)

"Cathartic" Critique by Author Celia Conrad for "ROADMAPS FOR THE SEXUALLY CHALLENGED"

The incomparable Celia Conrad, author of the Alicia Allen Investigates Trilogy, put her analytic skills to the test and posted this glorious critique of my new novel, "ROADMAPS FOR THE SEXUALLY CHALLENGED: ALL'S NOT FAIR IN LOVE OR WAR" to Amazon today! She is Lucky No. 6 on the Rave Review Scale. Who's next? Thank you so very very much, Ms. Conrad!

Title: "Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged: 

            All's Not Fair in Love or War" 

Author: Marlan Warren

Kindle E-Book

Novel (Contemporary Women's Fiction/Divorce)

Amazon: "Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged"

Amazon Review by Author Celia Conrad: April 1, 2015

Don’t be misled by the title of this novel into thinking that it is just another erotic romance, written on the back of the successful book and now film Fifty Shades of Grey.

Set in 1990’s L.A. this book was actually conceived and written by the author in 1994 and written against the backdrop of the O.J. Simpson trial. What sets this book apart is that it has key messages for the reader as it deals with relationships across different cultures while addressing the realities women face when change is enforced upon them by life-altering events such as divorce. Carrie Walker, the lead character, now alone after many years of marriage, has to go through various stages to reinvent herself and find what and whom she really wants in her life. Her steamy relationship with the Japanese American Shane is part of that cathartic process. From this point of view the book is really more contemporary women’s fiction.

New Book Review Blog: Review by Author Barbara Tira: "For those who have loved passionately..."

Title: Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged [All’s Not Fair in Love or War]

Author: Marlan Warren

Website: http://roadmapsforthesexuallychallenged.blogspot.com

Where to buy (Kindle E-Book Only): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TYKV5ZG

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction

ASIN: B00TYKV5ZG

Publisher: Roadmap Girl Publications

From the New Book Review Blog:

NEW "WOW" REVIEW! "For those who love passionately..."

When I found "Roadmaps," I put down the best-seller-turned-movie I was reading at the time, so I could savor Ms. Warren's story until the very end. As a longtime Los Angeleno, I was immediately drawn back into the lifestyle, loves, and struggles in the expansive, diverse, and incomparable Los Angeles of 20 years ago, the likes of which is just a memory today. But whose emotions, challenges, and successes remain Universal.

This novel/memoir is for anyone who has ever known the epitome of joy and the profound depths of despair. For those who have loved passionately, and for those whose hearts have been trampled to shreds. For those who have found, or for those who are still seeking the strength and spirit to rise again.

I eagerly await the sequel!  I want more!!!!!

   -- Barbara Tira, Author of the Upcoming From Catholic School to Imprisonment to Freedom

New Review by Author Howard Mandel: "Warmhearted Comedy with Hot Spice"

Warmhearted Comedy with Hot Spice

"Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged is funny, sexy and seems true about life at a time in L.A. Fast paced, it depicts everyone's desire to be loved, to be whole, and its compassionate about our failures while also proud of our occasional successes. Recommended to those with some experience in life, because it's not a fairy tale. Very entertaining."

 --Howard Mandel, Author of "Future Jazz," New York-based writer, editor, author, and producer for National Public Radio.

Win a Free Kindle E-Book: Facebook Contest - When were you sexually challenged?

Thank you, Everyone who downloaded the free e-book of "Roadmaps for the Sexual;ly Challenged: All's Fair in Love or War." Very very grateful. Now let's see those reviews, please. If you're just tuning in, this is a start-up e-book exclusively on Kindle:

Available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TYKV5ZG

Author: Marlan Warren

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction

Kindle E-Book Only: 332 pages

Publisher: Roadmap Girl Publications

Pub. Date: Feb. 23, 2015

ASIN: B00TYKV5ZG

Author Contact: memoircity at gmail

Facebook: Marlan Warren, Author

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marlan-Warren-Author/625784570900197

FACEBOOK CONTEST:

Got a "sexually challenged" story of your own to tell? Post it on the book's FB page and win a free Kindle e-book for yourself or a friend. This week only!

