I was instantly transported to a small Japanese mountain village.
I went into A Thousand Gates of Prayer, completely blind. I'd read the synopsis a while ago when Michael asked if I'd read it, but I haven't read it since, and seeing as I can't remember what I did half an hour ago, I had no idea what it was about! So I dove straight in, and immediately I knew this going to be a story I loved. It's a beautifully written love story about a young Japanese girl who is finding her way into the adult world and the responsibilities that follow.
It's not just the love that a young girl has for her first romance, it's also the love she has for the village she was born in and grew up in and how she wants it to remain the community space that she knows and loves and that supports her and her family.
I fell in love with the writing, the characters, and the story. Michael Weiss swept me along as Miyuki climbed the mountain to the hot springs every day and I could easily imagine myself in amongst the mists and greenery of those mountainous paths that were just that little bit off the beaten track.
I would love if this book became something that future generations will read at school. It'll become a part of the curriculum, and young people will write assignments about the tranquility and love stories of this tiny Japanese village.
Thank you to Michael Weiss for the opportunity to read and review A Thousand Gates of Prayer.
About the Book
Miyuki, a humble and determined young woman from the quiet village of Hakone, spends her days steeped in tradition, helping her family make a living by crafting the region’s famous black eggs in the volcanic hot springs. Her life changes forever when she meets Masahiro, the heir to a wealthy Kyoto family. Despite their vastly different worlds, an undeniable bond forms between them, sparking a love that defies societal expectations.
But their budding romance is overshadowed by a looming a powerful construction project that threatens to destroy Hakone’s way of life and sever Miyuki’s ties to her ancestral home. Together, with the help of a fearless journalist, they uncover a web of corruption that runs deep into the heart of powerful institutions.
As they navigate resistance from their families, societal pressures, and the weight of their own fears, Miyuki and Masahiro must decide how far they are willing to go to protect the village, its traditions, and their love.
With themes of courage, sacrifice, and the timeless strength of love, A Thousand Gates of Prayer explores the infinite shades of human connection and the enduring beauty of standing for what truly matters. This is a story of love not just between two hearts but between people and the places they call home.
About Michael - by Michael
My story
For the past 50 years, I have lived in Israel, married to an incredible wife, and raising four wonderful children. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the cycle of hatred it perpetuates have been part of my reality almost since the day I was born.
I realize that while I may not have the power to change this painful reality, I have the ability to offer a glimmer of hope for a better future, built on compassion and acceptance. Through my writing, I aim to send a small beam of hope, and a lighthouse for acceptance and understanding.
My focus is on contemporary love, something I feel our world is in desperate need of. Love in its purest and simplest form. Love as a foundation. Love as a way of living. I firmly believe that love can be the catalyst for change and hope in this world.
My vision
My vision is rooted in the belief that every love story has the power to inspire, uplift, and connect readers on a profound level. I strive to showcase the beauty and resilience of love as it weaves through different cultures, offering readers not just an escape, but a journey into the heart of what makes us human. Whether it’s a tale of forbidden love in a remote village, a modern romance navigating the complexities of urban life, or a historical love story set against the backdrop of changing societal norms. My books reflect the infinite shades of love.
While I am focusing on my own books for now, my hope is to extend this vision and support talented yet disadvantaged authors from around the world. I dream of helping them bring their love stories to life, offering a platform for voices that can inspire, heal, and remind us of love’s beauty in all its forms. I believe that with your support, we can create a collection of novels that transcend borders and build bridges of empathy and caring.
Timeless Love Publishing
My mission, through Timeless Love Publishing, is to bring the world closer together by sharing powerful, captivating love stories from every corner of the globe. I’m dedicated to curating and publishing novels that delve into the complexities of love in all its forms, set against the backdrop of diverse cultures, real-life challenges, and timeless traditions. I invite you to discover our world, one love story at a time.
