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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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?

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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.

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History Trivia - Crusaders abandon Tyre

May 18

1291 the Crusaders abandoned Tyre to the Moslems, the prelude to the end of the final Crusade.

History Trivia - Louis III of France defeats the Vikings

August 3

 881 Battle of Saucourt-en-Vimeu: Louis III of France defeated the Vikings, an event celebrated in the German poem Ludwigslied.

1291 the Crusaders abandoned Tortosa (province of Tarragona, in Catalonia, Spain) to the Moslems.

 1347 Six burghers of the surrounded French city of Calais surrendered to Edward III of England, hoping to relieve the siege.

History Trivia - Julius Caesar's second invasion Britain begins

July 7

 54 BC   Julius Caesar's second invasion Britain begins as he lands his troops, probably near Deal, Kent.

1124 Tyre (city in Lebanon) surrendered to the Crusaders. 

1307 King Edward I of England died at age 68 on his way to subdue the new Scottish king, Robert Bruce.

1456 A retrial verdict acquitted Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death.

1550 Chocolate was introduced.

1575 Raid of the Redeswire, the last major battle between England and Scotland. The Scots proved victorious. The story of the skirmish was turned into a Border ballad.

1607 “God Save the King" was sung for the first time.

History Trivia -

April 14

43 BC Battle of Forum Gallorum: Mark Antony, besieged Julius Caesar's assassin Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus in Mutina and defeated the forces of the consul Pansa, who was wounded.

69 Vitellius, commander of the Rhine armies, defeated Emperor Otho in the Battle of Bedriacum and seized the throne.

70 Siege of Jerusalem: Titus, son of Emperor Vespasian, surrounded the Jewish capital, with four Roman legions.

 73 after two years of defending the fortress of Masada, the Jews committed mass suicide rather than surrender to the Roman Tenth Legion.

979  Challenge to throne of King Aethelred II of England.

1028 Henry III, son of Conrad, was elected king of the Germans.

1205 Battle of Adrianople between Bulgarians and Crusaders.

1434 The foundation stone of Cathedral St. Peter and St. Paul in Nantes, France was laid.

1471 In England, the Yorkists under Edward IV defeated the Lancastrians under the Earl of Warwick (the Kingmaker) at the Battle of Barnet; the Earl was killed and Edward IV resumed the throne.

History Trivia - The Greeks defeat the Persians at Salamis

October 20

480 BC The Greeks defeated the Persians in a naval battle at Salamis, an island in the Saronic Gulf near Athens. It marked the high-point of the second Persian invasion of Greece which had begun in 480 BC.

1097 First Crusaders arrived in Antioch. The first siege, by the crusaders against the Muslim city, lasted from October 21, 1097, to June 2, 1098.

1524 Thomas Linacre, physician and classical scholar, who founded the Royal College of Physicians in London died.

1632 Christopher Wren, East Knoyle, Wiltshire, England, astronomer/great architect (St. Paul's Cathedral), was born.