A Reckoning in the East: An Exclusive Character Interview with Robert, Duke of Normandy

 The desert wind carries the scent of dust and memory, whispering through the remnants of a crusader camp where banners once flew and prayers once echoed. In the shadow of Jerusalem’s walls, Robert, Duke of Normandy, reflects on a journey marked by blood, betrayal, and the burden of legacy. Fresh from the events of Crusader’s Path, he sits down with us to speak of vows made, battles fought, and the soul-searching that follows a war waged in God’s name.

Interviewer: Duke Robert, thank you for joining us. For those unfamiliar with your role in the Crusades, how would you describe your purpose?

Robert: Purpose is a slippery thing. I left Normandy not with a clear mission, but with a need to escape, to reclaim something lost, perhaps even to outrun my own reputation. The call to arms came at a time when my coffers were thin and my conscience thinner. I answered not as a saint, but as a man seeking distance. Whether I found redemption or simply distraction is for history to decide.

Interviewer: You’ve been described as both a noble leader and a man of indulgence. How do you reconcile those sides of yourself?

Robert: I don’t. I live with them. I’ve worn the mantle of Duke, but I’ve also worn the weight of jealousy, rivalry, and regret. My youth was spent chasing pleasure and prestige, and I’ve paid dearly for it. The Crusades stripped away the silk and left only steel. In the fire of war, you learn who you are or who you’ve failed to become.

Interviewer: Etienne plays a central role in Crusader’s Path. How did your relationship with him evolve?

Robert: Etienne came to swear fealty after his father’s death, and I saw something rare in him, honesty without arrogance. I invited him to court, and he followed. We rode together, fought together, and in many ways, he became my conscience. He gave me counsel I didn’t always want but often needed. I leaned on him more than I ever admitted. He reminded me of the cost of neglect, even when I was too blind to see it.

Interviewer: The Crusades tested many. What challenged you most?

Robert: The silence of God. We marched under banners of faith, yet the answers came in blood and betrayal. Disease struck our camps, treachery brewed in our ranks, and every step toward Jerusalem felt heavier than the last. Leadership is not glory, it’s a burden. And in war, that burden grows with every soul lost.

Interviewer: What do you believe the Crusades accomplished?

Robert: That depends on who pens the chronicle. Some will say we reclaimed holy ground. Others will say we desecrated it. I believe we revealed the fragility of men who claim divine purpose. The Crusades tested our faith, yes, but more than that, it exposed our humanity. And our failings.

Interviewer: What’s next for you, now that the campaign has ended?

Robert: I returned to Normandy with fewer men and more ghosts. My duty now is to remember, to ensure that the lessons of this war are not buried with the dead. Redemption is not found in conquest. It is found in reflection, in humility, and in the stories we choose to tell.

Interviewer: Duke Robert, thank you for your candor. Is there anything you’d like to share with our readers before we close?

Robert: Only this: history is not forged by swords alone. It is shaped by the choices we make when no one is watching. And if you ever find yourself at the gates of Jerusalem, ask not what you’ve won, but what you’ve lost to get there.

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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, 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/

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Blog: https://maryannbernal.blogspot.com/

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Redemption is no longer a prayer—it’s a battle. One vow. One crusade. One final reckoning.

 

Originally released to strong reader response, Crusader’s Path has been revitalized for today’s audience with a powerful new look and expanded availability. Now offered in eBook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook—including Amazon’s immersive virtual voice format—this sweeping historical adventure returns with fresh clarity in both design and discovery. Set during the First Crusade, the novel invites readers on a gripping journey of faith, destiny, and resilience.

 ***

A Redemptive Crusade. A Test of Faith. A Reckoning with the Past.

Marching eastward under Duke Robert of Normandy, Etienne carries the weight of his sins like a stone upon his soul. Every step toward Jerusalem is a trial. Each battle tests his worth. The scorching desert erodes his strength while relentless hunger and the cries of the dying grind away at his resolve. Guilt festers beneath the surface. Doubt gnaws at him.

