It’s 1941 and the German war machine has defeated all of Europe except England. In an effort to force a surrender, the German Luftwaffe is bombing villages and cities 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. Teams of courageous young women will now fight in anti-aircraft stations. Excited to be part of the effort, Ava Armstrong has volunteered 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 the highly decorated and handsome Royal Airforce pilot, Chris Fairfield.
Excerpt
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.
“Lieutenant Fairfield, it’s good to see you here. Finally on the mend?” the blonde, ATS corporal serving the food asked the wanker in a sugary voice.
“I still have the tail-end of the nasty pneumonia cough hanging on, but I believe I’ll be ready to return to my squadron this week.”
“We might see you around before then. When we have a bit of time to ourselves, my friends and I go for a pint at the Two Roses pub in the village. Come by and I’ll buy you a pint.”
“If they don’t send me off the same day as my orders come through, I’ll do that but I’ll buy.”
Ava made a note to ask what village they were near. No one had indicated so far and she was curious. She didn’t dare ask in front of the arrogant wanker Fairfield. He already thought her a clumsy goose. No need letting him think she was lost too.
She moved down the food line, pausing for a second trying to decide if she wanted the soupy mashed potatoes. Then a long, blue wool uniformed arm reached over her to take a roll, his tray clinking against hers.
“Excuse my reach but you’re taking too long and I’m ravenous.”
“You really are a wanker.”
“You wound me.” He pressed his hand to his chest. “At least I’m not a dawdler.”
He walked away with his roll before she could offer a comeback.
About the Author
I was raised in Chicago. My father, a history professor, and my mother, a voracious reader passed on a love of history and books along with a love of travel. My husband and I retired to the Pacific Northwest where we live with four crazy rescue dogs.
I am a retired police detective. After twenty-five years in law enforcement I decided to pursue my dream of writing. I’ve completed a historical-time travel romance series called Knights in Time. I currently write a historical suspense called The Bloodstone Series.
I am also working on a World War Two series of novella romances.
Author Links
https://twitter.com/chriskarlsen1?lang=en
https://www.instagram.com/chriskarlsenwriter/?hl=en
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4822048.Chris_Karlsen
https://www.pinterest.com/chriskarlsen/_saved/
Buy Links
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VDSQGDM/
https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-ack-ack-girl/id1554149585
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ack-ack-girl-chris-karlsen/1138717450
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-ack-ack-girl
https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-ack-ack-girl/9781393715412-item.html
Chris Karlsen will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
14 comments:
Thanks for hosting!
Hello, Chris!
Welcome to Beyond Romance. This sounds like a rollicking good story. I really like the snarky dialogue in the excerpt - very much fits my view of the time and place.
I hope your tour goes really well.
Cool setting and already feeling suspense building! reneela2000(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds like a very good book.
Hello Chris. My dad was in the RAF and I love reading books that are in the air force.
I want to thank Beyond Romance for this opportunity to feature my new book.
Chris K.
Hi Lisabet,
I had fun with the story and always like to include some snark or quick come-backs from the characters.
Chris
Hi Aerokorngal,
I tried hard to include not just suspense but the feel of what the war was like for the characters. I wanted to bring the time and situation to life for the reader.
Chris K.
Thank you, Sherry.
Chris K.
Hi Kathleen,
I imagine your dad has a ton of good stories to tell from his time in the RAF. You Tube had numerous interviews with RAF pilots who flew in WW2 and it was fascinating to listen to them talk of their experiences.
Chris K.
Sounds really good! Looking forward to reading!
Thank you, Maryann. I hope you enjoy the story. I had fun writing it.
Chris K.
The book sounds fantastic! I have it on my reading list, now.
Oh! Sounds like and interesting book.
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