Fantasy and Supernatural Novels by B.B. Walter
Novels, Literature, Poetry...Welcome to My Worlds.
Great Book Blurb
B.B. Walter uses imagery as if one has studied the art of
fantasy for years upon end. If this is B.B.'s debut piece, one
can't help but wonder what else is in store for future readers.
~Jeffrey Miller; Miller Reviews
5-Star Review
Another Great Review
Sister Light by B.B. Walter takes us into the realm of fantasy, where the reader is immediately engaged by the near-poetic rich descriptions of characters. The mood and aura of this work is evoked through careful word choice, that fills the senses - for example: " listening to the lap of the water against the aged stone... soon followed by mention of "the salty breeze..." The visual, sound, and smell all work to create both an image of, and a sense of being in caverns by the sea. While thorough, the descriptions in no way slow the action. A creation myth, unique but also familiar, provides the backdrop for this tale.
Intrigue builds as a result of the prophecy offered at the start. The reader feels a certain association with the community, becomes attached, only to grow ever more terrified of what may await them in the shadows. For evil exists in this story, an evil that pervades the community as the story continues, with a threat that becomes more detailed and more horrific as the story progresses. From
feasts to war, this fantasy takes one from seaside to galloping horses, from the intrigues within a royal court to the terrors from creatures unhuman. This fantasy truly creates its own realm; readers will share thrills, terror, and joys...Sister Light by B.B. Walter is due to be released soon: look for it at Amazon.com & Barnes&Noble online.
Review by Nancy G, Favorites Book Club
5-Star Review
This book is a wonderful story It grabbed me and held on all the way till the end and left me wanting more. Brilliantly written and full of real life situations, astounding, remarkable, marvelous, incredible, wonderful, and amazing, it is a must read. This novel has a wonderful plot and very unique in detail. I would not be surprised if this tale became top of the bestseller list. This author has an amazing way of telling a story and it is one of a kind. Don't miss out on this wonderful Sister Light and add it to your collection today. This is a five out of five star book.
Tabitha Robin; Ghostwriter Reviews
Anonymous 5-Star Review
A reviewer, a discriminating reader, 02/14/2008
Sister Light is aimed at intelligent readers who want something that has all the rumor of a classic but also an unrefined real-world depth. Walter opens her dark fantasy, Sister Light: Book One: Of Shadows, with a prophecy: “Beware the child with the pale blue eyes.” From there she takes you on a compelling journey through the fantastical alternate world terrorized by the blood thirsty Kijack. The Kijack are bird like creatures with no conscience and a passion for torture. As such, an imminent sense of danger looms over the characters throughout the entire book. The author inextricably weds the characters to the land from which gave them life. She plays with the eeriness of a beleaguered homeland scattered with defenseless villages and wavering kingdoms. Loosely woven initially, Sister Light finds its voice as the story progresses. This author defies convention by shocking the reader with disturbing imagery and gothic vengeance. The divided provinces in this fabricated old world domain reach out beyond the pages to lure the reader within. I was captivated throughout the story due to the nonstop intensity and visual strength. There's a quality to Walter’s storytelling that makes this novel very much like a disturbing fable. The story progresses with a glimpse into the sinister and ominous sovereigns where the enemies are plotting against the kingdom. There is no neat and tidy ending to this book. It openly entices the reader to continue the journey into the next book. I look forward to, not only seeing how the author hones her literary skills, but also to find out how it all turns out. Sister Light: Book One: Of Shadows is a must read for those who love a good fantasy with all the trappings of a gothic world full of turmoil, intimacy and horror. This is a Five-Star Book.
