An emperor’s triumph. A chilling vision. A man haunted by his past. Step
into the world of Forgiving Nero in this cinematic excerpt,
where intrigue, emotion, and psychological tension collide as Nero relives his
glory and confronts the specter of his downfall.
From the grandeur of Rome to the shadows of betrayal, the stakes couldn’t be
higher. This cinematic excerpt offers just a glimpse of the drama that awaits
within the pages of the novel.
If
you enjoy heartfelt historical fiction, you’ll love Crusader’s Path. An
award‑winning story of faith, destiny, and redemption set during the Crusades. https://books2read.com/u/3yNPen
Torchlight flickered across the marble
halls of Rome. The empire whispered of treachery, and every oath was tested by
fire. From the heart of Nero’s court, where loyalty could mean salvation or
ruin, Praetorian Guard Traian Aelius Propacius steps forward to speak of duty,
conscience, and the cost of guarding a man history would never forgive.
Interviewer: Traian, thank you for joining us. For
readers unfamiliar with your role, how would you describe your duty in Nero’s
Rome?
Traian: I was first sworn to guard a child,
not an emperor, a boy barely past his second year, spirited and curious, who
bore the name Lucius. His mother had been sent into exile, and in her absence,
I became his shield. My duty then was simple: to keep him safe from harm, to
guide his steps, to be the steady presence he could trust. Yet even in those
tender years, I understood I was protecting more than a child’s body. I was
guarding the promise of what he might become. Later, when Rome began to call
him Nero, my oath remained unchanged. To me, he was always Lucius, the boy I
once carried on my shoulders, the boy who dreamed of justice before the world
taught him fear.
Interviewer: Many saw Nero as a tyrant. From your
vantage point, what kind of man was he?
Traian: He was both boy and emperor, burdened
with a crown too heavy for his years. There were moments when he longed to rule
with mercy, to be remembered as more than his bloodline’s curse. But Rome was
merciless. The Senate whispered, the people demanded spectacle, and cruelty
became the coin of survival. I saw him hesitate at the edge of mercy, and I saw
him push past it.
Interviewer: The Great Fire of Rome remains one of
the most infamous events of his reign. From what you learned, how did it change
him?
Traian: I was not in Rome when the fire began.
When I finally found him, he told me what had happened. He had been at his
estates outside the city, and when word reached him, he rode into Rome. He
opened his gardens to the homeless, ordered supplies, and tried to fight the
flames. For a time, he was the Lucius I remembered, desperate to help,
desperate to be loved by his people. But when the whispers began, when the
blame turned toward him, everything shifted. To protect himself, he struck
back. That was when the Christians became his scapegoats. It was not mercy or
cruelty that guided him then, but fear.
Interviewer: Do you believe he wanted to be a good
ruler?
Traian: Yes. In his heart, he wanted to be loved,
to be remembered as more than his bloodline’s shadow. But Rome is not kind to
dreamers. Every step he took toward mercy was met with suspicion, every attempt
at justice twisted into weakness. In the end, he became what Rome demanded and
what Rome feared.
Interviewer: The palace halls were rife with
treachery. How did you endure such a world?
Traian: With silence, vigilance, and with the
knowledge that every ally might one day be an enemy. Even among the Guard,
trust was fragile. I stood between Lucius and conspirators cloaked as friends.
But the greater battle was within myself; how long could loyalty endure when it
began to feel like complicity?
Interviewer: History judged Nero harshly. Do you
believe he deserved forgiveness?
Traian: Forgiveness was not mine to grant. I
can only say this: he was not the monster the poets would write about, nor the
saint he once dreamed of being. He was a man caught between fear and destiny.
Perhaps that was the tragedy of Rome, that even emperors were prisoners of the
crown they wore.
Interviewer: And what of you, Traian? What future
did you see for yourself beyond Nero’s shadow?
Traian: When I was discharged, I found myself
standing at a crossroads. I had given my years to Rome, my loyalty to Lucius,
and in return, I carried scars no one could see. What comes next is not glory,
nor triumph. It is simply the search for peace, a life lived quietly, away from
marble halls and whispered conspiracies. Whether I will ever find it, only the
gods know.
Interviewer: Do you have anything to add before we
wrap up?