Treachery and disease lurk in the shadows. Battle looms ever closer. When Etienne makes a desperate vow to serve the Church if survival grants him another chance, his faith and convictions are tested in ways he never imagined. 

Through blood-soaked battlefields and the unforgiving desert, salvation remains as distant as the Holy City itself. When faced with the ultimate test, will conviction be enough? Or will the weight of his past drag him into darkness? 

Step into the heart of the Crusades and claim your copy of Crusader’s Path today.

*

Now reimagined through a cinematic lens, Crusader’s Path returns with a visual narrative that echoes its emotional depth. Watch the official trailer below and step into the heart of the Crusades.

PURCHASE

Amazon Global Purchase Link

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***

About the Author

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, 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.

 Social Media Links

Website   Publisher   Blog   Amazon Author Page   Facebook   Twitter

Pinterest    Instagram   LinkedIn   YouTube    BookBub

Mary Ann Bernal

Architect of Crusader’s Path

Book Spotlight and Excerpt: Crusader's Path by Mary Ann Bernal

 

From the sweeping hills of Argences to the port city of Cologne overlooking the River Rhine, Etienne and Avielle find themselves drawn by the need for redemption against the backdrop of the First Crusade.

Heeding the call of His Holiness, Urban II, to free the Holy Land from the infidel, Etienne follows Duke Robert of Normandy across the treacherous miles, braving sweltering heat and snow-covered mountain passes while en route to the Byzantine Empire.

Moved by Peter of Amiens’ charismatic rhetoric in the streets of the Holy Roman Empire, Avielle joins the humble army of pilgrims. Upon arrival in Mentz, the peasant Crusaders do the unthinkable, destroying the Jewish Community. Consumed with guilt, Avielle is determined to die fighting for Christ, assuring her place in Heaven.

Etienne and Avielle cross paths in Constantinople, where they commiserate over past misdeeds. A spark becomes a flame, but when Avielle contracts leprosy, Etienne makes a promise to God, offering to take the priest cowl in exchange for ridding Avielle of her affliction.

Will Etienne be true to his word if Avielle is cleansed of the contagion, or will he risk eternal damnation to be with the woman he loves?

 Buy Links

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EXCERPT

Ribbon lightning flashed across the darkened sky as Duke Robert and Etienne reached the outer castle walls. Crackling thunder shook the ground beneath them as they dismounted near the stables. The grayish clouds burst open, sending a deluge of water upon the earth. Strong winds whipped the rain, stinging the face as the men fled inside, pulling their mounts behind them. The animals neighed, standing on their hind legs, threatening to trample anyone in their way.

“All is well, hush,” Etienne said, trying to calm the horse, rubbing its face and neck with his hand.

Duke Robert managed to get his stallion into its stall and proceeded to inspect the length of the barn, comforting the animals.

“I think it best to stay here until the storm passes,” Etienne said.

Sitting on a bale of hay, Etienne leaned against the wall. Looking at the loft, he remembered a stormy night when he and Isabella took shelter on a warm summer’s day. He recalled her laughter, her wet hair sticking to her face, her eyes sparkling when he touched her cheek. Invigorated by the smell of freshly cut hay, they tumbled in the straw, satisfying their desire numerous times until the rain stopped.

You need to go home, Etienne thought.

“Has there been word of Henry?” Duke Robert said, sitting across from his favored friend. “But I have interrupted your thoughts.”

“I was just wondering how long the storm will last. As for your brother’s whereabouts, the spies have not returned. He cannot be far.”

“Have you given His Holiness’s call for an Army of God much thought?  I dare say I am intrigued. My soul is in need of saving, but the peasants would revolt if I taxed them to pay for such a lengthy campaign.”

“He did say full remission of our sins,” Etienne said. “I am tempted, but my sword is yours, Your Grace.”

“Ah, that is good to hear, because, my friend, I am inclined to join the campaign. It would free me from this useless fighting. And William Rufus would probably lend me the money, or I could ask Henry. Upon our return, they would not dare to rise up against me, lest they be excommunicated.”

