Hi Everyone!
We're here with Mary Ann Bernal today! She's a family
oriented, community activist participating in programs supporting the United
States military. She's been a guest on The Morning Blend television show hosted by KMTV,
the CBS affiliate in Omaha, and she was interviewed by the Omaha
World-Herald for her achievements.
All of Mary Ann’s novels and short story collections are
dedicated to fallen military heroes who gave their lives defending our freedom.
She's a prolific writer who originally hails from New York, and now resides in
Omaha. She has traveled for pleasure
and research to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy and Greece.
Me: So Mary Ann, tell us more about yourself and how many
books you have written.
Mary Ann: Being an
incurable romantic and Anglophile history buff, my area of interest focuses on
ninth century Anglo-Saxon Britain when the formidable Vikings terrorized all of
Christendom. I have written five books
in The Briton and the Dane franchise.
The trilogy titles are: The Briton
and the Dane; The Briton and the Dane: Birthright and The Briton and the Dane:
Legacy.
The Briton and the Dane: Concordia is set sixteen years
later and is a coming of age story for one of the trilogy characters,
Concordia.
The Briton and the Dane: Timeline begins and ends in
Twenty-First century England, but the major storyline takes place in Eleventh
century Britain.
Both volumes of Scribbler Tales are short story collections
of contemporary topics - a variety of genres to entice the modern reader.
Me: Sounds like
you've been really busy! What is the name of your latest book and what inspired
it?
Mary Ann: Scribbler
Tales Volume Two was recently published.
My love of crime, action and adventure, and political intrigue TV series
and films inspired the stories.
Me: Great! I know a lot of people enjoy those shows,
so you should have quite an audience! :-) What are you working on now?
Mary Ann: Scribbler
Tales Volume Three launches January 2015.
Also, audio editions of Scribbler Tales Volume Two and The Briton and
the Dane: Birthright are in production and will be available early 2015.
Me: No rest for the weary, huh? ;-) Are there any
authors, or books, who have influenced you?
Mary Ann: I fell in
love with medieval England after reading Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe in my
sophomore year of high school, but my interests soon turned towards the Dark
Ages when the Vikings harassed the civilized world once Hollywood released such
blockbusters as The Vikings, The Longships, and Erik the Viking. Add to the mix
Alfred the Great, Prince Valiant, and King Arthur, and an incurable romantic
anglophile was born.
Me: I love Ivanhoe!
That and The Count of Monte Cristo were my first classics. :-) What are
you reading now?
Mary Ann: Frankie:
Living a Dream by British Indie Author D.G. Turner.
Me: Go you for supporting those indie authors!! For those who might consider reading your
book, what would you tell them to expect?
Mary Ann: The Briton
and the Dane series is a story of love and betrayal, treachery and intrigue,
set in an earlier time. Even though the
politics are of another era, the characters live, breathe and feel every
emotion we experience today, the only difference being the drama is not occurring
in this time period.
Scribbler Tales are dark stories with twists and turns, and
the unexpected.
Me: It's funny how
the basic human challenges never change, isn't it? What is your favorite
part of being an author?
Mary Ann: In
addition to having my stories read worldwide, I enjoy helping upcoming Indie
authors, and mentoring students who are considering writing careers.
Me: Yes, there are a lot of talented indie authors out
there, it's great that you enjoy helping them. :-) Do you have a day job
as well?
Mary Ann: I have
recently retired from the conventional work force, which enables me to devote
more time to writing and marketing.
Me: Lucky you! Yes, writing and marketing are time
consuming, but both have their rewards. ;-) What genre do you place your
book in?
Mary Ann: The Briton
and the Dane - Historical Fiction / Romance / Action & Adventure
Scribbler Tales - Drama / Short Stories / Mysteries &
Thrillers / Suspense
Me: Cool! Is there
anything else you'd like to tell your readers?
Mary Ann: Never give
up on your dream.
Me: So true!! And so
all these fine, lovely folks can find your work, are there any links you'd like
me to post?
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-briton-and-the-dane-mary-ann-bernal/1118431860?ean=9781494864620
Social Media Links:
Thanks for having me, Mistral. Have a great day Mary Ann
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome, Mary Ann. Thanks! You too. :-)
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