5-Star Review
Terry
Illinois/USA (1/20/2008)
| The first published novel by B. B. Walter is an exciting flight into imagination. Each page is full of mind-coloring scenes that allows the reader to fully envision the tale. Sister Light brings a story of inner conflict set in a world about to go to battle itself. The two struggles are paired to evolve all of the characters at their needed time. Walter has, with Sister Light, brought back a long missing aspect to fantasy writing...the author's view of their perfect realm. Her matriarchal domain shows the reader a world where equality of the sexes is at its highest degree, in love and war. |
Reader Blurb of Sister Light
Michelle Illinois (12/31/2007)
| This is an amazingly written book. Great plot with a very vivid writer. |
Five Star Review From Fellow Author
B.B Walter’s debut novel Sister Light is an exquisitely written and refreshingly brilliant fantasy novel. The novel features a malicious race of creatures known as the “Kijacks,” who are determined to destroy the convent of Sisters. The prelude of the novel is exciting and sets the stage for an adventurous story. The central character, Rose, is a girl from an orphanage who is captured by the Kijacks and later experiences tormenting dreams and visions of her beloved Hathu. Rose’s visions of the Kijack play an emphatic role in Rose’s relationship to the convent of Sisters, the kingdom of Lord Constantine , and the looming battle between the forces of good and evil. The romance between Rose and David lightens the tone and provides a satisfying emotional undercurrent that makes you feel for these characters. As the plot winds down to the conclusion, the reader feels a high sense of anticipation for what is to come. The lack of climax leaves you wanting to read the next exciting chapter in this trilogy. I was thoroughly impressed with B.B Walter’s writing style as it blends simplicity and sophistication and exudes creative passion. The portrayals of the different strata of society are well-thought out and a joy to read. Walter portrays the kingdom with vivid detail and psychological acuity. This novel exceeded my expectations and you will be surprised that this is only her first novel. It will appeal even to readers who do not normally read fantasy. (5 stars)
(Review by: Dino Komborozos - Author of Tempus Fugit)
New 5 Star Review
Title: Sister Light Book One: Of Shadows
Author: B.B. Walter
Genre: Fantasy/ Thriller
Length: 180 pages
The book entitled “Sister Light Book One: of Shadows” written by the up and coming popular author, B. B. Walter is one of the most intriguing books I have read in a very long time. The way the author has weaved this amazing tale of fantasy is a feat not known by many. This tale keeps the reader wanting and needing to know more. “Sister Light Book One: of Shadows” is novel that a reader will not be able to put down until reaching the final page. This is a book that I definitely will be recommending to my friends and family.
I rate this book ***** stars.
Review by: Darcy J. Busch
Date: May 30, 2008
A Marketing Manager Five Star Review on Barnes & Noble
T. Hills, A reviewer and book marketer, 08/21/2008
As the first novel of the Book One: Of Shadows series 'as well as B. B. Walter's first tome',this new adventure entices the reader into a world of danger and secrets from the very first page. The characters are vivid and wonderfully brought to life in the readers mind by the authors writing style. All of the events, both the light-hearted and the 'dark', are weaved into a most intriguing tapestery of words. Walter has created realm to equal Margaret Weis or R. A. Salvatore. This book leaves the reader captivated, wanting to know the mysteries yet to be revealed until Book Two.
Reader Review on Unlimited Ireland Book Site
Sister Light B.B. Walter leaves the reader tantalized by vivid prose and gripped in mystery and fantasy. When an author writes, you should feel like the lines between realty and fantasy blur; with this book, you feel forget there were ever lines at all! When it ended, I was yearning for the next book in the series!
(The Reader gave Sister Light Five **** Stars)
4-Star Review
Author: BBWalter
Excitement and drama abound in this delightful tale of fantasy. The lords and ladies in this story are challenging to each other. Definitely has an antagonist and protagonist and very well written to know who they are. Concubines and slaves, Kijacks and other characters picturesquely described relate a tale of intrigue as woven tales of warring nations and fantastical prophecies come to light. The story line seemed to be unmet in its ending. The explanation of each character was written quite nicely. Rose tends to have the most important role throughout this story. Her powers seem to be in the forefront at the beginning of the story but it seems as though she doesn’t use them again in all the sagas she is presented with. The beginning told of a prophesied coming. Fantastic description of the two characters in the beginning although they never seem to be explained further into the book.
The aspirations of the characters are very well written. The plotting of the various characters is very well done. The detail is enough to provide many wonderful pictures in your mind. The antagonist and protagonist are dutifully noted. There are many exciting characters; although there did not seem to be an extremely notable climax to this story. The book has a recognizable them and plot, yet left me hanging in the end. I wanted to know more about what this story actually is about.
Reviewer: Anastasia
4-Star Review
In B.B. Walter’s debut novel, a prophecy is revealed, mystics abound and journeys are tread in a war-torn medieval-like world. The book is a new, lurid take on dark fantasy, aimed at intelligent readers who want something that has all the rumor of a classic but also an unrefined real-world depth.
Walter opens her dark fantasy, Sister Light: Book One: Of Shadows, with a prophecy: “Beware the child with the pale blue eyes.” From there she takes you on a compelling journey through the fantastical alternate world terrorized by the blood thirsty Kijack. The Kijack are bird like creatures with no conscience and a passion for torture. As such, an imminent sense of danger looms over the characters throughout the entire book.
The tale follows Rose, a former Sister of Light who can summon lightening at will. We accompany Rose along her predestined path, one that even she is unaware of. As the story develops, we understand a little more of what motivates our heroine. Rose, surprised at her feelings, is haunted by her past. Rose’s fear of intimacy is clouded by her flashbacks of being witness to the rape and torture of her fellow Sister of Light. She is willful and intelligent but emotionally vulnerable due to these deep-rooted traumas which plague her dreams.
