Healthy Heart Blog Tour with Rhonda McKnight
Written by RAWSISTAZ · February 2, 2010 · 971 views
The Broken Heart
The LORD is close to the brokenhe
arted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.~ Psalm 34:18
See details below on how you can participate in the Healthy Heart Blog Tour with Rhonda McKnight.
10% of donation during this blog tour will go to the American Heart Association (AHA).
MEET RHONDA MCKNIGHT
Rhonda McKnight has been writing since she was six years old. Her first book was about a family of mice who lived under the boardwalk near her home in the coastal town of Asbury Park. It’s no coincidence that more than thirty years later, she would pen her first novel about a family. Family means everything to her.
When she wrote Secrets and Lies her own family was in trouble. Her marriage of nearly ten years was falling apart. While she is clear that the novel is a work of fiction, she admits some elements of the story are her own. The emotional intensity of Faith’s pain was hers and the feeling of utter hopeless filled her heart. Join her today as she shares some of that pain and frustration in her segment on “the broken heartâ€.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Faith Morgan is struggling with her faith. Years of neglect leave her doubting that God will ever fix her marriage. When a coworker accuses her husband, Jonah, of the unthinkable, Faith begins to wonder if she really knows him at all, and if it’s truly in God’s will for them to stay married.
Pediatric cardiologist Jonah Morgan is obsessed with one thing: his work. A childhood incident cemented his desire to heal children at any cost, even his family, but now he finds himself at a crossroads in his life. Will he continue to allow the past to haunt him, or find healing and peace in a God he shut out long ago?
An Excerpt from the Novel
Faith was surprised she was able to keep up the front of being “okay†until she put the children to bed because, in truth, she was boiling under the surface. How could he do this to her, again? How could he do it to Eric?
She pulled Eric’s bedroom door closed, took a few steps and then stopped. Unable to move forward, she leaned sideways against the wall. Her anger and disappointment were mixing together in her spirit like a cocktail of oil and vinegar. Neither dominated, but each equally strong.
“Lord, how much more am I supposed to take?†she spoke into the darkness of the hallway. “How many more times will it be okay for him to break my baby’s heart?â€
Faith is angry with her husband Jonah in the excerpt. He was a no show for an important family activity and as you can see, it wasn’t the first time. She’s heartbroken. I think many of us have challenges with communication and time. The demands in our current workforce make it difficult for families to have quality time. But it’s a must if we’re going to have healthy, happy, strong families. Jonah Morgan’s work is more important than his family, or at least it appears that way. At the heart of his work-a-holism is a childhood hurt that has never healed. His broken heart affects everyone in his life – his wife, children, even his parents. But how much does Faith have to put up with? How much does anyone have to deal with when a person who’s hurting won’t talk about it or get help? I believe we owe our families to be the most healthy, happy, whole person we can be. Because who we are shows up in our relationships and our work and our spiritual lives.
“How many times?†Faith Morgan asks. How many times indeed? God answers Faith. You’ll have to read Secrets and Lies to find out how. But in the meantime – what are some ways you can carve out family time? What might be hindrances to making it happen? What do you think about “for better or for worse†when what’s hurting one spouse is crippling the other? What about the children?
MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rhonda McKnight is the owner of www.urbanchristianfictiontoday.com, a popular Internet site that highlights African-American Christian fiction and Legacy Editing, a freelance service for fiction writers. Her second novel, An Inconvenient Friend will be released on August 1, 2010. She has two sons, ages four and eighteen and one lonely goldfish. Originally from New Jersey, she’s called Atlanta, Georgia home for eleven years. Her website is www.rhondamcknight.net
ENTER TO WIN 3 GREAT GIVEAWAYS!
GRAND PRIZE (one winner possible)
A “Start†Fitness Pack she purchased from the American Heart Association’s Online store. The online store helps in the fight against heart disease by promoting heart-healthy lifestyles that include physical activities like walking. Net proceeds from the sale of these items support the Start! movement.
The Fitness Kit includes:Â Start BackPack, Start Water Bottle, Start Shoe Wallet, and the Power to End Stroke 46 Recipe Healthy Soul Food Cook Book.