“If that is your wish, so be it. I would visit Argences before we leave. Isabella can rule in my absence, as she has done in the past, until we are safely home.”

 

Mary Ann Bernal

Award-winning author, Mary Ann Bernal, attended Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY, where she received a degree in Business Administration. Her literary aspirations were ultimately realized when the first book of The Briton and the Dane novels was published in 2009. In addition to writing historical fiction, Mary Ann has also authored a collection of contemporary short stories in the Scribbler Tales series and a science fiction/fantasy novel entitled Planetary Wars Rise of an Empire. Her recent work includes Crusader’s Path, a redemption story set against the backdrop of the First Crusade, and Forgiving Nero, a novel of Ancient Rome.

Since Operation Desert Storm, Mary Ann has been a passionate supporter of the United States military, having been involved with letter-writing campaigns and other support programs. She 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 been a featured author on various reader blogs and promotional sites.

Mary Ann currently resides in Elkhorn, Nebraska.

 Connect with Mary Ann

 Website   Publisher    Amazon Author Page   Blog   Twitter   Instagram   Pinterest   

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Oh look, another book!: #BookReview - Crusader’s Path by Mary Ann Bernal

Oh look, another book!: #BookReview - Crusader’s Path by Mary Ann Bernal #...: Crusader’s Path  By Mary Ann Bernal From the sweeping hills of Argences to the port city of Cologne overlooking the River Rhine, Etienne and...

#BookReview - Crusader’s Path by Mary Ann Bernal #HistoricalFiction @BritonandDane

Crusader’s Path 

By Mary Ann Bernal

From the sweeping hills of Argences to the port city of Cologne overlooking the River Rhine, 

Etienne and Avielle find themselves drawn by the need for redemption against the backdrop 

of the First Crusade.

Heeding the call of His Holiness, Urban II, to free the Holy Land from the infidel, Etienne follows 

Duke Robert of Normandy across the treacherous miles, braving sweltering heat and snow-covered 

mountain passes while en route to the Byzantine Empire.

Moved by Peter of Amiens’ charismatic rhetoric in the streets of the Holy Roman Empire, Avielle 

joins the humble army of pilgrims. Upon arrival in Mentz, the peasant Crusaders do the unthinkable,

 destroying the Jewish Community. Consumed with guilt, Avielle is determined to die fighting for 

Christ, assuring her place in Heaven.

Etienne and Avielle cross paths in Constantinople, where they commiserate over past misdeeds. A spark

 becomes a flame, but when Avielle contracts leprosy, Etienne makes a promise to God, offering to 

take the priest cowl in exchange for ridding Avielle of her affliction.

Will Etienne be true to his word if Avielle is cleansed of the contagion, or will he risk eternal damnation

 to be with the woman he loves?

In the words of Janice (from Friends) OH, MY GOD! You don't just need a box of tissues next to you 

when you read this book, you need a truckload, you need hankies, toilet rolls, you name it. You need

 so much in fact that this book could easily start another toilet roll shortage!

The story is about a young woman called Avielle. Avielle is a deeply religious woman whose belief in 

God cannot be shaken. She is also incredibly caring and does not shy away from diseases as others do. 

And yet, her story is a tragic one. Just as I thought Avielle was back on the right track and everything 

was going to be alright the author threw yet another spanner into the works and once again I found

 myself reaching for the tissues.

I don't know much about the Crusades if I am totally honest and I was shocked by the religious fever 

that seemed to grip the people involved. It was also difficult reading about the horrors of reality - the 

desperate situations in the camps, as well as the siege and the massacres. 

This book is deeply moving, but the story is told so vividly that it was impossible to turn away from. I 

will be reading this book again, as I feel that to really appreciate how great this book is, it needs to be

 read twice. But, I will put it aside for now, at least until I do the next supermarket shop so that I can 

stock up on tissues!

If you are looking for your next tear-jerking read then this book is for you. You can find it over 

on Amazon.