The supporting character is David, an heir to his father’s dynasty. That is until his sister turns of age in this matriarchal society where the female inherits the titles. David is betrothed to Lady Timera of Mervar, due to his father’s arrangement between noble houses. David rescues Rose from certain death after a Kijack attack. He becomes her devoted caregiver where he ultimately becomes attached to the mysterious yet vulnerable Rose.
The author inextricably weds the characters to the land from which gave them life. She plays with the eeriness of a beleaguered homeland scattered with defenseless villages and wavering kingdoms.
Loosely woven initially, Sister Light finds its voice as the story progresses. As a new writer, Walter demonstrates her literary potential fluently with her enduring style.
Her ample use of superlatives can be forgiven by the fact that much of the language is invented jargon exclusive to her world. This author defies convention by shocking the reader with disturbing imagery and gothic vengeance. The divided provinces in this fabricated old world domain reach out beyond the pages to lure the reader within.
I was captivated throughout the story due to the nonstop intensity and visual strength. There's a quality to Walter’s storytelling that makes this novel very much like a disturbing fable.
The story progresses with a glimpse into the sinister and ominous sovereigns where the enemies are plotting against the kingdom. There is no neat and tidy ending to this book. It openly entices the reader to continue the journey into the next book. I look forward to, not only seeing how the author hones her literary skills, but also to find out how it all turns out.
Sister Light: Book One: Of Shadows is a must read for those who love a good fantasy with all the trappings of a gothic world full of turmoil, intimacy and horror.
By P.M. Russell, author of The Wormhole Adventures: Travel Is Relative
Another Rave Review
“Fantasy With Plenty of New and Different Twists”
Sister Light, Book One: Of Shadows
By: B.B. Walter
Reviewed by: Stephanie Johnson
Rose, orphaned since birth and alone after a terrible raid on the convent in which she was raised, finds she is unable to control her deadly gift as rage and fury overtake her. After a retaliation against the Kijack—the horrid creatures responsible for the raid—she finds herself in the care of a young nobleman, David of Constantine. David, who is betrothed to another woman takes pity on Rose and wants to help her at all cost, even if it is against the wishes of his fiancé.
Now the Kijack are mounting a full scale invasion of the kingdom. A war is beginning and David, Rose, and many others find themselves being drawn into battle.
Sister Light is a fantasy with plenty of new and different twists. It is a refreshing change of pace filled with action, adventure, romance, and revenge. Any fantasy reader will enjoy this story. The end leaves the reader with anticipation, hoping that book two will not be too long in coming.
Review for Sister Light from Fellow Fantasy Author
Review for Sister Light, Book One: Of Shadows
By B.B. Walter
Born to a Seer and an unknown stranger, Rose is raised by Sister Hathu at one of the convents scattered throughout the land of Marre. The unusual girl grows to womanhood believing that Sister Hathu is her mother. Rose’s dark emotions mysteriously summon the power of thunderstorms. She struggles to keep her secret in check until that fateful day when Kijack, cruel bird-like creatures, descend upon the convent. Demanding women to inter-breed with, Sister Hathu is chosen to meet with the raiders. The Kijack take her prisoner, raping and torturing the Sister mercilessly. Under cover of darkness, Rose tries to save her but sees first hand the viciousness with which the Kijack have assaulted her.
Rose is numbed and haunted by Sister Hathu’s horrible ordeal and is easily captured by the invaders. The Kijack experience her wrath as she summons the power of lightning, incinerating every single one of them.
The Kijack have infiltrated many areas of the land of Marre, so much so that Queen Olivia is forced to call on all the Houses to supply soldiers to battle the cruel creatures.
David, heir to Constantine Hold heads to Mervar from where his fiancee, Lady Timera hails. Along the way David stumbles upon Rose who is nearly buried beneath a pile of scorched Kijack bodies. He pulls the nearly dead woman out and brings her along, tending to her sickness. David slowly falls in love with Rose, much to Lady Timera’s resentment.
Book one ends with the gathering of soldiers from the different Houses in the land and the affirmation of the love between David and Rose.
The meeting with the Seer and the stranger sets the tone for the rest of the book. The story is told through the characters and their responses to each other and the Kijack’s progression through the land. Ms. Walter’s characters convey their own brand of darkness including unrestrained personal violence, undertones of pedophilia and intense sadistic cruelty brought on by the Kijack. The action swings back and forth through the characters, taking the reader from one part of Marre to the other. The author inserts a matriarchal society into the story, one where the rights to the thrones are passed down through the females. Ms. Walter places a strong emphasis on the Sisters, whose sage advice and counsel the Houses scattered throughout Marre revere.
