Author Spotlight + Giveaway: B. D. Lawrence -- The Coyote and a One-Armed Man

I am happy to introduce you to Author B. D. Lawrence.

B.D. Lawrence has always loved reading fiction. Ironically, though, his worst subject in high school was English. One night, sitting in a master's level computer programming class, daydreaming about vigilantes, he decided to give writing a try. Out of that came his first novel, which went nowhere. That was many years ago.

During his writing journey he’s dabbled in several genres, including mystery, suspense, science fiction, fantasy, and literary fiction. He currently is focusing on crime stories of justice, vengeance, and redemption. He hopes his Lefty Bruder private detective series will not only entertain lovers of P.I. fiction but will also help fight the scourge of human trafficking, as B.D. Lawrence is going to donate half of all his profits from that series to organizations helping to fight human trafficking.

First off, welcome to my blog. It’s so great to have you here!

Thank you, Taylor, for having me. I’m honored.

Is there anything you want to share before we dive into the questions?

Half of all the sales of my books are donated to organizations that fight sex-

trafficking. That’s what drives my writing.

What first sparked your passion for storytelling, and how has your journey as a writer evolved over time?

Way back in the 90’s, I was daydreaming in a computer science class about a vigilante responding to a murder in his family. I thought, hey,I could write that story. So, I did. I joined online groups on Compuserve and started learning how to write by reading, critiquing others and having them critique my works. I wrote a lot of short stories

back then, many published for little to no money. Also, I wrote two novels that went nowhere. I, then, had to take a ten year or so hiatus from writing due to my day job. But then things slowed, and I got back into writing and wanted to write stories that could help fight sex-trafficking. Thus evolved my One-Armed detective series. That was in 2022. Since then, I’ve published six books on Amazon. Three in the One-Armed detective series.

What unique aspects of your faith influence your storytelling style or the themes you explore?

I didn’t come to faith until I was 38. Therefore, my main characters are just starting their faith journeys. My two protagonists in my One-Armed detective series and my Jake Sledge Mystery series are not Christians. Yet. Neither is my police chief in my Marble Hill

mysteries. He’s probably the closest. I surround those character with others who are Christians. My own faith journey has a strong impact on the writing of those not-yet-Christian characters.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse or passage that has guided your writing or life journey?

I adopted Galatians 2:20 as a life verse many years ago. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Though, it’s a struggle for me to live up to this verse. The verse I cling to for my writing is Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” I pray my writing is that collection of good works God has prepared for me.

Who are some of your favorite Christian authors, and how have they influenced your work?

The major Christian writer that has had the most impact on me is Charles Martin and his Murphy Shepherd series. This is also a series about a man who rescues girls from sex-trafficking. And lately, I’ve been blessed to be part of The Brave Authors group and have read several great Christian novels in genres I would not normally read.

If you could collaborate with any Christian author, living or deceased, who would it be and why?

It would be Charles Martin. I’d love to get his perspective on my One-Armed detective series and get some mentoring on how to present faith in stories non-Christians would want to read.

What’s your favorite scene or moment in the book, and why does it hold special meaning for you?

Early in the book, Lefty Bruder, my one-armed detective, goes to a man’s house. This man is the stepfather of Angel, who Lefty rescued in the first book (An Angel and a One-Armed Man). He’s been bugging Eileen (Angel’s aunt and now Lefty’s partner) about where Angel is. Lefty tells the man to back off and is forced to make his point with violence after a young girl comes to the hallway near the door wearing

only a long t-shirt. This is Darlene. She was only going to be the catalyst for Lefty to beat on Angel’s stepdad. But Lefty and Eileen couldn’t leave her with Angel’s stepdad, as she is only 17. To cut to the chase, Darlene ends up being a pivotal character and one I fell in love with writing. She and Lefty develop a fun and interesting relationship. He becomes the father she never had and she the daughter he never had.

Are there any surprising lessons or revelations you discovered about yourself or your faith through the writing process?

How it takes a community of believers to bring someone to faith, in most cases.

How do you incorporate prayer or spiritual reflection into your writing routine?

I don’t intentionally incorporate in my writing routine. My prayer time and Bible reading time is in the morning. I need to be more intentional about prayer during my writing time.

