Ngaire Elder
Author of an action and adventure series for children: The Adventures of Cecilia Spark AND avid blogger spotlighting awesome Indie reads.
Today's spotlight:
Of Warriors and Kings - The World of Mary Ann Bernal
Mary Ann Bernal, author of The Briton and the Dane novels, is an avid history buff whose area of interest focuses on Ninth Century Anglo-Saxon Britain during the Viking Age. While pursuing a degree in business administration, she managed to fit creative writing classes and workshops into her busy schedule to learn the craft, but it would take decades before her “Erik the Viking” novel was ultimately published.
Mary Ann is also a passionate supporter of the United States military, having been involved with letter writing campaigns and other support programs since Operation Desert Storm. She has appeared on The Morning Blend television show hosted by KMTV, the CBS television affiliate in Omaha, and was interviewed by the Omaha World-Herald for her volunteer work. She has also been a featured author on Triangle Variety Radio, The Phil Naessens Show, and The Writers Showcase, and has been interviewed extensively by American and European bloggers.
Mary Ann is a New York “expat,” and currently resides in Omaha, Nebraska.
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| Author, Mary Ann Bernal, Pompeii, Itlay |
Today I'm spotlighting the second book in Mary Ann's historical romance trilogy - The Briton and the Dane: Birthright.
Synopsis (Amazon):
Two years have passed since Alfred the Great successfully defeated Guthrum, King of the Vikings. The fair land of England is at peace. That is, until the harmony is threatened by Guthrum’s angry, vengeful, illegitimate son, Rigr, who is hell-bent on usurping his father’s throne. Rigr demands his Birthright – an acknowledgement that he is the sole heir to the Danelaw, but his father refuses his claim. Rigr assembles his army; a motley, but formidable, cohort of disenchanted warriors. Fearsome Guthrum, ruler of everything from Kent to Northumbria, is made aware of the threat and conjures his forces, meeting the rebellious host on the field at Thetford. Thousands upon thousands of bloodthirsty warriors confront each other on the sunlit, windless plains of East Anglia. The victors will rewrite the course of history, and the fate of England is in the hands of the gods of war.
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Excerpt from The Briton and the Dane: Birthright written by Mary Ann Bernal:
Elizabeth found her brother, Cerdic, with Lord Bayen, atop the wall-walk. She was thankful for their love and support during the difficult months after word reached the citadel that the King’s envoy to the Welsh court had been attacked.
She clearly remembered the day when the horse that carried the young boy dropped dead before Lord Bayen and Thomas, Lord Richard’s advisor. She recalled her anxiety when the lad informed them of the carnage, and her fear when he spoke of the dead and gravely wounded. She did not deny her husband had vanished, what she did deny was the presumption that he had been slain.
Tears swelled when she remembered how Lord Bayen and her brother never left her side during her long and difficult birthing, and their concern when she cried out Stephen’s name and begged to die. She recalled the healer’s fright when she pointed to the Lord’s angel who, she swore, stood before her, and their obvious relief, when the boy that she named Gabriel finally entered the world.
Elizabeth was thankful for their King’s benevolence when he pardoned her brother. She was also grateful to Bishop Thurlac when he granted Cerdic a full dispensation to leave the contemplative cloistered life for other worldly pursuits.
Elizabeth could never repay Lord Bayen for his kindness and protection. She was aware, as were most, of his undying love and devotion. She was appreciative of Lord Bayen’s friendship, but she kept praying that, one day, he would be able to love another.
What readers are saying about The Briton and the Dane: Birthright (Amazon) :
~ I read the first book in the series and just had to go on until I'd finished them all. The author draws the reader in to the plight of the characters. It's like a 9th century soap opera; you just have to tune in to see what happens next.
~ I think that Birthright is my favorite (so far) of the series. I liked book one a lot, but I loved this one. There are so many plot twists and so many things to figure out...I love the mix of historical background, family/love bonds and adventure. It makes the book such a great read.
~ Written by an author with a great love and understanding of the period she writes about. The characters are well drawn and the plot unfolds very well and holds the interest throughout. If you love historic novels you will enjoy this very much
US Amazon Link - http://www.amazon.com/The-Briton-Dane-Birthright-ebook/dp/B00CACU7WC
Barnes and Noble -
To find out more about author, Mary Ann Bernal, and The Briton and the Dane novels, visit the official website:
My favorite section in the story is The Festival of the Ancient Games - chariot race is the pièce de résistance. Readers, do check it out - you will not be disappointed.
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