Award-winning author, Mary Ann Bernal, attended Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY, where she received a degree in Business Administration. Her literary aspirations were ultimately realized when the first book of The Briton and the Dane novels was published in 2009. In addition to writing historical fiction, Mary Ann has also authored a collection of contemporary short stories in the Scribbler Tales series and a science fiction/fantasy novel entitled Planetary Wars Rise of an Empire. Her recent work includes Crusader’s Path, a redemption story set against the backdrop of the First Crusade, and Forgiving Nero, a novel of Ancient Rome.

Since Operation Desert Storm, Mary Ann has been a passionate supporter of the United States military, having been involved with letter-writing campaigns and other support programs. She 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 been a featured author on various reader blogs and promotional sites.

Mary Ann currently resides in Elkhorn, Nebraska.

Social Media Links:

Website, Facebook, Twitter

The Coffee Pot Book Club - Setting the stage for the First Crusade1096-1099 by Mary Ann Bernal

 The Coffee Pot Book Club

Please give a warm Coffee Pot welcome to Historical Fiction author, Mary Ann Bernal. Mary Ann is talking about the First Crusade, but before we get to that let's check out Mary Ann's fabulous novel...!

Crusader's Path

By Mary Ann Bernal

Publication Date: 12th April 2020

Publisher: Whispering Legends Press

Page Length: 224 Pages (Hardcover)

Genre: Historical Fiction / Historical Romance

From the sweeping hills of Argences to the port city of Cologne overlooking the River Rhine, Etienne and Avielle find themselves drawn by the need for redemption against the backdrop of the First Crusade.

Heeding the call of His Holiness, Urban II, to free the Holy Land from the infidel, Etienne follows Duke Robert of Normandy across the treacherous miles, braving sweltering heat and snow-covered mountain passes while en route to the Byzantine Empire.

Moved by Peter of Amiens’ charismatic rhetoric in the streets of the Holy Roman Empire, Avielle joins the humble army of pilgrims. Upon arrival in Mentz, the peasant Crusaders do the unthinkable, destroying the Jewish Community. Consumed with guilt, Avielle is determined to die fighting for Christ, assuring her place in Heaven.

Etienne and Avielle cross paths in Constantinople, where they commiserate over past misdeeds. A spark becomes a flame, but when Avielle contracts leprosy, Etienne makes a promise to God, offering to take the priest cowl in exchange for ridding Avielle of her affliction.

Will Etienne be true to his word if Avielle is cleansed of the contagion, or will he risk eternal damnation to be with the woman he loves?

Setting the stage for the First Crusade

1096-1099

By Mary Ann Bernal

During the Eleventh Century, the Roman Catholic Church held considerable influence throughout Christendom, despite the East-West Schism of 1054 caused by political and theological differences between the Latin West and Greek Eastern Orthodox Church.

Violence, lawlessness, famine, and poverty existed across the European continent. Peasants were at the mercy of the warring nobles craving wealth and power. A significant disparity prevailed in a social hierarchy where landowners set the rules, giving little hope for commoners to rise above their station.

The authority of the Pope, also known as the Bishop of Rome, had waned over the years. Henry IV, the Holy Roman Emperor, clashed with Pope Gregory VII over papal authority. Pope Urban’s predecessor, Pope Gregory, excommunicated the errant Emperor. Military clashes ensued, and the victorious Henry installed the Antipope, Clement III, as the Bishop of Rome.

Alexios I, the Byzantine Emperor, needed help in thwarting the Seljuk Turks harassing his kingdom. Fearing the fall of his capital city, Constantinople, Alexios requested Pope Urban’s assistance in vanquishing the infidel.

The Call to Arms

Pope Urban saw the request from Alexios as a means to reunite the Latin West and Greek East. Additionally, by channeling the violent knights’ and mercenaries’ thirst for fighting towards a common enemy, the followers of Islam, Pope Urban kept unchivalrous warriors from pillaging the European countryside. Besides, a successful campaign would strengthen the Papacy, enhancing political power and dominance over kingly rule. And freeing Jerusalem from Muslim control would secure his place in history.