What do you enjoy most about connecting with readers, and what feedback

has resonated deeply with you?

I have a monthly newsletter, and I try to include some kind of prompt in the newsletter that will allow readers to respond. It’s usually a small response but always rewarding when a reader does respond with an answer to my prompt, feedback, or questions. I had some strong negative feedback from one beta reader on this book. But I appreciated that feedback because it made me go back and fill in some holes.

Have you seen your book make an impact in someone’s life, and can you share that experience?

I don’t see the impact. I give half of all of my sales on any of my books to organizations that fight sex-trafficking. I like to think those donations are making an impact, but I haven’t yet heard of or seen anything directly.

What’s one thing you wish readers knew about the process of writing Christian fiction?

I want non-Christian readers not to be afraid of reading my books. They are not preachy. I hope they are realistic, exciting, and suspenseful. And I hope both Christian and non-Christian readers understand the journey to faith many people have to take. Rarely is it a Paul on the road to Damascus type of event.

How do you celebrate the completion of a book, and what does that milestone mean to you?

By starting the next book. And that’s a reward for me, because as I near the completion of one, the next is stirring around in my brain waiting to be unleashed. I love the writing process. All of it. I may be somewhat unique in that the first draft isn’t my favorite part. It’s the revision that I really like. But I also like putting together that next story.

If someone were to adapt your book into a movie, what would be your dream

casting for the main characters?

I haven’t given a lot of thought to this. I would say, Chris Pratt to play Lefty Bruder. Not sure about the rest.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting out?

Just write. What makes one a writer is writing. Nothing else. So many people say they want to write a book but never do. Just start writing. And don’t be overly concerned at the beginning about what you’re writing. Also, find a writing group that will give honest feedback.

Lastly, before you go…Can you talk about any upcoming projects or books

you’re working on?

I just released the first Jake Sledge Mystery – Chilled to the Bone in February. I’m now working on two projects and a third one kind of adjacent. I’m working on the second Jake Sledge Mystery. I’m also working on a novella for a Brave Authors anthology. The novella is about Sara Hanley, one of the main characters in the One-Armed detective series. She was rescued out of sex-trafficking, and this is her journey to that rescue. Finally, the adjacent project is the third One-Armed detective novel. I’m doing research for it, as much of it is set in Navajo Nation. I’m finding people to help with the cultural research.

Now for his book, The Coyote and a One-Armed Man!

A simple rescue, but the girl’s thirteen-year-old friend is sent to Mexico. He goes after her. Failure means his death and her enslavement.

Lefty Bruder faces an unseen stalker intent on killing him. He travels to Phoenix to rescue an autistic girl trafficked by her own father. The mission succeeds, but he learns of a young girl destined to be a sex slave to a high-ranking cartel boss in Mexico. Assembling a team, they prepare to go get her. But an unknown sniper shoots one of the team while aiming for Lefty.

Can the one-armed detective rescue the young girl and discover who wants him dead before the assailant succeeds?

And B. D. Lawrence has teased us with a snippet from his story:

She’d been in front with Lefty, jawing back and forth for a better part of two-hundred miles.

He didn’t mind, as it kept him awake. “What’s with the old stuff?”

“You are old. Get over it, bucko.”

Eileen leaned forward, her head between the two of them. “Sorry, George, to a sixteen-year-old, you’re old.”

“Barely over forty and already old. “What about her? Is she old?” Lefty hooked his

thumb toward Eileen.

“Naw. She’s just beautiful. Before we get out, can I grab it?” Darlene looked at Lefty

with wide eyes, her hand creeping toward him.”

“What?”

“Your stump. Can I grab it?”

“Why?”

“I dunno, just never grabbed a stump before and don’t know if I’ll…I’ll see you again.”

Lefty looked into her eyes to see if there were tears. She’d sounded like she was

breaking up. Darlene looked down, her cheeks reddening.

“Ok. Sure, why not.” He shuddered, thinking if it was him and some other one-armed dude, no way.

Darlene grabbed his stump. He had little sensation at the end of it. She shook it, and in a deep, gravelly voice, said, “Nice to meet you, stumpy.” Then she burst out laughing, let go, opened the car door, and jumped out.

Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a ebook copy!

(Giveaway runs for two weeks. Winner will be contacted by author.)