FREE 2-DAY GIVEAWAY E-BOOK: AMAZON KINDLE 3/7-8

E-BOOK GIVEAWAY:
My new novel, ROADMAPS FOR THE SEXUALLY CHALLENGED: ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR is FREE TODAY: Kindle E-Book Download @ Amazon : http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TYKV5ZG

To read excerpts and get more info, please check out the book's blog: http://roadmapsforthesexuallychallenged.blogspot.com/
Author Contact: memoircity at gmail

BOOK DESCRIPTION: "Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged: All's Not Fair in Love or War" is a humorous, steamy novel set in the mid-90s with the O.J. trial in the background and plenty of L.A. vibe. It follows the hot romance of Carrie Walker--a divorcing Jewish American woman--with a Japanese American man who bears the scars suffered by his family during World War II. “You still have the band-aids on,” he tells her, referring to her not-yet-divorce from her husband of 10 years (a narcissistic Russian filmmaker).

Carrie’s women friends—former classmates from USC Film School—cheer from the sidelines, but also struggle with their own hard-won beliefs about love and sex. One, now a stripper, tells her: “The mind cannot process sex.” And another warns: "Do not go unconscious for love."

It’s a journey through a landscape of communal living, mixed race dating, healing and Hope.

REVIEWS
“Marlan Warren is a witty, wild, highly observant writer who has her way with words. ‘Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged’ is crazy, sad, sexy fun. An intimate look at the wild side of cross-cultural relationships and the power of the Tao.”—Judith Fein, Author of “My Life Is a Trip: The Transformative Magic of Travel”

"A real page turner. The book, set in the mid-nineties with the O.J. trial in the background and plenty of LA Vibe, describes the hot romance of a just-divorced Los Angeles woman. There's humor, steamy sex and a captivating multi-dimensional main character. 
The story begins after Carrie, a writer and filmmaker, after a 10-year long marriage, has left Boris, who is also a filmmaker. Boris is a sociopathic, self-absorbed, intense and absolutely obnoxious Russian (Marlan, I could forgive you anything, but a Russian?).
Marlan Warren’s narrative skills result in sparkling and effortless prose. However, be not fooled by its ease. Her novel (part memoir)—years in the works—is carefully, precisely and cleverly crafted. It’s funny and moving. Carrie with her dilemmas, passion and hopes is so real. A great read. 

Sequel please!"

--Pawel Kuczynski, Deaf Ears Madness Blog 

Amazon launches “Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged: All’s not fair in Love or War” with E-Book KDP Giveaway (3/7-3/8): “Fifty Shades of Hot”

Title: Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged [All’s Not Fair in Love or War]

Author: Marlan Warren

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction

Kindle E-Book Only: 332 pages

Publisher: Roadmap Girl Publications

Pub. Date: Feb. 23, 2015

ASIN: B00TYKV5ZG

Author Blog: http://roadmapsforthesexuallychallenged.blogspot.com/

Author Contact: memoircity at gmail

Facebook: Marlan Warren, Author

Available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TYKV5ZG

Marlan Warren is a witty, wild, highly observant writer who has her way with words. ‘Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged’ is crazy, sad, sexy fun. An intimate look at the wild side of cross-cultural relationships and the power of the Tao.—Judith Fein, Author of “My Life Is a Trip: The Transformational Power of Travel”

On Sat., March 7 and Sun., March 8, Roadmap Girl Publications in collaboration with Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) will launch Marlan Warren’s debut novel, “Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged [All’s Not Fair in Love or War]” with a Kindle E-Book Giveaway.

“I can’t believe how fast this process moves,” said Warren. “Amazon announced it as a ‘Hot New Release in Divorce’ a few days after it was published as a Kindle E-Book. Reviews and sales are already popping up."

“Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged” is set in the City of the Lost Angels in the mid-90s with the O.J. trial in the background. It follows the hot romance of a divorcing Jewish American woman with a Japanese American man who bears the scars suffered by his family during World War II. As both are on the rebound, the woman’s girlfriends cheer from the sidelines, but issue warnings.

“One of my favorite lines is from one of Carrie’s friends who says, ‘The mind cannot process sex,’” said Warren. “It sums up the book."

"Roadmaps" has its roots in Warren's 1994 diary entries and now stands as a “fictionalized memoir.” The veteran documentary filmmaker and screenwriter added: “The first draft was finished before there was a ‘Sex and the City.’ But it covers similar topics. The 90s produced stories of women exploring their sexual ‘freedom’ and feeling less than thrilled with the results.”

Warren credited the 70s "Fear of Flying" author Erica Jong with opening the literary door. "Jong boldly wrote about sex and made it sound like a necessary component to learning how to care for one's soul."

For those who may be Kindle-less, Amazon offers a free download app for smartphones. "And I have some excerpts on the book's blog," Warren said. "They give more plot points than the 'peek inside' option."

"The Asian man/Caucasian woman dating aspect in the book is not a small thing," said Warren. "A lot of Americans know nothing about the Asian American experience. It's rare for media to portray Asian American men as romantic leads in fiction. I tried for years with other projects and hit the wall every time in Hollywood."

Just how sexy is it? “Not as graphic as earlier drafts,” Warren said with a laugh. “But it’s still very erotic when it needs to be. I’d say about Fifty Shades of Hot.”

New Novel on Kindle! Book Description

This new novel is only available as a Kindle download (yes, they give you a Kindle App for your smartphone if you don't have a Kndle at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TYKV5ZG.

Amazon does allow a peek inside the first pages. I will be posting samples on this blog as well!

Title: Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged: All's Not Fair in Love or War

Author: Marlan Warren

Publisher: Roadmap Girl Publications

Pub. Date: 2/23/15

Seller: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00TYKV5ZG
Text-to-Speech: Enabled

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

"Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged: All's Not Fair in Love or War" is a humorous, steamy novel set in the mid-90s with the O.J. trial in the background and plenty of L.A. vibe. It follows the hot romance of Carrie Walker--a divorcing Jewish American woman--with a Japanese American man who bears the scars suffered by his family during World War II. “You still have the band-aids on,” he tells her, referring to her not-yet-divorce from her husband of 10 years (a narcissistic Russian filmmaker).

Carrie’s women friends—former classmates from USC Film School—cheer from the sidelines, but also struggle with their own hard-won beliefs about love and sex. One, now a stripper, tells her: “The mind cannot process sex.” And another warns: "Do not go unconscious for love."

It’s a journey through a landscape of communal living, mixed race dating, healing and Hope.

We are so grateful to Amazon KDP for giving us this Platform! KDP has already advertised "Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged: All's Not Fair in Love or War" as "Hot New Release in Divorce!" Yay!

LINKS TO SAMPLE CHAPTERS

This new novel is only available as a Kindle download (yes, they give you a Kindle App for your smartphone if you don't have a Kndle at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TYKV5ZG.

Amazon does allow a peek inside the first pages. I will be posting samples on this blog as well!

Title: Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged: All's Not Fair in Love or War

Author: Marlan Warren

Publisher: Roadmap Girl Publications

Pub. Date: 2/23/15

Seller: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00TYKV5ZG
Text-to-Speech: Enabled

Amazon is wonderful. They simply don't show enough of this book though, for purchasers to make informed decisions (IMO). So if you'd like to see more than what is on Amazon, without too many spoilers, here are links to where you can read excerpts:

BEGINNING CHAPTERS (INTENTIONAL HOUSEHOLDS & RELATIONSHIP HOUSE)
http://marlansnovel.blogspot.com/2015/02/roadmap-pert-1.html

