An #HistoricalMondays Author Interview | a wicked awesomesauce convo I shared with Edale Lane (by phone!) wherein I interviewed her about the #behindthebook secrets of writing the “Secrets of Milan”!

Posted Monday, 6 July, 2020 by jorielov , , , , , 0 Comments

Conversations with the Bookish badge created by Jorie in Canva. Updated version July 2020.

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You could say this has become tradition,…

I am anchouring the delightful #vlog interview I shared with Edale Lane with this lovely after I’ve read the book conversation for Secrets of Milan. I love having the chance to interview authors – either on Jorie Loves A Story directly and/or through my bimonthly (or sometimes weekly bookish chat @SatBookChat). It allows me to delve #behindthebook, seek out the author’s writerly style, voice and inspiration for writing said book whilst at the same time – peering into their writerly process and to better understand who they are as writers.

It isn’t oft I get to read a book in full ahead of sorting out the questions I want to ask the author – as generally speaking, for the life of my blog (til this point) for the past seven years, most of the conversations have been developed whilst doing research online into the writer’s collective works, their previous interviews and a few readerly reviews where book bloggers and/or reviewers have writ such an informatively insightful recollection of their readerly experiences I’ve been able to craft a conversation out of the research I’ve invested into that author. Other times, such as today – I’ve had the chance to develop a conversation to reflect my readerly ruminations on behalf of a book I’ve read – getting to hug closer to my own views I’ve shared in a book review and seeking to expound upon those views as I delve deeper into the back-story of how a story was first written, conceived or continued if it is part of a series such as the Night Flyer trilogy I’m featuring today with Edale Lane.

This is a second featured post during the blog tour hosted by the lovely Tomorrow Comes Media – who is a blog touring company I’ve been blessed to have worked with collaborating to host book reviews, interviews, guest posts and special non-conventional content for book bloggers such as when I interviewed two lead actors in a pilot film for a pitch for television and two vlog style interviews featuring both E. Chris Garrison (ie. Ms Chris) and Edale Lane.

There have been a few occasions in the past history of Jorie Loves A Story wherein I’ve had the pleasure of joy of interviewing an author by telephone but only a few of those made it through the editing rounds to reach my readership. One in particular I’m hoping to bring to my readers during #MyYASummer which was just recently announced as the conversation and the hard copy notes for the interview were lost until Spring 2020. Thereby, this is a special day to celebrate the joyful connections we can make as readers and authors as we celebrate being bookish in the book blogsophere.

Prior to book blogging, I also participated in phone-in interviews with authors via a now defunct programme which paired us with published authors on group calls wherein we could take turns asking questions of the authors and responding in real-time. A few of those transcripts also made it to Jorie Loves A Story as the conversations continued during my first year as a book blogger before they were shortly discontinued thereafter. It is a wonderful moment to have a real-time conversation with an author and I am blessed each time an author lets me interact with them on the phone and/or agrees to a bookish discussion during #SatBookChat as it is a virtual meeting space where readers and writers unite together to discuss a mutual passion for the crafting of stories.

Today marks a bit a of a tradition where I have read an installment of the Night Flyer trilogy and I am now able to discuss my ruminative findings of the story with the author Edale Lane. I hope as you tuck into our conversation you might consider giving this Historical Fantasy series a bit of a go in your own readerly pursuits as we’ve highlighted a lot of the key discussion points of both “Secrets of Milan” and the series overall. One aspect of the conversation I strived to shield my readers away from were *spoilers!* and those sections were omitted but happily disclosed and discussed privately between myself and Ms Lane. (big smiles)

As always – be sure to grab your favourite cuppa

and ENJOY where this conversation leads you!

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At the heart of this series is family – both the ones you create for yourself and the one you are bourne into which is what makes it such a compelling drama. Especially if you take into account the lengths Florentina has always gone to ensure the sanctity of honour for hers and the protective armour she tries to envelope over Maddie and her children. Yet there is a third carefully considerate character emerging in the background of their lives which is Maddie’s brother Alessandro who is just as observant as Florentina and has keen insight into their lives from an outisde perspective. He seemed to be the kind of brother who you’d want in your corner – kind, supportive and willing to let you live your life without interference or commentary.

