Martina Bedar is an artist of sound and word who spent some 15 years as a music therapist in the realm of conscious sexuality. During those years she not only acquired and developed tools for her own and others' sexual healing, but learned of the widespread and insidious nature of sexual abuse worldwide: the huge number of people whose lives and relationships never seem to quite work; those who commit suicide thirty odd years after the fact. Prior to the economic crash of 2008, 100% of the homeless women interviewed had all been sexually abused in their homes, making ‘home’ so unsafe that none of them had one.These and countless other stories of worldwide, multi-cultural sexual dysfunction combined with her own transformative healing journey to awaken a level of compassionate involvement in the author who had pretty much moved on in her life from sexual healing to being happily married and largely reclusive. Then one day, much to her surprise, she found herself writing a book... a book that informs, entertains, educates and inspires you the reader, to awaken, heal and fully live your birthright as a self-empowered, passionate woman – or man - of the twenty first century.
Here's how her book, Departure, begins...
Satisfied with and grateful for her long-term marriage to Peter, Bella, a middle-aged wife, mother and mental health professional, becomes unexpectedly entangled in an arousing relationship with Lucas, a lonely but proud man several years her junior. As their friendship deepens, strong feelings arise between the two, driving them toward a level of intimacy Bella had not intended. Perceiving herself of lofty character and unwilling to deceive or betray her husband, Bella asks Peter to open their marriage to allow them both one last opportunity to explore their sexuality with others as they each enjoyed in their premarital youth. Thus begins a sexual and emotional journey that endures for several years, sending Bella and Peter spiraling downward into an abyss of doubt and upward toward deeper comprehension of themselves, each other and what it is they value most.
Struggling through the very choice they thought they could absorb through the strength of their bond, Bella and Peter's new definition of marriage presents unforeseen and often starkly impactful outcomes. Depicting the consequences of an unconventional lifestyle on its married participants, Martina Bedar's notable debut novel delves deeply into the myriad complexities of relationships. 'Departure' offers profound insights and a nuanced portrayal of the emotional landscape of her characters.
This new writer offers a timely and frank exploration of a courageous lifestyle with its full range of pleasures, challenges, triumphs, and failures, 'Departure' examines the most fundamental ties that bind us to others and to ourselves, while also providing, with wise counsel, guidelines for surviving the emotional wreckage that often
accompanies abandonment, separation and divorce.
The book has managed to get a couple of reviews already:
“An excellent read. Bedar does a laudatory job of examining, in great detail, the potentialities of sharing oneself and one's spouse with other people… every woman’s fantasy…Bedar’s background in mental health, in addition to her personal insights on unconventional relationships, might make this a useful book for therapists and academics.” - Clarion Review
“A unique...compelling read. Bedar writes cleanly, clearly conveying her story… the plot is straightforward and easy to follow.” - Kirkus Review
You can access the interview with the author at this link.
You can get the book at amazon.com:
