The Night Flyer had brought Florentina and Madelena together but now threatens to drive them apart. While Florentina searches for a mysterious underworld organization that has attempted to murder the woman she loves, Maddie struggles to deal with the danger Florentina is courting. Her brother, Alessandro, has become the most prominent merchant of Milan, but the Night Flyer uncovers a secret so shocking it could destroy them all.
Secrets of Milan is the second book in Edale Lane’s Night Flyer Trilogy, a tale of power, passion, and payback in Renaissance Italy. If you like drama and suspense, rich historical background, three-dimensional characters, and s romance that deepens into true love, then you’ll want to continue the Night Flyer saga. Order your copy today!
Do your books spring to life from a character first or an idea?
I take my characters very seriously; I want them to be both likable and believable, and honestly I tend to put a piece of myself into each of them. But when first formulating an idea for a new book or series, the idea has usually come first. When conceiving Vlad, I scoured through history seeking the most notorious villain to pitch my heroes against with the intent of writing a compelling historical thriller. With Heart of Sherwood I pondered the notion, “What if Robin Hood had been a woman?” For the Night Flyer Trilogy I conceived the idea of a Renaissance era superhero first, and while I knew she would be a woman, the fullness of her character came together later.
Who did your cover, and what was the design process like?
I have used different methods of creating cover designs for various books, but for Secrets of Milan there is indeed a story to tell! I Wanted the Night Flyer books to all have a similar look so they would fit artistically into a box set once all completed. With the help of Stephen Zimmer, I found an artist whose work I had admired on other covers. Wishing the book to have a very Renaissance look to it, I sent photos of old Milan, Leonardo’s flying device, and pictures of 16th century Italian women and Enggar Adirasa created a beautiful cover for book one, such that it received more praise than the contents of my story! Therefore, it was crucial for me to work with him again on books two and three. I sent him more photos along with an idea of grouping the three main characters in front of a Milan church, and the concept art he returned was on track. Then the epidemic got into full gear and I didn’t hear from him. I kept nagging Stephen who contracted Enggar, but he received no reply either. After two weeks I was getting worried; was he sick, in the hospital, dead? Then at long last news arrived – he and his wife had just had a baby and he had been all tied up with the joyous event. Relief!! No more of this – I want him to start of the cover for Chaos in Milan immediately.
What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
Secrets of Milan is the middle arc of a trilogy; therefore, my goals were to grow the characters and thicken the plot. They have problems, get over them, deepen their relationship, get closer to solving the mystery, and then discover that nothing was as it seemed. Secondary characters grow – or die – as well, as we move closer to each individual’s own climax. Will Florentina be able to stop the devious secret society from killing people? Will Don Benetto succeed in his inner struggle? Will Antonio survive the big battle that is coming? And most importantly, is there any way that Maddie and Florentina’s love relationship can thrive when they must keep it hidden? We will find out in book three, Chaos in Milan. Did I achieve those goals? I think so, but read it for yourself and then you tell me.
What was the first book that made you cry?
I had a summer reading list for 8th grade advanced English class. So when I went to the library to select books, I chose all the shortest ones. (Reading can be hard for a kid with dyslexia) Turns out that the Red Pony, The Yearling, The Pearl, and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck were all tear-jerkers. But when the summer was over and school started, we got a new reading list and had to choose books sight unseen. When I spotted Steinbeck’s name, I grabbed up his book, assuming though it may be sad, it would be short. Turns out East of Eden was the thickest book I had ever seen! Then I cried for a different reason.
If you were stuck on a desert island all alone with only three things, what would they be?
That’s tough. I’m a survivalist (not the whacky kind), so I actually think about things like this, and three is a very short list. I will assume several givens: the desert island does not have a fresh water source, it does have enough vegetation to provide shade and building materials, and no one else it there with me. So, here are my three things: two fifty-gallon drums of fresh water, each covered with a sealable spout to get water from; a military-grade, sharp knife with its sheath; and a fire-starting tool.
Star Trek or Star Wars? Why?
My whole life has coexisted with these two worlds, Star Trek from my young childhood and Star Wars since my adolescence. While I love and cherish both worlds, the character I most identify with is Luke Skywalker, therefore I must choose Star Wars. Also I am really drawn to the spiritual aspect of that universe that is lacking in Star Trek.
What are you working on now, and when can we expect it?
Chaos in Milan, Book Three of the Night Flyer Trilogy – what else? I finished Secrets of Milan sooner than I thought I would have, but I also have a Melodie Romeo title that I am re-releasing this summer, so I am looking at December 2020-January 2021 for Chaos in Milan, but who knows? I have the entire book (minus the research) in my head; I just need time to write it down. However, my day job is busier than ever trying to get you people some toilet paper, hamburger, and chicken!
Edale is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour – enter via Rafflecopter:
Madelena had just cleared away the mental replays to concentrate on the service when a most unusual occurrence diverted her complete attention. Florentina had scooped up Betta and Matteo and was pushing her out of her seat toward the aisle. “Run,” she commanded fiercely as she jerked her chin at the door.
For an instant Maddie was too stunned and confused to move, but for only the blink of an eye. Florentina–the Night Flyer–had the most excellent instincts and if she was bolting out of Epiphany Mass, imminent danger surrounded them. “Get out now!” Florentina shouted as she continued to push Maddie down the center walkway.
There were likely murmurs and stirring among the congregation members at the outburst, but Madelena, heart racing, dashed ahead with a glance over her shoulder to see her tutor with one child under each arm a mere step behind her. The sudden noise was deafening, but it was the shock wave from the blast that sent them all flying. Maddie hit the floor hard amid screams and the sounds of breaking glass and crashing bricks. Smoke began to fill the chapel, and someone stepped on her hand in their haste to evacuate.