Ah, yes, what can be said about the arch nemesis of the Night Flyer, Don Benetto Viscardi? He is truly a man whose torn himself between the choice of revenge (for his destruction in both status and in business) and of choosing to take the harder road towards redemption. He’s a man in conflict with not just himself but with life – how he chooses to deal with his disruptions in life would put anyone at ill ease because he doesn’t own the mistakes he’s made nor does he find any ill will towards placing blame onto others for actions he’s guilty of himself. In may regards, Viscardi is both the most intriguing character of the trilogy and the most vexing; he’s definitely a morally gray character but one who has given Lane the chance to present to the reader in a way that humbly speaks to the choices everyone has within them: do you revert back to your old ways of living after you’ve been interrupted in your vile plans or do you take heed of unwanted advice and choose an alternative path?

This is what intrigued me as I read his sections of the novel – I hadn’t wanted to be invested in his character’s path but there was something about how Lane wrote his sequences in this installment which implores you to hug close to his scenes and to root out what Viscardi chooses to do. Although at the same time, it was his family you grieve for the most – they had to put up with him vacillating in his ruminative state of uncertainty and in regard to his son, Niccolo I felt he was most unfair in how he handled disclosing the current state of their affairs. Children need to know they have security in life – even if you’ve lost your wealth and your way of living, children like the reassurance that they can trust their parents to figure a way forward if nothing else. Niccolo unfortunately was coming back to his family at a state of chaos as his father was not yet ready to step up to be the father he felt he had always been.

Part of the mystery within the folds of this story were also relating back to da Vinci – especially in regards to a particular horse he was commissioned to create for a certain Duke. What made this bit intriguing is how the back-history of this commission was even more interesting than how the horse itself was being used as a clue (at least for me) because of the tragedy of it really – how the Duke wasn’t able to have the horse he truly wanted despite the hard work da Vinci had put into creating it. It felt like such a hard ending to a project da Vinci had devouted himself to doing right – which of course speaks volumes about other characters in this series as well. How sometimes you are aligned on a certain path but suddenly find the trajectory you felt you’d take had to alter course?

I love how grounded this series is in how it is told through a philosophical, metaphysical and spiritual background of intuitive knowledge and observation. Lane happily inserts bits of her own research and her own keen insight into the Renaissance in nearly every chapter wherein a bit of back history or a murmuring of realistic foundation is necessary to carry-on the plot to re-anchour the era in the minds of her readers. I’ve been enjoying the disclosures but also how she’s set the pace of the trilogy – to first and foremost focus on the slow burning romance between her heroine and her lover (ie. Florentina and Maddie) whilst keeping our focus secondary on the evolving conspiracy which is shadowing round them.

And yet, what was most beautiful of all is the gift Alessandro gave to Maddie – because he saw her self-worth and her keen head for business, he rewarded her in a way she never felt she’d be able to embrace. It was such a wicked humbling moment because Maddie would never believe she should highlight her skills in front of others as I think she would believe that would be a bit too vain and to have her seen as worthy in his eyes was quite lovely because this was something I felt would help Maddie recognise how much she gives to others as much as how much she has stablised her own family after the death of her husband.

I was not quite prepared for how Secrets of Milan concludes because it owns to the title – wherein there are far more secrets afloat in the series now than there were previously! Including one that I felt would be difficult for Florentina to maintain as it might drive a wench in her relationship with Maddie – time will of course tell in that regard but for me personally, I loved how this one concluded because it honed in on the heart of the series – giving us more time to spend with Florentina and Maddie as their relationship drew closer together and allowed us further chance to peer into this hidden dark world Florentina is bent on exposing. Towards that end, the tenacles of how this secret world interacts with society is more intricate than a spider’s web and far more deadlier than a black widow.

-quoted from my book review for Secrets of Milan

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Quote banner for Secrets of Milan provided by the author Edale Lane and OWI Blog Tours; used with permission.

If you haven’t yet seen the lovely in-depth #behindthebook featured guest essay Ms Lane contributed to my stop on her tour with OWI – kindly take a moment to visit her words to find out how Art History and research into the world of art played such a strong role in how she developed the background of this series! This previous blog tour was a bit of a preview of what would come next during the Tomorrow Comes Media tour – I was thankful to be a part of both tours and have the chance to feature this author on three separate occasions whilst helping to relate to my readers why I am enjoying her stories and why they ought to consider placing her trilogy on their #nextreads list!

