The Ack-Ack Girl

By Chris Karlsen

Chris Karlsen's new work, The Ack-Ack Girl, is the first in her World War II series, Love and War, and serves up plenty of story on both sides of that equation in its portrayal of Ava Armstrong, the "Ack-Ack" girl of the title. And what a story it is! Chanticleer Book Reviews

"The first explosion sounded from across the river, many blocks away. Ava closed her eyes and whispered, "Thank you." A wave of guilt hit her. Part of the city was destroyed. Londoners were dying while she gave thanks. But she was grateful." This paragraph seem to set the theme for the story ahead. This book deserves a second read!:
Amy's Bookshelf Reviews

'The Ack Ack Girl' has been given a 5-Star Review by Book Marketing Global Network: Global Library and won the April 2021 Cover Contest Award.

Love and War Series

A country under attack and the story of one woman's fight to protect England and her heart.

 

1941. The German war machine has crushed all of Europe-only England holds fast. To force a surrender, the German Luftwaffe bombs cities and villages the length of the country. As the battle rages, Britain is in desperate need to put more pilots in the air.

 

To free up more men a new unit is formed: The Ack Ack Girls. These special teams of courageous women will now fight in the anti-aircraft stations. Determined to be part of the effort, Ava Armstrong, volunteers for one of the special teams.

 

Her unit just happens to be located near an RAF airfield teaming with pilots. Sparks fly, and not just from artillery, When Ava crosses paths with Chris Fairfield, a handsome and cocky pilot stationed there. But nothing is easy in time of war, not even love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books To Go Now
• Release date: Feb 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393715412

Chris Karlsen

Chris Karlsen is a retired police detective. She spent twenty-five years in law enforcement with two different agencies. The daughter of a history professor and a voracious reader, she grew up with a love of hisotry and books. An internationally published author, Chris has traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Near East, and North Africa satisfying her need to visit the places she read about. Having spent a great deal of time in England and Turkey, she has used her love of both places as settings for her books. "Heroes Live Forever," which is her debut book, is set in England as is the sequel, "Journey in Time," the third is "Knight Blindness." They are part of her Knights in Time series. All three are available as a boxed set on Kindle. She is currently working on the fourth in the "Knights in Time," series. "Golden Chariot," is set in Turkey and the sequel, "Byzantine Gold" is set Turkey, Paris and Cyprus. They are part of her Dangerous Waters series. Her most recent release is called, "Silk" and is book one of a new series, The Bloodstone Series. It is a suspense set in Victorian London. Published by Books to Go Now, her novels are available in digital, ebook, and Android App. and in paperback. "Heroes Live Forever" is also in audio format. A Chicago native, Chris has lived in Paris and Los Angeles and now resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and four rescue dogs. A city girl all her life, living in a small village on a bay was a interesting adjustment. She'd never lived anywhere so quiet at night and traffic wasn't bumper to bumper 24/7. Some of Chris's favorite authors are: Michael Connolly, John Sandford, Joseph Wambaugh, Stephen Coonts, Bernard Cornwell, Julia Quinn, Julie Anne Long, Deanna Raybourne and Steve Berry.

Book preview

Excerpt from The Ack-Ack Girl

Ava put her new uniform bits away. Someone had left a flyer for a pub called the Two Roses in her stand. Skimming it as she headed toward the mess she ran into a solid body.

Have a care, watch where you walk. You nearly trod on my foot.

Startled, Ava looked up into a square-jawed, dark-haired pilot with a dimpled chin, who could pass for Cary Grant’s younger brother. Distracted, apologizing escaped her.

I’d say I accept your apology had I received one.

Sorry, I was reading this flyer.

He eyed her up and down. You’re part of the new anti-aircraft branch of the ATS.

I am.

He eyed the length of her again but this time a snort accompanied his comment. I hope you can see planes better than tall men inches from you.

The cheek of the man! She wasn’t about to let that comment slide. Had you considered stepping out of the way when you saw me coming?

No, why should I? I was in this spot first. You’re lucky I don’t ask the captain to have your lot stop to salute us.

