Author Rhonda McKnight is back with another new release, and it’s making life a little sweeter. I recently spoke with her about Bitter and Sweet.
Tell me about your latest release.
Bitter and Sweet is the story of two estranged sisters who because of their desire to honor their grandmother’s request, work together to reopen their family’s 87-year-old restaurant. Along the way, they learn complicated truths about themselves and their family history. Nearly half of the book is written in dualtime, so readers spend time with their great-great-grandmother, Tabitha Cooper, as she’s attempting to build the family’s restaurant business in Charleston, South Carolina from the years 1915 to 1938.
Why did you decide to write it?
The high rate of maternal death in the Black community has received media attention over the last couple of years. Not nearly enough, but more than in the past. This medical crisis has affected my family. I felt like it was time for me to write a story that highlighted this issue and the aftermath of these horrific deaths.
What was your most memorable experience writing this book?
The therapy scenes. Healing matters for so many reasons. I’ve always written stories about characters on their journey to God’s best for them. For me personally, sometimes that meant therapy, though it’s not always accepted as necessary for Christians or even in Black American culture. Some believe all we need is Jesus. The Bible says in James 2:17 “…that faith without works is dead.” Sometimes that work is around our mental health.
Which character in the book would you like to have as a best friend and why?
That’s going to be Dante. Although he’s not exactly friend zone material, who doesn’t want a bestie who’s a hot chef?
What’s something readers would be surprised to learn about you?
These days people are shocked that I have 27 books. They think I’m new to this when a sistah has been true to this for fifteen years.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Read and watch television dramas and cooking shows. I also watch all manner of foolishness on YouTube and text my friends like a feral teenager.
What’s the most difficult part of being an author?
Promotion. It’s hard to know what’s working. I’m not a fan of throwing things at the wall, hoping they’ll stick. I tend to be more data driven, and I can’t get a handle on that for promoting books.
Who are some of your favorite authors, and what are some of their books you love?
My favorite authors are some of my favorite writer-friends—Vanessa Miller, Vanessa Riley, Unoma Nwankwor, Michelle Stimpson, and Michelle Lindo-Rice. I love them and their books. I recently enjoyed One Blood by Denene Milner and Moonrise Over New Jessup by Jamila Minnicks. I’m a big fan of Denny S. Bryce’s work.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on another proposal for a lowcountry women’s fiction novel. Hopefully, my publisher will want to buy it. 😊
Do you have anything you would like to add?
I’ll be on my book tour soon. I’d love to meet readers at my events. Here’s a link to my schedule: https://rhondamcknight.com/bitterandsweet/events/
Use the Black Fiction Addiction affiliate link to purchase your copy of Bitter and Sweet.
To learn more about women’s fiction author Rhonda McKnight, visit her website or connect with her on social media:
Website: www.RhondaMcKnight.com
Facebook; www.facebook.com/BooksbyRhonda
Instagram: www.instagram.com/AuthorRhondaMcKnight
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/authorrhondamcknight