I am excited to welcome Mary Ann to my blog to tell us all about her new release.
Publisher: Whispering Legends
Press
Crusader's Path
By Mary Ann Bernal
From the sweeping hills of Argences to the port city
of Cologne overlooking the River Rhine, Etienne and Avielle find themselves
drawn by the need for redemption against the backdrop of the First Crusade.
Heeding the call of His Holiness, Urban II, to free the Holy Land from the infidel, Etienne follows Duke Robert of Normandy across the treacherous miles, braving sweltering heat and snow-covered mountain passes while en route to the Byzantine Empire.
Moved by Peter of Amiens’ charismatic rhetoric in the streets of the Holy Roman Empire, Avielle joins the humble army of pilgrims. Upon arrival in Mentz, the peasant Crusaders do the unthinkable, destroying the Jewish Community. Consumed with guilt, Avielle is determined to die fighting for Christ, assuring her place in Heaven.
Etienne and Avielle cross paths in Constantinople, where they commiserate over past misdeeds. A spark becomes a flame, but when Avielle contracts leprosy, Etienne makes a promise to God, offering to take the priest cowl in exchange for ridding Avielle of her affliction.
Will Etienne be true to his word if Avielle is cleansed of the contagion, or will he risk eternal damnation to be with the woman he loves?
Heeding the call of His Holiness, Urban II, to free the Holy Land from the infidel, Etienne follows Duke Robert of Normandy across the treacherous miles, braving sweltering heat and snow-covered mountain passes while en route to the Byzantine Empire.
Moved by Peter of Amiens’ charismatic rhetoric in the streets of the Holy Roman Empire, Avielle joins the humble army of pilgrims. Upon arrival in Mentz, the peasant Crusaders do the unthinkable, destroying the Jewish Community. Consumed with guilt, Avielle is determined to die fighting for Christ, assuring her place in Heaven.
Etienne and Avielle cross paths in Constantinople, where they commiserate over past misdeeds. A spark becomes a flame, but when Avielle contracts leprosy, Etienne makes a promise to God, offering to take the priest cowl in exchange for ridding Avielle of her affliction.
Will Etienne be true to his word if Avielle is cleansed of the contagion, or will he risk eternal damnation to be with the woman he loves?
Excerpt
Chapter Twelve
In
the stillness, Avielle reflected on Peter’s decision to join a seasoned Army,
which rekindled her desire to free the Holy Land from Muslim rule. She could
ride with the camp followers, tending to the women and children if not the
embattled soldiers.
Surely,
they would not turn me away. With so many men, there are never enough healers,
she thought.
Avielle
wanted to take Brother Joseph into her confidence, seeking his wisdom and
blessing should she decide to take up the Cross once again. Before leaving, she
would teach the novitiates, and holy sisters and whoever else wished to learn
the healer’s craft. Avielle did not want to leave Brother Joseph just as she
had not wanted to leave Brother Dacien. An inner voice directed her steps, the
Lord’s voice, perhaps.
Since
the Army of Christ needed permission from His Holiness before setting out, she
also had to obtain the Bishop’s approval by obeying the laws of God. And Urban
spoke for God. Whichever Army she chose needed His Holiness’s blessing to take
part in this Holy War, and she believed Peter never received Urban’s approval.
Avielle thought Peter preyed on the vulnerability of people without hope, his
dynamic speeches a distraction. The truth was hidden behind their expectations
as he reminded them the Holy Ghost was the guardian of the soul and body.
Peter
was not a military leader. He battled the evil one, a spiritual undertaking,
and of no use when facing starvation, disease, and death. The holy monk
probably meant no harm to those participating in such a daunting task, yet he
should not have left without proper funding. Peasants did not have many
possessions, and they lacked warfare instruction and self-restraint. Peter’s
impatience left him grieving for what might have been; his Army marching behind
him as they entered Jerusalem triumphantly, ahead of the wealthy and powerful,
the poor and lowly, accomplishing what Kings could not.
You
are being unduly harsh, Avielle.
Staring
at the dying man, Avielle felt an uncomfortable tingling and prickling sensation.
Opening and closing her fingers relieved the feeling, but her wrist hurt.
Pulling up her sleeves, she carefully examined her arms, looking for redness,
bumps, and spots, which were difficult to see in the darkness.
You
are clean, do not think otherwise.
Avielle
tried to remember when the contagion changed her father’s outward appearance.
How long had it taken them to return to her uncle’s home? How long before
Brother Dacien gave them succor? How long before they buried him?
Should
she take the veil while still unblemished? The Abbess could not cast her out
after final vows, but she might lock her away, alone in a cell for the rest of
her days. Solitude destroyed minds, no matter the lineage. Avielle had observed
such horrors wandering the countryside with her father when condemned prisoners
pleaded for death, freeing them from their suffering.
You
can care for the lepers and beg alms for a hospital. Find a patron. With men of
great wealth visiting the city, maybe, someone seeking redemption?
Best
to think of something now, before it is too late, and you are condemned to walk
the earth, ringing a bell to warn people of your coming.
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 latest endeavor is Crusader’s Path, a story of redemption set against the backdrop of the First Crusade.
Connect with Mary Ann: Website • Blog • Whispering Legends Press • Twitter • Facebook.
Website: http://www.maryannbernal.com/
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