Hi guys! We have Edale Lane stopping by with the tour for her new release Chaos In Milan, we have a brilliant guest post from Edale, a great excerpt and a fantastic $20 Amazon GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~

Chaos In Milan

(Night Flyer 03)

Edale Lane

One woman stands between chaos and order – the Night Flyer!

When chaos strikes at the heart of Milan, it is up to Florentina’s alter-ego the Night Flyer to stop it. As Florentina and Madelena’s love deepens, so does the well of danger surrounding them. The race is on to discover the mysterious Shadow Guild and uncover who is behind the deadly rampage, but Florentina’s mission is threatened by a gang of assassins. Can the Night Flyer prevail, or will Maddie’s love be ripped from her arms?

Chaos in Milan is the third book in Edale Lane’s Night Flyer Trilogy, a tale of power, passion, and payback in Renaissance Italy. If you like action and suspense, rich historical background, three-dimensional characters, and a sweet romance, then you’ll want to complete the Night Flyer saga. Order your copy of Chaos in Milan today!

.•.•.**❣️ Amazon US | Amazon UK ❣️**.•.•.

Edale Lane!

Sizzling Subplots!

One of the major differences between a novel and a novella is the amount of attention paid to subplots and secondary characters. Like its shorter counter-part, a novel generally revolves around a few central people and the action they are involved in; however, with additional words and pages, the novel delves deeper into the lives of peripheral characters as well.

The Night Flyer Trilogy focuses on Florentina de Bossi and Madelena Torelli with Maddie’s brother, Alessandro, in a strong supporting role. Several repeating minor figures also appear in all three volumes, but along with Florentina’s exploits as the Night Flyer and her relationship with Maddie, the books also follow two major subplots. I think these add an interesting dimension to the saga.

Subplots fill various rolls in a novel. They can be included to support or complement the primary actors, to add humor to an otherwise dark drama, expand the world created by the author, or explore additional themes the writer wishes to include. They may be where the romance or deviance lies. Occasionally, subplots offer clues to aid the reader in unraveling a mystery or let the reader in on things the main characters don’t know. Overall, including important minor personalities and their stories makes for a richer, more dynamic reading experience in most incidences.

While the Night Flyer Trilogy includes significant figures central to the primary plot—Maddie’s children and family, Guild Leader Don Giovanni and his wife Julia, and the ever-present yet unseen Leonardo da Vinci—the books feature two main subplots that carry through the series to their conclusions alongside the principle storyline. One centers on Alessandro’s oldest son, Antonio, as he transitions into adulthood. At first, he is uncertain what he wants to do with his life, only that it is not what his father has planned for him. Add to that the awkward fact that he has fallen in love with the daughter of a rival merchant, Don Benetto Viscardi (the “bad guy” from Merchants of Milan). We see him mature from a rebellious youth to confident man, but will he get to marry the girl he has chosen?

The second major subplot revolves around Don Benetto Viscardi and his family. In Merchants of Milan, he appears as a greedy, powerful Mafia-style arms merchant who has no problem doing away with people he believes has wronged him. However, after the Night Flyer steals his fortune and distributes it to the poor, destroys his reputation, and burns all of his structures to the ground, she chooses not to kill him, but leaves him with a scar on his chin to remind him he has been given a second chance. In Secrets of Milan, Benetto begins to question his life and his choices. When he realizes he is about to lose his family as well, he determines to reform his ways. But change is hard. Will he succeed in Chaos in Milan, or revert to the villain he was at first?

How Antonio turns out or whether Benetto finds redemption are not central to Florentina and Madelena’s romance or discovering the mysterious man of power behind the Shadow Guild, but I found it imperative to include their stories in the greater arc of the trilogy. Perhaps a reader will see himself in the young man determined to forge his own path or facing the dilemma of a love denied to him. I think we can all relate to some degree with the desire to change something we have identified as destructive in our lives and thus better ourselves. These themes are achieved through the tangent storylines of Antonio and Benetto.