Traian: Only this: be careful how you judge
the past. History is written by those who survived it, and in Nero’s case, by
men who came long after his death, men who had never seen him, who shaped him
into villain or monster to serve their own ends. All documents are hearsay,
colored by fear, politics, or faith. If Rome teaches us anything, it is that
truth is fragile, and if we are not wary, history will repeat itself.
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.
Smoke coils above Rome’s marble spires. The boy who would be
emperor stands at the edge of greatness and ruin.
Watch the Trailer
Witness the rise and unraveling of Nero like never before.
Behind the Crown: Where Loyalty Ends and Power Begins.
Before the tyranny, there was longing. Before the cruelty,
confusion. A boy raised in shadows, taught to fear love and trust no one. In the
palace halls, whispers of revolt echo. In Nero’s heart, a storm brews.
This quiet moment, fraught with dread and fragile hope,
captures the soul of Forgiving Nero. It’s a story of unraveling. Of how power
distorts intention, and legacy exacts its toll. A boy once desperate to do good
becomes a man shaped by betrayal, forced to choose between survival and
surrendering to the darkness he was born into.
A Note from the Author
I wrote Forgiving Nero to explore the making of a legend and
the unraveling of a man. Was he a monster, or a victim of Rome’s brutal design?
This book invites you to witness his metamorphosis and decide for yourself.
About the Book
Nero enters manhood beneath the shadow of a bloodstained
throne. Raised on fear and betrayal, he wears his crown with equal parts of
dread and defiance.
He longs to rule justly, but Rome is built on secrets and
sharpened blades. As treachery grows within the Senate and whispers of revolt
echo through the corridors, Nero leans on the one man who’s never abandoned
him: Traian, a soldier sworn to protect him since boyhood.
But even loyalty has limits. As power corrodes what remains
of his soul, Nero faces a final choice. Rise above the cruelty that shaped him,
or embrace it and be remembered only as a monster.
Forgiving Nero is a sweeping historical epic that explores
ambition, faith, and the human price of legacy in a world where mercy is
weakness and silence is survival.
Ready to Read?
Step into the heart of ancient Rome. Witness the fall.
Rome. The jewel of the civilized world is no longer what it
was. Strength has failed the Senate. Her legions are in disarray, and the
Empire has fallen into Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus Nero’s hands. His reign
begins under a cloud of scrutiny, for he is the depraved Emperor Caligula’s
nephew. Nero is determined to overcome that stigma and carve a name of his own.
One worthy of Rome’s illustrious history.
Politics and treachery threaten to end Nero’s reign before
it begins, forcing him to turn to unexpected sources for friendship and help.
Many of the Praetorian Guard have watched over Nero since he was a small child,
and it is in Traian that the young Emperor places his trust, despite the
inherent threat of reducing his mother’s influence. Traian is the father he
never had and the one man who does not judge him.
When Traian secretly marries the hostage Vena, it sets in
motion a collision of values as Traian comes to odds with his former charge.
The whirlwind that follows will shake the very foundations of the greatest
Empire the world has ever known, and survival is far from guaranteed.
Vena invited Traian to spend the day with her, exploring the
city. She knew the men guarding her would welcome the respite. Vena wanted to
find the caves without involving the baker. They could explore the hills during
the day when the Christians were elsewhere. Hopefully, the fish symbol would be
engraved near the entrance.
Not wishing to arouse suspicion, Vena suggested they visit
the Emperor’s gardens or the nearby meadow. Their voices would not be
overheard, nor would they be readily seen.
After leaving the palace, Vena pulled Traian’s hand, running
toward the open fields filled with knee-high grass and wildflowers. The wind
carried her laughter across the landscape as she twirled around, her arms
swaying, a captivating creature who Traian desired. Vena ran towards the hills,
beckoning him to follow, stopping when reaching a stream. Sitting on a rock,
she waved, shouting his name.
“Where did you learn to run like that?” Traian asked, out of
breath.
“My brother and I used to race, and I always won! He did not
let me. I was faster.”
“Have you word of your brother?”
“My brother has forgotten me. I would like my freedom, but I
no longer have a home to return to.”
“Vena, you know I care for you deeply, and I would secure
your freedom if I could. My father might be able to help.”
He held Vena’s hand, kissing the tip of her fingers, his
lips seeking hers. But Vena turned away.
“I promised only my husband would touch me. I cannot do
this.”
Vena started to rise, but Traian pulled her onto his lap.
“I want you for my wife. I will speak to Claudius.”