What cheek. Pardon me, I’m hungry and you’re boring. Ava tucked the flyer into her jacket pocket and whispered, Wanker as she pushed past.

The wanker hummed White Cliffs of Dover and got in line behind her.

.

Copyright

The Ack-Ack Girl

Copyright © Chris Karlsen

Books to Go Now

http://www.bookstogonow.com

Cover Design by Romance Novel Covers Now

http://www.romancenovelcoversnow.com/

For information on the cover illustration and design, contact [e-mail]

First eBook Edition January 2021

Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.

Other Books by Chris Karlsen

Love and War Series

Moonlight Serenade

Coming Soon – Broken Faces

The Bloodstone Series

Venomous Love

Snifter of Death

Silk

Choosing Heart or Home

Knights in Time Series

Heroes Live Forever

Journey in Time

Knight Blindness

In Time for You

Dangerous Waters Series

Golden Chariot

Byzantine Gold

Visit Chris at her website

www.chriskarlsen.com

BOOKS AVAILABLE IN EBOOK, PAPERBACK, AUDIOBOOK, and FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDITIONS

Chapter One

London-October 1940

Ava’s blood froze in her veins at the growing roar, or so it felt. Her heart pounded in her ears. The hammering hardly noticeable against the raw fear that filled her as the air raid siren wailed.

Which direction were the planes coming from?

She resisted the temptation to sneak a peek behind the blackout shades. An air raid warden would no doubt catch her and bark out a stern warning.

Ava grabbed Peaches, the Gordon’s hairy little dog as everyone waited for Mr. Gordon. Her friend’s father hurriedly lit two kerosene lamps he kept handy for air raids, just in case Hitler attacked London, like he threatened. Mr. Gordon carried one and led while Ava’s friend, Penny, helped her elderly gran down the basement stairs. Mrs. Gordon carried the second lamp and Ava followed close behind.

In the basement everyone sat on the floor, their backs pressed to the wall. No one spoke. Everyone held hands. In the flickering lamplight, Penny had grasped Ava’s. Peaches hunkered down between them.

And they waited.

The first explosion sounded from across the river, many blocks away. Ava closed her eyes and whispered, Thank you. A wave of guilt hit her. Part of the city was destroyed. Londoners were dying while she gave thanks. But she was grateful.

The ack-ack-ack sound of the anti-aircraft rounds cut the air and joined the warning wail.

Come on, lads, blast those bloody Huns from the sky, Mr. Gordon said.

Closer now, another barrage of anti-aircraft bursts rang out as the deep rumble from the German planes came their way. Ava and the Gordon family instinctively tightened their grips on each other’s hands.

Miss us, please miss, please miss... Ava repeated.

The roar of the Messerschmitts was overhead now. The bombers growled like gigantic, angry bears. Grandma Gordon fingered the imaginary beads of a rosary as she recited a Hail Mary.

At the first whistle of falling bombs, Ava pulled Peaches to her and cradled the trembling dog. Without thinking, she curled her legs up, buried her head between them, and covered her head with her arms.

The worst thunder clap times a million, that’s how Ava remembered the noise just before the bricks crashed around her. It sounded like the end of the world.

In a way it was.

Ava wiped dirt and dust from her face and eyes. Behind a curtain of filthy air, the faint light from one of the lanterns shone. Penny? Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Gordon? Is everyone all right? she asked, struggling to see through the haze thick with brick, wood, and roof particles.

The German bomb had exploded down the alley behind the Gordon’s townhome, but bringing down the walls.

Peaches shook a layer of dirt from her coat, wriggled from Ava’s grasp and scurried to Mrs. Gordon.

I’m all right. Penny coughed and waved at the dusty air.

Her parents chimed in at the same time. We’re fine.

Penny’s grandmother moaned, My leg. I think my leg is broken. It’s caught under a pile of stone.

Mr. Gordon moved to where his mother-in-law lay trapped. Judith, help me get these bricks off your mum.

Yes, yes, of course.

Penny, can you and Ava work your way through the rubble and get outside to the street? Mr. Gordon asked. Find an ambulance or stretcher bearers. Tell them Gran has a broken leg.

