Yara of Marbella: Resilience and the Road to Freedom — A Virtual Character Interview from The Briton and the Dane: Concordia by Mary Ann Bernal

 

She is a servant-turned-survivor, a woman who walked the line between silence and defiance, and a soul who discovered freedom in the face of fear. Now, Yara of Marbella speaks for herself in a format as enduring as her courage.

This AI-generated virtual character interview brings Yara to life with striking realism. Her words reveal the weight of captivity, her choices show the power of friendship, and her reflections remind us that even in the darkest of places, hope can endure. It’s not just an interview—it’s a testament to resilience, faith, and the quiet strength that can change a destiny.

Watch the full interview here: 

This is part of our ongoing series exploring the world of The Briton and the Dane: Concordia through immersive storytelling. Each character adds depth to the saga, and Yara’s appearance reminds us that freedom often begins as a whisper, long before it becomes a reality.

Purchase Links

Amazon Global Link:

http://mybook.to/tbatdconcordia

Universal Link:

https://books2read.com/u/bOkrJJ

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/maryannbernal

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

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

X (Twitter): https://x.com/BritonandDane

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@maryannbernal

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

 

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

The Briton and the Dane: Concordia by Mary Ann Bernal — A Cinematic Trailer About the Battle for Freedom and Identity

 

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 Dane Concordia 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.

 Buy the Book

 Amazon Link:

http://mybook.to/TBATDConcordia

 Universal link

https://books2read.com/u/bOkrJJ

 Learn more at

https://maryannbernal.com

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

 

About The Briton and the Dane: Concordia by Mary Ann Bernal

Excerpt

About the story:

Travel back in time to late Ninth Century Anglo-Saxon Britain where Alfred the Great governs with a benevolent hand while the Danish King rules peacefully within the boundaries of the Danelaw. Trade flourishes, and scholars from throughout the civilized world flock to Britannia’s shores to study at the King’s Court School at Winchester.

Meet Concordia, a beautiful noblewoman whose family is favored by the king. Vain, willful, and admired, but ambitious and cunning, Concordia is not willing to accept her fate. She is betrothed to the valiant warrior, Brantson, but sees herself as far too young to lay in the bedchamber of an older suitor. She wants to see the wonders of the world, embracing everything in it; preferably, but dangerously, at the side of Thayer, the exotic Saracen who charms King Alfred’s court and ignites her yearning passions.

Concordia manipulates her besotted husband into taking her to Rome, but her ship is captured by bloodthirsty pirates, and the seafarers protecting her are ruthlessly slain to a man. As she awaits her fate in the Moorish captain’s bed, by sheer chance, she discovers that salvation is at hand in the gilded court of a Saracen nobleman.

While awaiting rescue, Concordia finds herself at the center of intrigue, plots, blackmail, betrayal and the vain desires of two egotistical brothers, each willing to die for her favor. Using only feminine cunning, Concordia must defend her honor while plotting her escape as she awaits deliverance, somewhere inside steamy, unconquered Muslim Hispania.

About picking the topic:

My lifelong dream was to write a novel about Erik, the Viking, after having seen such Hollywood blockbusters as The Vikings, The Longships, and other period movies including King Arthur, and Knights of the Round Table. When it came time to put pen to paper, Alfred the Great’s reign was the perfect backdrop for my story.

About how The Briton and the Dane: Concordia differs from other books that cover the same or similar information;

The Briton and the Dane trilogy is an epic adventure, which includes several storylines with multiple characters. Concordia was three-years-old in the final novel of the original series.

In the offshoot story, Concordia has come of age in a turbulent era where women were expected to behave according to societal standards. Her story runs the emotional gamut of love and betrayal, and while her struggle may not be unique, her story is deeply personal and poignant.

The novel delves into Concordia's psyche where the reader witnesses her turmoil as she suffers the consequences of unwise decisions. Was Concordia's judgment clouded by emotion or was she a product of her environment?  Concordia picked up the gauntlet fearlessly, with an iron will to survive. If she were a man, would she have been judged differently? There were mitigating circumstances, after all.   Would you cut her some slack?  Whether you like her or not is irrelevant. Justice is rendered based upon facts, not emotion. What say the jury?

About what was liked most when writing this book:

I enjoyed shedding light on the reason why someone did what they did, right or wrong. It is easy to be judgmental without knowing the whole story. I understand Concordia, do you?

Mary Ann Bernal is a passionate supporter of the United States military, having been involved with letter writing campaigns and other military support programs since Operation Desert Storm.  She has 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.

Author Webpage   Whispering Legends Press

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Big Fall Giveaway - Enter to win through October 31st, 2013 - The Briton and the Dane: Concordia is featured in the contest

The Briton and the Dane: Concordia is being featured in Kim Scott's Big Fall Giveaway - click on the link below to enter. 

http://www.kimscottbooks.com/giveaway

This giveaway will end on Oct 31st and the winners will be chosen the following day.