The sound of rumbling thunder caused
Nero to rush to his bedchamber, where he shut the door behind him. He fell onto
the bed, holding pillows over his ears and muffling the sounds that caused the
hairs on his arms to stand. He closed his eyes tightly, not wishing to see the
lightning striking across the blackened sky.
His body stiffened when his garments moved. Nero screamed, believing a snake
had slithered across his torso, as the bed hangings flapped in the wind.
Agrippina’s apparition appeared before him, close enough to touch. Nero stepped
back, his fearful eyes gazing upon Octavia’s bloodied head with scorpions
crawling out of her eye sockets.
“Leave me be, begone; I command you!” Nero said.
The specters followed him, getting closer and closer. He felt his mother’s
fingernails scratching the side of his face, her mouth close to his, spitting
venom onto his tongue. Serpents slipped up his bare legs and wrapped themselves
around his chest, constricting his breathing.
“Let go of me!”
Nero pulled the cloth away from his chest, his breathing quick and erratic. His
heart beat rapidly, his skin wet and clammy. He fell to the floor, kicking his
feet, his hands flying about. The emperor hit his head against a nearby table,
causing loss of consciousness as roaring thunder forcefully shook the earth.
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.
Narrated by: Virtual Voice using cutting-edge technology
Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 04-30-25
Language: English
Publisher: Whispering Legends Press
A Tyrant’s Rise. A Hero’s Challenge. A Destiny Unfolding.
In a Rome weakened by decadence, Nero, Caligula’s infamous
heir, ascends to power. Determined to restore the glory of the Senate and his
legions, he must outmaneuver the treachery that surrounds him. Trusting in
Traian, his Praetorian confidant, Nero seeks to solidify his rule. But when
Traian’s secret marriage to Vena, a captive with her own tale, emerges, it
ignites a conflict that could topple an empire teetering on the edge of history.
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 sound of rumbling thunder caused Nero to rush to his bedchamber, where he shut the door behind him. He fell onto the bed, holding pillows over his ears and muffling the sounds that caused the hairs on his arms to stand. He closed his eyes tightly, not wishing to see the lightning striking across the blackened sky. His body stiffened when his garments moved. Nero screamed, believing a snake had slithered across his torso, as the bed hangings flapped in the wind.
Agrippina’s apparition appeared before him, close enough to touch. Nero stepped back, his fearful eyes gazing upon Octavia’s bloodied head with scorpions crawling out of her eye sockets.
“Leave me be, begone; I command you!” Nero said.
The specters followed him, getting closer and closer. He felt his mother’s fingernails scratching the side of his face, her mouth close to his, spitting venom onto his tongue. Serpents slipped up his bare legs and wrapped themselves around his chest, constricting his breathing.
“Let go of me!”
Nero pulled the cloth away from his chest, his breathing quick and erratic. His heart beat rapidly, his skin wet and clammy. He fell to the floor, kicking his feet, his hands flying about. The Emperor hit his head against a nearby table, causing loss of consciousness as roaring thunder forcefully shook the earth.
Multi-genre award-winning author, Mary Ann Bernal, is a family-oriented community activist participating in programs supporting the United States military. A guest on The Morning Blend television show hosted by KMTV, the CBS affiliate in Omaha, Mary Ann was also interviewed by the Omaha World-Herald for her achievements.
All of Mary Ann’s novels and short story collections are dedicated to fallen military heroes who gave their lives defending our freedom. A prolific writer originally hailing from New York, Mary Ann now resides in Elkhorn, Nebraska, and has traveled for pleasure and research to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, and Greece.
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 sound of rumbling thunder caused Nero to rush to his
bedchamber, where he shut the door behind him. He fell onto the bed, holding
pillows over his ears and muffling the sounds that caused the hairs on his arms
to stand. He closed his eyes tightly, not wishing to see the lightning striking
across the blackened sky. His body stiffened when his garments moved. Nero
screamed, believing a snake had slithered across his torso, as the bed hangings
flapped in the wind.
Agrippina’s apparition appeared before him, close enough to touch.
Nero stepped back, his fearful eyes gazing upon Octavia’s bloodied head with
scorpions crawling out of her eye sockets.
“Leave me be, begone; I command you!” Nero said.
The specters followed him, getting closer and closer. He felt his
mother’s fingernails scratching the side of his face, her mouth close to his,
spitting venom onto his tongue. Serpents slipped up his bare legs and wrapped
themselves around his chest, constricting his breathing.
“Let go of me!”
Nero pulled the cloth away from his chest, his breathing quick and
erratic. His heart beat rapidly, his skin wet and clammy. He fell to the floor,
kicking his feet, his hands flying about. The Emperor hit his head against a
nearby table, causing loss of consciousness as roaring thunder forcefully shook
the earth.
Multi-genre award-winning author, Mary Ann Bernal, is a
family-oriented community activist participating in programs supporting the
United States military. A guest on The Morning Blend television show hosted by
KMTV, the CBS affiliate in Omaha, Mary Ann was also interviewed by the Omaha
World-Herald for her achievements.
All of Mary Ann’s novels and short story collections are dedicated
to fallen military heroes who gave their lives defending our freedom. A
prolific writer originally hailing from New York, Mary Ann now resides in
Elkhorn, Nebraska, and has traveled for pleasure and research to the United
Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, and Greece.
The Chaucer Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and
outstanding works in pre-1750s Historical Fiction. The Chaucer Book Awards is a
division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (The CIBAs).
The Chaucer Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in pre-1750s Historical Fiction. The Chaucer Book Awards is a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (The CIBAs).
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 has been honored with the B.R.A.G.Medallion (Book Readers Appreciation Group). It now joins the very select award-winning, reader-recommended books at indieBRAG.
A Story so Intriguing and Spellbinding
The jewel of the civilized world has fallen. The Senate is weak, her legions are in disarray, and the Empire has fallen into depraved Nero’s hands. Politics and treachery threaten to end Nero’s reign before it begins, forcing him to turn to Traian, who becomes the father he never had, and the one man who never judges 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