BEGINNING CHAPTERS (PHYSICAL THERAPY)
http://marlansnovel.blogspot.com/2015/02/roadmap-part-2.html


ALMOST-THE-MIDDLE EXCERPTS (LIGHTNING)
http://marlansnovel.blogspot.com/2015/02/roadmap-part-6.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I am a novelist, book publicist (Book Publicity by Marlan), screenwriter, filmmaker, journalist, and certified Life Coach. "Naked Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged: All's Not Fair in Love or War" is my first novel. It began as diary entries in '94 immediately after I left my then-husband to traverse the wilds of the Los Angeles landscape. When I saw that the entries actually made perfect chapters, I began writing drafts for a fictionalized version.

A graduate of USC Film School (Class of '90), I have been writing since I was 9 years old (like most of you who are also writers). At the age of 10, I queried Disney Studios to ask if they'd like to buy my stories about "Censar the Alien." They politely declined, on Mickey Mouse stationery no less!

BACKGROUND:

My eclectic experience includes: Co-producer/writer/editor of the documentary "Reunion" (Film Festival Official Selection: AFI, Denver, West Palm Beach, and Taiwan "Surprise" festival). "Reunion" is a funny cross-cultural look at two very different high school reunions: mine in Florida and my then-husband's in Poland. It was the official selection at the AFI, Santa Barbara, Denver, West Palm Beach and Taiwan Film Festivals.

I sold my screenplay "Midsummer Night Cowboy" to a Writers Guild Signatory (Shadow Hill Productions" right after graduation. It was put into turnaround and I still own the rights. It's a western that focuses on a cowboy outlaw who hides out with a Shakespeare troupe. The troupe is made up of immigrants.

NEW FILM

I'm currently in production for the documentary, "What did you do in the War, Mama?: Kochiyama's Crusaders" (based on my play "Bits of Paradise") about human rights activist Yuri Kochiyama as a young woman incarcerated during World War II in a U.S. concentration camp. Kochiyama was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, and as a young woman she led her fellow women into a massive campaign to boost the spirits of the Japanese American soldiers who were fighting to prove their patriotism while their families were behind held behind barbed wire because they were of Japanese heritage.

JOURNALIST:

As a journalist, I was a reporter in Kansas, Missouri and the Bay Area. I've also been a regular contributor to the online travel publication "Your Life Is a Trip" and K-Biz News "Fashion Weekly." My book news, author interviews and reviews appear on my blogs "Roadmap Girl's Book Buzz; "L.A. Now and Then;" and "Dancing in the Experience Lane" on Open Salon. I am also a reviewer for Midwest Book Reviews (Marlan's Bookshelf").

THANK YOU, KDP:

"Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged" was originally entitled "One Divorcing Woman's Roadmap for the Karmically Challenged." It went through many drafts over the years with lots of feedback and advice from readers that ranged from "Make two books out of this materisl" to "Why are you writing this? Nobody cares."

WHAT'S NEXT:

There is a sequel that has been in the works for years: "Growth Follows the Knife." The title comes from the "Plant Wars" that ensue between dueling gardeners on an extensive piece of land that Bohemian artists live on in the unlikely neighborhood of Echo Park in L.A. Some of the characters in "Roadmaps" appear and the story continues but in a completely different theme and mood. In this book, Carrie becomes obsessed with a Japanese "sushi guy" and their mutual seduction is a tango not to be missed.

I am grateful to Amazon for thinking up this KDP program which gives authors like myself an opportunity to get the novel "out there" to whomever might be interested or resonate with the message of the book, which is simply:

Do not go Unconscious for Love.

In fact, this publishing adventure has been so much fun so far (total self-esteem rush) that I've decided to finish a memoir that I began in 2011 after learning that my college boyfriend had died of AIDS in '92. The impact he had on my life was and is significant. I have drafted chapters on a blog entitled "Rowing on a Corner." If the topic interests (Sex, Drugs and the Tao Te Ching in the early 70s at Florida State University), I hope you'll visit and leave a comment. Thank you!