jbronderbookreviews

The Picture by Roger Bray

A warehouse in Japan used as an emergency shelter in the aftermath of the 2011 Tsunami. A distraught, young Japanese woman in dishevelled clothes sits on a box, holding her infant daughter. Ben, a US rescue volunteer, kneels in front of her offering comfort. They hug, the baby between them. The moment turns into an hour as the woman sobs into his shoulder; mourning the loss of her husband, her home, the life she knew. A picture is taken, capturing the moment. It becomes a symbol; of help freely given and of the hope of the survivors. The faces in the picture cannot be recognised, and that is how Ben likes it. No celebrity, thanks not required.

But others believe that being identified as the person in the picture is their path to fame and fortune. Ben stands, unknowingly, in their way, but nothing a contract killing cannot fix.

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Author’s Bio

I have always loved writing; putting words onto a page and bringing characters to life. I can almost feel myself becoming immersed into their lives, living with their fears and triumphs. Thus, my writing process becomes an endless series of questions. What would she or he do, how would they react, is this in keeping with their character? Strange as it sounds, I don’t like leaving characters in cliffhanging situations without giving them an ending, whichever way it develops.
My life to date is what compels me to seek a just outcome, the good will overcome and the bad will be punished. More though, I tend to see my characters as everyday people in extraordinary circumstances, but in which we may all find our selves if the planets align wrongly or for whatever reason you might consider.

Of course, most novels are autobiographical in some way. You must draw on your own experiences of life and from events you have experienced to get the inspiration. My life has been an endless adventure. Serving in the Navy, fighting in wars, serving as a Police officer and the experiences each one of those have brought have all drawn me to this point, but it was a downside to my police service that was the catalyst for my writing.

Medically retired after being seriously injured while protecting a woman in a domestic violence situation I then experienced the other side of life. Depression and rejection. Giving truth to the oft said saying that when one door closes another opens I pulled myself up and enrolled in college gaining bachelor and master degrees, for my own development rather than any professional need. The process of learning, of getting words down onto the page again relit my passion for writing in a way that I hadn’t felt since high school.

So here we are, two books published and another on track.

Where it will take me I have no idea but I am going to enjoy getting there and if my writing can bring some small pleasure into people’s lives along the way, then I consider that I will have succeeded in life.

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My Review

5 stars

Ben Davies is a retired police officer that finds himself on the wrong side of a robbery. He is shot twice and ends up in a coma in the hospital. There is estranged daughter Anna and former partner take turns looking out for him. It is during this time where Paul tells Anna about the time Ben was a US rescue volunteer during the tsunami of 2011.

While there, a picture is taken of him comforting a woman that just lost her husband and baby. The angle of the picture doesn’t show either of their faces which is how Ben wants it. But then Anna learns that someone else, Vince Brown has declared himself the man in the photo.

Vince is a real piece of work and is using claiming he was in the picture to help boost his career and he is willing to do anything to keep his secret. What ensues is a man trying to get the truth out while trying to stop a worthless man.

I didn’t expect to have so much prior to the picture coming into play. But I loved Ben. He is a great guy and it broke my heart that Vince tries to take his claim to fame while missing the whole point of the picture like how Ben wanted to have it know. I was pulling for him throughout the whole book.

This is a wonderful and heartbreaking read. This is a great story and one that I recommend everyone checking out.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

I would like to thank Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and share this book.