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An #HistoricalMondays Author Interview | a wicked awesomesauce convo I shared with Edale Lane (by phone!) wherein I interviewed her about the #behindthebook secrets of writing the “Secrets of Milan”!Secrets of Milan (Interview)
Subtitle: Book Two of the Night Flyer Trilogy
by Edale Lane
Illustrator/Cover Designer: Enggar Adirasa
Source: Direct from Author

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!

Genres: Fantasy Fiction, Feminist Historical Fiction, Historical-Fantasy, LGBTQIA Fiction



Places to find the book:

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 979-8643642060

Also by this author: Merchants of Milan, (Video) Interview feat. Edale Lane (Merchants of Milan), Secrets of Milan (Guest Post by Author), Secrets of Milan

Published by Past & Prologue Press

on 5th May, 2020

Format: Unbound Manuscript (ARC)

Pages: 262

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Merchants of Milan by Edale LaneSecrets of Milan by Edale Lane

The Night Flyer trilogy:

Merchants of Milan (book one) | see also Review

Secrets of Milan (book two) | see also Review

Chaos in Milan (book three) *forthcoming release!

Genre(s): Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Alternative History,
as well as Renaissance (time period), Action and Adventure, Superhero Fiction

Identities represented: F/F Romance, Lesbian friendship/relationships

Converse via: #WyrdAndWonder, #HistoricalFantasy, #SapphicFiction,
#SpeculativeFiction, #LGBTQ and #NightFlyerTrilogy with #EdaleLane

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As we shift into the second installment of the Night Flyer trilogy you have further intrigued us with opening the novel with a glimpse of the secret society Florentina herself is trying to discover. How important was it to show this conversation in the Prologue before we reunited with Florentina? And, was it difficult not to reveal to much about these persons?

Lane responds: I wanted to open the second novel to prove there was a secret society as this was not clear in the first novel. It wasn’t too challenging as each of the members only knew each by the names of their cities. They don’t know any personal details – as they keep safe through their anonymity and everyone is protected. Confirmation was important in the prologue to set the stage for the sequel.

My heart went out to Florentina – for everything she’s gone through, she now has a bit of discomfort in not understanding where she stands in her relationship. Of the two women, Maddie struggled with her emotions and her convictions. Why do you think it was harder for Maddie to embrace her feelings?

Lane responds: One explanation is simple: their personalities. Flore is much more of the mind of making a decision and just does it. Maddie on the other hand is much more prone to second guessing herself – flip flopping the pros and cons and takes longer to come to a decision. She is feeling all the feelings and fears and gets flustered. She did have a prior relationship with a woman which did not pan out and she did have a previous husband who died. Flore doesn’t have the same back history. Maddie has more emotional baggage than Flore and her Achilles heel is finding it harder for her to make decisions.

Part of this sequel is focused on seeing how Maddie processes her psychological responses to life and her relationships to where she can move past her headspace and reach that point where she can live a bit freer. How did you recognize the best way to present this passage of growth was to allow Maddie distance from Florentina?

Lane responds: All relationships are met with challenges, and I found it realistic that Florentina and Maddie needed to struggle through one. Also, there is a natural tendency for us to wish to postpone dealing with difficult subjects. Maddie had to discover that keeping busy didn’t make the problem go away and to realize how miserable she was without the closeness she had enjoyed in her relationship with Florentina. Ultimately, the experience proved to strengthen their bond.

I wanted to ask about owning a business in this world as [the world itself]is inspired by the Renaissance [as we know of it]. Compared to other eras where women were not given as much freedom to pursue commerce and trade – what were the differences in owning business and being independently employed as a woman in this timescape? Did the Renaissance yield more opportunities for women or was this a bit of creative liberty to improve on the past within the freedoms you could give your own characters in this spin on the Renaissance?