SECOND PLACE PRIZE (one winner possible)
Autographed hardcover copy of Secrets and Lies will be given away to the 2nd person whose name is pulled in the drawing.
THIRD PLACE PRIZE (one winner possible)
In honor of Rhonda’s birthday on Feb. 6th – a $10 Barnes and Nobles, Borders or Starbucks Gift Card will be given to the 3rd person whose name is pulled in the drawing. (winner chooses).
HOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING:
All entrants with 10 POINTS AND UP will be entered in a drawing to win the GRAND PRIZE – FITNESS PACK.
All entrants with 5 POINTS AND UP will be entered in a drawing to win PRIZES TWO AND THREE.
HOW TO Earn points:
+15 Point ENTRIES: Purchase a copy of Secrets and Lies from the online store during the tour through www.urbanchristianbooks.com.
+1 point ENTRY: join the discussion by commenting on one of the blog tour sites each day (must comment on the day of the tour site by 9 pm). Comment must include your thoughts on the subject. (can not just say – great point or I agree).
+1 point ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING INTERESTING YOU FIND WHEN YOU GO TO Rhonda’s WEBSITE or blog. LOOK AROUND AS THERE IS LOTS TO SEE. HERE are THE LINKs www.rhondamcknight.net and www.urbanchristianfictiontoday.com
+1 point ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY. On Twitter Retweet @rhondamcknight or use the hashtags #Health or #hearthealth
+2 point ENTRIES: Join Rhonda’s Facebook Reader Page or Sign up for her newsletter on her webpage.
THE RULES:
- U.S. Residents Only
- Email address must be included in comment **RAWSISTAZ will provide email addresses upon request to ensure privacy of participants.
- All Entries/Comments must be separate in order to count as more than one entry.
- Maximum of 3 points can be earned on any one tour day.
- Tour host bloggers can not enter to win.
DRAWING WILL BE HELD AT 9 PM EST on FEBRUARYÂ 7th
RAWSISTAZ Literary Group was founded in 2000 to support and promote the work of African-American authors. The groups, on and offline, represent close to 600 readers, writers, aspiring writers, and others interested in literacy and the impact on our communities.
Rhonda, welcome to RAWSISTAZ!! Please feel free to come on in and tell us more on why you decided to do this type of blog tour.
I can not wait to read Secret & Lies!
-Tee
Hello Tee,
Thank so much for hosting me on Rawsistaz. I have to admit as an aspiring writer it was my dream to see my book on the RAW site. You do such a great service for African American authors.
Awww, thanks so much! Our members will be glad to hear that our efforts are appreciated. I’m working on a few things, but I’ll definitely be in and out, so enjoy yourself.
-Tee
Hey Rhonda:)
I read Secrets & Lies and enjoyed it. The Healthy Heart Blog Blog Tour is such a great idea. We’re in a time where heart disease is the number one killer and especially among AA women. And with the obesity with our children…it’s time we need to teach them early about healthy eating and exercise.
Sharon,
Thanks so much for stopping by. I’m still in awe of the review you wrote for Secrets and Lies. I have no doubt it’s helped to get the word out about the book. And I agree heart disease is killing us. We are raising a generation of children who will not know how to make healthy food choices.
Thank you:)
I’m also looking forward to reading An Inconvenient Friend. What more trouble could Samaria get into?
Oh Sharon, I fear we have not even scratched the surface of this very complex character. All I can say is trust and believe she is really, really pulling out all the stops in An Inconvenient Friend. She’s horrible, but we find out why. I love the whys of behavior. I always wanted to study psychology. LOL. This deceitful diva is motivated. The question is will she destroy herself in the process of trying to get what she wants?
Oh my; Samaria worked my nerves in S&L. I can’t wait to see if she gets what she wants….or what she deserves….LOL.
LOL – Hope, you have the right idea. You will really love this book.
Okay, now I want to read this one too! I’ve always wanted to study psychology too.
-Tee
HI Rhonda,
I love contests. Good luck in the Emma Contest.
