The Brackman Ticket: The cost is high, but admission is free

by N.L. Mayers

The Brian Jackson Story begins here, in this faith-based historical novel about one man’s reluctant journey toward discovery.

When America enters World War II, brash Broadway star Brian “Jack” Jackson enlists in the Navy, leaving the spotlight and his glamorous fiancée behind. Aboard ship, he forms an unlikely friendship with fellow gunner Drew Brackman, a seminary student in civilian life, whose quiet faith challenges everything Jack thought he knew.

Back home, the women in their lives await their return. Jack's fiancée, Loretta, dazzles on magazine covers, while Drew's girl, Dorrie, runs the breakfast counter at a Manhattan five-and-dime. Different realities, one hope—an end to war and reunion with the men they love.

In the midst of the chaos, Drew Brackman's simple analogy of "The Ticket" provides a glimmer of hope to Jack and others around him.

For readers who love Christian historical fiction with memorable characters, "The Brackman Ticket" is a deeply human story of brotherhood, courage, and the invitation that changes everything. Continue Jack's story in Book 2: "Together For Good."

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 2, 2025

About the author

My name is N.L. Mayers. I wrote my first book at the age of seven (Friendship Never Ends) on yellow notebook pages, stapled on the sides. My brother did the illustrations. I have been writing ever since. At one point in my life, I crafted a faith-based novel about two sailors on an aircraft carrier during World War II. Life, the universe, and everything (apologies to Douglas Adams) forced me to set my career aside, but when I retired and had free time, I dusted off the old story I'd begun thirty years earlier. It's now up on Amazon, published under the title "The Brackman Ticket." After all these years, the characters are like old friends. I believe in the adage that writing is easy: all you have to do is stare at a sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead. But, now that I'm writing again, I don't intend to stop.

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story. It had strong Christian themes throughout including BIBLE verses and useful analogies for Christians. It also included some hard themes including death, divorce, wartime injury and fame.
I felt like there was almost a disconnect in the story lines as the war was the primary theme, but when it focused on Loretta, the model/actress, it felt like a classic celebrity and movie studio mystery.
I felt like the characters were likeable and enjoyed their growth through the book. A sequel is also being planned, and I look forward to reading that one as well.
**3.5 stars rounded up to 4
***I felt like it was a clean book but had heavy themes that I would recommend for mature teen and older only.

[Atilion Atilion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This WWII novel delivers a powerful blend of character, conflict, and quiet spiritual awakening. At its heart are two men whose lives could not be more different: Jack Jackson, a Broadway star accustomed to applause and glamour, and Drew Brackman, a humble seminary student whose steady faith shapes everything he does. When war throws them together aboard the USS New Yorker, their unlikely friendship becomes the emotional core of the story.

What makes the book especially compelling is how naturally their relationship develops. There is no forced sentimentality—only the gradual breaking down of barriers as shared danger strips life to its essentials. Jack begins the story confident, self-sufficient, even dismissive of anything beyond the material world. Drew’s quiet conviction, expressed most poignantly through his simple “Ticket” analogy, becomes a catalyst that unsettles Jack in ways he never expected. The author handles these spiritual questions with subtlety; nothing feels preachy or heavy-handed. Instead, the moments of introspection are woven seamlessly into the narrative.

Another strength of the novel is its ability to contrast the brutal uncertainty of war with the complex relationships waiting back home—Jack’s fiancée rising to new levels of fame, and the unexpected friendship that blossoms in his absence. These threads enrich the main plot and highlight how the war changes not only those who fight it but everyone connected to them.

Overall, this is far more than a standard wartime story. It is a thoughtful, character-driven journey about courage, loyalty, and the surprising ways people find meaning when the world around them falls apart. A deeply human and memorable read.

[Alefiyah Ghadiali · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Brackman Ticket: The Cost Is High, But Admission Is Free by N.L. Mayers is a deeply emotional dive into one of history’s most chaotic periods—World War II—but seen through the lens of friendship, unexpected faith, and personal transformation. What stood out was how the novel uses a wartime backdrop not merely for action, but as a catalyst for inner change.

The story of Brian “Jack” Jackson, a Broadway star turned naval gunner, and Drew Brackman, a seminary student with quiet conviction, begins with radically different worlds. Their meeting aboard the USS New Yorker after Pearl Harbor forces both to question everything they thought they knew—about duty, love, faith—and about what ticket they hold to salvation in a war-torn world.

I found myself truly moved by the relationship between Jack and Drew. In one, we see a man stripped of identity when the stage lights go out, and war begins. In the other, a man who might never have left a pew but finds himself in the hell of battle. Their bond becomes more than camaraderie—it becomes a mirror through which each confronts his own beliefs and fears.

The author weaves faith into the narrative in a way that never feels preachy. Jack’s rejection of God up to that point, Drew’s quiet faith, the war’s brutality—these form an interplay that challenges both characters and readers. At its heart, the novel asks: What is the price of freedom? What ticket do we hold when everything we knew is gone?

[Nick Malara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Brackman Ticket is a heartfelt and gripping WWII drama that delivers far more emotional depth than expected. The wartime scenes feel incredibly authentic: sweat, fear, cramped quarters, and constant tension, and the author shows how pressure can bring out both the best and worst in people. Smitty, a battle-scarred sailor with a heavy past, adds real weight to the story. Meanwhile, the Manhattan chapters offer a welcome balance, giving insight into the women waiting and worrying back home.

The faith elements are handled with sincerity. They never feel forced, and Drew’s quiet strength becomes one of the novel’s greatest assets. Jack’s growth brings the humor, the charm, and plenty of heart.

If there is a minor weakness, it is that a few slower sections occur away from the ship, but the emotional payoff easily outweighs it.

Overall, The Brackman Ticket blends drama, friendship, courage, and spiritual reflection into a compelling and memorable read. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys wartime fiction with strong characters and meaningful themes.

[Eliza Swann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Brackman Ticket is an inspiring WWII novel that focuses on the human side of history. Brian “Jack” Jackson’s journey from rising civilian star to Navy gunner is emotional, relatable, and full of courage. The contrast between his service and his fiancée’s growing Hollywood career adds tension and depth to the story.

N. L. Mayers writes with sincerity and warmth. The historical setting feels authentic, and the faith-based themes are uplifting without ever feeling preachy. This book is about courage, sacrifice, and discovering what truly matters.

A touching and powerful debut. If you enjoy character-driven historical fiction with heart, this is a must-read.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Brackman Ticket hooked me from the start. It has that classic thriller feel — sharp dialogue, rising tension, and a mystery that keeps twisting just when you think you’ve figured it out. The characters feel real, the stakes build naturally, and the story never drags.

A quick, gripping read that delivers exactly what you want from a political-crime thriller.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main point of the novel is the impact a person's faith can have on others. The atmosphere of the book is done well. The setting is the WWII era. It begins in the South Pacific. Andrew Brackman has a strong Christian faith. He gets a certain amount of negative attention. We will find out in this novel the effect he had on two individuals. I received an ARC and am leaving a review voluntarily.