#BookReview - Crusader’s Path by Mary Ann Bernal #HistoricalFiction @BritonandDane

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?

In the words of Janice (from Friends) OH, MY GOD! You don't just need a box of tissues next to you when you read this book, you need a truckload, you need hankies, toilet rolls, you name it. You need so much in fact that this book could easily start another toilet roll shortage!

The story is about a young woman called Avielle. Avielle is a deeply religious woman whose belief in God cannot be shaken. She is also incredibly caring and does not shy away from diseases as others do. And yet, her story is a tragic one. Just as I thought Avielle was back on the right track and everything was going to be alright the author threw yet another spanner into the works and once again I found myself reaching for the tissues.

I don't know much about the Crusades if I am totally honest and I was shocked by the religious fever that seemed to grip the people involved. It was also difficult reading about the horrors of reality - the desperate situations in the camps, as well as the siege and the massacres. 

This book is deeply moving, but the story is told so vividly that it was impossible to turn away from. I will be reading this book again, as I feel that to really appreciate how great this book is, it needs to be read twice. But, I will put it aside for now, at least until I do the next supermarket shop so that I can stock up on tissues!

If you are looking for your next tear-jerking read then this book is for you. You can find it over on Amazon.

Mary Ann Bernal

Award-winning author, 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 recent work includes Crusader’s Path, a redemption story set against the backdrop of the First Crusade, and Forgiving Nero, a novel of Ancient Rome.

Since Operation Desert Storm, Mary Ann has been a passionate supporter of the United States military, having been involved with letter-writing campaigns and other support programs. She 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. She has been a featured author on various reader blogs and promotional sites.

Mary Ann currently resides in Elkhorn, Nebraska.

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