Lane responds: Yes, I’ve done extensive study on this, both while earning my Master’s Degree in History and while researching for the Trilogy. During the period from 1450-1550 AD particularly in the city states of Italy, women did have more opportunities sparked by the age of enlightenment and the rebirth of ideas from the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. The Italian city-states each had an executive official (be it duke or dictator) running their cities, but they also had city councils, powerful guilds, and elected positions making them more democratic and progressive than their Northern and Central European counterparts. Attitudes were open to new ideas during that period as well.

For the first time in history, new discoveries and inventions were being made at a rapid pace. While a peasant woman couldn’t rise to a position of power, upper-class the women had more advantages, and the middle class had grown dramatically. Particularly if a widow’s husband had owned a business, she could easily and legally take over operating it. Some women had their own shops outright (hats, wigs, dresses, etc). Women were allowed in the intellectual salons in Italian city-states. They did have to have education and money to get into them and education was not free; all had tutors or attended schools with paid tuitions. As a rule, women were not allowed into Universities, but there were other ways to expand their educations.

There were more opportunities for women in positions of power, such as Queen Isabella of Spain, Queen Elizabeth and Mary of England, and Queen Mary of Scotland, as well as those who wielded behind-the-scenes power such as Lucrezia Borgia, Catherine de Medici, Caterina Sforza, and more religiously notables Joan of Arc and Catherine of Siena.

Rights for women were more prevalent in Italy than in Northern Europe, as Northern Europe lagged behind technologically and was still more feudal and patriarchal. In my master’s course on Renaissance Women, we had a book of primary documents from upper-class women’s diaries and personal letters, so we reliable information about these women’s lives – unfortunately, we do not know as much about the common women because they could not read or write thereby leaving a record of their activities and thoughts.

If you were to presume for a moment what a commoner might have attempted during her lifetime to get out of the rut of what was expected of her, what could she do if she wanted to rise above her circumstances, if anything? Based on your research and your knowledge of this part of the Renaissance? I realise this is not substantiated by first-hand accounts but if you were to take an educated guess?

Lane responds: Historians suppose that the lives of common women were hard and short with days filled with hard work and less access to healthcare, such that it was. However, they did have a greater luxury to “marry for love” rather than being forced into arranged marriages. A common woman may hope to “marry up” into the middle class and have a more comfortable life. If a common woman had a particular talent or skill, that could make a way for her, and she could join a convent (although by all indications, that was a hard life, too). However, without the advantage of wealth, lower-class women were thought to have been stuck in a subservient role to men.

You’ve written such an earnest and honest representation of a slow burning romance between Florentina and Maddie – the fire of which is growing within “Secrets of Milan”. What was your favourite scene for them in this installment?

Lane responds: As I wrote these characters I put part of myself into both of them and enjoyed all of their scenes together. I would have to say my favorite is the bathtub scene after the church bombings with where Maddie is picking debris and splinters out of Flore’s back. To me it has a very erotic feel even though nothing happens, because there is a lot of sexual tension in the scene. Maddie is trying not cause Florentina further pain and Fiore is like, “forget that! I’ve waited long enough.”

I love the passion project for Maddie! How she wants to give back to those who have fallen on hard times – to give them not just self-worth and a vocation but a proper fresh start and new chapter in their lives. What inspired this path for Maddie?

Lane responds: I think that it started in the first book when the Night Flyer said, “There are these people who need help.” She gets Florentina and goes to see the people for herself. She really wasn’t aware that there were people not being taken care of by the church. Her response then was “Oh wow – this isn’t right. Someone needs to do something; well if I’m going to sit here and say someone needs to do something – it might as well be me.” It has been a year since her husband died and she had to start over as well, so she understands that sometimes people have things happen to them that are out of their control, which is why she understands why people need a hand up. She knows people do not want a hand out, but would rather have help to help themselves.

My theory of the history of humanity is that the nature of man has not changed; Our technology has changed, what we do and how we do it has changed, but the fundamental nature of man is the way it has always been. Jean Aual – who write about prehistoric times – shares this view in her novels. Whilst there have always been people who want to kill and destroy, there are also people who have wanted to care and love. In the Renaissance, rich people made charity donations that gave them prestige with the Church. That isn’t why Maddie is doing that; she actually cares. We see throughout history acts of horrific violence and acts great of compassion. People haven’t changed all that much.