When I first outlined what I wished to include in the Night Flyer, there was too much for one novel, thus the trilogy. But one thing I sought to write was an epic battle scene. Sure, Florentina fights a few thugs and assassins, but only through Antonio’s story could I recreate the historic Battle of Cerignola. Since neither Florentina nor Maddie had done enough wrong in their past to seek redemption, only Benetto could be a conduit for that moral struggle.

I am a firm believer in side-plots and developing each character as fully as the story allows. I don’t want anyone in my novel to only be a name. It is my sincere hope that I have delivered on that goal in the Night Flyer Trilogy, but only you–the reader–can determine my success or failure. Now, pick up your copy of Chaos in Milan today to discover how all of these plots are resolved.

Excerpt!

Madelena found herself winded by the time they departed an old dirt road to traipse through knee high grass to the dilapidated wood-plank structure with an obvious hole in its roof. She was indeed thankful for the sensible shoes. Once inside, she set down the bag containing their lunch and wineskins, and settled herself onto a wooden barrel to catch her breath. The scent of rotting hay permeated the space which offered an abundance of natural light through the open double doors, cracks between siding planks, and the gap overhead. Cobwebs draped the corners, and dry balls of petrified horse manure littered the earthen floor.

Her initial excitement was rekindled as she beheld Fiore change into the black silk tunic and tight leather trousers that never failed to kindle her passion. She brimmed with anticipation while Florentina laced the soft-soled footwear over the bottoms of her leggings. With no need of a mask and cowl, Maddie enjoyed a full view of her face and long brunette braid.

Eyes glowing, Maddie purred, “Seeing you in that attire takes my breath away and inspires me to… well,” she added blushing. “I promised to let you work.”

Florentina flashed her a grin. “Happy to please you, my dear.” Then she proceeded to race toward a reinforced portion of the rear wall and up it, running one, two, three vertical steps up the planks followed by a backflip, landing on her feet in the powdery dust. Maddie’s eyes flew wide as she had not imagined such a feat was even possible.

She witnessed Fiore scale ropes up the sides of walls, swing from one to another, hang upside-down with her ankle wrapped in a cord, and run, hop, leap, and climb over every inch of her lair. Observing the tall, lean frame of her children’s tutor pass from one athletic exploit to the next with the dexterity and strength of an Olympian set her heart racing with desire, but also terrified her. Maddie knew that she would do these same exercises at great heights and risk to her person. A fall here may hurt a little, but a fall from a three-story building… don’t think about it!

After a bit, a sweaty Florentina, breathing heavy from her exertion, walked over for a sip to drink. “Mi Tesoro!” Maddie exclaimed. “I knew you could do things, but you are truly magnificent. How did you ever-”

“Practice,” Fiore answered as she wiped her face with a cloth. “Much practice and determination.”

Next, Florentina withdrew her multi-fire crossbow from her shoulder bag. “You invented that,” Maddie said as a half statement, half question.

Fiore nodded. “It was Master Leonardo’s idea, in a way,” she replied with a shrug. Florentina then fired off eight shots in rapid succession at eight separate targets situated around the barn. Some were painted circles, others sets of clothing stuffed with straw, and a few burlap sacks filled with sand that hung from cords. Fiore retrieved her bolts and reloaded the weapon.

“You hit every one!” Maddie gushed in amazement.

“Yes, but I’ve practiced with these marks for months,” the skilled vigilante replied as though unimpressed with herself. “Moving targets or hitting them while I’m running is more difficult.” Florentina pushed the burlap sacks so that they each started to sway in different directions and at varying speeds, then raced across the barn, pivoted, and began to fire. She first shot at the moving targets, then fired at the dummies as she ran traversed the dirt floor. “See,” she said, motioning as she skidded to a halt in front of Madelena. “I hit that one in the knee—I was aiming for its shoulder. And that bag?” she motioned. “I was supposed to strike the green circle, not just anywhere on it.”

