Mary Ann Bernal

Whispering Legends Press: https://www.whisperinglegendspress.com/

Amazon author page http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Ann-Bernal/e/B003D2DPZ4

Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ann-bernal-a9a05b33/

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http://mybook.to/STPEscapefromBerlin

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Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Scribbler Tales Presents: Escape from Berlin by Mary Ann Bernal – A Cinematic Descent into Espionage and Reckoning

East Berlin trembles. A man on the run clings to love as borders close and betrayal tightens its grip.

Watch the Trailer

Five stories. One pulse-pounding journey through danger, deception, and survival.

Behind the Wall: Where Loyalty Fractures and Shadows Rise.

Before the escape, there was love. Before the reckoning, trust. Escape from Berlin leads this haunting collection with Mark Dresdner’s desperate flight from East Germany, a man torn between duty and devotion, hunted by enemies and haunted by the woman he refuses to leave behind.

But the danger doesn’t end at the border.

From twisted rituals and shattered marriages to deadly secrets and vigilante justice, Scribbler Tales Presents: Escape from Berlin plunges readers into five intense narratives where survival demands sacrifice and truth is a dangerous weapon.

This quiet moment, where the past collides with the present, captures the soul of Scribbler Tales. It’s a journey through betrayal, fallout, and the fragile hope that something better lies beyond the storm.

A Note from the Author

I wrote Escape from Berlin to explore the human cost of loyalty and the choices we make when everything is at stake. Each story in this collection reveals a different kind of escape, whether from tyranny, betrayal, or fate itself. This trailer invites you to step into those moments and ask: what would you risk to be free?

About the Book

A perilous escape. A shattered trust. A reckoning in the shadows.

Mark Dresdner’s cover is blown. The border is blocked. The woman he loves is in danger. Escape from Berlin opens this suspenseful anthology with Cold War tension and emotional grit.

But the danger doesn’t stop there.

In Betrayal, Aelia’s devotion is tested when her husband’s secrets threaten everything.

Deadly Secrets follows Lysandra into a new life, only for her past to resurface with deadly consequences.

Murder in the First delivers vigilante justice with a twist, as Bethel’s plan spirals into chaos.

The Ritual traps Devona in a pagan rite that demands blood, and escape may come too late.

Scribbler Tales Presents: Escape from Berlin is a gripping anthology for fans of espionage thrillers, psychological suspense, and stories where survival is never guaranteed.

Ready to Read?

Step into the shadows. Choose your escape.

Buy the Book

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Learn more at

https://maryannbernal.com

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Between Two Worlds with Helga of East Anglia — An Exclusive Character Interview

In this special interview, we meet Helga of East Anglia, a Norsewoman whose life is entwined with loyalty to her people and unexpected ties that cross cultural divides in The Briton and the Dane. Helga shares her struggles, her strength, and her hopes in a world torn by war and divided by faith.

Interviewer: Helga, thank you for joining us. Can you tell us about your background and how you came to be part of this conflict?

Helga: I was born on English soil, though my blood is Norse. From my earliest days, I lived between two worlds, never fully belonging to one or the other. By the time I was grown, the Norse were already settled in East Anglia under treaty with King Alfred. Even in uneasy peace, the struggle shaped every choice I made.

Interviewer: Many see the Norse only as raiders. What do you believe is most misunderstood about your people?
Helga: We are more than the clash of steel and the burning of villages. We are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters. We seek honor, yes, but also a place to belong. Too often, only the bloodshed is remembered, and not the bonds of kinship that guide us.

Interviewer: Your story is closely tied to others beyond your own people. How has that shaped your choices?
Helga: It has not been easy. To care for someone outside the shield wall is to live with constant fear—fear of discovery, fear of betrayal. Yet the heart does not ask permission before it binds itself.

Interviewer: What has been the greatest challenge you’ve faced in these turbulent times?
Helga: To walk a path where every choice risks betrayal of someone I love. My loyalty is tested daily—by blood, by oath, by the quiet voice of my own heart.

Interviewer: You’ve witnessed both Saxon and Norse ways of life. What do you believe each side fails to see in the other?
Helga: The Saxons see us as heathens, blind to the depth of our traditions. The Norse see the Saxons as weak, blind to the strength of their faith. Both sides forget that beneath the banners and the gods, we are all people who bleed, grieve, and hope the same.