This is another example of how as you’re explaining how you wrote this section of the novel that your series spins a very keenly insightful sociological portrait of the Renaissance and the effects of how a person’s actions and their intentions can have a direct result on society at large. Counter-intuitive of what you’ve already stated – what did some first think there had to be a ‘reason’ behind an act of goodwill vs an act of random kindness? Was it outside their natures to see a kind act or was it rooted more in their culture?

Lane responds: The Renaissance was a time period not unlike today, where there existed a conflict between new ideas and old, between science and the church, and where many people in society could not keep up with the pace of change. There were cynics and believers, but running through it was the power and influence of the Catholic Church. Like today, there were hypocrites who threw money in the plate on Sunday looking very pious in their best clothing then went about during the rest of the week lying, cheating, and committing adultery; there were also those who took to heart the teaching of the Bible, Jesus, and revered church leaders such as St. Augustine. The Church was often as corrupt as any politician, but that didn’t mean there weren’t loving and charitable people in attendance. I suspect those who were cynical would see an act of good will and think, “that person is trying to buy favor with the Church or simply look good in front of society,” just as many rationalize today. Those who were kind hearted likely saw acts of charity as to be expected, because that is God’s charge to humanity.  

How did you develop the design and function of the Night Flyer’s kite? It is outfitted in such a wonderful way of being useful and portable; I was curious how you tapped into how this would be a viable piece of equipment for Florentina to use?

Lane responds: When I first developed the concept for the book and wanted to have a vigilante person to avenge her father’s murder – who was under the influence of da Vinci (as I wanted to feature him throughout) – I paired this with various incantations of Batman. Now they did have umbrellas (ie. parasols) – well she’s (Florentina) a creative person and I was thinking of modern umbrellas which can fold down two or three times to fit inside your purse. In the wings (based on da Vinci’s drawings) she has rods in the frame which fold down and fit inside a backpack, as it would be portable because she could not just have a fixed set of wings. It had to be something that could fold up and fit on her back and be lightweight; pull the right lever or chord and like an umbrella it pops out. So, by looking at the design of various things Flore could come up with this creative concept.

It’s feasible that someone could come up with this – I didn’t want it to be far out Fantasy. In book three she will invent a new weapon; it isn’t new in modern times and may have been in use in China, but for Renaissance Italy it will be unique.

This is one reason I loved James Bond – (Classic Bond, that is – Roger Moore, George Lazenby, Sean Connery and Pierce Bronsan) because of the gadgets Q would create for Bond. His lab was wicked clever and awe inspiring – which is also why I liked the gadget nerd in “Spies in Disguise” which plays off the Q character in an anime family film. The ways in which you had Florentina manipulate found objects and ordinary tech makes your Historical Fantasy rooted in the realism of its historical timescape – but you also gave her a firm appreciation for fine art and the artfulness of traditional innovation.

What do you think sways her more – creating the new technology and gadgets or using her mind to sleuth out the intellectual puzzles of the mysteries she’s undertaken?

Lane responds: Leonardo da Vinci was her mentor and he was a centuries ahead of his time inventor, as well as accomplished artist. But he also loved puzzles and codes. She would have picked up both from him. Florentina is adept at problem-solving, period, but if I had to choose, I think she enjoys the creative aspect of inventing new gadgets more than solving mysteries for that reason; we love knowledge of all kinds, but creativity is our passion. (where I really put myself into this character… and being a teacher)

I loved how you tied in Don Benetto Viscardi’s plight in this series to a keenly insightful passage from scripture – wherein his actions foretold his future. You aptly showed how some men cannot shake the past and effectively become their own worst enemy. Did you find him a challenging character to write about or one that gave you a lot of joy? How did you tap into his heavier emotions and the stubbornness of his soul to where he loved to redirect blame off his own actions?

Lane responds: This arc with him has become one of the major ideas I want to get across in the series, which is: people can change, but they usually don’t. The reason is because change is hard. You have to re-wire the way you think about things in order to change your behavior. For some people it is not worth their effort. Usually when a character or a real-life person makes a major change it is because they hit rock bottom, such as Scrooge who was visited by the three spirits who showed him what would happen if he didn’t change.