“I fear we would be separated if you spoke prematurely. I do
have feelings for you, but we must wait and tell no one.”
“Why are we here, Vena? What are you looking for?”
Vena draped her arms around his neck, resting her forehead
against his. His hands encircled her waist, pressing her closer.
“You can trust me, Vena. What is it?”
Songbirds chirped in the distance. A soft breeze ruffled the
frothy waves pouring over the stones. The beauty of creation warmed Vena’s
soul, alleviating her fears, giving her the courage to reveal her faith to the
man she had fallen in love with, despite all her protests.
“I would go to the fields and listen to the stories of
Jesus. The prophets spoke of the Kingdom of God. They taught us to love each
other as brothers and sisters, to forgive transgressions, to live as Christ
did. I received instruction and was baptized before the rebellion. My father
and brother never knew. I pretended to worship the gods as before, which
weighed heavily on my conscience. I was weak and feared persecution. I asked
you here to help me find the caves where the Christians pray. They come before
first light or at the end of the day. Will you search with me?”
“Vena, I lived among the Christian slaves when I was in
Calabria. I have witnessed their baptisms and listened to their prayers, but I
do not believe in their God. I will keep your secret and accompany you when we
can slip away unnoticed.”
“Traian, I know not our fate, but I do love you and want to
be your wife.”
•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨) ✮ ( ¸.•´✶
Awards
2021 Book of the Year
Gold Medal Historical Fiction
Ancient World The Coffee Pot Book
Club
Silver Medal Winner
Historical Fiction
Reviewer’s Choice
Awards 2021-2022 Reader
Views
B.R.A.G. Medallion
Award Honoree*
Mary Ann Bernal
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.
Rome. The jewel of the civilized world is no longer what it
was. Strength has failed the Senate. Her legions are in disarray, and the
Empire has fallen into Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus Nero’s hands. His reign
begins under a cloud of scrutiny, for he is the depraved Emperor Caligula’s
nephew. Nero is determined to overcome that stigma and carve a name of his own.
One worthy of Rome’s illustrious history.
Politics and treachery threaten to end Nero’s reign before
it begins, forcing him to turn to unexpected sources for friendship and help.
Many of the Praetorian Guard have watched over Nero since he was a small child,
and it is in Traian that the young Emperor places his trust, despite the
inherent threat of reducing his mother’s influence. Traian is the father he
never had and the one man who does not judge him.
When Traian secretly marries the hostage Vena, it sets in
motion a collision of values as Traian comes to odds with his former charge.
The whirlwind that follows will shake the very foundations of the greatest
Empire the world has ever known, and survival is far from guaranteed.
The rhythmic noise of the turning wheels had Nero closing
his eyes momentarily. His thoughts wandered, pleasant at the onset, recalling
time spent with Acte at Misenum. He loved her with childish innocence,
developing a friendship based on trust.
Lucius reflected on that precious time,
pushing aside Nero’s persona. He envisioned the balmy days when they walked
along the coastline, exploring sea caves, climbing the rock-strewn hills, and running through green meadows filled with wildflowers being blown by the wind.
As if in a trance, Lucius held out his hand, his fingers closing over hers. He
felt her presence, breathing in her scent, her hair brushing against his face.
Lucius heard her silent words, delighting in his poetry, verses written primarily
for her and none other, pledging to take her for his wife.
A solitary tear
escaped, staining the side of his face, as he wiped the liquid away with his
cloak.
•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨) ✮ ( ¸.•´✶
Praise
This story demanded all of my attention from beginning to
end. The narrative was utterly enthralling, and Bernal told Nero’s story with a
keen understanding of what makes history worth reading. Bernal has brought Nero
back to life, and she has explored that life with a profound sweep and
brilliance.
Bernal writes with such elegance and authority, not to
mention with a keen attention to the historical detail, that a reader can
comfortably immerse themselves in this story. Forgiving Nero by Mary Ann Bernal
is a must-read for anyone who enjoys quality Historical Fiction.
Mary Anne Yarde. The Coffee Pot Book Club
2021 Gold Medal Winner
Historical Fiction Ancient World
The author does an excellent job remaining neutral and presenting each viewpoint factually and without bias. Therefore, regardless of your personal beliefs, you should be able to enjoy this book and make your own conclusions without feeling led to view Nero one way or the other.
