Love Connection: Romance in the Land of the Rising Sun

by John Rachel

This novel is unlike any love story you've ever read. Set in Japan and East Africa, it is based on real events. The people of Japan might be the most innocent and trusting in the world. Sadly, this makes them easy prey for sinister and unscrupulous con artists. All we need is love? Not quite. Without honest and basic decency in the mix, love can be very risky business.

Genres: Contemporary, Drama, Novels, Book Club

268 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2022

About the author

John Rachel has a B. A. in Philosophy, has traveled extensively, is a songwriter and music producer, and an evolutionary humanist. He has spent his life trying to resolve the intrinsic clash between the metaphysical purity of Buddhism and the overwhelming appeal of narcissism.

Author Rachel has written ten novels, and eight non-fiction books. He has also had over 40 short stories, 9 poems, and over 200 political articles published in both print and online magazines.

He has traveled through and lived in 35 countries since leaving America August of 2006, but is now settled in a small traditional farming village in Japan near Osaka. His next project, as he slumps in a hammock he purchased in Vietnam and waits for the Good Ship Lollipop to appear on the horizon, is a anthropological novel about the worship and eating of giraffes, set in sub-Saharan 18th Century Africa. It is mostly the product of the voices in his head which have plagued him since puberty, a biological transition that occurred when he was 34 and working on a chain gang in Arkansas. He was at the time serving a 10-year sentence for destroying the do-not-remove label from a pillowcase he bought at a yard sale.

Author Rachel has recently published two books. One is a fantasy/travel/cookbook called "What Do Mermaids Eat?" The other is political manifesto called "War Is Making Us Poor!: Militarism Is Destroying the US".

The author’s last permanent residence in America was Portland, Oregon where he had a state-of-the-art ProTools recording studio, music production house, a radio promotion and music publishing company. He recorded and produced several artists in the Pacific Northwest, releasing and promoting their music on radio across America and overseas.

John Rachel now lives in a quiet, traditional, rural Japanese community, where he sets his non-existent watch by the thrice-daily ringing of temple bells, at a local Shinto shrine. These days, he's mostly immersed in good vibrations.

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC directly from the author for my honest review, which follows.

One of the most distinctive and enjoyable aspects of Rachel’s novel is his voice, which travels confidently between the serious and humorous. It’s a good balance, and the writing itself is lively from start to finish, which is no easy thing. Another thing I liked was the extent to which he immerses us in Japan and East Africa – I’ve never read a novel by an American with Japanese characters in Japan, Uganda, Kenya, and other East African countries. Oh, and Morocco and France as well.

How to summarize the novel? It’s huge and somewhat sprawling, well over 400 pages long (125,000 words), with separate stories that come together over the last 50 pages or so. In one strand of the novel, a Japanese woman opens up a B&B with her daughter, soon after which a very charming Nigerian man essentially moves into a room they’re renting and first befriends, then woos, the mother of the B&B-running team. He takes her to Africa, her first trip abroad, where things go wonderfully at first only to fall apart in the end when she returns to Japan. In the second strand of the novel, a Japanese man moves to Africa to help a Japanese friend with his business there. When the business collapses literally overnight, the man becomes passionately involved with a woman married to the most famous singer in East Africa, and together they travel all over Africa as lovers. When a Kenyan government official recruits the Japanese man to take a computer back to Osaka (that he claims is full of evidence exposing US corruption throughout Africa), which will then be transferred to the Hague where US leaders in government, business, and the military can be tried for crimes against humanity, he and the African woman return to Japan where he, too, finds serious trouble awaiting him.