With Viscardi isn’t an overnight change, but a process to change his instincts to not say or do something hurtful. He realizes he will lose his family and he wants to save his family because they are all he has left. So, he chooses to change how he responds and reacts which will require effort. He has not fully arrived by the end of the second book, but he is on his way to transforming back to who he used to be as a younger man before ambition and greed ruled his life. We will have to see if he gets there or if he gives up. I believe people can change; they just usually don’t.

You’ve found a clever way to organically knit Leonardo da Vinci into the background of your plots – how did you choose what to highlight in this novel on his behalf? He almost becomes a character in his own right as he is mentioned rather fondly throughout the passages he is featured.

Lane responds: Yes, I definitely want to include da Vinci. And I am not yet decided if they will run into him in person or not. When Florentina is trying to decipher clues from the diary, there were several references mentioning the ‘sign of the horse.’ This was what Flore thought about at the time since she had witnessed the years of planning da Vinci had put into trying to create the horse sculpture.

The horse – this was a really big deal that never happened. Whilst he was in Milan, the Duke of Milan (Sforza) commissioned da Vinci to create the largest and most majestic equine statue in the world. He wanted the best and biggest to be on display to prove the Duke’s power and reach. Leonardo spent years working on this project – studying horses in their pastures, their anatomy, drawing sketch after sketch, so that is would look completely lifelike. But da Vinci didn’t use stone and chisel like Michelangelo. He worked with bronze and before he cast it, he wanted to make sure the Duke would be pleased with the final result.

So, he made a life-sized clay model of the horse and the Duke placed it on display in his castle during his wedding (2nd or 3rd marriage?). All the important guests said it would be fabulous and the Duke gathered tons of bronze for the statue. But then the war started and all the bronze had to go to cannons. The largest equine effigy of its time was never made. Today all we have are replicas of what it would have looked like because the original clay model wound up as target practice for French soldiers.

I love finding the riddles in the story
and trying to understand what the research led into them.

Lane responds:  I love Dan Brown and trying to figure out puzzles.

Part of what I find most appealling about the series is how you have Florentina sleuthing out clues and cross-referencing the knowledge she has for art and art history. This adds a wonderful layered insight into this vision of the Renaissance. How did you approach merging the novel itself with the informative passages about art? How did you merge the research into the narrative where it didn’t feel research heavy.

Lane responds: “Here is where we are and this is what was there.” I looked up everything someone could see and know about whilst they were in a location (Milan or Rome) in 1503. Both settings were teaming with impressive art and architecture that I wished to showcase. One thing I didn’t know about until I came across it towards the end of the book is a place called the Church of Quo Vadis (meaning “where are you going?”).

I saw the old movie by that title, but was not aware there is actually a Church of Quo Vadis situated just south of Rome on the Appian Way, conveniently near one of the myriads of catacombs. It is a small chapel boasting a stone with imprints of feet which are claimed to be the footprints of the risen Jesus when he met St Peter on the road. Now, the catacombs were a setting I had planned from the onset of the Trilogy, but they had fallen out of use about three hundred years prior to 1503, were not officially “rediscovered” until 1578, and I needed a way for Florentina to find one of them. Upon discovering this famous landmark near one of the large catacomb entrances, I rushed to go back to the beginning of the book and throw in a clue. Thus, the Church of Quo Vadis made it into the novel.

Did you find it hard to pick and choose?

Lane responds: Yes. You should see the list things to see and do in 1503 and the amount of notes I had to choose amongst. I sat here with my partner shuffling through dozens of fabulous works of art and architecture to choose what I should include. It was difficult to strike the balance between what was interesting to see and what would be too much. I hope that I struck that balance.

One of the more powerful themes within “Secrets of Milan” is redemption. I loved how it wasn’t readily known as being pursued by one of your characters nor was it an immediate conversion of their mindset. How did you want us to feel rooted into this character’s journey towards redemption as previously I would have considered them one of the enemies of Florentina and Maddie. It is interesting how you turnt the tables on this character and our perception about them.

Lane responds: The theme that people can change – I wanted to make this as realistic as I could. Sometimes, one has a “Saul on the road to Damascus” moment, but more frequently change is a slow, difficult process. If I was to be resentful and angry about something – to go to bed mad and get up mad – it becomes a cycle of negativity, unless you do something to pull out of it.