We’ll do our best, Penny told him.

Ava worried they’d fail, fail to find help soon enough. If Gran’s leg was broken, by the time first aid arrived, the delay might result in the loss of her leg.

Careful of nails and glass shards, Ava reminded Penny, Don’t set your hands down too firmly on anything.

I know.

Ava turned her face to the side to avoid dirt falling into her eyes, and testing her footing, she climbed hand over hand. She guessed the basement was ten feet down from the main floor and raised her head after every few steps to see how much farther to the street.

Damnation, every other brick I lay my hands on comes loose and tumbles away, Penny said.

The pile of bricks from the street side wall had come down and landed in a slope. Try over here. I have a bit of incline to work off of.

Penny edged over to where Ava climbed and after an arduous effort, they finally reached the street level.

Lord have mercy, Ava said. All around them fires burned. Not just the neighborhood, but the city as far as she could see had an orange-red glow from a hundred fires. The Germans had turned the city into the hell the vicar preached about.

Beside her Penny cried, Our home. Everything is gone. It’s all gone.

Ava turned. Only a few feet of brick walls still stood. The rest was a heap of more bricks, sections of floral papered interior walls, broken window frames and shattered glass. She wrapped her arms around her quietly weeping friend. I’m so, so sorry.

What do the damn Germans want? Wasn’t one war enough for them?

Apparently not.

A water truck from the local fire brigade had come as far as possible in the obstacle-filled street. Two firemen had hoses extended to the maximum. The flames from the burning skeletal remains of a nearby rooming house shot high. A mix of ash and embers filled the air about the building.

Ava approached a fireman watchful not to get too close to the swirling embers. Was the whole city bombed?

Without looking away from the building, the fireman told her, Air warden said, only us and Lambeth district but the devils will be back.

If London fell, the Germans would invade England like they had Poland and Paris. A new panic surged through Ava, panic that sparked every cell of her body with fear. What would happen to the English if they were invaded? How many would be slaughtered as the Nazis blanketed the country? She’d heard about the killings and starvation in Poland and enslavement in Norway.

Another fire flared from the building next to the former rooming house and shook Ava out her chilling thoughts. 

She and Penny stayed to the middle of the road, keeping away from the destruction and damaged buildings. We need an ambulance or stretcher bearers, Penny told one of the firemen, her voice catching. She pointed to her fallen home. Our house is destroyed and my gran’s leg is trapped and maybe broken. Where’s the closest ambulance?

Can’t say for sure, Miss. The last few I saw were several blocks from here. A row of buildings was lost. There might be some stretcher men at St. Agnes. They’ve set up a triage area in their carpark. I’ve no idea when they’ll get this way.

A loud boom and a wave of intense heat passed over Ava as the building’s boiler blew. The fireman redirected his water cannon to the new flare up. He crushed a toy under his boot as he repositioned himself.

Ava picked up the soot-covered stuffed bear. Did the people in the rooming house get out?

Do you see folks standing around?

She shook her head.

There you go. We’re just trying to keep the whole of London from burning to the ground.

Ava blinked away tears. No time for sorrow. If she had to carry the stretcher herself, she’d help Penny find a medic. Which way is St. Agnes?

Penny pointed. That way.

Let’s go.

ST. AGNES CARPARK

Emergency Services had run out of empty cots. Those injured who were able to sit up shared a narrow cot with as many others as would fit. Nurses placed cotton sheets and towels on the ground as more injured arrived.

Four ambulance drivers arrived in pairs. Each twosome carried the injured on black chain-link stretchers.

Is that fencing? Ava asked.

Are there no more stretchers anywhere to be found? Penny asked one stretcher bearer.

We’ve ripped down all the fencing from the gardens in a six-block area. What do you think? The bearers laid a man whose shirt was drenched in blood and face a mass of bloody scrapes.

The other set of drivers carried a moaning woman who held her hand to one shoulder. A barefoot little girl about five in bunny print pajamas trailed behind them.

Is my mommy going to be all right? she asked more than once but the drivers didn’t answer. Where’s my daddy?