Rome. The jewel of the civilized world is no longer what it
was. Strength has failed the Senate. Her legions are in disarray, and the
Empire has fallen into Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus Nero’s hands. His reign
begins under a cloud of scrutiny, for he is the depraved Emperor Caligula’s
nephew. Nero is determined to overcome that stigma and carve a name of his own.
One worthy of Rome’s illustrious history.
Politics and treachery threaten to end Nero’s reign before
it begins, forcing him to turn to unexpected sources for friendship and help.
Many of the Praetorian Guard have watched over Nero since he was a small child,
and it is in Traian that the young Emperor places his trust, despite the
inherent threat of reducing his mother’s influence. Traian is the father he
never had and the one man who does not judge him.
When Traian secretly marries the hostage Vena, it sets in
motion a collision of values as Traian comes to odds with his former charge.
The whirlwind that follows will shake the very foundations of the greatest
Empire the world has ever known, and survival is far from guaranteed.
“Forgiving Nero” by Mary Ann Bernal receives 5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company and the “Highly Recommended” award
...Mary Ann Bernal is to be congratulated in presenting this impressive and daunting work to the reader! She has seized a truly chaotic and complex period of history, so crucial for all that was to come in the fortunes of Imperial Rome and, indeed. for subsequent history, by the scruff of the neck. Out of all the confusion, she has licked a wonderful narrative into shape! Given the truly chaotic segment of important history she has selected for her novel, this is no small achievement!
In a moving and multi stranded drama that incorporates so much, Mary Ann Bernal presents the reader, for example, with a truly 'ear at the door' view of the secretive early Christian Church and of all its travails. She reveals a clear view and understanding of the Rome of the time in minute and moving detail, and the everyday preoccupations and aspirations and fears of ordinary people, revealing painstaking research The author relates with clarity, and movingly, the various issues and complications of people in love in truly difficult circumstances; their very moods and preoccupations.
Perhaps the greatest triumph of ''Forgiving Nero'' is the task, that many other historians have found so daunting, of weaving this truly confused and convoluted passage of history into a single and meaningful sequence of events whilst at the same time putting all too real flesh onto these historical, and often diabolical, figures. Above all, we have the figure of Nero! In the hands of the writer we are presented with a figure, so beguiling and charming in childhood and in early youth, transformed into a creature of monstrous depravity capable of truly despicable acts; a being seized by perhaps a hereditary madness and doomed to a bitter end. Read the Review in its entirety HERE Universal Purchase Link Amazon Global Link
Lucius Nero and his mother Agrippina returned from exile during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Nero was but a little boy, and having no one to trust, Traian and Vena cared for him with approval from the Emperor. He wasn’t the rightful heir, but Agrippina swore Nero would rule the Roman Empire. She did unimaginable things for the cause and succeeded. However, fate dealt its hand, and things fell apart. The palace, court, and people experienced a war of loyalties, and integrity became a scarce commodity. An ambitious mother, a hated wife, a promised love, and a treacherous mistress warred to own the emerging god-like Emperor. The plot thickened, and everybody had agendas. Will Emperor Nero’s rule be successful? Forgiving Nero by Mary Ann Bernal tells a captivating story.
Forgiving Nero by Mary Ann Bernal was a riveting novel that felt like a chess game. The characters were calculating, deceptive, manipulative, and more. Royal politics depicted in this novel mesmerized me and held my attention until the end. This fast-paced and action-packed story is a blend of fact and fiction, set in the classical era of Ancient Rome. Mary Ann wrote an excellent story aided by thorough research and descriptive writing that will appeal to lovers of the classics, and Greek and Latin literature. I loved Acte, Vena, and Traian because navigating such a predatory government with their heads intact was no easy feat. The one true God came through for the trio. Agrippina’s character was exasperating. Did that woman ever sleep? That woman created a monster, and Poppaea applied the toppings. I enjoyed reading this book, Mary Ann. Please write more.
Gold Medal The Coffee Pot Book Club Book of the Year Historical Fiction Book of the Year The Ancient World
Playing out much like the Greek
tragedies Nero enjoyed acting in! -- Reader Views
Reader Views
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Rome. The jewel of the civilized world is no longer what it
was. Strength has failed the Senate. Her legions are in disarray, and the
Empire has fallen into Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus Nero’s hands. His reign
begins under a cloud of scrutiny, for he is the depraved Emperor Caligula’s
nephew. Nero is determined to overcome that stigma and carve a name of his own.
