About the Book
Title: Secrets of Milan (The Night Flyer #2)
Author: Edale Lane
Publisher: Past and Prologue Press
Release Date: Thursday, May 28 2020
Price: $14.99
Length: 75,000 words
Cover Artist: Enggar Adirasa
Categories: Historical, fantasy (alternative historical), Renaissance, continuing saga, mystery, action
Synopsis
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!
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Excerpt
Turning her attention back to the pulpit, Maddie determined to listen to the homily. When they returned home, she would invite Fiore to her room to try to explain the emotions she had been struggling with and to reassure her and ask forgiveness. It was time to put everything right and stop letting fear rule over her life.
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.”
Christmas in Renaissance Italy
by Edale Lane
I enjoy writing historical fiction because I love learning all the new and fascinating details about people’s lives in centuries gone by. Secrets of Milan opens to the celebration of the Christmas season, which was of great importance to folks in Renaissance Italy. Their festivities were not limited to the 24th and 25th of December, but went on for much longer. Let me share a few things you may not have known about Christmas in 16th century Milan.
The holiday season began with Novena, the 9 days preceding Christmas. This was a time of prayer, reflection, and carol singing. While we often associate the origin of Christmas carols with France and England, Italy’s St Francis of Assisi is credited with starting the practice of singing carols. Missas were composed by the greatest musicians, often in the form of madrigals, and sung by rich and poor alike at the various parties held during Novena.
England had their Yule log; the Italians had their Il Ceppo. During the Christmas season, a large log would burn in the center of the town square. The fire represented the renewed life of the New Year, and the burning log represented leaving behind the negativity of the past year. Additionally, each individual home would burn their family Il Ceppo in the hearth all night to warm the baby Jesus. An olive log was preferred, and sparks flitting up from the log were interpreted as a good sign or omen of things to come.
On the evening of December 24th, the whole family would gather for the Cenone della Vigilia di Natale, the big dinner before Christmas. The piedmont region of northern Italy focused on rich and warming foods for Cenone della Vigilia. In Milan, bollito misto was typically served as the main course. This dish combines various boiled meats and poultry in a rich sauce served hot and fresh. However, lasagna with anchovies was also a popular choice. Apple mousse or hazelnut cake were often served for dessert, or perhaps a local nougat. Almost everyone attended Christmas Eve Mass, but some may wait for Christmas day.
But for the Italian living during the Renaissance, December 25th was but the first of the “twelve days of Christmas,” which culminated with the gift-giving day of Epiphany – January 6th. While children may be awarded sweets and treats on Christmas, the bulk of presents were saved for the day traditionally observed for the occasion when the Magi offered their treasures to the baby Jesus. Mystery plays, reenactments of Biblical stories, were common entertainments during this two week period. The most loved aspect of these mystery plays was the Cavalcade of the Magi, when the Wise Men processed through the streets with gifts for the infant Jesus. Wealthy, powerful men such as the Medici’s in Florence would play the roles of the Magi.
People also adorned their homes for the season, but not with the same ribbons and bows we do today. Oranges and lemons were used as decorations, along with sprigs of evergreen. The center piece of any seasonal décor was the Il Presepe, or manger scene, a tradition that was also begun by St. Francis of Assisi. The representations may be carved from wood or stone, or crafted from ceramics; they even had live manger scenes, which date back to the time of St. Francis. Gifts may be placed in stockings hung by the hearth, wrapped in fir boughs tied with twine, or placed in hollowed out olive logs. Italians did not have a Christmas tree, as that custom began in Germany, but they would hang fruit on outdoor trees as well as display it in their homes and churches.
One of the most interesting traditions I discovered was their version of Santa Claus. Germany had St. Nicholas; Italy had la Befana. According to the legend, La Befana, who looks a bit like a witch, flies on a broomstick to everyone’s house and leaves presents and sweets for the children if they’ve been good, or coal if they’ve been bad. As the tale goes, the three Wise Men stopped at the home of an old woman to ask for directions to the manger. They then asked her if she would like to join them on their journey. She declined, citing that she had too much cleaning to do. However, she soon changed her mind and went to look for the Magi and baby Jesus but could not find them. Ever since, early on Epiphany morning, la Befana visits the home of every child, entering through the chimney, hoping that she might find the baby Jesus.
Christmas was clearly the most important season of celebration on the Renaissance calendar socially, culturally, and religiously. It encompassed twenty days and spanned two months and the changing of years. There were decorations, parties, singing, entertainment, and gifts – everything we look forward to today, only more of it. When the Sforza family ruled Milan, they threw grand festivities at the castle and everyone was invited. It would indeed have been a time to remember!
About the Author
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.
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