Moonlight rippled across the Aegean as currents whispered through the ruins of a temple long claimed by the sea. In the shifting shadows, relic hunter Miles Bordel fought for breath and survival, fending off mercenaries among toppled columns and statues whose stone eyes seemed to watch. Somewhere in the darkness, the Medusa pendant waited, its empty ruby sockets promising either fortune or a fate carved in myth. Fresh from this perilous mission with Dr. AnaRose Preston, Miles sits down with us to share the truth behind the legend, the man who would wield it, and the cost of chasing history into the deep.
Interviewer: Miles, thank you for joining us. For readers
new to your work, how would you describe what you do?
Miles Bordel: I track down relics that history has misplaced, or that someone’s willing to pay handsomely for. I’m not in the business of returning treasures to dusty museum cases unless AnaRose is involved. When we work together (and we have many times), I have to play by her rules, which means developing a conscience, at least for the duration of the job.
Interviewer: Your latest mission began with a call from the Aegean Sea. What set this hunt in motion?
Miles: I’d just delivered an ancient drinking cup said to have belonged to Alexander the Great to a collector in Thessaloniki. The cup bore the image of Medusa, and I suspected it was more than decorative. While I was there, I overheard him speaking in ancient Macedonian to his associate, bragging that this was proof Alexander had used Medusa in battle, and that they’d soon claim the pendant and its ruby eyes to “rule the world.” The only reason I understood a word of it was because I’d studied the language years ago. I hadn’t yet realized how deep this organization’s ambitions ran. That would come later, after I met with AnaRose. At the time, I just booked passage from Thessaloniki to Athens, figuring I’d get to the pendant first, and maybe make a tidy profit before anyone else knew it was in play.
Interviewer: The underwater scenes sound intense. Can you walk us through the dive and the fight with Alekos Chloros’s men?
Miles Bordel: The ruins were stunning, with columns draped in coral and statues half-buried in sand, all freshly revealed after an earthquake shifted the seabed. A lot of Medusa-themed artifacts had surfaced at the Alonissos Underwater Museum, so AnaRose and I went looking for the pendant. We were navigating a collapsed temple when the water seemed to breathe, a slow, deep shift that made the silt swirl around us. That’s when Alekos’s divers appeared. Armed, fast, and clearly trained, but they didn’t press the attack. We fought them off and made it back to our boat, but they never followed. At the time, I figured they were just trying to scare us off. They didn’t know yet who we were, or how far we were willing to go.
Interviewer: Alekos Chloros has been likened to a modern-day Alexander the Great, with a god complex. What makes him so dangerous?
Miles: He’s not chasing wealth; he’s chasing immortality through legacy. Chloros believes he’s destined to restore Greece’s ancient glory, and he’ll twist myth into a weapon to do it. That kind of conviction, backed by money and an army of mercenaries, is deadly. I’ve dealt with greedy men before, but true believers are far worse.
Interviewer: You and AnaRose have worked together before. How would you describe your partnership?
Miles: She’s brilliant, relentless, and has an instinct for seeing patterns others miss. We don’t always agree; she’s all about preservation, while I’m all about acquisition. However, when the stakes are this high, trust is everything. She keeps me honest, or at least, honest enough.
Interviewer: The Medusa pendant is said to petrify with a gaze. Do you believe in the curse?
Miles: I’ve learned that legends often grow from a seed of truth. Whether it’s supernatural or just the fear it inspires, the pendant has power. In the wrong hands, that’s as dangerous as any curse carved in stone. And if you’re smart, you don’t stare too long, wondering which it is.
Interviewer: What’s next for you now that the dust has settled?
Miles: Taking time off would be nice, but history doesn’t rest, and neither do the shadows it leaves behind. There’s always another relic, another danger, another story waiting to be written. And if AnaRose calls, I’ll answer without hesitation.
Interviewer: Miles, thank you so much for sharing your insights with us today. Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers about your work or any upcoming adventures?
Miles Bordel: It’s been a pleasure. Although I’m not usually in the habit of giving away my secrets. I will say this: working with AnaRose Preston is never dull. She’s sharp, fearless, and has a way of turning even the simplest job into something worthy of the history books. We’ve faced danger on land, at sea, and now under it, and I’ve no doubt there are more high-stakes missions in our future. Just don’t expect me to admit I’m looking forward to them.
https://mybook.to/AnaRoseMedusasCurse
https://books2read.com/u/m20XR1
Mary Ann Bernal is a distinguished alumna of Mercy College
in Dobbs Ferry, NY, where she earned her degree in Business Administration. Her
literary journey began with the 2009 publication of her debut novel in The
Briton and the Dane series, marking the start of a richly diverse body of work
that spans historical fiction, contemporary short stories, science
fiction/fantasy, and fast-paced adventure novellas.
Her recent publications include Crusader’s Path, a poignant redemption tale set during the First Crusade; Forgiving Nero, a compelling exploration of familial bonds in Ancient Rome; and the award-winning AnaRose adventure series, chronicling the daring escapades of a museum curator-turned-relic hunter. Mary Ann’s work has been honored by the Independent Press Award, the NYC Big Book Award, the Chanticleer International Book Awards, the B.R.A.G. Medallion, and the Reader Views Reviewer’s Choice Awards. Her short fiction anthologies have likewise earned distinction, most notably from the American Legacy Book Awards. She was also recognized with the Editor’s Choice Award for Literary Excellence by Reader’s House magazine.
A dedicated supporter of the United States military since Operation Desert Storm, Mary Ann has actively engaged in letter-writing campaigns and related initiatives. Her advocacy has been featured on KMTV’s The Morning Blend and in the Omaha World-Herald. As a celebrated author, she has appeared on numerous reader blogs and book promotion platforms. Mary Ann currently resides in Elkhorn, Nebraska, where she continues to craft stories that inspire and endure.
Connect with Mary Ann:
Website: http://www.maryannbernal.com/
Whispering Legends Press: https://www.whisperinglegendspress.com/
Blog: https://maryannbernal.blogspot.com/
Amazon author page https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Ann-Bernal/e/B003D2DPZ4
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/maryannbernal
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannbernal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ann-bernal-a9a05b33/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/maryannbernal
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-ann-bernal
X: https://x.com/BritonandDane
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@maryannbernal
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/maryannbernal.bsky.social
No comments:
Post a Comment