Mary Ann Bernal: Ninth Century

Showing posts with label Ninth Century. Show all posts

Friday, January 16, 2026

The Briton and the Dane: Legacy by Mary Ann Bernal – A Cinematic Legacy Confronted

The tides shift. A new threat sails from distant shores. A kingdom braces for its final hour.

Watch the Trailer

The saga reaches its climax as bloodlines clash and history is carved in fire.

Across the Sea: Where Blood Betrays and Destiny Calls.

Before the invasion, there was peace. Before the storm, a brother’s arrival. The Briton and the Dane: Legacy closes the trilogy with a brutal clash of kin and crown. Prince Erik, once a loyal son of England, now faces his own flesh and blood in battle. As King Alfred rallies a fractured realm, Gwyneth stands beside her prince, bound by love and fate.

As kingdoms tremble and bloodlines collide, a truth long buried comes to light. A story of legacy fulfilled, where vengeance fuels the enemy and only the brave endure the tide.

A Note from the Author

I wrote The Briton and the Dane Legacy to bring the saga full circle, to confront the ghosts of loyalty, blood, and ambition. With Prince Erik facing his brother across the sea, and Gwyneth by his side, this final chapter asks: what do we sacrifice to protect what we love?

About the Book

A foreboding omen. A looming storm. A shattered alliance.

Victory is fleeting, and peace is an illusion. As war drums echo across the land, a king who once triumphed over his enemies faces a treacherous new threat. A sea invasion, born of betrayal, erupts into a brutal clash upon frigid tides. Viking forces press in as the ruler rallies what remains of his fractured realm.

Amid the chaos, one woman’s desperate quest for peace spirals beyond her grasp, dragging countless souls toward ruin. When vengeance fuels the enemy, and the gods demand blood, only the brave will stand when the tide recedes.

The Briton and the Dane: Legacy is a sweeping historical epic of war, kinship, and the final test of loyalty.

Ready to Read?

History is forged in fire. Witness the final chapter.

Buy the Book

Amazon Link

http://mybook.to/TBATDLegacy

Universal Link

https://books2read.com/u/mek0jY

Learn more at

https://maryannbernal.com

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Historical Epic Unveiled: The Briton and the Dane by Mary Ann Bernal. Narrated by Sebastian Lockwood.

Author: Mary Ann Bernal

Narrator: Sebastian Lockwood

Series: The Briton and the Dane, Book 1

Length:11 hrs and 30 mins

Release Date: August 21, 2014

Language: English

A lurking shadow. A whispered secret. A veiled betrayal.

In a realm shadowed by the looming threat of Norse conquest, a young woman finds herself the linchpin in a perilous game of dominion. Her capture, far from being a mere twist of fate, casts her into the depths of a world rife with cunning and treachery. Amidst the echoes of a hundred scheming voices, truth becomes a chameleon, shifting its hues with each whispered plot. As the specter of the Norse menace draws ever nearer, she must navigate through a sea of deceit where allies are indistinguishable from foes. In this maelstrom of betrayal, her heart aches for the love of a prince from the ranks of her kingdom’s adversaries—a love that stands as her sole beacon amidst the encroaching darkness of war.

Listen to a sample on SoundCloud HERE

Purchase Links

Audiobook

Digital and Print Universal Link

https://books2read.com/u/baGOOQ

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Celebrating Christmas in the Ninth Century during the time of Alfred the Great by Mary Ann Bernal

The court of Alfred the Great was Christian, deferring to the Pope in Rome for religious guidance. King Alfred rigorously enforced the Church’s mandates from fasting during Lent to Almsgiving throughout the year, and not just at Christmastime.

There was merrymaking and feasting, but it was also a solemn occasion; prayer and attending Mass was foremost since the holiday celebrates the birth of Christ.

During the twelve days of Christmas, the Christian community prayed at daily Mass, attended vigils, and participated in almsgiving, donating to the poor and the religious communities.

One must not forget the food. Meats included beef, pork, turkey, and boar. Available vegetables were carrots, onions, parsnips, and cabbage. Bread warmed on the hearth, and everything was washed down with wine, mead, and ale. Yes, there was always room for dessert with a variety of tasty pies or fruit, such as apples, plums, and cherries. And, like today, a great chef was worth their weight in gold.

Minstrels would play festive tunes, and guests would dance; gift-giving was also practiced.

Over the centuries, customs have come and gone, but the main reason for the celebration remains, celebrating the birth of Christ.

The Briton and the Dane series transports the reader to ninth-century Anglo-Saxon England, a tumultuous period in history when the feared Vikings ravaged all of Christendom. Click HERE to learn more.

About the Author

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.

Mary Ann currently resides in Elkhorn, Nebraska.