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 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.
I felt
at times that the steamy encounters between Carrie and Shane dominated and
swamped those key messages to which I have referred above. However, I also had
the impression that the author was keen to show Carrie as a passionate woman
who intends to please herself for a change which is why there is so much
emphasis on these scenes in the novel.
According
to her bio, the author comes from a journalistic, public relations and film
background, and this is reflected in her handling of the subject matter
throughout the novel and in the creation of Carrie Walker – but also in her
effortless writing style. I am a fan of great dialogue and this book is
certainly dialogue driven.
All in
all a very enlightening read!
==============
Celia Conrad is the British author of the Alicia Allen Investigates Trilogy featuring the Pringles-munching lawyer sleuth who will chip away at murder until justice is served.
I am delighted you appreciated my review. This book has a strong message and deserves to be read.
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