An Interview with B.D. Lawrence – And a Giveaway!

 

Today, I’m happy to welcome author B.D. Lawrence to the Suspense Sisters' blog! B.D.’s current book, KILLER REDEMPTION, is available now. B.D will be giving away an E-book copy of the book, (US, Canada, UK, or Australia Kindle versions only), so be sure to leave a comment to be entered.

First, tell us a little about your release, Killer Redemption!

Killer Redemption is about a hitman who falls in love with a Christian woman. Lyle Hardgrave has been a hitman for the mob for many years. He’s also a failed poet and a jazz lover. Lately, he doesn’t get the same thrill out of a completed job like he used to. Then, he makes a mistake and shortly after meets Cora Wilson, a woman unlike any he’s ever met. She has a way of pulling out emotions that have been buried for a long time. The rest of the book is about Hardgrave trying to right his mistake, advance his relationship with Cora and keep them both alive.

If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say? 

B.D. Lawrence is a Christian, a writer, and someone trying to bring the two together to entertain readers as well as give them hope.

What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies?

Writing is not yet my fulltime job. I’m a software architect for 3M during the day. My hobby, though not that interesting, is golf. Since I live in the Phoenix area, I have plenty of opportunity to play. I’m also working with my wife and son to try and get my screenplay adaptation of Kim Vogel Sawyer’s My Heart Remembers made into a movie.

What was your favorite book as a teen or child?

When I was a teenager, I read mostly science fiction and fantasy. My favorite series was the Dune series by Frank Herbert. My favorite book of that series was God: Emperor of Dune.

Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.

1.            I published two electronic novels in the late 90’s. That’s right, way before Kindle – look up Rocket eBook.

2.            I stopped writing for about fifteen years due to my work schedule. Resumed in 2019.

3.            I originally went to college (U. of Miami) majoring in marine science biology. I wanted to be a dolphin trainer. 

What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not?

I have written and published short stories in many genres: Science fiction, fantasy, drama, private detective, crime fiction. I’ve found that my best fiction and most ideas focus on crime fiction. I have ideas for novels that are in other genres. I’m hoping to establish myself, then I might work on those.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

Got one 2-star review on my first book, An Angel and a One-Armed Man, that said the book didn’t have enough fizz and the ending didn’t offer any real spark. The best compliment I got was from Ed Gorman when he selected two of my stories for two of his anthologies. Him publishing two of my stories was a huge boost to my confidence as a writer.

Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what, and why?

Like I said before, I’ve written in many genres. I’d like to write a science fiction novel because I have an idea that I think will be an important subject soon. It’s centered around genetic manipulation of humans.

If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be?

I would start earlier on learning about marketing and selling. Also, I’d join a writing group and stick with it.

What is the most important thing you’d like readers to take away from your books?

For Killer Redemption, it’s that no one, and I mean no one, is beyond redemption.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?

Write. I talk to so many people that say they want to be a writer. But they don’t write. Even when you don’t feel like writing, just write. One cannot be a writer unless one writes. And once you’ve written, find neutral people to read your writing and don’t take feedback personally. Grow and learn from it.

As I mentioned, B.D. is giving away an E-book copy of KILLER REDEMPTION. Be sure to leave a comment for B.D with your email contact information for a chance to win!

 

Here’s a little about KILLER REDEMPTION: 

Lyle Hardgrave is a gentleman, a poet, a jazz lover, and a hitman.

And he’s fallen in love with Cora Wilson, who is energetic, unrestrained, passionate, and devout.

Hardgrave is known to the criminal underworld as the Gorgon. See his face. Die. He’s lived a life of anonymity, a life in which he has total control and where emotions are a handicap. Years ago, he chained them and buried them, then threw away the key.

A series of events threatens his anonymity and his control. He’s forced to kill the son of the top mob boss. His best friend, and the only one that knows his identity, disappears. The FBI closes in. The mob hunts him. All part of the lifestyle he’s chosen.

Except, there’s Cora Wilson. She fills a void he’s ignored for decades. Cora possesses the key to his shackled emotions. One by one she unlocks them. But Cora doesn’t know Hardgrave’s secret.

Hardgrave must choose. Leave his criminal life or leave Cora. Even if he chooses Cora, will she accept who he really is? Can he have love from this amazing woman and find redemption from his past?

Lyle Hardgrave battles organized crime, the FBI, and unchained emotions to keep himself and the love of his life alive.

Follow this link to purchase KILLER REDEMPTION

B.D.’s Bio:

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 mysteries, suspense, science fiction, fantasy, and literary fiction. He currently is focusing on stories of justice, vengeance, and redemption.

Find out more about B.D. Lawrence by visiting his website at www.bdlawrence.com. If you sign up for his newsletter, you’ll receive monthly updates on upcoming books, book reviews and other news. You will also have free access to his short stories.

Thank you, B.D, for joining us today. It has been a pleasure getting to know you better.