Interviewer: How do you find strength when the world around you is so divided?
Helga: In the small moments—the laughter of children, the warmth of a fire, the memory of a promise. These are the things that remind me why we endure.

Interviewer: Looking ahead, what do you hope your legacy will be?
Helga: That love can bridge even the deepest divides. If those who come after me can live in a world where Saxon and Norse walk side by side, then my struggles will not have been in vain.

Interviewer: Before we wrap up, is there anything you’d like to share with our readers?
Helga: Only this: even in times of war, the heart still seeks peace. May those who come after us remember that truth.

Purchase Links

Amazon Global Link

http://mybook.to/tbatd

Universal Link

https://books2read.com/u/bMJGwa

Connect with Mary Ann:

Whispering Legends Press: https://www.whisperinglegendspress.com/

Amazon author page http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Ann-Bernal/e/B003D2DPZ4

Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ann-bernal-a9a05b33/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/maryannbernal

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-ann-bernal

https://books2read.com/u/bMJGwa

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/maryannbernal.bsky.social

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Wulfgar of Wessex, Messenger of the King — An Exclusive Character Interview

In this special interview, we step into the world of Wulfgar of Wessex, King Alfred’s trusted messenger in The Briton and the Dane. Known for his tireless journeys across the land, Wulfgar carries not only messages but also the weight of England’s survival on his shoulders. Today, he shares his experiences of loyalty, danger, and the quiet hopes that sustain him.

Interviewer: Wulfgar, thank you for joining us. Can you tell us a little about your background and how you came to serve King Alfred?

Wulfgar: It is my honor. I was trained from youth to ride hard and carry word swiftly between lords and burhs. My service to King Alfred began when I proved myself reliable in times of peril. Since then, I have been entrusted with messages that could turn the tide of war.

Interviewer: As Alfred’s messenger, you often carry news that can change the course of battles. How do you handle that responsibility?
Wulfgar: With vigilance and prayer. A single delay or misstep could cost lives. I ride knowing that the fate of men may rest in my hands, and I strive never to falter.

Interviewer: You’ve crossed paths with many lords, warriors, and even enemies. What do you believe is most misunderstood about the Saxon cause?
Wulfgar: Many think we fight only for land. But it is more than soil we defend. It is our faith, our families, and the hope of a future free from fear. That is what drives us to endure.

Interviewer: Your duties keep you constantly on the move. How has that shaped your personal life?
Wulfgar: The road is a lonely companion. Yet even in solitude, I have learned patience and endurance. A man who serves must often set aside his own desires for the greater good.

Interviewer: What dangers have you faced most often in your journeys?
Wulfgar: Ambush and betrayal. A messenger is a tempting target, for silencing me can silence a king’s command. I rely on speed, caution, and the goodwill of those who shelter me along the way.

Interviewer: You’ve witnessed both triumph and tragedy in your service. What moment has left the deepest mark on you?
Wulfgar: I recall carrying word of a victory hard-won, only to arrive at a village already burned by the Danes. The joy of triumph turned to ash in my mouth. It taught me that even the swiftest rider cannot outrun sorrow.

Interviewer: In such turbulent times, what gives you strength to continue?
Wulfgar: Faith in God, loyalty to my king, and the memory of those who have fallen. Each ride is a promise to them—that their sacrifice was not in vain.

Interviewer: Looking ahead, what do you hope your legacy will be?
Wulfgar: That I was faithful to my king, to my people, and to the trust placed in me. If I am remembered at all, let it be as a man who carried his duty with honor.

Interviewer: Before we wrap up, is there anything you’d like to share with our readers?
Wulfgar: Only this: even in times of war, loyalty and service endure. May those who come after us remember the strength found in faith and duty.

Purchase Links

Amazon Global Link

http://mybook.to/tbatd

Universal Link

Connect with Mary Ann:

Whispering Legends Press: https://www.whisperinglegendspress.com/

Amazon author page http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Ann-Bernal/e/B003D2DPZ4

Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ann-bernal-a9a05b33/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/maryannbernal

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-ann-bernal

https://mybook.to/PlanetaryWars

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/maryannbernal.bsky.social

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Exclusive Character Interview: The Resistance Speaks – Krista, Voice of the Rebellion

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Krista, a courageous operative of the Freedom Fighters. As the first point of contact for Sophia and Lucca, Krista’s choices helped set in motion a daring escape that would alter the course of the galaxy. Here, Krista shares her perspective on survival, loyalty, and the price of defiance in a time of tyranny.

