Meet Rhonda McKnight

 

 

It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you Rhonda McKnight. I have had the awesome pleasure of reading her books and I must say, they are absolutely amazing. Rhonda writes from the heart. The stories flow and you can not wait to get to the end. 

I hope you purchase and enjoy reading as much as I have. I can not wait for more.

About the Author:

Even as she pursued degrees in Textile Technology, Organizational Leadership and finally, Adult Education, Rhonda McKnight’s love for books and desire to write stories was always in the back of her mind and in the forefront of her heart. Rhonda loves reading and writing stories that touch the heart of women through complex plots and interesting characters in crisis. She writes from the comfort of her Atlanta home with black tea, Lays potato chips and chocolate on hand. At her feet sits a snappy mixed breed toy dog. She can be reached at her website at www.rhondamcknight and on social media at www.facebook.com/booksbyrhonda and www.twitter.com/rhondamcknight and www.blackchristianreads.com where she has joined with nine other Christian fiction authors to introduce her stories to the world.

I asked Rhonda a few questions about her writing life, here is what she shared:

When did you start writing and why? I’ve been writing since I was six, but became serious about publication in 2003. I joined a local critique group with serious writers, attended some writer’s conferences and wrote until I finished a manuscript in 2007. I sold it the same year to Kensington Publishers and it was released in 2009. I write because I believe it’s my gift. God gives us gifts so we can fulfill our purpose. Writing is a part of my purpose and my books are my legacy. 

What do you enjoy most about connecting with your readers? I’m a people person, so I love interacting socially. Readers take that love to the next level, because we make an instant connection through the stories. I really get to know my characters as I write and then my readers really get to know them as they read. Feedback from the readers keeps me in front of my laptop.

What is your least favorite part of the writing and publishing process?  The beginning of the story and the kick-off to market a new book. Work! Work! Work! They are two completely different processes and I struggle with juggling both without feeling overwhelmed.

If you did not write books, what would you be doing as a career? I’m not a full-time writer, yet, so like most writers I have a job. I don’t really have a desire to do anything else but write. I can’t think of anything.

Do you have any strange writing habits? My muse craves Lays potato chips.  Really, it’s not me…it’s the people that live inside of me that want salt.

What do you do when you are not writing?  The same thing everyone else does…work, rear children, cook, clean, etc, etc. I love reading. I could read all day.

What two important pieces of advice would you give those who wish to become successful authors? Attend writer’s conferences. Build a network of other writers. You’ll learn a great deal at a conference and your network will encourage you to stay the course. Always write the best possible book you can write. Study the craft. Quality matters if you want longevity.

Do you have any last words to share? I love connecting with readers. I invite your readers to join me on social media at www.facebook.com/booksbyrhonda or www.twitter.com/rhondamcknight 

Thank you for hosting me, Lynette and thank you for reading my work. I appreciate your support.

 

Here is a little something from, Live A Little, An Inspirational Romance: 

They rode in silence to her house. The sugar Gage ingested seemed to have dulled his chattiness. The trip wasn’t long and traffic was nonexistent. His navigation brought them right to her door. He cut the engine. Gage looked through the window past Raine. “This is a nice house. Nice neighborhood. You were looking the last time we talked.” She had been house-hunting that spring. She’d found this one the very week he’d left. She inspected the shrubs that needed pruning and he trim that would definitely get a fresh coat of paint in the spring and replied. “Thank you.”

“How long have you been here?” “Six years. It was a foreclosure during the early run of foreclosures. I’d finished my master’s degree and gotten a promotion at work, so I thought, it was time.” “I remember you’d just finished your masters. You mentioned it that day.” His memory was impeccable. Raine’s stomach flipped. That day. That day she’d shared a table with him in the mall food court because all the others were full. That day lunch turned into a trip to the movie theatre, dinner and a stroll through a bookstore. “No waiting for a husband to buy a house with, huh?” he asked, but then he didn’t wait for an answer. “I like that.”

The women in my family are very independent too.” Gage smiled. It sucked the wind out of her. Not because he was so good looking, or even because he had flashed his movie star, picture ready white teeth, it was the disposition behind the smile. Lazy, relaxed…Raine didn’t exactly know the word she was looking for. He seemed interested in her, again. He wasn’t making small talk to fill up the time, because they were here at her house. All he had to do was open the door and then open hers and walk her to the door of her house, if he was so inclined to do that. In seconds, he could be done with Raine Still for tonight and forever.