“But still,” Maddie replied in amazement. “You hit every target, even if not in the spot you intended. That is quite astonishing.”

Florentina smiled, bent down, and placed her lips to Maddie’s. “Grazie,” she said. “Now, I want to show you something new,” she announced, a twinkle in her bright, tawny eyes. Madelena stood and followed Fiore over to where she had set her bag; the barrel was getting uncomfortable, anyway.

Fiore withdrew a polished wooden case, set it on a rickety work table, one of the few excuses for furniture in the barn, and opened it with care. “I found these when I went into the Oriental shop to acquire more opium.”

Maddie frowned. “I didn’t know you use that drug.”

“Oh, I don’t,” Fiore assured her. “Only for medicinal purposes and to subdue city watchmen without causing them any actual harm.”

“I’ve been in that shop,” Madelena commented. “They have some unusual merchandise and a few very popular items. I purchased one of those painted silk fans that are in fashion.”

Florentina nodded. “They have nice things.” Then, from the plush black velvet interior of the box, she retrieved a silver five-pointed star about three inches long. The edges appeared sharp and Fiore held it judiciously in her gloved hand.

“What is it?” Maddie asked.

“The shop owner didn’t know,” Florentina answered with a sly grin. “But I had read about these in an obscure book on Oriental weapons. It’s a Chinese throwing star. There are five in the set.”

“A throwing star,” Maddie echoed as she moved in for a closer look.

“The Spaniard threw a knife at me in the Pantheon,” Fiore recalled. “Throwing-knives are deadlier, can do more damage than these, but it is a skill that is difficult to master. With the star, I have five small blades rather than one longer one with which to hit my target. They are good to distract or throw a foe off balance. Strikes to the eye or weapon hand are debilitating and may take an enemy out of the fight. Because the tines are short and cannot penetrate deep into flesh, only a strike to the big artery in the neck or severing the windpipe in the throat can kill. I think these will prove quite useful, but I’ve only been practicing with them for a few weeks.”

With admiration and anticipation oozing through her voice, Maddie sang, “Show me.”

Florentina removed all five stars from the box and positioned herself in the middle of the barn. “Stand behind me,” she instructed as she lifted one from her left hand. “I’ve had no teacher to instruct me, so I had to guess as to how to throw them. I have developed three techniques, hoping to perfect at least one.”

Maddie withdrew, studying her partner’s every move. Florentina gripped the object horizontally in a curled hand with her thumb on top and her forefinger beneath it. Rotating her upper body from the waist, she drew her right arm back then spun, releasing the small weapon with the motion a child may use to toss a pie pan. The star whirled through the air at an astonishing speed until it lodged into the shoulder of one of the dummies. Florentina frowned. “A nuisance hit.”

“But you hit it!” Madelena exclaimed. Florentina continued to practice the move, thrusting at different targets and from varying angles, collecting the projectiles once all five had been expended.

“Semi-successful,” Fiore admitted. “Another way I have tried is a basic overhand throw.” She demonstrated by taking a star in her right hand, holding it vertically, and throwing it as one might a ball, rock, or piece of fruit. Her first attempt landed low on the target, so she adjusted the second by releasing it sooner, gaining better results. After dozens of pitches, Fiore returned to Maddie’s side. “The third method I’ve been trying is trickier, but has far greater potential. I’ll be at this a while if you want to curl up and take a nap.”

“What? And miss witnessing an act no Milanese woman has ever seen?” Maddie exclaimed. “But if you will point them in that direction,” she indicated, “I’ll sit back down over here for a while.” On impulse, she leaned in and kissed Fiore’s lips before retreating to her stool.

She has so much focus and intensity, Maddie contemplated. She is like a force of nature.

About Edale!

Edale Lane is the author of an award winning 2019 debut novel, Heart of Sherwood. She is the alter-ego of author Melodie Romeo, (Tribute in Blood, 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.