Sister Light, Book One: Of Shadows mixes internal conflicts and raw emotions with the external threat of an impending assault by the Kijack. Which one will prevail?
Patricia Perry- Author
Quest for the Source of Darkness
The Fortress of Darkness
Newspaper Article
A Mattoon woman who grew up in Vincennes, Ind., recently published her first fantasy-supernatural book, titled “Sister Light Book One: Of Shadows.”
The 177-page paperback book, the first of a series of three planned by Billie Bookwalter, was published by PublishAmerica and released on Oct. 15.
The book may be ordered for $19.95 at www.publishamerica.com, www.amazon.com, www.booksamillion.com and www.barnesandnoble.com. After Dec. 17 it may be purchased from the shelves at Barnes & Noble book stores.
The author’s real name is Billie Bookwalter, but she uses the pen name, B.B. Walter.
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Upon meeting her husband, Zachary, she moved to Illinois and about a year later began working on “Sister Light.”She’s completed several novels to date, but “Sister Light” is her first published work.
Bookwalter, 26, said she plans to continue writing the “Of Shadows” series and hopes that someday she can make writing a full-time career.
Planned are the sequel to “Sister Light,” which is to be called “Sister Dark,” and the final book in the three-part series, “Shades of Gray.”
“Sister Light” is centered in a realm war-torn and ravaged by pitiless creatures. Rose must confront her past to decide how to use her extraordinary abilities. David, a young lord torn between duty and want, must find a balance in a world turned upside down, according to a press release.
Bookwalter said the book came together over time, but she initially began writing it in late 2000.
“Between working and everything, I got sidetracked, and went back to it later. I spent a year, or almost two, brainstorming and talking to others about what people like and don’t like to read,” she said.
Since about the sixth grade, Bookwalter said she has felt the calling to be a writer.
“I dabbled in writing short stories in sixth grade. I mostly worked on poetry,” she said.
“Once I saw I had some talent and was recognized for my writing — about in the eighth grade — since then, I’ve wanted to make this a full-time career.”
Bookwalter has several other works in the process. She’s written two modern-day supernatural-style books she hopes to get published, and is working on writing a third one.
She also is writing a children’s book, which she hopes to someday get published.
“My dream was to be published by age 30. I dedicate this book to all the dreamers. It can be done,” she said.
She and her husband and their two dogs reside in Mattoon.
For more information, visit: http://www.freewebs.com/bbwalter.
Contact Dawn Schabbing at dschabbing@jg-tc.com or 238-6864
B.B. Walter Interview Spot November 2007
BBW: This is easy. Poetry allowed me the earliest form of expression. My brain couldn't fathom writing an entire novel, though I did make a few attempts (wow! are those bad, too!) and my writing was still too immature to try for the serious nature of novels, but poetry allowed me to be expressive and brief. Poetry just seemed to flow for me as a teen, but as I've matured, my worlds seem far less constricted and it's easier to "fall down the rabbit hole" now. Plus, my imagination has grown as I have. I still dabble with poetry from time to time but really, I don't have the need to use it to express myself like I did then.
BBW: Yes, I am working on multiple projects. At first, I solely worked on Sister Light but as editing for the book started, I realized it was too much to put in one novel and started removing chapters. I realized those needed to go into the second book.
As for finishing one before starting another...well, I've always tried to explain my writing simply, and that is that I don't write my novels, they write me. I can be driving along in my car and suddenly an image will blur over into reality, sort of like a negative overlaid on the real world. My brain automatically begins "writing" what I see, taking dialogue and scene in. It's very hard for me to dictate to a story wanting to be written that I'm not going to do it, so I don't even try anymore. Often times the story only wants a piece written and is content to simmer while I work on other projects. Sometimes I use a tidbit of a story as a kind of mental un-damning when I have writer's block on another project. It allows me to refocus and stop concentrating so hard. That's when the worlds become the easiest - when I stop thinking about them.
CB: What are your feelings on time and work involved between writing a book and promoting it?
BBW: Different projects require different writing times. The Of Shadows trilogy has taken infinitely longer to write then my Abigail St. Michaels series. I spend a lot of time daydreaming about my worlds. That is, I think about the WHOLE world, not just the parts going into the story itself. It helps me make the world as complete as possible.