Pope Urban II was a charismatic and intriguing man. In all probability, he was calculating and manipulative, necessary traits to retain control of the Papacy, defeating his enemies with skillful finesse.

The Council at Claremont had been called to address abuses within the Catholic Church. The assembly decided many canons, renewed earlier legislation, and settled lawsuits at its conclusion. However, Pope Urban piqued the curiosity of the religious elite and common people when mentioning a great speech on the day before the attendees’ departure.

In an open field, the eloquent preacher spoke of atrocities committed upon Christians by the Muslims. Pope Urban maligned the Saracens oppressing Christians, his speech cleverly fashioned to incite the crowd. He offered salvation, giving hope to the hopeless, calling upon rich and poor alike to embark on a righteous war. Pope Urban promised a full remission of sins if they died during the journey or on the battlefield. The chant Deus Vult, God wills it, echoed throughout the crowd.

Pope Urban’s successful oration created the armies of the First Crusade. Although religion was the driving force, the nobility and lowly knights sought land and wealth. They would give no quarter since the Church condoned killing.

The Armies

Peter of Amiens took Pope Urban at his word, leaving without paying heed to logistics – a coordinated campaign, led by princes and noblemen, acquiring manpower, provisions and money, a lot of money to pay the soldiers, and purchase supplies along the route.

Known as Peter the Hermit, the lowly monk preached to the peasants from Claremont to Amiens before setting out to Cologne, following the Rivers Rhine and Danube, reaching Constantinople before Pope Urban’s officially sanctioned army. Known as the People’s Crusade or the Peasants’ Crusade, the ill-fated collection of Pilgrims failed to reach the Holy Land, most perishing on the road to Nicaea.

The peasants risked everything to reclaim the Holy Land for God, proudly wearing the Cross. They were ill-equipped, mostly farmers, men, women, and children. They left behind land they did not own, carrying meager possessions with them, believing Pope Urban’s words, attaining salvation, their sins forgiven.

Peter could not control the unruly mob who ravished the land with such ferocity that sent chills down the spine of the Turkish people when word reached their ears of the rabble’s murderous deeds.

The Princes’ Crusade consisted of four main armies, leaving Europe in August 1096, the planned departure date, and several months after Peter’s Army of Peasants.

To the aristocracy, fighting for Christ was an honor, elevating their standing within the hierarchy, commanding respect and awe from the masses. While saving souls was the catalyst, attaining wealth in a land flowing with milk and honey, controlling centers of trade satisfied their ambition.

Aftermath

The First Crusade was a holy war that had the blessing of God, according to Pope Urban. The Commandment, thou shall not kill, was ignored when fighting the infidel. In retaliation, the Muslims raged a Holy War against the Christians. The apoplectic war of the two faiths continues to this day.

The First Crusade saw the establishment of the Crusader States and the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller military orders.

The role of the Roman Popes progressed in secular affairs.

Alliances deteriorated between the Latin West and Greek East.

Subsequent crusades failed to keep Jerusalem under Christian control.

***

I could not help but wonder if Pope Urban would have condoned a Holy War if he knew the ramifications of his deeds. Just as I wonder if Catherine of Aragon would have given Henry VIII a divorce if she had known Henry would become the Church of England. Who in history has ever considered the consequences before acting? Just thoughts to ponder.

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Mary Ann Bernal attended Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY, where she received a degree in Business Administration. Her literary aspirations were ultimately realized when the first book of The Briton and the Dane novels was published in 2009. In addition to writing historical fiction, Mary Ann has also authored a collection of contemporary short stories in the Scribbler Tales series and a science fiction/fantasy novel entitled Planetary Wars Rise of an Empire. Her recent work includes Crusader’s Path, a redemption story set against the backdrop of the First Crusade, and Forgiving Nero, a novel of Ancient Rome.

Social Media Links: Website • Whispering Legends Press • Twitter.