Edale Lane has a new FF historical romance out: Walks With Spirits. And there's a giveaway!
Bound by love, separated by circumstances; can two women realize their happy ending?
In a time when people believed everything had a spirit, there was a two-spirit woman who chose the life of a hunter. Human beings live in the physical world, while spirits dwell in the land beyond; Walks with Spirits inhabits both.
Daughter of a shaman and an herbalist-midwife, Laughing Brook holds a prominent place in her society. She is training to be a healer like her mother, but her one wish is to spend her life with Walks with Spirits.
When a misunderstanding crushes their dreams of happiness, both women must learn to face the trials that await them in a land where danger lurks behind every tree and honor means more than life. Will the spirits intervene on their behalf, or are they fated never to manifest their visions of love?
Walks with Spirits is a historical fantasy set in an ancient time. Packed with Native American themes, heart-touching imagery, and an epic love story, Walks with Spirits will immerse you in an inspiring view of life.
Edale is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour:
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Author Guest post...
My Favorite Movies
Asking
me to pick only ten movies from all time was a tall order indeed! I realize
none of them are LGBTQ themed films, but I am an action junkie and I like happy
endings. Fantasy and Syfy movies top my “go to” lists along with historical
epics and anything with sword fights and beating the bad guys. I like a little
romance along with my action when I can get it. To aid in compiling this
impossible list, I have divided it into categories and chose my favorite of
many favorites (and yes, there’s a tie) for each, and culminated with The Best
of the Best. So with no further ado, here they are.
1. Comedy—Monty
Python and the Holy Grail. Witty, ridiculous, and surprisingly garnished
with historical accuracy, I can laugh at this one again and again.
2. Musical—The
Sound of Music. As a musician, I love so many musicals, but it is hard to
beat the breathtaking Alps, Julie Andrews, and a real-life romance while
standing up to the Nazis. Climb Every Mountain was my theme song as a
kid and I stand by it almost 60 years later.
3. Classic
Film—Ben Hur. I so was enthralled with this movie as a child, I could
sit for the almost four hours and watch it every time it came on TV (which was
once every couple of years.) The action, the struggle of a wrongly accused
innocent man, the long-delayed romance, and the inevitable demise of the
antagonist set on a Biblical backdrop hooked me and still does.
4. Serious
theme—The Boy in the Striped Pajama’s. As a history teacher, I
showed my students a lot of movies illustrating the struggles of the Civil
Rights Movement, films depicting various wars, and other historical pictures.
For the Holocaust, most people think of Schindler’s List, and rightly
so; but this movie is extremely relatable to parents and children alike with a
shocking twist ending that really hits home.
5. Romance—Titanic.
By now, you have figured out I love history, and the big screen adaptation
by James Cameron is simply fabulous. Much more than a love story, the romantic
elements permeate the production from the splendor of the ship, nostalgia over
the tragedy, and the unlikely connection between two individuals from vastly
different worlds. Even without the HEA ending, I revel in this movie every time
I see it.
6. Martial
Arts—Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. This one is also a favorite
romantic film of mine, with two love stories intertwined against a spectacular
cinematic back drop. I could watch it again and again, picturing myself as Yu
Shu Lien played by the incomparable Michelle Yeoh. The martial arts moves are
wonderful to behold.
7. Legendary—Troy.
If I didn’t decide on one movie per category, I may have filled the post
with only legendary titles. Epic battles with flawed heroes, and this one is so
well done.
8. Action/Adventure—Jurassic
Park. There are many categories this could fit into, but it was going to
make my top ten list! I absolutely LOVE dinosaurs, and way back when the movie
first went to the big screen, it set a new standard for special effects. The
dinosaurs looked so real, and I just loved every minute; can’t wait for the new
installment of Jurassic World this summer reuniting the original cast!
9. Creature
feature—Jaws and Aliens. And here’s the tie; how does one choose?
The original Jaws movie was fabulously crafted and the only film I’ve seen
that was so tense and terrifying I wasn’t able to finish my popcorn (I was shy
of my fifteenth birthday at the time). Sigourney Weaver as Ripley taking on all
the man-eating space monsters is too fabulous for words. Therefore, a tie.
10. Syfy—The
original Star Wars Trilogy. While the three prequels and three sequels
were good, I am in love with the ones I saw as a teen and young adult, movies
that helped to shape my life. I still learn from Yoda’s wisdom. Yes, the
action, the spaceships, the romance, and the moral dilemmas make this a great
trilogy, but I’m most drawn to the film’s spiritual aspects.
Best of the Best—The
Lord of the Rings Trilogy. This is my all-time favorite story brought to
life so brilliantly by Peter Jackson and the award-winning cast. It is epic,
fantasy, action-adventure, accompanied by beautiful music and stunning settings
with tastes of comedy, romance, and serious themes thrown in. I could list the
aspects I love about it, but it would be easier to simply say “everything.” I
re-watch the series every year or two because it inspires me to go the extra
mile, to never give up, and to look for the best in people.
I’m sure every author
has the same dream, but I look forward to the day when I can rewrite my top ten
list and a movie version of one of my novels will be on it. Until then, keep
reading the historical action/adventure/sapphic-romance books by Edale Lane!