BBW: I've always loved the era and been fascinated by the clothes, music, and general way of life, but truthfully it was my husband's ultimate choice. I asked him what he wanted to wear for the wedding, so he could be comfortable, and he told me he wanted a real zoot suit, complete with 13" feather in his hat and patent leather shoes. I felt his suit wouldn't be done justice if we'd done anything else! Also, I'm not a traditional type person, and neither is he, we knew we wanted to do something really outrageous to catch peoples' attentions we just didn't know what until he said what he wanted to wear, then it all clicked!
CB: I have a cousin who lives in Indiana and her daughter’s name is also Billie. Did you or do you now, ever get teased with that name?
CB: Are there any other writers in your family history or are you the first?
BBW: To my knowledge, I'm the first. Several family members are avid readers, and my middle sister, Michelle, is fair at poetry when she needs to be in a card or something, but I don't think any of them have ever tried their hand at writing. Although my thirteen year old niece has become inspired to try here lately, so their may be another one of us yet!
BBW: Ah, full-time! That is my goal to one day allow myself the true time I would like to have to spend on my writing, and to be able to depend on it for security and stability. Until then I just try to balance it with the things I need to do right now. Because all play and no work makes you really boring, they say, and I've always considered my writing as play and not work. Although I guess all play is the ultimate American dream, huh? *smile*
CB: What difficulties did you experience in choosing a publisher to submit to?
BBW: Trying to figure out which ones were legit was hard, but I'll have to admit that I have a whole case full of rejection letters from other publishers over the years. Most authors say that they threw them away but I plan on making them the kindling for a publishing party bonfire once the book is on the market, and since it's fall it’s the perfect time for a bonfire! See, it's all kismet!
CB: Interesting “quote” you have: Just squint your eye and tilt your head. How did that come about?
BBW: Ah, my quote...bunches of people ask me that very question. The answer is...I have no idea how I came up with it. I was talking with a family member one day (actually she was telling some people she knew about her weird sister with all the strange ideas) and I just smarted off when they asked me how I came up with the stuff I wrote. I told them that it wasn't so strange, they could see it too if only they "tilted their head and squinted one eye". I got a strange look from them, but my sister went on to explain that it was all just a matter of perception, and sometimes her little sister's perception was a little "cock-eyed".
CB: Did you have a mentor who encouraged you along the way to not only write, but to publish what you’ve written?
BBW: Mentor? Yes and no. I did not have another person whose passion was writing help me write and get published, but I did have two wonderful sisters that always prodded me along the road to getting published. One sister fed my love of literature and reminded me that it was time for the baby sister to take care of the older sisters, and the other sister found out information about publishing, statistics, facts, and was always there to read anything I needed read. My whole family has always thought me incredibly odd, but they've always supported me in and been proud of my "oddity" and my desire to one day be published.
CB: Who is your most favorite author of all time and why?
B.B. Walter Interview Spot July 2008
(I'm going to include the original questions asked by the interviewer. They were not included in the final version that went into her blogspot. They will be included in ( ), so you know that they are my addition. Thank you.)
B.B. Walter, from Vincennes, Indiana - Currently living: Effingham, Illinois. Writer.
(Have you always written?) - My mother has tons of little short stories and poems that I wrote as a kid. I think I wrote to escape life; the same reason I read. When I was reading I always thought, "Hey, I can make up something like this!". One day, I closed one eye, tilted my head and chose to pick up a pencil and, PRESTO!, the world snapped into focus and I've been all right every since then!
(What do you like to write?) - I'm not opposed to any genre or type of literature. I'm currently working on several genres: fantasy fiction, supernatural fiction and apocolytic fiction. I'm an avid reader. I read anything I can get my hands on, even going so far as to do book reviews for up and coming authors.
(What are you interested in?) - I'm a huge fan of badly sang, but always entertaining!, karaoke and go out for that regularly. And I'm a huge geek; I love old-school gaming: Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying, Shadowrun roleplaying, collectible card games, Warhammer 40K miniature gaming, etc. I'm such a dork! I also collect art. Nothing particular - just whatever strikes my fancy; sometimes that's really elaborate stuff, and others it's framed children's artwork.
(What tips would you give others?) - I have some advice. Never give up! I have a huge military green duffel bag full of rejection letters from publishers that I've gotten over the years. I didn't let them deter me. I stuck them in the duffel and, when I finally did get published, used them as kinling on the bonfire at my publication party!
(What is your website?) - www.freewebs.com/bbwalter
Posted by MaryAnn Hayatian at www.wtypewriterw.blogspot.com or can email MaryAnn at wtypewriterw@yahoo.com . Please check out her writing website with information about all of her own books and writing at www.flutterflypages.com