Interview with Rhonda McKnight

Happy Tuesday!

I hope you’re planning for some food and family time! But for those of you planning for a binge-reading session, look no further! I’ve got the awesome Rhonda McKnight here today. We’re talking about her upcoming release, The Winter Baby. You’re going to want to add this to your TBR pile. Grab a cup of tea (or coffee) and chat with us!

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Interview

Toni: Thank you so much for joining me today! I’m so excited to talk about The Winter Baby. It’s the third book in your Restoration series. Tell us a little about the series.

Rhonda: The series begins with The Winter Reunion. Reunion is the story of Tamar and Stephen, a couple who have been the victims of a viral video that destroyed Tamar’s life and sent her into hiding. While Tamar was hiding, our hero, Stephen went on to become a successful athlete whose entire platform is built on his Christian values, including claims of celibacy.

In the second book, The Winter Wedding, we see sin has consequences and it often leaves the residue of shame and brokenness amongst the secrets and lies that grow with it. Stephen and Tamar love each other, but they have a lot to overcome to protect that love. Stephen is challenged in ways he never expected. He has to discover who he is at his core and readers wonder if he can really walk the talk he’s claimed about his faith.

Finally, The Winter Baby, brings their best friends to the forefront. An unexpected road trip is the setting for the perfect storm for this couple who have quickly become angry and confused exes. Nature intervenes in ways no one is prepared for.

Toni: Oh, sounds so good! What would your heroine say is her life verse and why?

Rhonda: Our heroine loves the Word. She likely has a collection of life verses, but the one that guides her in this season is Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, His good, pleasing and perfect will.” NIV

Toni: Romans has so many good verses! If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast to play the hero and heroine?

Rhonda: I struggle with this every time someone asks, because I don’t know what my characters look like. Physical descriptions are minimal in my books. But with that said, I’ll choose Nafessa Williams for Kimberly and Derek Luke for Clyde. He may be a little old for the role, but I think he could pass for 37, and I love his work.

Toni: He could definitely pass for 37. He made me cry in Antwone Fisher! What kind of research did you have to do for The Winter Baby?

Rhonda: I had to research a lot. I always do. Without giving the plot away, I’ll say I needed to know the names of a few birds common to Eastern Pennsylvania.

Toni: Hmmm… Let’s talk about you! What’s a normal day for you?

Rhonda: I’m boring. LOL. I’m not a morning person and won’t make myself be one, so I’m always kind of behind on my desired schedule. I walk the dog, spend time reading a devotion or doing Bible study. I love to study the Bible. It’s my favorite thing to do. I homeschool my 14-year-old. I work with my editing or coaching clients and then take the 14-year-old to his daily fitness training. It’s boxing and karate in this season. I sit in the car and watch YouTube or Hulu while he’s there. Sometimes I read or do some writing. We have a late dinner, usually 7 pm, after which the kiddo and I watch an hour of television together and then I write or do client work from about 9:30 until about 1 a.m. This.Is.Every.Day. Boring, but a blessing because I get to do what I want to do.

Toni: Studying the Bible is my favorite too! Do you prefer lemonade or sweet tea?

Rhonda: Lemonade

Toni: I do love the flavored ones. Mountains or the beach?

Rhonda: Both. Okay, the beach.

Toni: Good answer :). Romance or suspense?

Rhonda: Wow! Must they compete? Suspense

Toni: Of course! Competition can make things interesting. Cats or dogs?

Rhonda: Dogs. Only dogs.

Toni: I so agree. Last but not least, what can we expect from you next in your writing journey?

Rhonda: I’m not sure. I finished two series this year, The Winter Baby tied up The Restoration Series and my long-awaited novel, Shame On You was book five in the Samaritan Woman series. I may add to my Jordan Family Series. I have a long list of stories in my “to-be-written” file, but I need to seek God about what’s next.

Toni: Well I’ll be praying He guides you. Readers, do you have any questions for Rhonda?

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About the Author

Rhonda McKnight is the author of several award-winning novels and Black Expressions Top 20 bestsellers, including An Inconvenient Friend, What Kind of Fool and Breaking All The Rules. She is the winner of the 2015 Emma Award for Inspirational Romance of the Year. She was also a 2010 nominee for the African-American Literary Award. Rhonda writes edgy stories that touch the heart of women. The themes of faith, forgiveness and hope mark her stories.

Rhonda has done free-lance work as a developmental editor and writing coach for the past seven years. She’s also the founder of the Write It Right Online Fiction Writer’s Workshop. Originally from a small, coastal town in New Jersey, she’s called Atlanta, Georgia home for nineteen years. She can be reached at her website at www.RhondaMcKnight.net and at www.BlackChristianReads.com.

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About the Book

An unexpected snowstorm. Two broken hearts. A miracle only faith can bring…

Clyde Stowe is a reformed bachelor turned devoted boyfriend, but when Kim Wells refuses to break her vow of celibacy their romance ends. An unexpected road trip forces them together where angry unresolved emotions push them even further apart. What they don’t expect is for nature to intervene in ways they aren’t prepared for.

Kim made it through Hurricane Katrina, but is she strong enough to survive this storm? Can Clyde find the courage to turn back to a God he abandoned long ago? And will Tamar and Stephen survive them both?

Follow Rhonda McKnight for release info.