Interviewer: Krista, thank you for joining us today. Can you tell us a little about your background and how you became involved with the Freedom Fighters?

Krista: It wasn’t one dramatic moment; it was years of watching people silenced, families torn apart, and entire worlds crushed under the weight of a regime that demanded obedience. I realized that if I didn’t stand up, I’d be complicit. Joining the Freedom Fighters wasn’t about glory. It was about survival with purpose.

Interviewer: You were the first point of contact for Sophia and Lucca. What made you decide to trust them?

Krista: Trust is dangerous in times like these. But when I met them, I saw something different. They weren’t just running for themselves; they were risking everything for someone else. That kind of courage is rare. It told me they were worth the gamble.

Interviewer: Working under Bret, the leader of the Freedom Fighters, what role do you play in the rebellion?

Krista: Bret carries the burden of command, but he can’t be everywhere. My role is to listen, watch, and make connections that others might overlook. Sometimes that means slipping into places where rebels aren’t welcome. Sometimes it means extending a hand to strangers who might change the course of the fight.

Interviewer: The galaxy is burning with unrest. What do you believe is the greatest misconception about the rebellion?

Krista: That we’re reckless. People think we fight because we crave chaos. The truth is, we fight because we crave peace. Every risk we take, every life we lose is not for destruction. It’s for the chance to build something better.

Interviewer: Meeting Sophia and Lucca eventually led to a daring escape. What was going through your mind during that mission?

Krista: Fear, of course. Only a fool says they don’t feel fear. But beneath it was resolve. I knew if we failed, it wasn’t just lives lost, it was hope itself. And hope is the one thing we can’t afford to lose.

Interviewer: What keeps you moving forward, despite the danger?

Krista: The faces of those who can’t fight for themselves. The children who deserve to grow up free. The memory of every friend we’ve buried. That’s what drives me. That’s why I’ll never stop.

Interviewer: Krista, thank you for sharing your story. Before we wrap up, is there anything you’d like to say to those who might one day join the cause?

Krista: Don’t wait for the perfect moment. There isn’t one. Change begins the second you decide you won’t live in silence anymore.

Purchase Links

Amazon Global Link

Universal Link

https://books2read.com/u/490xN8

Connect with Mary Ann

Whispering Legends Press: https://www.whisperinglegendspress.com/

Amazon author page http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Ann-Bernal/e/B003D2DPZ4

Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ann-bernal-a9a05b33/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/maryannbernal

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-ann-bernal

http://mybook.to/CrusadersPath

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/maryannbernal.bsky.social

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Command, Ambition, and Legacy: A Virtual Character Interview with Robert, Duke of Normandy

He’s a prince, a warrior, and a man burdened by destiny. Now, Robert, Duke of Normandy, speaks for himself in a format as commanding as his legacy.

This AI-generated virtual character interview brings Robert to life with striking realism. His voice carries the weight of leadership, his gaze reflects the cost of war, and his words reveal the tension between duty and desire. It’s not just an interview—it’s a reckoning with history.

Watch the full interview here:

This is part of our ongoing series exploring the world of Crusader’s Path through immersive storytelling. Each character adds depth to the First Crusade, and Robert’s appearance reminds us that even legends must choose their path.

Purchase Links

Amazon Global Link:

Universal Link:

https://books2read.com/u/3yNPen

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/

Whispering Legends Press: https://www.whisperinglegendspress.com/

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

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Ann-Bernal/e/B003D2DPZ4

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Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Exclusive Character Interview: Guarding the Emperor’s Soul: A Conversation with Traian Aelius Propacius

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.

Purchase Links

Amazon Global Link

https://mybook.to/ForgivingNero

Universal Link

https://books2read.com/u/3GOMvQ

Connect with Mary Ann

Whispering Legends Press: https://www.whisperinglegendspress.com/

Amazon author page http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Ann-Bernal/e/B003D2DPZ4

Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ann-bernal-a9a05b33/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/maryannbernal

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-ann-bernal

http://mybook.to/CrusadersPath

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/maryannbernal.bsky.social

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

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.

Purchase Links

Amazon Global Link

Universal Link

https://books2read.com/u/3yNPen

Connect with Mary Ann

Whispering Legends Press: https://www.whisperinglegendspress.com/

Amazon author page https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Ann-Bernal/e/B003D2DPZ4

Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ann-bernal-a9a05b33/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/maryannbernal

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-ann-bernal