This character (Viscarti) reaches that point where he realizes he will either continue to be angry, bitter, and die alone, or he is going to have to change and find that he has worth with his family and wife. Words his brother and son said to him started to sink in. He also remembers what the Night Flyer told him about having a second chance and starts to choose between being miserable or to take the harder road to change.

We cannot control all the circumstances we find ourselves in, but we can control how we react to them. While most people haven’t performed the reprehensible acts he did, it is easy when we feel wronged or victimized to fall into anger, blame, or other destructive emotions. I’m hoping to leave an impact on the reader where the reader might see someone they know (or themselves) in this character. Without interrupting the pattern of negativity, it will simply consume you.

(a man interrupted)

The third and final installment is entitled “Chaos in Milan” – can you share a bit about what we can expect to find in this final story which brings this world to a close? It has been an incredible trilogy thus far and just by the title I can tell we’re in store for quite a heap of loveliness!

Lane responds: Flore will come up with a new weapon. You can expect a lot of action – more puzzle solving and clues that need to be sorted out. More lessons with the children and sweet romance, lots of fight scenes, and a big revelation at the end.

What has been some of the feedback you’ve received from readers which has warmed your heart the most as a writer on behalf of the Night Flyer Trilogy or another novel you’ve written which staid with you the most? What have readers latched onto which gives your writerly spirit a lovely boost of random joy?

Lane responds: I’ve been looking back through and so far I don’t have that many reviews posted for “Secrets for Milan” and their all 5*. Their saying stuff like “they think it was better than the first one”, “Compelling sequel, full of suspense, stakes are high” “what an exciting conclusion to the novel” – as there are only three of them. And a few people who didn’t like Merchants of Milan, Book one of the trilogy. Not everyone likes the same things and that’s okay.

Yesterday I received a review on Heart of Sherwood which had me walking on a cloud. This one won the Rainbow Award for Historical Romance for 2019.

“Robin is a legend around the world. Few know the legend was a woman. In this gender bent retelling…

I was amazed by the story not only by how the plot unraveled but the power of will and determined to see when things are lost. Human nature in its true form. On our two feet to get where we want to be. Pure admiration for each other. Everyone has the strength to change the world. We all want a better tomorrow. Love is love.”

– from a GoodReads reviewer (as provided by the author Edale Lane)

To me this was so inspiring as these were the main themes of the story – we can all be the heroes and we can all do what is right and make a difference. I am so glad this reader got it. It was a very empowering review.

“Heart of Sherwood” is definitely one of your stories I want to be reading at some point because it has so much inside it that I just love hearing about – especially for being a gender bent spin on ‘Robin Hood’ as who wouldn’t want to be reading that? I’m equally stoked about a gender bent story involving Alexander the Great (by Kate Elliott, due out 7th July, 2020) – plus, it isn’t oft I find one of these re-tellings with Robin Hood that feels like it has much more dimension inside it than just strictly adhering to the traditional canon and pacing.

Would you ever do another one? Either continuing this story or investing in a new story outside of that world?

Lane responds: Heart of Sherwood is pretty much a stand-alone novel. There’s no place for a “book two;” however, there are always possibilities where other heroic figures of lore are concerned.

After the series concludes, what is on your desk to be finished and published next? Another series? A novella, short story collection or a one-off novel? Or perhaps you’re taking a small break?

Lane responds: I have the third novel competed in my head but haven’t finished writing it. I am currently re-editing the first novel I had published in 2002 which is going to be re-released in July. It is taking more time than I thought it would. Third person omniscient POV was common back then but it isn’t now. So, I’m having to have to re-do the whole thing. It will be published under my real name, Melodie Romeo, and entitled Tribute in Blood, a m/f historical thriller/romance based on Vlad the Impaler, the real Dracula. A ton of research went into this novel, which is propelled by cliffhanger chapters and a lot of violence (because, well, Vlad the Impaler – and it is graphically, historically accurate in that regard.) If Historical Fiction readers don’t mind some blood and guts, they might enjoy this one.

The Night Flyer Legacy, the next generation, is crawling around in my mind. Everything has gone smoothly for 20 yrs and Flore is retired as the Night Flyer, but there is a new crisis and someone else wants to take up the mantle in order to address it.  

