Under a Sky of Memories

Written by Soraya M. Lane

Narrated by Sarah Zimmerman

From the bestselling author of The Last Correspondent comes the powerful story of three brave women who go to war—and end up fighting for their lives.

Sicily, 1943. Three American women, all nurses in the Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron, are determined to do all they can for their country. Vita is fun-loving, Dot shy and sweet-natured, and Evelyn practical and determined, but for all their differences, a life of military service pulls the three together as firm friends.

When they’re selected for a daring mission, the women are proud to play their part. But disaster strikes when their plane crash-lands behind enemy lines in occupied Albania. Together with twenty-three other medics, they find themselves trapped, cut off from all communication with the squadron, and in terrifying and unimaginable danger.

As days and nights pass without hope of rescue, the group must travel on foot across unfamiliar terrain thick with Nazis and their violent local allies. Can Evelyn, Vita, and Dot survive the perilous journey through enemy territory—and finally find their way home?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Jan 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9781713641353

Soraya M. Lane

Soraya M. Lane graduated with a law degree before realizing that law wasn’t the career for her and that her future was in writing. She is the author of historical and contemporary women’s fiction, and her novel Wives of War was an Amazon Charts bestseller. Soraya lives on a small farm in her native New Zealand with her husband, their two young sons, and a collection of four-legged friends. When she’s not writing, she loves to be outside playing make-believe with her children or snuggled up inside reading. For more information about Soraya and her books, visit www.sorayalane.com or www.facebook.com/SorayaLaneAuthor, or follow her on Twitter: @Soraya_Lane.

Reviews for Under a Sky of Memories

[catrn_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.I wanted to read this novel from the first time I heard about it. I like books that focus on little known true stories from WWII, as long as they are well written. What really piqued my interest is the fact that the main characters are nurses! As a former RN I couldn’t pass this one up!The book opens in 1943, in Kentucky where three recently trained nurses meet on a train platform. They are being transferred from one training facility to the next. They are there to learn to become flight nurses for MAETS, ie, Medical Air Transport Squadron. Prior to MAETS’ formation the injured were transported, via truck or train, from the front lines to medical facilities that were often many miles away. The death rate was high among the severely injured. With air transport the critically injured could reach hospital much faster and death rates did drop significantly!The three nurses; Dot, Evelyn and Vida, become fast and inseparable friends. They support each other throughout the rigorous training. Upon completion they are assigned to Italy to begin right away. The work is hard but rewarding with each nurse gaining In confidence, even Dot the shyest and least confident amongst them.First and foremost this is a story of survival. During a period of daily bad weather all MAETS flights were grounded. Wounded GIs were not able to be evacuated until the flights could be resumed leading to increased chance of severe disability and death. Once the weather cleared the General in charge ordered a larger plane that would carry 13 nurses and 13 medics instead of one each. This large of an undertaking had never been attempted before so with little warning our 3 find themselves flying towards the front lines. Spirits are high with everyone anticipating getting back to work. That is until they hit bad weather and are blown off course. Furthermore it appears their navigational equipment has been broken. Flying blind they soon run into German planes intent on shooting them down. After they crash they have no idea where they are. Fear then grips the team when they learn they are behind enemy lines in Albania! The story then focuses on the groups struggle to return to safety with as many survivors as possible. Do they make it and with how many alive? For the answer you will need to read the book.The novel is for the most part well written. The one area I found a little wanting was the pacing. Even though there are periods of high tension and danger I felt that the book fell flat in between them. Sometimes it became even boring to me. I feel more description of the villages and villagers they encounter along the way would have been helpful. For example; we know food in the villages is short and the Americans are showing signs of malnutrition. I found myself wondering how the Albanians were able to cope. Also what’s their day to day life like? Very little is shared about them. I feel the book would have been more interesting and have a richer context if more was included.One thing the author does very well is in her handling of her characters. Each main character and a few of the secondary characters are supplied with very detailed backstories that gives us a chance to care about their survival. They become important to us. Lesser characters are not even named let alone described. At first I was disappointed but soon realized that it would be a very complicated book if they were given roles.The other thing I liked about the book was the Authors note. Here she delineates fact from fiction, something I wish more authors would do.Oh for our Romance lovers there are a few sweet romances, so don’t turn the book down thinking the material too dark. There are definitely some very credible romantic moments! This is not to say that the romance stories overtake the main plot because they only enhance the book.I can recommend this book wholeheartedly to fans of Historical Fiction especially if one likes stories were strong and courageous women are featured. Also fans of WWII stories will find this book engrossing! I’m rating the book 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley. This fact in no way influenced my review.

[jynell-71874 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I loved the beginning of this book. The friendship, the back stories, and the way these women sought fun despite what they were enduring during their work as nurses evacuating soldiers from the front line.

What causes me to DNF this one wasn't the writing. Once their plane was shot down and they began this journey to safety, my interest was lost despite the chaos in my life. As a nurse, I wanted to read about nursing during WWII. I know it still had some of that, but it just isn't the right book for the right time for me.

Anyone who enjoys historical fiction will love this, as I was prior to the story progressing!

Thank you Brilliance audio for allowing me to listen to this.

[susan0316 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Soraya Lane has become one of the best writers of strong women in WWII. She always does considerable research and bases her story on real people in real situations. Her new book is based on a group of 26 Air Force nurses and medics who crashed in Albania in 1943 and had to avoid the Germans who controlled the country. They survived for 63 days before they were rescued and three of the nurses who were separated from the group were there for 135 days before rescue.The Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron was set up to help remove wounded from field hospitals to better equipped hospitals for treatment. Vita, Dot and Evelyn were all from different areas and life styles but became great friends when they were doing their training in the US. Normally the pilot, one medic and one nurse flew to get the wounded. But the upper brass felt like this was too slow so they sent 26 nurses and medics. Due to a storm, the plane got lost and ended up crashing in Albania. It was amazing that everyone survived the crash but what followed was even worse. They were lost and hungry and tired but had to be vigilant so they wouldn't be captured. This follows the three nurses and each chapter is alternately told by each one of them.This was an engrossing story based on the three nurses. They were all stronger and more resilient than they knew and no matter what was going on, their friendship stayed strong and helped them survive both physically and mentally.I enjoy reading historical fiction when I also learn about a real event that I knew nothing about. I love books with brave and resilient women who did their part to help their country. Once again, Soraya Lane has given me all that and more -- a story that I won't soon forget.

[cassiesbooksreader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Under a Sky of Memories by Soraya M. Lane is World War II Historical Fiction set in occupied Albania. Three American nurses and a group of medics plan to serve their country by caring for wounded soldiers during air transport. Their mission of nursing changes to fighting for survival after their plane crash lands. An unforgettable and harrowing tale based on the true story of the 807th Squadron’s escape from Albania during World War II. Ms. Lane’s latest book is full of action with realistic characters and excellent historical notes.I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars