Wives of War
Page 32
Lucy held up her glass, eyes twinkling as she whispered, ‘Thank you.’
Scarlet sat back down and leaned into her husband, sighing when he dropped a kiss into her hair. A few months ago, she was certain the war would never be over, that she would never be home. But she’d found her home now, with James and her friends. Her hand fluttered to rest on her belly.
They were all wives to this war, but somehow they’d managed to survive it and find happiness on the other side. Despite it all, despite everything, they’d survived.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I have taken small liberties to make this story fit within the confines of real-life events, although almost all of what you read in this book is accurate in place and chronological order. The 75th Mobile Field Hospital, and the depictions of the nurses landing in Normandy, living at the camp and working under canvas, are as accurate as possible. I read the true accounts of many nurses to ensure these scenes were as true to life as could be, and I must thank my research assistant, Jai Patel, for his great work in providing me with much of my background information. However, there were times where I had to depart from the exact path the nurses from the 75th followed, such as when the lorry stops en route to Brussels and faces enemy attack by a small band of SS soldiers – this was entirely my imagination.
This was an amazing book to write because it was set in such a fascinating time in history. It was a period when women were stepping up to fill roles they had been prevented from doing in the past, and often finding an inner strength they never knew they had. I applaud all the women who pushed themselves outside of their comfort zone, either of necessity or choice, during World War II. I cannot imagine the fear of waving a husband off to war, alone with my children and with a farm or business to tend to; or the bravery of nurses like my characters from this story, leaving the relative safety of their families to care for soldiers abroad.
As with all my acknowledgements, I have a core group of people to thank. I’d be lost without my personal and professional support crew, so I must thank them all individually. First, thank to you to my editors, Sammia Hamer and Sophie Wilson, who are always full of great ideas to help make my books stronger, and offer so much encouragement through the editing process. My agent Laura Bradford is also vital to my writing process, not only for handling contracts and negotiations, but also for general hand-holding and advice! I also have a fantastic extended team at Amazon Publishing, including Emilie Marneur and Bekah Graham, as well as my copyeditor and proofreader, and many others behind the scenes.
I would also like to say a special thank you to my mother, Maureen, for all the daily childcare help. If I can be half the mother she was to me growing up, then I’ll know I’m doing a good job! Thank you to my gorgeous sons, Mackenzie and Hunter, for being so much fun to spend time with, although I’m looking forward to Hunter’s fascination with pushing buttons on my laptop coming to an end. More than once I was terrified he’d deleted this entire file! Thanks also to Hamish, my husband, for all the hours playing Star Wars with the boys. One day I’m going to make you put down the lightsabre, though, and read one of my books . . . And while I’m on that topic, Dad, it’s about time you read one of your daughter’s books, too!
Natalie Anderson, Nicola Marsh and Yvonne Lindsay – I’d be lost without you all. Sometimes I wonder how I’d ever get a book written without your emails and messages, especially my daily writing sprints with Yvonne that keep me on the straight and narrow each day.
I’m also very fortunate that my children have such lovely teachers, which means I don’t have to worry about them when they’re at school and preschool. Given how easy it is as a writer to become distracted, it’s hugely important to me to know my children are happy and cared for when I’m not with them, and I am so fortunate that my children have their own great support crew. I will continue to show my thanks by giving you all books to read.
And finally, to all my readers: without you, I wouldn’t have a job. Thank you for every book of mine you purchase. I hope you continue to enjoy the stories I write as much as I enjoy creating them. Every email you send me, every time you tell me how much you’ve loved a story – it honestly brings a smile to my face that lasts for hours.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2014 Carys Monteath
Soraya M. Lane graduated with a law degree before realising 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 most recent historical novel, Voyage of the Heart, was an Amazon 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 at @Soraya_Lane.