Reader Views Book Review: “AnaRose and Medusa’s Curse” by Mary Ann Bernal

 

AnaRose and Medusa’s Curse

Mary Ann Bernal
Independently Published (2025)
ISBN: 979-8343871173
Reviewed by Rachel Dehning for Reader Views (05/2025)

AnaRose and Medusa’s Curse by Mary Ann Bernal is the third installment in the thrilling and action-packed series AnaRose Action and Adventure Novellas featuring Dr. AnaRose Preston, a museum curator of antiquities.  AnaRose and her assistant Jo tackle historical and under-the-radar mysteries that threaten to endanger society and challenge established views of historical and mythical events.

In Medusa’s Curse, AnaRose reunites with an unexpected ally as they try to rectify the mistake of selling a Medusa artifact to a wealthy gentleman. This gentleman may or may not possess the signs of being a calculated madman intent on taking over the world by harnessing the powers of the Greek mythological figure, Medusa, whose eyes were literally to die for.

AnaRose and her companions take on the wealthy man in a worldwide treasure hunt, racing the clock to locate the missing artifacts and key pieces before time runs out, and there might likely be more decorative stone statues than the overall population. AnaRose relies on her street smarts and intelligence to navigate barriers and figure out ways to work through them.  Still, she will need additional support from her colleagues near, far, and in unexpected locations to outsmart this man, possessing resources and skills that rival or even surpass their own.

Being the third installment in a series, the story can stand alone since the main elements focus primarily on the adventure; however, to gain the greatest understanding of the plot with the foreknowledge of AnaRose and the characters’ backgrounds, readers should consult the previous titles beforehand. Similar to earlier adventures in the series, Medusa’s Curse is a bite-sized adventure that is a sure pick-me-up for any day and an easy reread in the future. The writing is exceptional and causes the pages to fly, making it hard to stop – the adventure begins immediately and takes the reader through to the last page.

This story complements other popular treasure-hunting media, with films such as National Treasure and The Da Vinci Code and books such as The Inheritance Games, Book Scavenger, Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, and 39 Clues. Mary Ann Bernal’s AnaRose and Medusa’s Curse is a clean read, without compromising action, adventure, and enjoyment. This story, along with the series, is a great option and one example of a strong female-empowered hero who uses her wits, smarts, and resources to (literally) save the world without having to rely on her looks. The possibilities are endless for Dr. AnaRose Preston!  

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Reader Views Book Review: “AnaRose and Pharaoh’s Gold” by Mary Ann Bernal

 

“AnaRose and Pharaoh’s Gold” by Mary Ann Bernal

Posted on May 18, 2024by Reader Views

AnaRose and Pharaoh’s Gold

Mary Ann Bernal
Whispering Legends Press (2024)
ISBN: 979-8873151691
Reviewed by Rachel Dehning for Reader Views (05/2024)

“AnaRose and Pharaoh’s Gold” by Mary Ann Bernal is the anticipated sequel to the award-winning novella “AnaRose and the Templar’s Quest,” and part of the AnaRose Action and Adventure Novellas series.  In this latest action-packed thriller, AnaRose showcases her specialty and skills by saving further artifacts from the sly and cunning grasp of espionage, murder, and suspense.

With familiar and familial characters, AnaRose travels to Egypt with a joint purpose: to recover an ancient golden ushabti from the black market, and to keep it from members of a secret undercover religious sect. This troubling sect seeks to utilize it to bring life to the ancient Egyptian deity Apophis and his agenda of darkness, disorder, and chaos throughout the world. Along the way, questions, answers, kidnappings, and potential human sacrifices are in store as AnaRose, Jo, and Adam watch their backs at every turn and face off against members of an international conspiracy.

Despite its novella length, the reader can expect action, adventure, and suspense packed between the covers. Each page and chapter holds its own against larger books with more room for fluff. Inner dialogue is a writing style that advances the storyline with character development continuing from the first story. This clean novella is great for all ages, from teen readers to adults.

A positive for readers and parents is that no negative language is found in this story, making it a safer reading option without compromising content; also, besides situations with the “bad guys,” the situations and relationships among the main characters present as positive, setting an example for the teen reader. The characters’ relationships allude to possible “interests,” but the storyline is innocent in this category. While it has its major and minor roles, the reader will learn about Egyptian history, deities, and the selfish act of stealing and selling antiquities – serving a dual purpose of being educational and enjoyable.

“AnaRose and Pharaoh’s Gold” by Mary Ann Bernal is a standalone story but is complemented by the inclusion of its predecessor, book one in the series. AnaRose is a positive role model for females of all ages. Realistically, the story has the potential to be devoured in a day/shortened period or savored for several days. Here’s to hoping there’s another adventure for AnaRose soon!   

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A dangerous expedition. A precious artifact. A race against time.

Museum curator and expert in antiquities AnaRose Preston accepts the challenge to find one of Christianity’s holy relics concealed in the hilt of a legendary dagger. Traveling throughout contemporary France, she rushes to solve a historical mystery. But members of a secret society stand in her way. AnaRose risks her life to locate the weapon before it falls into the wrong hands.  

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Beware the Lizard Lurking by Vivienne Brereton - Bronze Medal Winner Historical Fiction Reviewer’s Choice Awards 2021-2022 Reader Views

 

1513. A secret Twelfth Night wedding is about to take place on Saint Michael’s Mount, at the furthermost point of Tudor Cornwall. Far from the glittering Christmas court at Greenwich. Heads will surely roll if Henry VIII discovers the deception!

But there is an unexpected twist to the tale when uninvited guests appear at the Castle. The King is hellbent on a so-called holy war with France, against the advice of his Lord Treasurer, Thomas Howard. Putting him at odds with his normally affable Scottish brother-in-law, James IV of Scotland.

On the other hand, the King’s almoner, Thomas Wolsey, (who has become a thorn in Thomas’s side) is very much in favour of the war as he contentedly watches his star rising at the Tudor court.

Across the Narrow Sea, Louis XII of France is trying to renew the ‘Auld Alliance’ with Scotland. Tristan and Nicolas remain at loggerheads over pretty Ysabeau, the flirtatious young wife of their ageing neighbour. Valentine is still making mischief as she sees fit, particularly for Tristan.

Cecily is perfectly content in her beloved Zennor Castle in Cornwall. But none of them know what Dame Fortune has in store for them. Will she allow them to follow their own paths...or does she have other ideas? Laughter and tears galore! All this and much more in further adventures at The House of the Red Duke…

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Forgiving Nero by Mary Ann Bernal - Silver Medal Winner Historical Fiction Reviewer’s Choice Awards 2021-2022 Reader Views

 

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.

 

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Forgiving Nero by Mary Ann Bernal featured in Reader Views December Book Giveaway!

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Playing out much like the Greek tragedies Nero enjoyed acting in! -- Reader Views

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Reader Views Book Review: Forgiving Nero by Mary Ann Bernal

 

Reader Views

Forgiving Nero

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.