One of my readers said she can’t find any historical lesbian romances set in Australia and wishes I would write one. I’ve been thinking about this plot, time-frame, and characters and that is running around in my head for the Australia idea. I have so many ideas and so little time to write them – especially when my day job involves 14 hours out of the day!

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About Edale Lane

Edale Lane

Edale Lane is the author of an award winning 2019 debut novel, Heart of Sherwood. She is the alter-ego of author Melodie Romeo, (Vlad a Novel, Terror in Time, and others) who founded Past and Prologue Press. Both identities are qualified to write historical fiction by virtue of an MA in History and 24 years spent as a teacher, along with skill and dedication in regard to research. She is a successful author who also currently drives a tractor-trailer across the United States. A native of Vicksburg, MS, Edale (or Melodie as the case may be) is also a musician who loves animals, gardening, and nature.

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This blog tour is courtesy of:

Tomorrow Comes Media Logo badge provided by Tomorrow Comes Media.

Follow the rest of the blog tour for wicked insightful reviews & more guest features:

Secrets of Milan blog tour banner provided by Tomorrow Comes Media and is used with permission.

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 I look forward to reading your thoughts & commentary!
I’d love to know your reactions to this story and if my review helped you decide if this might be an author you’d like to start reading yourself. I love reading Speculative Fiction – from Science Fiction, to Fantasy to Cosy Horror. Historical Fiction is a mainstay in my life and this is how I easily transitioned into reading Historical Fantasy. If you have similar interests to my readerly wanderings I’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations in the comments. I celebrate bookish conversations and differing opinions on Jorie Loves A Story.

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NOTE: Similar to blog tours wherein I feature book reviews, book spotlights (with or without extracts), book announcements (or Cover Reveals) – I may elect to feature an author, editor, narrator, publisher or other creative person connected to the book, audiobook, Indie film project or otherwise creative publishing medium being featured wherein the supplemental content on my blog is never compensated monetarily nor am I ever obligated to feature this kind of content. I provide (98.5%) of all questions and guest topics regularly featured on Jorie Loves A Story. I receive direct responses back to those enquiries by publicists, literary agents, authors, blog tour companies, etc of whom I am working with to bring these supplemental features and showcases to my blog. I am naturally curious about the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of stories and the writers who pen them: I have a heap of joy bringing this content to my readers. Whenever there is a conflict of connection I do disclose those connections per post and disclose the connection as it applies.

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{SOURCES: Book covers for “Secrets of Milan” and “Merchants of Milan”, book synopsis, author photo (of Edale Lane) and biography as well as the TCM badge and blog tour banner were provided by Tomorrow Comes Media and are used with permission. “Secrets of Milan” quote promo banner was provided by OWI – Other Worlds Ink Blog Tours and is re-used with permission of the author. Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Tweets were embedded due to codes provided by Twitter. Blog graphics created by Jorie via Canva: Conversations with the Bookish banner and the Comment Box Banner.}

Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2020.

I’m a social reader | I tweet my reading life

About jorielov

I am self-educated through local libraries and alternative education opportunities. I am a writer by trade and I cured a ten-year writer’s block by the discovery of Nanowrimo in November 2008. The event changed my life by re-establishing my muse and solidifying my path. Five years later whilst exploring the bookish blogosphere I decided to become a book blogger. I am a champion of wordsmiths who evoke a visceral experience in narrative. I write comprehensive book showcases electing to get into the heart of my reading observations. I dance through genres seeking literary enlightenment and enchantment. Starting in Autumn 2013 I became a blog book tour hostess featuring books and authors. I joined The Classics Club in January 2014 to seek out appreciators of the timeless works of literature whose breadth of scope and voice resonate with us all.

"I write my heart out and own my writing after it has spilt out of the pen." - self quote (Jorie of Jorie Loves A Story)

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Posted Monday, 6 July, 2020 by jorielov in Author Interview by Phone, Blog Tour Host, Fantasy Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Indie Author, Indie Book Trade, Jorie Loves A Story Features, Self-Published Author, Speculative Fiction, Tomorrow Comes Media, Twitterland & Twitterverse Event




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