Strategic Planning for Love & War

For Relationships worth having. Get to the heart of why you struggle, why men and women see love and relationships differently, and WHAT to do about it. With a musical twist. Written by a man and woman, a real life couple with the input of the best R&B songs from the last 30 years, this journey will quench your thirst, soothe your soul, heal your hurts and help you explore your heart and communication.

“Strategic Planning for Love and War – Relationships and Adult Conversations,” written by Jo Lena Johnson and Steven Charles Martin, with musical arrangement by Radio Legend Kevin B. Fleming, offers a very interesting take on adult relationships today and the challenges people face in their quest for their “soul mate,” the “one true love,” even if they are single, dating, married or somewhere in between. Authors Water, Ice and Soul (self-donned monikers) discuss the ebb and flow of relationships through practical wisdom, praise, poignant language, humor and song. The fact that “IceWater” are actually a couple in life makes it all the more interesting for the reader. Instead of a dry self help-type book, you get to see what real challenges and difficulties this couple has experienced throughout their relationship, and cannot help feeling surprised at the open way in which they discuss matters – even sensitive issues like cheating, lying to your other half, or even taboo topics like body odors and emissions. The book is complemented by numerous interviews and testimonials from real people about various challenges they have experienced in their relationships and marriages, as well as an remarkable selection of the best R&B music of the past 30 years, provided by Soul, as a musical backdrop for each relationship high and low. The writers have covered 60 topics in just 130 pages. Examples include a woman who broke off a long-term loving relationship for her mate’s bad breath problem, and a middle-aged woman, described as a cougar, who only wants to have sex with younger men because her sex drive is way too high for men her age to satisfy. These examples represent an expression of the more extreme, non-average views that are out there, so they are shared. From dating, sex, marriage, choosing a partner, to dangers in a relationship, healing from a previous relationship and alternative lifestyle choices – celibacy, long-distance relationships and sex with multiple people, everything is in here. The book is about overcoming the weaknesses and real life struggles every day people face. It is permeated by the idea of spirituality, soul connection and guidance to create understanding, to stop battling and to learn how to strategically create relationships worth having. Communication is a key issue that is explored in the book – communication with your mate even for the most awkward or taboo matters, as well as self-exploration, knowing yourself, your needs and desires, and facing them with honesty in the search for happiness. The eternal “battle” between the male and the female is also a central focus of the book: the strong, independent male who is expected to take on the role of the provider, versus the sensitive female who seeks love, confirmation and mutuality in the relationship. While both sexes may seemingly look for the same thing, the ways in which they approach it may vary wildly, and this is where challenges in a relationship come up, along with the question of how you make your loved one aware of your needs. Ultimately, one of the central messages of the book is that, in today’s society, relationships between the two sexes are so much more complicated, as compatibility is sought at so many different levels compared to the past: emotional, psychological, physical/sexual, financial and spiritual. At the end of the day, the success of a relationship very much depends on the couple being “on the same page”: wanting the same things from life at that particular time, seeing eye to eye in their goals and how to accomplish them, and being at a similar stage in their lives. Any relationship that falls outside this spectrum faces a much higher risk of not making it long term. The couple as “IceWater,” leave the question of what happened to their own relationship open in the end. Perhaps because they themselves are unsure of what the future holds for them? And even though we all love a happy ending, real life seems to be mo

Jo Lena Johnson provides essential leadership, communication and relationship building skills for today’s world. Jo Lena lived in “The City of Angels” and spent several successful years in marketing & radio before focusing her efforts on purpose-driven work as an International Leadership Trainer & Communication Facilitator. Previous books by Johnson include: “If You Really Want to Live, Be Extraordinary!” “If You Really Want to Be Successful, Get Connected! And, “A Light is Born! 7 Ways to Show Your Brilliance,” a children’s book. She is host of the weekly show, “It’s Your Choice TV! with Jo Lena Johnson,” where viewers get real advice, real responses and heartfelt ideas to improve and create the extraordinary in every aspect of life. Helping people to express themselves through writing, Jo Lena is also the Publisher of Mission Possible Press, a division of Absolute Good Training & Life Skills Management, which she founded in 1998. Books to inspire, educate and develop people include works written by students, professionals and some of the countries most brilliant minds. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and an avid reader, she enjoys spending time with her friends, family and her mom’s dog Poncho. Jo Lena’s guilty pleasure is watching Reality TV shows. Her extensive and intuitive skills as a coach have helped many achieve personal, professional and teams goals. Jo Lena wears many hats and no matter what her role – publisher, trainer, or relationship strategist, she is a leader 100% of the time.