Literary Addicts
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Featured Author - Mary Ann Bernal
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- Tell us about your book(s)
Travel back in time to late Ninth Century Anglo-Saxon Britain where Alfred the Great rules with a benevolent hand while the Danish King rules peacefully within the boundaries of the Danelaw. Trade flourishes, and scholars from throughout the civilized world flock to Britannia’s shores to study at the King’s Court School at Winchester.
Enter Concordia, a beautiful noble woman whose family is favored by the king. Vain, willful, and admired, but ambitious and cunning, Concordia is not willing to accept her fate. She is betrothed to the valiant warrior, Brantson, but sees herself as far too young to lay in the bedchamber of an older suitor. She wants to see the wonders of the world, embracing everything in it; preferably, but dangerously, at the side of Thayer, the exotic Saracen who charms King Alfred’s court and ignites her yearning passions.
Concordia manipulates her besotted husband into taking her to Rome, but her ship is captured by bloodthirsty pirates, and the seafarers protecting her are ruthlessly slain to a man. As she awaits her fate in the Moorish captain’s bed, by sheer chance, she discovers that salvation is at hand in the gilded court of a Saracen nobleman.
While awaiting rescue, Concordia finds herself at the center of intrigue, plots, blackmail, betrayal and the vain desires of two egotistical brothers, each willing to die for her favor. Using only feminine cunning, Concordia must defend her honor while plotting her escape as she awaits deliverance, somewhere inside steamy, unconquered Muslim Hispania.
Where did the idea of your (latest) book come from?
Concordia is a character from The Briton and the Dane trilogy, who wanted her own story, and, naturally, I had to comply.
Who and what inspires you to write your books?
After reading Sir Walter Scott’s “Ivanhoe,” I became enthralled with early British history, and admit to being an incurable romantic Anglophile, and less nobly, and much more irritatingly, a Romanphile, accordingly to my favorite Brit and staunchest supporter.
Each author has their own fascinating journey. How did you begin writing?
Erik was “born” when I was still an impressionable teenager, after seeing "The Vikings" and other period movies Hollywood had to offer. I would think of different scenarios with Erik leaving his homeland to “Go A Viking” and what would happen if he was wounded, or if he met a “local” girl or if he stayed in a land he had wanted to conquer. Over the years, many “what ifs” were embedded in my mind, which were considered when I finally set pen to paper.
What has been the most pleasant surprise about being a writer? How about the most unexpected downside?
A pleasant surprise was my appearance on a local TV talk show where I discussed my novels, which are dedicated to fallen soldiers. The downside is not spending time with family and friends while I am in writing mode.
Do you have any particular writing routines or rituals?
My writing time is usually in the afternoons, and I do limit the hours spent on the computer. However, I also set a word count goal, which I try to adhere to. Unfortunately, when life happens, it is difficult to keep to a schedule, but I do try to write at least one page a day to keep the creative juices flowing
Do you write in order?
Yes, I write the beginning, middle and end, in order.
What is on your playlist when you write?
I listen to music from period movies, such as Centurion, Beowulf, The Eagle, King Arthur, The Last Legion, et cetera.
Favorite writing snack?
Indulgent Trail Mix
Where do you like to write?
I am fortunate to have an office in my home.
Do you have any advice for authors wanting to publish?
First, try to write every day, even if it’s just one page or 250 words.
Second, covers do sell books, unfortunately, so a professional illustrator is a must, unless, of course, you are artistically creative. Also, it is important to have an editor read the manuscript prior to publication.
Third, thoroughly research the market. Even if you are picked up by a conventional publishing house, you are still expected to promote your work - which means having profiles on the available social media sites.
Are you currently working on anything else?
The next title in the series, The Briton and the Dane: Timeline will be published by Green Wizard Publishing, Nottinghamshire, UK, and is expected to launch in 2014.
Who is your favorite character and why?
Arista is introduced in the second installment of the trilogy, The Briton and the Dane: Birthright. Without giving away spoilers, suffice it to say that Arista, who descends from the line of the Caesars, is a character whose life has been marred by events shaping her known world. However, fear clouds her judgment when forces beyond her control are set in place, threatening the family she adores. Since I tend to bet for the underdog, my money’s on Arista, but can she thwart the treachery shrouding her world?
Favorite book of all time?
“Hollywood Shakedown” by Indie author Mark Barry
I think breakfast says a lot about a person, what is your perfect breakfast?
Brioche French Toast with whipped cream and strawberry sauce.