But Gage wasn’t moving. He wasn’t trying to leave. The only man that had ever been interested in her was her father. He’d hung on to every word she’d said from the time she could talk until he took his last breath. But this attention from Gage was different. She didn’t know how to take it. She’d been here with him before and then he disappeared without a trace.  “Can I ask you a question?” His tone was tentative. “What happened to your date tonight?” Raine had no idea what he would ask, but this question surprised her. “I didn’t have a date.” Gage’s expression posed the follow-up question before he did.  “You said you were waiting for someone.  ”She shrugged. “I lied. I wanted to be alone and I thought it was easier to say I was waiting on someone than be rude to all of you. ”He cocked an eyebrow. “That’s honest.” “I don’t like to lie and I don’t have any reason to lie to you now.” “Why did you have so many tickets if you weren’t expecting anyone?”

Raine couldn’t keep the amusement out of her voice. “Are you questioning if I’m lying about lying?” A beautiful crooked smile filled half his face, revealing one of his dimples. “I’m not questioning if you’re lying. I guess I’m just curious, nosy. ”Raine explained how she came to have the extra tickets. Gage nodded. “That was God. You were supposed to help us out. ”Raine didn’t think that made any sense. “Why wouldn’t God just make it so I had one ticket and your mother had the ones she needed?” Silence again and then, “Because if God made it happen that way then I wouldn’t have run into you.” She swallowed now. Hard. He was staring at her. Looking from her face to her lips. He leaned closer and put a hand behind her neck. Then he brought his face closer so that it hovered just inches from hers. Raine could smell his breathe, the mint he’d popped into his mouth after eating the ice cream. She could also smell his cologne, a strong, sexy masculine scent that rose from his pores to torment her. But then just as quickly as he’d pulled her close, Gage let her go and reached for his ignition key. “It’s late. I need to get you inside.” Get her inside. She didn’t have a curfew.

Raine was disappointed. But more than disappointed, she was embarrassed. She wanted that kiss. “I can see myself to my door,” she replied, icily. She released her seat belt and grabbed the door handle. His hand was on hers. “Raine, let me explain.” She turned toward him and frowned. “Explain what?” “Why I stopped.” Raine thought she would die. No he was not going to explain why he was rejecting her. She sighed heavily. “I don’t want to be disrespectful.” The conversation was awkward, but he’d started it, so she questioned, “A kiss is disrespectful?” He didn’t remove his hand from hers, but he didn’t respond either. Oh my God, she thought. He has a girlfriend or maybe even a wife. Of course he did. How could she be so naïve?  He didn’t want to disrespect his marriage. She dropped her eyes to their intertwined fingers. So why was he still holding her hand? He finally spoke. “I’m careful about what I start.” That only confused her more. “What does that mean?” she whispered. And then she thought, I don’t want to know. “Never mind. You don’t have to explain.” She grabbed the door handle again, but Gage squeezed the hand he held. She froze. “I do, because I don’t want you to think I didn’t want to kiss you. My stopping has nothing to do with you.”

Raine didn’t look at him. If she could have jumped out of the car and run in the house without seeming rude she would have. She wanted to escape the pounding rush in her veins. The agony over the fact that the only man she’d ever wanted was taken. “Of course, I understand. You have to respect your wife or your girlfriend.” “Wife or girlfriend?” She could hear a frown in his voice. “You’ve been a real gentleman, Gage. I appreciate the ride.” “Wait,” he insisted. “I don’t have a wife or a girlfriend.” Raine knew she should not let the next question come out of her mouth because it was embarrassing and it would sound like begging, but she would drive herself crazy if she didn’t know. Since she knew she’d never see him again, she went ahead asked, “Then why did you stop?” The expression on his face was so serious it nearly looked pained. “It’s late,” he said releasing her hand. “I’ll be back in the morning.” “In the morning?” “I told you I was picking you up so we could see about getting your car towed.” She shook her head. “It is really kind of you to offer, but you don’t have to do that.” His words came swift and impulsively. “What if I want to do it?” Her stomach flipped again. “Why would you want to do it? We’re not neighbors.” “For the same reason I didn’t kiss you. I finish what I start. Once I commit to a thing, I have to see it all the way through.”

He smiled and opened his door. Once she got out they fell into step up her long walkway. She said good night to her prince, pushed the door closed and peeked out to watch him disappear. Raine kicked off her shoes and realized the irony of having both shoes. She hadn’t left one behind, so the prince didn’t have one. Gage didn’t have a reason to come looking for her. He didn’t even have anything to look with, because he hadn’t even asked for her phone number to call to make arrangements for tomorrow. Her Cinderella story was a bust. 

Thank you for stopping by. Please share some love with Rhonda, I am sure she will be ever so grateful as will I.

Be Blessed

Buy Links

Amazon http://alturl.com/h7pb8

Barnes and Noble http://alturl.com/h3bcr

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/518282

iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/live-a-little/id966415831?mt=11