Excerpt
From Chapter Two of Walks with Spirits
A movement at the front door drew Brook’s attention and in an instant her face lit up and her heart swelled. A tall woman wearing men’s clothing strode in, her head held high, and the energy in the chamber danced. Even Thunder Warrior did not seem so dull.
“That is Walks with Spirits,” he said with a gesture. “She is an odd woman of Nutaula who is coming on the hunt with us tomorrow. The Old Ones and shaman speak of her like she is special, but she can’t do anything that I can’t do. I feel uncomfortable around people of two spirits, don’t you?”
Brook’s smile had become a glow. “That is my Mepoose, my best friend. We grew up together in this house before she moved to your village.”
Thunder Warrior shifted positions and pushed back his free-flowing long hair. “I mean, she is well respected among our community. We are taught it is a blessing from the Creator to be born with two spirits,” he fidgeted. “It is merely something I don’t understand.”
Brook wrenched her gaze from Spirits long enough to study her male guest, a bemused expression on her face. When she said nothing, he continued to explain himself.
“I am a physical man,” he said with a tap to his muscled chest, “who lives in a physical world. I do not put my trust in spirits and legends. My spear, my bow, and the strength of my arm protect me from danger. Many men say one is well served to steer clear of spirits, lest you offend one. They say she talks to them every day.”
As Brook returned her oval eyes to follow Spirits across the room, her heartbeat raced and she sensed a tingle running through her being. “She does,” she affirmed.
She watched Spirits approach the hearth closest to the door where she stopped beside the spot where an old man with a cane sat on a cedar box up close to the fire, a beaver fur cape wrapped around his shoulders. He had deep lines in his leathery face, long gray hair bound by a plain leather band, and one leg stretched out awkwardly to catch the heat. Since Thunder Warrior had stopped talking, she could overhear their exchange.
“It is good to see you, Growling Bear,” Spirits greeted.
He spared her a glance and grunted. “Is it, now? If it were so, maybe you would come around more often.” He pulled his cape tighter and stared into the flames with a sour look on his etched face.
“You know I moved to be with my relatives in Nutaula,” she replied pleasantly. “But all morning I have been praying to the spirits that you will help me out.”
This time he raised suspicious eyes to her, hooded under scrunched brows. “Is that so?”
“It is. You see, I have been so blessed with good fortune that I have caught more game than I know what to do with. I am hoping you can take these two rabbits off my hands.” She extended the better pair toward him.
Growling Bear scowled and lowered his gaze to hands as gnarled as thick, aged vines. “What do I want with those scrawny, worthless rabbits?”
Spirits shrugged. “See, the thing is, I can only offer you the meat. I need the skins for a project I’m working on, so I’d have to skin them before I give them to you. I know they are rather puny, but they are fresh and there is only you to eat them.” She let out a disappointed sigh. “If you don’t take them, I’ll have to toss them to the village dogs, and they may fight over them. I hate it when the dogs fight over food, but… I simply have too much fresh game to keep them.”
Thunder Warrior spun to Brook in outrage. “What is he talking about? Those are fat, fine rabbits. Why is that grouchy old man so ungrateful? He does nothing but sit about and complain. When I am chief, I will not allow anyone like him to live in my longhouse. How can Black Bear tolerate him?”
Brook waited a moment to answer him as she listened to Growling Bear’s reply.
He shifted on his box and rubbed a hand across his knee. “I suppose I could take them if it is going to cause you distress for me to refuse. Maybe Falling Rain can throw them in a pot with some vegetables.”
Spirits smiled. “I will bring them back in a few minutes when I have skinned and cleaned them. Many thanks to you, Growling Bear. You have done me a great service.”
“I do not understand that woman!” Thunder Warrior declared. “He insults her and she thanks him.”
Brook turned to her guest while Spirits made her way slowly around the plank-house greeting everyone. “Do you not know who that old man is?”
“A leach who lives off the charity of others,” he stated in derision.
“No.” Brook explained in gentle and compassionate tones. “Growling Bear was once a great hunter. He feared neither man nor beast. He brought in scores of fish and killed five bears along with countless deer, elk, beaver, and other game. When he married, a reunion was held in his honor and he was Worthy and esteemed.”
“What happened to him then?” Thunder Warrior considered her words with reserved curiosity.
“One falling leaves time, long before I was born, he was on a hunting party in the mountains and they must have wandered too close to where the sasquatch lived. A sasquatch hurled a boulder that started a landslide on the mountain and Growling Bear was caught up in it. When the dust settled, the others found him near the bottom under a pile of rocks. They made a litter and rushed him back to Paupeck for the healer and shaman to help.” In an aside, Brook added, “This was before Black Bear and Rainbow held those titles, but who knows if they could have done better. The healer straightened and set his leg with splints, but it was broken in many places. He was very fortunate to have lived through the ordeal at all.”
Edale Lane is an award-winning author (Rainbow Awards, Imaginarium Awards, Lesfic Bard Awards) who is realizing her dream of being a full-time writer. 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 regarding research.
A native of Vicksburg, MS, Edale (or Melodie) is also a musician who loves animals, gardening, and nature. After driving an 18-wheeler cross-country for eight years, she now lives with her partner in beautiful Chilliwack, B.C. Canada.
Author Website: https://pastandprologuepress.lpages.co/
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