AnaRose and Medusa's Curse by Mary Ann Bernal - Readers' Favorite 5-star Review

Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite

AnaRose and Medusa’s Curse by Mary Ann Bernal is an adventure novel that combines mystery, history, and mythology woven into a thrilling narrative. The story follows the protagonist, AnaRose, a dedicated curator at a museum, who embarks on a daring journey that pushes her to the limits of her courage and wit. The book opens with AnaRose racing against time and weather to make it to her museum, setting the stage for a narrative filled with vivid descriptions and fast-paced action. As she reflects on her ambitious project to merge a planetarium with the museum, her passion for astronomy and history shines through, making her character both relatable and inspirational.

Mary Ann Bernal skillfully introduces various characters and settings, from the bustling streets of Cairo to the tranquil beauty of a newly constructed planetarium. Her detailed descriptions bring each scene to life, from the chaotic energy of a city in the rain to the serene calm of a museum at dawn. The plot thickens with the introduction of a historical puzzle involving none other than Medusa’s Curse. AnaRose’s quest to uncover the truth behind the legend takes her on a journey through ancient sites, where she encounters allies and adversaries. Her determination and intellect shine as she navigates complex challenges and unravels centuries-old secrets. The seamless integration of historical artifacts and mythological tales with a modern-day adventure makes it particularly compelling. Bernal’s research is evident in the details and historical context she provides, making the story educational and entertaining. AnaRose and Medusa's Curse is a captivating read that offers a perfect blend of adventure, suspense, and historical intrigue. This novel will appeal to readers who enjoy strong female protagonists, well-crafted historical settings, and stories that blend the past with the present in a quest for truth. I highly recommend it.

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Mary Ann Bernal, a Mercy College alumna, is a versatile author whose works range from historical fiction to sci-fi and action novellas. Notable for her debut in “The Briton and the Dane” series, her recent works include “Crusader’s Path,” “Forgiving Nero,” and the “AnaRose” series. A staunch supporter of the US military, her advocacy efforts have been recognized on TV and in print. In Elkhorn, Nebraska, Mary Ann’s literary journey continues to captivate and inspire.

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Readers' Favorite Book Review - Forgiving Nero by Mary Ann Bernal

 

BOOK REVIEW

Reviewed by Jennifer Ibiam for Readers' Favorite

Lucius Nero and his mother Agrippina returned from exile during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Nero was but a little boy, and having no one to trust, Traian and Vena cared for him with approval from the Emperor. He wasn’t the rightful heir, but Agrippina swore Nero would rule the Roman Empire. She did unimaginable things for the cause and succeeded. However, fate dealt its hand, and things fell apart. The palace, court, and people experienced a war of loyalties, and integrity became a scarce commodity. An ambitious mother, a hated wife, a promised love, and a treacherous mistress warred to own the emerging god-like Emperor. The plot thickened, and everybody had agendas. Will Emperor Nero’s rule be successful? Forgiving Nero by Mary Ann Bernal tells a captivating story.

Forgiving Nero by Mary Ann Bernal was a riveting novel that felt like a chess game. The characters were calculating, deceptive, manipulative, and more. Royal politics depicted in this novel mesmerized me and held my attention until the end. This fast-paced and action-packed story is a blend of fact and fiction, set in the classical era of Ancient Rome. Mary Ann wrote an excellent story aided by thorough research and descriptive writing that will appeal to lovers of the classics, and Greek and Latin literature. I loved Acte, Vena, and Traian because navigating such a predatory government with their heads intact was no easy feat. The one true God came through for the trio. Agrippina’s character was exasperating. Did that woman ever sleep? That woman created a monster, and Poppaea applied the toppings. I enjoyed reading this book, Mary Ann. Please write more.

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Readers' Favorite Book Review - Crusader's Path by Mary Ann Bernal

 

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

In my ongoing interest in the human psyche and why people behave the way they do, I discovered most individuals react in the same way when coming in contact with a person who may or may not have a communicable disease.

What immediately came to mind was how people with infectious diseases had been treated throughout the centuries. Over the years, many movies were made about the Crusades and leper warriors, such as King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem. The Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, a military order, was established to care for the hospitalized lepers around 1119 AD.

However, in recent years, the atrocities of warfare have been articulated with documentaries and dramatic television series where the brutality of the age is showcased and not swept into the background. In Knightfall, we see a leper knight whose face is covered by a mask. Yes, there were warriors affected by the disease who fought valiantly during every campaign to free the Holy Land from the infidel.

But I wanted to go back to the beginning, to the First Crusade, to understand what drove the warriors of Christ to leave their homes, enduring untold hardships for a holy cause. It took years to reach the Holy Land, a feat not everyone accomplished, dying en route from disease, starvation, and in battle.

Creating a narrative set during the First Crusade satisfied a two-fold desire to discern the truth about life in such a turbulent era.

BOOK REVIEW

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Crusader’s Path by Mary Ann Bernal takes us back to the days of Christendom’s First Crusade against the Muslim invaders of Constantinople, Jerusalem, and lands in between. Avielle, a minstrel’s daughter, is doing God’s work, healing and caring for the most rejected of society’s cast-offs, the lepers. Having lost her father to the disease, Avielle is well aware she may succumb to leprosy’s ravages one day, but she is determined to commit her life to serve her God and community. That is until she meets and falls in love with a merchant, Gideon, who steals her heart. Already betrothed, Gideon is also a Jew, and Avielle realizes her love affair with him is doomed, so she rededicates her life to following her God and healing the sick. In the meantime, Etienne, a close confidant of Duke Robert of Normandy, follows Lord Robert as he heeds the call of Pope Urban II to free the Holy Land of the accursed Muslim hordes. Inspired by Peter, a visiting priest, Avielle joins the holy crusade to seek personal redemption from her God for her transgressions against Him with Gideon. Crossing paths on their journey to the Holy Land, Avielle and Etienne realize they have found the direction and purpose in their lives with each other. Avielle and Etienne forge a strong bond as they head into the unknown and the extreme danger of battle against the Muslim hordes.

Crusader’s Path is the very type of historical fiction I enjoy. Centered around actual historical events and real characters, it is character-driven and, at its core, a beautiful, romantic, and tragic story. In Avielle, author Mary Ann Bernal has created a wonderful character; strong, driven, passionate, and quite unusual for a woman of the era. I particularly enjoyed the pull and tug of the torment between her desires, her duty, and the passionate love she felt for both Gideon and Etienne. Etienne equally was a complex character torn between his love for his wife and his vineyard and the excitement that Duke Robert offered him on the road as a fighting, active knight. That both Avielle and Etienne, with their worldly demons and differing motivations, could find the peace and happiness they both desperately sought in each other’s arms was the highlight of this story for me. There is enough battling and action in this story to keep the adrenaline-junkie glued to the pages, but for me, it is a romance, pure and simple and a beautiful one at that. I appreciated the time the author spent detailing the ridiculous disparity between those who led the crusades; the dukes, the nobles, the knights, and those poor peasant farmers who fought and died for their God and the afterlife. I love how the author sums it up when she suggests that, encouraged by Pope Urban II, peasants trading their pitiful subsistence for the brief excitement of travel and battle, followed by life in heaven and the forgiveness of all sins, was a simple choice to make. This book is a fantastic read and one I can highly recommend.

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