A captive’s cunning. A thrilling chase. A hidden truth.
Watch the Trailer
A Saga of Secrets, Survival, and Sovereignty.
Across the Sea: Where Loyalty Is Currency, and Desire Is a
Weapon.
In the twilight of Saxon Britain, one woman’s voyage becomes
a crucible of identity, betrayal, and survival. Concordia, a noblewoman raised
in privilege, seeks more than duty, but the path she chooses leads her into the
heart of danger.
Captured by pirates. Torn between ambition and desire. Held
in a foreign court where every glance conceals a motive. Her journey spans
storm-tossed seas and gilded prisons, testing the limits of courage and
cunning.
Her path is not chosen; it is carved in fire. Her fate is
not what they planned. It is her own.
A Note from the Author
The Briton and the DaneConcordia is a story of transformation, of a young
woman navigating the shadows between freedom and fate. It explores the cost of
longing, the complexity of choice, and the quiet strength it takes to face the
consequences of our desires.
About the Book
When a voyage meant to spark her spirit turns into a nightmare,
Concordia finds herself in a foreign court, captive to pirates and caught
between brothers bound by blood and ambition. As deception closes in, she must
survive a world where loyalty is currency, desire is a weapon, and freedom
comes at a cost she may not be willing to pay.
From the courts of Winchester to the opulence of Muslim
Hispania, her journey tests the limits of courage, betrayal, and identity.
Ready to Read?
Claim your copy of The Briton and the Dane: Concordia
and witness a legacy forged in defiance.
If you enjoy discovering new stories,
you may also like The AnaRose Chronicles—a trilogy of award‑winning
adventure novellas. https://books2read.com/u/4jzKAY
She is a survivor, a peacemaker, and a
young woman who carries wisdom far beyond her years. Now, Jora speaks for
herself in a format as serene as her spirit.
This AI-generated virtual character
interview brings Jora to life with quiet intensity. Her words reveal the
endurance born of loss, her choices show the courage to seek peace in a divided
world, and her reflections remind us that true strength often lies in stillness.
It’s not just an interview—it’s a meditation on patience, resilience, and the
hope of coexistence.
Watch the full interview here:
This is part of our ongoing series
exploring the world of The Briton and the Dane: Birthright through
immersive storytelling. Each character adds depth to Alfred’s England, and
Jora’s appearance reminds us that even in times of conflict, one may choose
peace over rage, and wisdom over despair.
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.
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.
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.
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.