“Remain calm!” a tenuous voice intoned as panic broke out in earnest.
“Mama!” Maddie pushed up to her scraped hands and bruised knees and turned toward Betta. The wide-eyed, frantic child clutched her arms around her mother’s neck.
“I’m here, baby; I’ve got you,” she comforted and reached a hand to Matteo. “Are you both alright?”
“Florentina saved us,” Matteo said in astonishment. “We aren’t hurt; don’t be afraid, Mama.”
“Keep moving,” Florentina insisted as she stumbled up to the trio. “Out the door, now.”
Madelena did not argue, but with somber eyes fixed on Fiore’s gave her a nod. Carrying Betta in her arms, she forged on through wreckage and stampeding parishioners toward the open doorway. Florentina followed, holding tight to Matteo’s hand. Once past the archway, they collapsed on the steps.
“Are you injured?” Florentina’s voice was drowned in concern. They were all covered in pink brick dust with small scraps of debris having showered over their hair and clothing.
“No, just some bruises from falling. What about you?” Maddie turned her gaze to Fiore who sat an arm’s length away leaning against the exterior wall of the church.
“I’ll live,” she replied queasily. “My back feels as if it’s on fire and my head is pounding like a chorus of drums.”
“My children,” Maddie uttered in disbelief. “You saved them, and me.”
With smudged face and disheveled hair, Florentina raised radiant eyes to hers. “Si. You may not love me anymore, but I am still devoted to you and to them. I would lay down my life to save any of you without hesitation.”
Panic of a different sort grabbed hold of Madelena’s soul, threatening to undo her. “Is that what you think?” Grief clouded her verdant gaze, and her mouth fell into a gape of horror.
“What am I supposed to think?”
“I am so sorry!” Tears swam in Maddie’s eyes. “That is not the problem; it never was.” Quite the opposite, she thought.
“We love you, Florentina!” Betta declared and left her mother’s lap to hug her tutor. “How did you know the church was going to fall down?”
“It didn’t just fall down,” Matteo stated as he took his turn to embrace his mother.
“No, it didn’t,” Florentina confirmed exchanging a look with Madelena and then it clicked.
Even greater shock swept over Maddie’s features, turning them pale as death. “A bomb? Someone bombed the church?”
“Someone did indeed, and I need to go back and help. People are injured and some may even be dead.” Florentina started to push to her feet but collapsed on the step again with her head in her hands. “Seems I’m a bit dizzy still.”
“You don’t have to do everything,” Maddie said and reached a hand to tenderly stroke her head. “Look, some city watchmen have arrived and the fire brigade will be here any minute. You alerted everyone and saved lives, including ours. How did you know?”
“Paying attention,” she answered with difficulty. “Knew something wasn’t right, then glass breaking, saw the bomb… was on our row… two of them.”
“Fiore, don’t try to talk now,” she instructed. “I’ll secure a carriage to drive us home and then I’m going to inspect you for injuries.”
“It’s only a few blocks,” Florentina dismissed. “I can walk.”
“That may be, but we aren’t sitting here waiting for tomorrow, and that’s about when you’d be able to walk home,” Maddie declared.
“I’m scared,” Betta said in a small voice as she snuggled back against her mother again. “Church is supposed to be a safe place.”
Matteo took her hand in his as he settled on the spot between Florentina and Madelena. “Don’t be scared, Betta,” he said with assurance. “I’m right here.” Then with his other hand he patted Florentina’s shoulder. “Thank you. I’m glad you are the smartest person in Milan and that you’re with us.”
“I’m glad I’m with you, too, Matteo,” she replied and offered him a weak smile.
Maddie could tell by her pained expression and weakness that Florentina had absorbed some measure of shock from the blast. She was also certain that without Fiore’s lighting reflexes they would all be seriously wounded or dead. Feet rushed past the spot where they sat; men called out, women screamed, children cried. She looked around, between those coming and going, to see a gigantic hole in the side of the brick facade, broken windows with smoke trailing out, and a body lying on the ground. She closed her eyes and swallowed hard.
“Make way for the fire brigade!” a man shouted.
Madelena pushed to her feet and reached a hand for Fiore. “Come now,” she instructed. “We have to move out of the way. Let’s get you in that carriage and home.”
Edale Lane is the penname used by Melodie Romeo for LGBTQ fiction novels. She is a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi, earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s degree in History from the University of West Florida.
Ms Romeo is a retired school teacher who currently travels the country as an over the road truck driver. Her first book, Vlad, a Novel, an historical thriller, was published in 2002. She has had short stories published in anthologies by Seventh Star Press, Charon Coin Press, Alban Lake Press, Less Than Three Press, and Past and Prologue Press.
Edale Lane’s first novel, Heart of Sherwood, is an historical retelling of the Robin Hood story supposing that the hooded outlaw had been a woman:
https://pastandprologuepress.lpages.co/heart-of-sherwood1/
In addition to driving and writing, Melodie is also a musician who plays the French horn, composes, and has spent many years as a choral and instrumental director. She aspires to be a successful enough author to quit driving and devote herself to writing fulltime. Melodie resides in Utica, MS with her longtime partner, Johanna.
Some of her works can be found at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00WFFFEA4
In 2019 Melodie founded Past and Prologue Press. Please visit her website.
Author Website: https://pastandprologuepress.Ipaged.co/
Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/melodie.romeo
Author Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/edalelane
Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodieromeo/
Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Edale-Lane/e/B07GRFPDRZ/
