Designer Relationships: A Guide to Happy Monogamy, Positive Polyamory, and Optimistic Open Relationships

by Mark Michaels

Overview

Contemporary relationships are in a state of rapid evolution. These changes can and should empower people with the opportunity to develop partnerships based on their own sexualities, understandings, and agreements. This makes it possible to create what Kenneth Haslam, founder of the Kinsey Institute’s Polyamory Archive, has called “designer relationships.”

Designer relationships may encompass: people who bond emotionally but not sexually; people who agree to be non-exclusive; single people who have occasional lovers or friends with benefits; multiple partner configurations where long-term bonds exist among all or some; partnerships in which people are kinky and that make room to explore kink.

The possibilities are limitless, and thinking about a partnership as something people can craft allows for flexibility and change. Relationships can open and close or have varying degrees and kinds of openness as circumstances demand. In the context of a designer relationship, decisions are made mutually, consciously, and deliberately. Best-selling authors and nationally known relationship experts Patricia Johnson and Mark A. Michaels are exemplars of this life choice, and have studied polyamory for over 20 years. This book explains exactly how you and your loved ones can design your own life and love.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781627781497
Publisher:	Start Publishing Llc
Publication date:	09/08/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	673,159
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Internationally known and widely quoted as experts, Michaels and Johnson are the authors of Partners in Passion (Cleis Press), as well as Great Sex Made Simple, Tantra for Erotic Empowerment, and The Essence of Tantric Sexuality(Llewellyn). Their books have garnered numerous awards: Independent Publishing (IPPY), ForeWord Reviews/IndieFab, and USA Book News Best Books, among others. They co-founded Pleasure Salon in 2007 to support New York’s sex and pleasure positive community. Learn more at MichaelsandJohnson.com. Designer Relationships "Michaels and Johnson's latest book on Designer Relationships takes my book one step further, past communication skills about monogamy agreements and into new ways to be transparent about all types of revolutionary forms of commitment that will take us forward into the 21st Century. Where my book left off, theirs continues and includes all the information any couple could ever want or need to create loving, open partnerships. Where most books only offer history and data, Mark and Patricia give practical advice and ground rules for trust, empathy and intimacy for collaborative non-monogamous relationship. We all need a book like this that integrates good tips and techniques and the words to define what we want from a partner; the freedom to choose. Whatever you are looking for, it is in this book. Written by a couple who really love one another and are committed to their work, this book comes at the perfect time, I am convinced it will help a lot of people." –Dr. Tammy Nelson, Author of The New Monogamy and Getting the Sex You Want "Designer Relationships is thoughtful, honest and powerful! Reading this book is like rubbing a lamp to get your own Genie – but instead of magic, you’ll get practical guidance on how to create the relationship that’s ideal for you. Mark Michaels and Patricia Johnson speak from experience, lead from the heart, and open a space for true sexual freedom." –– Ricci Joy Levy, Executive Director, The Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance "Finally a book that celebrates the only things that really matter when it comes to healthy relationships – honesty, authenticity, and mutual and enthusiastic consent and desire. Relationships today are about self-awareness and choice, and this book will help to guide you on your way to finding what works for you and your partner(s) as you explore the ultimate relationship question – How would you live and love if society, religion, and the media weren’t constantly “shoulding” all over you?" –– Jenny Block