Finally, a driver replied. Your dad is over there, little one. He gestured to the blood-soaked man they’d just brought in and set down on the side of the carpark. You should stay by your mum’s side now.

The woman held out her free hand. Wendy, come here, sweetie.

There were more than a dozen men, women, and children who’d been placed on the far side of the lot with no nurses treating them.

They all look seriously injured. Shouldn’t a nurse or doctor come over and see to them? Ava asked, scanning the group.

One of the ambulance drivers bent close so the victims wouldn’t hear and said, The nurses and doctors treat those who stand a chance of surviving first.

What a terrible choice to have to make, Ava said and doubted she had the fortitude to make such a decision.

War makes gods and devils of us all. The driver and his partner lifted the child’s mother off the fence onto the ground. They each took an end of the fence and started to walk away.

Penny grabbed the arm of one driver. Wait, we need that stretcher. Our house was hit and my gran is trapped under the rubble. Her leg might be broken.

Sorry but we can’t help you right now. The air warden needs us to return to the Aldwych tube station. A group of bus passengers trying to get into the station ahead of the bombs leapt from it while it was still moving. The Germans missed them, but they suffered several broken bones in the rush.

What about her gran’s broken leg? Ava asked. She’s elderly and suffering.

The driver gave a heavy sigh. Where’s your house?

Arundel Street, please say you’ll come, Penny begged.

We’ll try but it will be at least two hours.

Two hours..., Ava worried that Penny’s gran might have internal bleeding and an hour would be the death of her. Surely, you can come sooner.

We can only carry one person at a time and the warden spoke to us first.

Ava indicated the other two drivers. You’ve a second unit of men.

They’re reassigned to a different neighborhood that was hit. We can’t stay here arguing. Tell us the address and we’ll come when we’re able.

We’re at number six, what’s left of it. If it helps, we’re the second house from the west corner of Howard Street, Penny told him.

Is there a bit of fencing you’re not using? Ava asked.

There’s a gate we set aside by the rubbish bin by the rectory’s back door. Be advised, it has several broken links. We didn’t use it because we weren’t sure of the sturdiness.

Ava turned to Penny. We either wait the two hours or risk using the gate. Do you think we can carry your gran, with your father’s help?

We’ll do it. We have to so we will.

As Penny started toward the bin, Ava said, I’ll catch up.

Ava quickly removed her shoes and the socks she always wore with her loafers. She gave them a shake and tapped the sooty bear she still held against her leg. She went over to the little girl who lay curled next to her mum on the ground. I heard your mum call you Wendy. The child nodded.

Sit up, Wendy, while the lady is talking to you, her mother said.

The child sat up but stayed pressed to her mother.

Ava held her socks out. These are too big but will keep your feet warm.

Wendy glanced back at her mother who told her, It’s all right, sweetie. The lady is helping you.

Ava knelt and brushed off the bottom of the girl’s feet to make sure she hadn’t stepped in anything that might be harmful. Her feet were too black to tell from looking. After brushing off the loose dirt, Ava put her socks on for her.

Wendy watched the process with wide, fearful eyes, glancing back at her mother every few seconds.

When she finished, Ava handed the child the bear. He’s a bit mussed but I’m sure he’d want to cuddle with you.

Wendy took the bear and immediately lay down next to her mother again with the bear cradled to her chest.

The woman said, Thank you.

You’re welcome.

Miss? Do you think we’ll make it? the mother asked.

I can’t speak to your injuries. I’m not a nurse.

I don’t mean Wendy and me. I mean England.

Ava gazed over the landscape of the neighborhoods in her sight. The glow of the fires seemed to burn brighter. She turned back to the woman. Yes. We have to. I have to go now. Best of luck to you and Wendy.

Ava sprinted toward the rectory to catch up with Penny.

When she reached the rectory, Penny was inspecting the broken links. How bad is it?

Penny pushed down on the mesh, which gave several inches. Dare we?

Do we have a choice?

No, we have to try. It’s heaviest at the top where the wrought iron trim is. I will take that end for the first few blocks and then we can switch off, Penny suggested.

