Not All Men Are Monsters

The story of a self-confident chef traveling with determination and focus, until he meets a Japanese girl who confuses everything.Commitment and dedication to his work in developing countries has always seemed to be enough, but after feeling a profound connection followed by rejection, the protagonist reflects deeply on past behaviors, unsure if his eagerness to make personal relationships work has matched his willingness to move on. In an unconventional portrayal of male emotions, he vows to give his newest encounter a concerted effort, despite the woman’s abusive tendencies, and the need to get to know her without being together physically.While researching culture and cuisine with locals across Europe, Africa and Asia, the lead struggles to prioritize long-term goals with new yearnings for intimacy and open communication. And when sexual histories continue to haunt the present, physical and mental distress follow. These anxieties are compounded in a culture where tradition and financial security are deeply internalized; a slight conflict with certain volunteer worker values. Pages of self-analysis, doubt and reassurance exploit the inner workings of the male psyche in a state of chaos; will personal growth and understanding be worth the effort, or is the high road leading to an off-ramp the smarter way to go? What makes this book truly unique is its original approach to storytelling: combining email, chat, and a private diary, three distinct writing styles smoothly narrate the plot; only the main character’s sides of conversations are written, literally forcing the reader to focus on specific pieces of events, and interpret the story intimately through his eyes. The same situations are communicated to different addressees, and juxtaposed with (often) conflicting messages; both men and women across cultures can identify with the character’s inner struggles, his masked and confused feelings proof that no passion is absolute.Proceeds from the sale of this book will be used to support the author's international development projects.http://SexTravelFoodLife.wordpress.com