Although the novel reads quickly and is entertaining, tighter editing really would have helped. Also, a more nuanced depiction of Americans and the US military (although the criticism of the US military and government was justified, in my view, the anti-Americanism was way over the top – there wasn’t a single redeeming trait among anyone associated with America, and the resulting portrayals were, I have to say, cartoonish and hate-filled). Also, there were times when the Japanese characters, especially in their demonstrativeness (i.e., lots of hugging, saying I love you, etc.), read more like non-Japanese (perfect English in Takashi’s case when it suited him, though we’re told multiple times that English has been problematic for him all his life and he can’t even follow English-language movies without subtitles or read newspapers in English), but the entertaining story itself and Rachel’s voice largely allow one to overlook these moments. Ultimately, I feel the novel had more potential than it delivered on.

3.5 stars.

[Minesh Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Connection: Romance in the Land of the Rising Sun is a fun and interesting read. Through the author's compelling words, you get to immerse yourself in the story of an exotic location. His narrative pulls you into the complicated lives of his characters. This is much more than a simple romance story, however. As I got further along in the book, I wanted to learn more about each character and their respective destiny. John Rachel navigates the complex fabric of cross-cultural experiences, ultimately revealing how similar we all are. While common emotions unite people, beliefs and perceptions differ between cultures. Love may be universal, yet concepts of respect and obligation can be vastly different, highlighting the myriad of iterations of human relationships.

[SRodeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Love Connection: Romance in the Land of the Rising Sun" by John Rachel defies the typical romance genre norms and expectations. Kumiko and Takashi, are two People in their fifties who have both lost their spouses and are trying to deal with their grief. Each of them set off on a separate adventure to Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, and beyond, only to meet back in Japan by chance, and under circumstances that can only be described as shocking
Although it is a love story It’s also a story of self discovery, and it stood out for me because of the detailed exploration of its characters' internal and external worlds​​​​, each have their own personality traits and I really feel as if I got to know them.
The novel was fun, reflective, and clever, managing to tell two separate stories of middle-aged people that make a profound connection amongst unexpected plot twists that ends in a compelling climax​​.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an awesome book about Comico and Takashi two widows who don’t know each other but in the end will have lots in common. They will both start dating foreigners and travel to South Africa. where both in one way or another will be treated like a celebrity for Camiko it is because in Godfrey‘s hometown they’ve never met a beautiful Japanese lady and are enamored with her including his mother. For poor Takashi it will be an all expense paid hotel stay at the richest hotel in town how do to a missed appointment. These two seemingly innocent trusting enamored adults will be treated much different once they return home to Japan. It is only in the end when their luck changes. I don’t want to say what happens in the book because I did not know and it was a total surprise to me and boy was I shocked with the exception of the anti-American feaver in the book the steel was a really good book I thought the romance would play out early on but even though it didn’t that didn’t make it any less entertaining… Because I mean wow what a book it is based on true facts and at the end the author even says he’s experienced this firsthand all I can say is this is a book I definitely recommend if you love great entertaining books with a dash of crime and a dash of romance then you will definitely love Love Connection by Jon Shirley.

[Maxiumus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Connection: Romance in the Land of the Rising Sun by John Rachel is a romantic adventure that is set in both Japan and Africa. The story is based on real events, and it revolves around Kumiko and Takashi, two people in their fifties, who have both lost their other halves. In an attempt to recover from grief and find themselves again, they decide to take a trip to Africa. Their journey of self-discovery and romance takes them across Africa before returning to Japan under unexpected circumstances. 


The novel is full of detail, the characters are engaging, and although the story is serious in nature, there are plenty of humorous moments, to lighten things up a little. The author has a knack for storytelling, and he deserves praise for the vivid descriptions of the different cultures and their landscapes, I almost felt that I was on this journey with the characters! Which for me is what reading a good book is all about, If it takes me away from the reality I’m in, then the author has succeeded in his quest to write a good novel. Highly recommended.

[Eliseem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I definitely got more than I bargained for when reading Love Connection by John Rachel.
Kumiko and Takashi, (the main characters) recently lost their partners and are on a journey to help them overcome their grief. Their journey takes them (and us) across Africa – because nothing screams 'healing' like a safari, right?
This book isn't just a romance, it's a relatable journey of rediscovery, with a bit of international intrigue and some shocking revelations along the way. A bit like finding an onion ring in your fries, it’s unexpected but oddly satisfying.
Love Connection is a rollercoaster ride of emotions and the unexpected. It’s adventurous, romantic, and completely out of the ordinary, and it’s not the typical 'happily ever after ending’. So if you are like me and you enjoy a little extra from a romance novel then I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this one!

[Soochi Sandhiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first read of the author, and I was awestruck by her uniquely distinct writing style. I can say that she has the quality to grab the attention of the readers with her writing style. Once you commence reading, you will be immersed in her world of writing and start living with her characters.
I picked this read because of its title hinting towards a romantic read, but I was amazed to get a full-packed romance drama with an adequate amount of betrayal, lies, trickery, and thrills to keep me going. These subplots will immerse you in a journey through different worlds, from Japan to East Africa. You will engage with realistic characters. Honestly, you would get to know the harsh reality that love isn't enough to keep your life with your partner secure; you must have devoted yourself to him, but he or she might have some hidden motives behind it.
To read more of this, you should definitely grab your copy and enjoy this approximately four hundred-page love drama.

[Ingolda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Connection by John Rachel is about the lives of two widows, Comico and Takashi. Their journeys of love and discovery take them on a shared story of cultural difference and unpredictability. Comico and Takashi begin their international romances across Africa and Japan.

In South Africa the book reveals differing experiences with Comico finding herself adored as a newcomer and outsider, and Takashi in a hotel as a different twist of fate. When they finally return to Japan it reveals a much harsher reality, with the two of them having to navigate many challenges and their shifting relationship situation. The story has plenty of twists along the way which I found very gripping and kept me hooked right til the end.

Love Connection goes beyond traditional romance stories. Within the pages was a blend of crime, romance, and cultural exploration. I think Love Connection is a must-read for those wanting to lose themselves within a story of warmth and human connection.

[Grymm Gevierre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fiction based on actual events, per the author’s blurb, and that feels true based on how detailed and well-written the characters and settings are. You could feel yourself in these spaces around the globe. One of my favorite aspects, which might not sit well with everyone, is that it follows two main plot lines, tracking them through time chapter by chapter and alternating until their paths connect. Rachel does an excellent job of keeping the plot organized and the depictions of the different characters and cultures honest through the lens of the main characters. I think their perspective is captured well.

The story follows Takashi and Kumino’s moves from their perspectives until they meet toward the end of the book.

Overall, this is a pretty cool book. I haven’t read many books in this format and style, and I always like it when they come together nicely.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded to 4.
This story takes place primarily in Japan, and centers around a man and a woman who have both lost their spouses. Kumiko and her daughter, Ruka, run a B&B. Takashi is a businessman, who enjoys being with women. Both of them meet Africans who seduce them, and involve them in a scheme. Evidently, this story is based on true events, but I felt it took way too long to get to the point.
Better editing would have made this story tighter and better. There were also some references to American occupation that seemed out of place. I understand the Japanese may not like American influence, but it didn't seem to fit in this novel.

[Leticia Salomon · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Love Connection: Romance in the Land of the Rising Sun" by John Rachel intertwines romance and adventure across Japan and Africa. Readers praise its vivid storytelling and cultural insights, offering a unique perspective on love and self-discovery.

[Marol Degusta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cool. Enjoyed it

[Swati Tanu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes you on a journey through Japan and East Africa, based on true events. It shows how innocent and trusting people can be tricked. The story talks about love and the dangers when people aren't honest or kind. Sometimes love isn't enough to keep people safe from betrayal and lies.

What makes this book special is its unique setting and true events. The author mixes romance and suspense in a world of different cultures. You'll be drawn into a world where love and lies clash.

You might like to wander through a few artistic journals — they’re full of sparks and surprises.