Ava didn’t find the gate nearly as heavy as it was awkward to maneuver through the remains of buildings. When they could they walked on the street and not where the buildings had fallen. Streets were filled with broken pavement and debris but it mostly bricks. The sites where homes and shops had stood were littered with shattered glass, wood framing and exposed nails.

When they finally reached the Gordon’s home, Penny’s gran had been freed. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon had wiped off most of the dirt from her leg. Discolorations from future bruises had formed and were the worst along her shin. The only swelling Ava saw was around her ankle.

Is Gran’s leg broken? Penny asked as she and Ava set the gate close down.

She doesn’t think so but we suspect her ankle might be, Judith Gordon said.

Sorry, we tried to get a stretcher bearer or ambulance crew to come with us but they’re swamped with injuries. The crews were using chain link garden fences to transport patients. We managed to scavenge this gate. Dad, if you will take the heavy iron top, Ava and I can carry the other end.

Of course, good thinking, you two. We’ll make do somehow. The three of us can be a well-oiled machine of human ingenuity when the chips are down. Mr. Gordon clambered over to where his mother-in-law lay.

With Trevor, Penny, and Ava accompanying you, I don’t think I’m needed. Unless you really want me to come, Mum, I’d rather stay here and continue searching for what we can save.

Penny’s gran put her hand out toward her daughter, who took it. You’re right to stay. The girls and Trev are more than enough support. It’s not a mortal wound. I’m not on my deathbed. It just hurts and will be dreadfully inconvenient.

AVA, PENNY, AND TREVOR Gordon waited by Gran’s gate. After about ten minutes a young woman wearing a nurse’s white apron with trainee embroidered on it came over. Next to her designation and from the chest down her apron was covered in blood smears and dirt. One of her thick stockings had a tear at the knee and her hair sprung out in all directions from under her cap.

She’d brought a small medical bag with her and after talking with Penny’s gran, she examined the injured ankle. It doesn’t feel like a serious fracture. That’s good. She pulled two dowels from her bag, made a tidy splint wrapped with gauze bandage. You said you didn’t believe you were hurt elsewhere, but I’ll do a quick exam, just in case.

When she finished, she asked an aide to find crutches. The aide returned with one. This is all the supply nurse could spare.

We’ll make do, Mr. Gordon said and took the crutch.

Gran tucked the crutch into the pit of her arm, wincing as she pressed her weight on hard wood.

Give me the crutch, Cornelia. Let me fashion a pad for you. Trevor unbuttoned and removed his sweater vest. He folded it into a bundle and placed the thickest part of the material on the crutch crossbar. Hold this in place, he told Penny. Then he looped the bottom corners where the buttons ended and tied them together to keep the padding from slipping. 

Gran positioned the crutch so the heaviest part of the wool vest was under the center of her arm. She leaned her weight on it, smiled, and rose on her toes and gave him a buss on the cheek. You’re a good man, Trevor.

As they inched their way back to his former home, Mr. Gordon said, Tomorrow morning we’ll have to go to the Ministry of Food first thing and replace our ration books. Ava, did you have yours with you?

Fortunately, I left it at my bedsit.

Tonight doesn’t matter, what with salvaging all we can but where will we sleep tomorrow and afterward? Penny asked.

I can’t afford to put us up in a hotel. I don’t know if the bank survived and I still have a job. If it didn’t, I won’t have any income, Trevor told her.

Ava watched as that reality was reflected in Mr. Gordon’s face. He’d aged years. Every crinkle by his eyes that showed when he smiled now looked deep-set and permanent. Lines on his forehead and furrowed brow joined the crinkle lines. What a nightmare for the family, their whole world gone in a flash.

The only option I see is for us to sleep in the tube stations like others are doing. Folks have set up housekeeping in Piccadilly and Aldwych ones, they say, Mr. Gordon added.

No, you don’t have to resort to sleeping on the train platforms. I won’t hear of it, Ava told him. "You’re all welcome to stay at my Mum’s. Since I’m living in Coventry, her cottage has a spare bedroom. We can also fix the sofa with bedding. Penny and I