Please tell us in one sentence why we should read your book
Sumptuous writing, a whip-crackaway plot which never abates for a second; rounded, intriguing characters and a modern, fresh twist on historical fiction - a page turner that is difficult to put down.
Enter Concordia, a beautiful noble woman whose family is favored by the king. Vain, willful, and admired, but ambitious and cunning, Concordia is not willing to accept her fate. She is betrothed to the valiant warrior, Brantson, but sees herself as far too young to lay in the bedchamber of an older suitor. She wants to see the wonders of the world, embracing everything in it; preferably, but dangerously, at the side of Thayer, the exotic Saracen who charms King Alfred’s court and ignites her yearning passions.
Concordia manipulates her besotted husband into taking her to Rome, but her ship is captured by bloodthirsty pirates, and the seafarers protecting her are ruthlessly slain to a man. As she awaits her fate in the Moorish captain’s bed, by sheer chance, she discovers that salvation is at hand in the gilded court of a Saracen nobleman.
While awaiting rescue, Concordia finds herself at the center of intrigue, plots, blackmail, betrayal and the vain desires of two egotistical brothers, each willing to die for her favor. Using only feminine cunning, Concordia must defend her honor while plotting her escape as she awaits deliverance, somewhere inside steamy, unconquered Muslim Hispania.
Where did the idea of your (latest) book come from?
Concordia is a character from The Briton and the Dane trilogy, who wanted her own story, and, naturally, I had to comply.
Who and what inspires you to write your books?
After reading Sir Walter Scott’s “Ivanhoe,” I became enthralled with early British history, and admit to being an incurable romantic Anglophile, and less nobly, and much more irritatingly, a Romanphile, accordingly to my favorite Brit and staunchest supporter.
Each author has their own fascinating journey. How did you begin writing?
Erik was “born” when I was still an impressionable teenager, after seeing "The Vikings" and other period movies Hollywood had to offer. I would think of different scenarios with Erik leaving his homeland to “Go A Viking” and what would happen if he was wounded, or if he met a “local” girl or if he stayed in a land he had wanted to conquer. Over the years, many “what ifs” were embedded in my mind, which were considered when I finally set pen to paper.
What has been the most pleasant surprise about being a writer? How about the most unexpected downside?
A pleasant surprise was my appearance on a local TV talk show where I discussed my novels, which are dedicated to fallen soldiers. The downside is not spending time with family and friends while I am in writing mode.
Do you have any particular writing routines or rituals?
My writing time is usually in the afternoons, and I do limit the hours spent on the computer. However, I also set a word count goal, which I try to adhere to. Unfortunately, when life happens, it is difficult to keep to a schedule, but I do try to write at least one page a day to keep the creative juices flowing
Do you write in order?
Yes, I write the beginning, middle and end, in order.
What is on your playlist when you write?
I listen to music from period movies, such as Centurion, Beowulf, The Eagle, King Arthur, The Last Legion, et cetera.
Favorite writing snack?
Indulgent Trail Mix
Where do you like to write?
I am fortunate to have an office in my home.
Do you have any advice for authors wanting to publish?
First, try to write every day, even if it’s just one page or 250 words.
Second, covers do sell books, unfortunately, so a professional illustrator is a must, unless, of course, you are artistically creative. Also, it is important to have an editor read the manuscript prior to publication.
Third, thoroughly research the market. Even if you are picked up by a conventional publishing house, you are still expected to promote your work - which means having profiles on the available social media sites.
Are you currently working on anything else?
The next title in the series, The Briton and the Dane: Timeline will be published by Green Wizard Publishing, Nottinghamshire, UK, and is expected to launch in 2014.
Who is your favorite character and why?
Arista is introduced in the second installment of the trilogy, The Briton and the Dane: Birthright. Without giving away spoilers, suffice it to say that Arista, who descends from the line of the Caesars, is a character whose life has been marred by events shaping her known world. However, fear clouds her judgment when forces beyond her control are set in place, threatening the family she adores. Since I tend to bet for the underdog, my money’s on Arista, but can she thwart the treachery shrouding her world?
Favorite book of all time?
“Hollywood Shakedown” by Indie author Mark Barry
I think breakfast says a lot about a person, what is your perfect breakfast?
Brioche French Toast with whipped cream and strawberry sauce.
Please tell us in one sentence why we should read your book
Sumptuous writing, a whip-crackaway plot which never abates for a second; rounded, intriguing characters and a modern, fresh twist on historical fiction - a page turner that is difficult to put down.
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