One worthy of Rome’s illustrious history.
Politics and treachery threaten to end Nero’s reign before
it begins, forcing him to turn to unexpected sources for friendship and help.
Many of the Praetorian Guard have watched over Nero since he was a small child,
and it is in Traian that the young Emperor places his trust, despite the
inherent threat of reducing his mother’s influence. Traian is the father he
never had and the one man who does not judge him.
When Traian secretly marries the hostage Vena, it sets in
motion a collision of values as Traian comes to odds with his former charge.
The whirlwind that follows will shake the very foundations of the greatest
Empire the world has ever known, and survival is far from guaranteed.
Reader Views
“Playing out
much like the Greek tragedies Nero enjoyed acting in!”
“The writing flows effortlessly between the viewpoints of each of the characters, telling a clear narrative that is easy to follow and rather difficult to put down.”
“If you love Roman history, this book should delight you. Although Nero's and his family's
wickedness is not sugarcoated, it is not described in a way that is lewd or gratifying.”
“The author does an excellent job remaining neutral and presenting each
viewpoint factually and without bias. Therefore, regardless of your personal beliefs, you should
be able to enjoy this book and make your own conclusions without feeling led to view Nero one
way or the other.”
The Coffee Pot Book Club
“This story demanded all of my attention from
beginning to end. The narrative was utterly enthralling, and Bernal told Nero’s
story with a keen understanding of what makes history worth reading. Bernal has
brought Nero back to life, and she has explored that life with a profound sweep
and brilliance…”
“Nero is one of the infamous emperors whose
history has been dictated by those who wanted to see his downfall. History,
after all, is not written by the loser. Bernal does not pretend that Nero was a
beloved emperor, but nor does she make him quite as monstrous as we have all
been led to believe.”
Mary Ann Bernal Whispering Legends Press (2021) ISBN: 9798590150465 Reviewed by Chelsy Scherba for Reader Views (10/2021)
“Forgiving Nero” by Mary Ann Bernal is a fictional account of the life of Nero, Emperor of Rome. As a Praetorian Guard, Traian has looked after Nero ever since he was a small child, protecting him from assassins and treating him like a son. Vena, a hostage to the current Emperor Claudius, and a Christian hiding her faith, is the woman Nero calls “mother.” When Nero finds himself on the Roman throne, he rejects the council of those he once held dear and discovers his newfound power has given him the status of a god. With only treachery and corruption surrounding him, Nero’s former friends and allies can only watch his spiraling descent into debauchery and evil.
When reading historical fiction, I like to learn a lot about the time period and feel immersed in the era. Happily, this book achieves both of those goals. The author brings to life a vast array of characters and events that happened in the life of Nero. Since Nero was the template for the coming antichrist, I found it very interesting to learn more about the person Nero was both during and prior to his role in sentencing Christians to horrific deaths, including that of Paul the apostle.
The writing flows effortlessly between the viewpoints of each of the characters, telling a clear narrative that is easy to follow and rather difficult to put down. At almost 300 pages, it usually takes me over a week to read a book of that length, but I finished this book in about 3 1/2 days. This is a testament to the author’s narrative style and ability to hold my interest. I also found it very interesting to discover how Vena was able to conceal her faith while worshiping Jesus Christ in secret amongst Paul the apostle and her Christian brethren. Nero’s persecution of the Christians was of particular interest to me, and a prevalent subplot of the story as Vena, Acte (Nero’s childhood friend and slave), and Traian grapple with this new religious faith.
I also really enjoyed how the author portrayed Emperor Claudius and the manipulative women in his life. Agrippina was particularly intriguing as to the lengths she would go to get her son Nero on the throne. Claudius’s daughter, Octavia, was a tragic pawn, and Poppaea emerges to challenge Agrippina for control of Emperor Nero. Playing out much like the Greek tragedies Nero enjoyed acting in, his life and the lives of those surrounding him were full of death, mistrust, agony, cruelty, and murder.
If you love Roman history, this book should delight you. Although Nero’s and his family’s wickedness is not sugarcoated, it is not described in a way that is lewd or gratifying. I still recommend this book to adults only, but there was nothing I found too difficult to read, overly explicit, or offensive. The author does an excellent job remaining neutral and presenting each viewpoint factually and without bias. Therefore, regardless of your personal beliefs, you should be able to enjoy this book and make your own conclusions without feeling led to view Nero one way or the other.
