K.B. Walker's Blog, page 12

Once Removed on sale this weekend

Crooked {Cat} Publishing are having a sale this weekend. Check it out on Amazon. They have a wonderful selection of books, there's something for everyone.

Five star review on Goodreads!

This is the first review from a total stranger!

Angela's review
May 10, 12
bookshelves: kindle, modern, abusive-relationships
Read from May 07 to 10, 2012
K.B. Walker is a very good storyteller and Once Removed is, I felt, a story close to her heart. When I read the author’s notes after I’d finished the book, I understood why.
The two main characters, Abriella and Beth, have very low self esteem and they have developed similar ways to cope with their self-loathing. However, Abriella Garside is ten years older than Beth, and recognises the emotional pain and signs of self abuse that she sees in the girl. Abriella is desperate to help Beth, but finds that, as her teacher, her efforts are often misconstrued.
I was totally absorbed. This is not the sort of novel that I would normally read, but I was quickly drawn in by the characters and the plot. Having worked in schools for many years until retirement, the setting and dialogue had a real authenticity for me. It was not only a book about abuse, self abuse and how to deal with these terrible problems, but also about making judgements on people without knowing the whole story. We are all guilty of this at some time or other and it does no harm to be reminded of this.
Once Removed is a well-constructed, absorbing novel, which I recommend to anyone who likes real life, gritty stories.

Another 5* review!

5.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable debut, 7 May 2012By Harold Schmidt - Once Removed is a remarkable debut novel from author KB Walker, confronting head-on a challenging issue that many seasoned writers would balk at. Yet far from sacrificing narrative to prove a point, Walker has cleverly used parallel storytelling to illustrate the complex social and emotional issues that can surround cases of self-harm. The story is totally engaging and believable.

The novel explores with great sensitivity the turmoil in the minds of its protagonists, the subtle influences on human behaviour and the imperfections in human character that make us both despicable at times and endearing at others. Furthermore it stimulates a degree of introspection, self-reflection and courage in a wholly unpatronising way.

Like Alison Brook, above, I was hooked by the dramatic and emotional rollercoaster that is Once Removed, and devoured this book within 24h. I would highly recommend it.

Competition winner!

Rebecca Emin is the winner of the competition to win a free copy of Once Removed. Thank you to everyone who entered.

First Five Star review on Amazon!

5.0 out of 5 stars Once Removed - a must read!, 7 May 2012By Alison Brook - See all my reviewsAmazon Verified Purchase(What is this?)This review is from: Once Removed (Kindle Edition)This is an easy-to-read book which is hard to put down; infact, I was still reading it in the early hours as it had me hooked from beginning to end. KB Walker really gets into the head of an abused young teenager with low self esteem. It highlights the difficulties faced by teachers when dealing with youngsters with clear emotional issues/suspected abuse. It is a thoroughly good read.

Top 5000!

Once Removed has made it into the top 5000 on Amazon and it's only day 3!

I've been interviewed!

Cathie Dunn writes...: Welcome, contemporary author KB Walker: Today, I welcome another fabulous Crooked Cat author to my blog, KB Walker. KB, also known as Kim, has already published a memoir, s...

Win a copy of Once Removed

To celebrate the release of Once Removed, I'm offering a free electronic copy. All you need to do is write the name of your favourite book reviewer in the comment box below. (Ulterior motive ~ me ~ as if??)

To win a copy, simply comment below, not forgetting your email address
Excerpt: The shriek scraped down my spine. Hugging my black cardigan more tightly around myself, I stopped. The noisy teenagers flowing in the direction of the school cafeteria barely paused.

Scanning the crowd, I fervently wished for someone more senior. But only chattering children, shuffling and laughing, pushed past. A deep sigh deflated me. Clearly, I still had plenty to learn about vanishing during break times. Tempted to pretend I hadn’t heard, the memory shivered along my back and forced me to respond.

Wading through the torrent into a shadowy side corridor in the direction of the scream, the small knot of gawpers melted away. Megan, a tall year seven girl, slumped against the grubby wall squeezing her hand in front of her like a gun. Blood dripped from two fingers pointed at the other girl. Freckles glared from Beth’s pale face cowering beneath bushy ginger hair. The low growl of obscenities pouring from Megan’s white lips stopped as soon as she saw me.


It didn’t make sense. Megan was a pretty girl, confident and always followed by a crowd of hangers-on. She was too polite in class, all angel-eyes standing in the midst of the trouble she’d stirred up. Beth, on the other hand, sat alone in the furthest corner. Watching the river of young people cascade through the corridors, this girl had seemed an island protected by a reef of sadness. Not your classic bully. A craft knife, glittered amongst the spilled contents of a discarded bag on the floor.


“Well?” I asked, pushing my dark rimmed glasses back up my nose and looking from one girl to the other. Brilliant, Abby, just brilliant, you are way out of your depth here. Trust you to land up in the middle of Marfield High School’s first ever knife crime!


“It was an accident, Miss.” Pulling herself upright, Megan flicked back her carefully styled hair. The shiny blonde layers settled over darker roots. “I picked up Beth’s bag by mistake. Isn’t that right, Beth?”


I was surprised Megan’s laser fierce glare hadn’t set Beth’s school uniform on fire. The child looked smaller than ever beside an in-charge Megan. The ginger head dipped in agreement.


“I was scrabbling around for my phone when I caught my fingers on that blade.” Megan pointed with her dripping finger.


“Beth,” my tone was as gentle as I could make it, “why did you have a knife in your bag? You must know it’s against school rules?”


The girl opened her mouth and furrowed her brow a few times before any words came. “Art class... didn’t realise... must have dropped it in my bag without thinking.”


Beth looked as though she’d been caught running naked down Marfield’s High Street and would disintegrate if any more fuss were made. But she was lying. Despite my inexperience as a teacher, I could tell. Scenarios flashed across my mind and none of them were pleasant. I didn’t know what to do. I thumbed my glasses back into place. My university lecturer’s voice sang in my memory. When in doubt, feign confident authority. I took a deep breath.

“Right, Beth, you go on your way to lunch. I’ll make sure this craft knife gets back to the art department.” I swooped down and plucked the blade from the rest of the debris. “Megan, you come with me and we’ll put something on those cuts. Perhaps you’ll be more careful whose bag you pick up in future.”


I stormed off, my heels rattling in the now empty corridor. Megan marched beside me, radiating fury.
My mind spun and fizzed. Megan always had an answer for everything so why wasn’t she kicking off now? I peered at her through the corner of my eye and noticed she had a leather bag slung over her shoulder, quite different from Beth’s canvas one. The bag she claimed to have picked up by accident.
Slamming through the door into the office I stopped. Anger wouldn’t help. I took a deep breath and reached for the first aid kit.


“Show me your hand, please, Megan. Are you allergic to plasters?”


She narrowed her eyes and shook her head. Her jaws were clamped tight.


I cleaned the wounds and applied butterfly plasters, careful to follow school
procedures to the letter.


“Please sign here.” I pointed to my brief entry in the accident book. “Can I go now?” Megan glared at me.


Unable to think of a single sensible question, I nodded.