Dyanne
Thanks Dyanne. Being nominated was such an honor. We’ll see in April. I sure wish I could be on that boat.
)
Rhonda, you may have missed it earlier, but tell us more on why you decided to do this type of blog tour vs the typical “here’s my book” type of tour. Like Sharon, I like that you’re bringing awareness to something so important.
-Tee
Tee,
As my mother says, “Boy, you are long winded.” It took me awhile to write my answer, but I’ve shared it below.
LOL, no worries, I am the same way most times. It’s crazy too because I get impatient when others are going on and on and am quick to say “short version, please” especially to hubby. So, you’re in good company.
-Tee
Okay Ms. Tee. I followed the Marriage 101 Tour. No more short version to hubby. LOL.
ROFL! Yes ma’am, I’ll try not to do it anymore this week.
Hi, Rhonda. Thank you for joining RAWSISTAZ on today. I recently read Secrets and Lies and really, really enjoyed it. You did a great job of tackling some major issues in the novel. It’s hard to believe that S&L is your debut novel. I look forward to reading more from you.
Hope,
Thanks so much for your support . I’m glad you enjoyed the novel. I continue to study the craft of writing so I hope to write a better book each time. I don’t ever want to disappoint my readers. By the way, Hope is the name of a future character in one of my novels. I look forward to writing that story. She’s an awesome woman. In my head anyway. LOL.
Well….I would expect nothing less from my namesake.
I’ll share why I chose to do the Healthy Heart Tour.
I had to do a lot of research about heart disease and the field of cardiology to write this story. During that time I learned so much about the heart and how transplantation works; specific issues for people of African descent that were very interesting. While some of the information I learned was encouraging – mainly things about the advances that have been made in treating heart disease – I was deeply troubled by the statistics about heart related illness and death in the African-American community. We are literally eating, drinking and worrying ourselves to death.
I knew I wanted to do a blog tour for my novel, but I wanted it to mean something. I know readers are generally more educated about such facts, because well…they read, but I thought if I could educate one person about the statistics, if I could help one woman to stop and think about her food choices, consider exercise or stress relief techniques, that it would be worth it.
Finally, I’m overweight. My birthday is this Saturday so I’m turning a year older and still carrying this weight around. Not good. Obesity is huge risk factor for heart disease. I really felt this tour could help me personally to get motivated to become more fit. I’m praying I will stop letting life get in the way of finding ways to reduce my stress and make time to exercise. So it’s kind of my kick off to a better Rhonda which is the best birthday present I can give myself.
I love that concept. You’re right we have to take care of ourselves so that we can be around for our family. I lost 40 pounds but unfortunately I gained most of it back. I did it just by making healthier food choices, and exercising…no diets…don’t believe in them. No don’t get me wrong…still going to eat my comfort foods from time to time but of course in moderation. I’m having a hard time getting motivated but I know I can do it!!!
Much success on your weight loss journey
Sharon,
It’s work, work, work. These bodies just seem to want to hold on to weight as we get older. I lost 22 lbs last year and I’ve gained it back. My problems are not making any time for exercise and then emotional eating. I eat through stress and that has to change.
I’m changing it in 2010!
Wow! Great, great ideas, Rhonda. You are to be commended for your efforts and also for realizing you have to make a change. We all do. I’m sure you’ve seen my updates on Facebook, but I am in the same place. Though I do work out quite a bit, I don’t eat enough and sometimes stress takes over, so I’m trying to do better too. I definitely agree that this is a wonderful birthday present and many others should follow suit!
-Tee
Hello all
Hey Biddy Baby!
Glad to have a man on board.
It’s a sad statistic, but African-American men are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than any other group. What can we do differently? Do you think it’s a lack of education about healthy food choices? I know my mom has made some dietary changes for her and my dad. He fussed a bit, but then he just eats what she gives him. I’m thinking more of the education may need to be directed at women. Many of these men are married. Are their wives killing them?
What do you think?
Rhonda, I think this could be part of the reason, but I also think men are less likely than woman to “really” worry when it comes to their health and appearance. Yes, I’m sure they want to look good and all that, but I don’t think it is as pressing for them as it is for most of us. So, by the time they actually see it and are aware, it’s way beyond the point. A woman? Most of us notice when we gain a pound or two. LOL (Or look at something and gain weight.)
-Tee
You’re right. They’re very guilty of slacking off when they think they’ve got their soul mate hooked, so staying fit definitely falls by the wayside.
There needs to be more education. More outreach. We have mobile mammagram vehicles and even mobile prostrate exam vans, but somehow the National Insittute of Health (Minority Health Department) needs to do more community based outreach. The health departments and doctors offices aren’t where they’ll find the men. They need to go to the barber shop. LOL.
Amen to the barbershops!!!
I’d love to hear someone’s thoughts on Jonah the absent parent. How do you deal with that?
I feel because of his pride, his son may have lived. Personally I thought of him as being a weak man.
OOOpsss….I just confused Jonah with his father.
I didn’t condone how he treated his son, but I understood in a way. He didn’t have anyone to show him how to be a father….he didn’t know how to love.
I agree. I have to say I never really thought of it that way. Hmmm…your the first person to bring that to my attention. A two parent household definitely doesn’t always mean you’re parented by two people.
I agree. Although, I think that Jonah’s image of his father also partly contributed to why he was so dedicated to his work.
I don’t know how to deal with his issue…especially when your spouse is refusing counseling or to acknowledge that there is a problem. That’s the first step IMHO.
Ummm, I know y’all are not discussing the book???
LOL. We are not discussing the book. But in the short excerpt we see Faith’s heart is broken, her child’s heart is broken. She’s ready to give up on him. She’s asking God, how much more does she have to endure.
The stress of a broken heart can be just as bad as fried chicken. How do we work past these types of issues of the heart?
Okay…I see now. LOL. I’m not an excerpt person, so ummm…I hadn’t read it, but now that I have, I can try to answer.
I think open communication is the key to a lot of the issues, but sometimes even that’s hard if one person isn’t receiving what’s being said. Since I haven’t read the book, I don’t know if Jonah shared his background with her and sometimes even when we share the background, the other person just doesn’t get it because they didn’t experience it. But, you have to keep trying and praying.
-Tee
Rhonda, I know many of us haven’t read the book and plan to. Is this a general question over how to handle the issue of absent parents or do you want folks to share thoughts on the actual book? LOL. I’m just sayin’, because I may have to cover my eyes or something.
-Tee
I put my answer in the wrong place.
LOL. We are not discussing the book. It’s a general question.
In the short excerpt we see Faith’s heart is broken, her child’s heart is broken. She’s ready to give up on Jonah. She’s asking God, how much more does she have to endure.
The stress of a broken heart can be just as bad as fried chicken. How do we work past these types of issues of the heart?
Well, I think the way Faith eventually handled it in the book is the way to go. ::I won’t say too much more because I’ve already said too much about the book.:: Sorry Tee!
Hi Rhonda, I’m looking forward to reading your book. Good luck with the blog tour. This was an excellent idea….
Thanks for stopping by Barbara Joe. I look forward to hearing from you after you read the book.
Great discussion!
I’m thrilled Rhonda chose to feature her tour around Heart Awareness Month. Heart disease and diabetes are two things that run in my family. It’s really important to read and educate yourself as well as family and loved ones.
Tee, thank you for hosting the Healthy Heart Blog Tour on RAWSistaz today.
It was/is a pleasure, Ty. Thanks for asking.
Did you know that one in four women die from heart disease as opposed to 1 in 30 from cancer. I’d like to share this ebook for women from The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). It’s a wonderful resource.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/hhw/hdbk_wmn.pdf
Please commit to sharing this with at least 30 women on your email lists. It could make a difference and save a life.
I’d like to extend a hearty WELCOME to everyone joining us today. It is wonderful to see such an important message incorporated with one of my favorite things…books!
Thanks so much and please continue to share your comments & thoughts.
RAWSISTAZ has LIT FIT, a group which focuses on fitness. We don’t advertise it because it is a smaller and private group, but I am looking into ways to share some of our information via the RAWSISTAZ site.
-Tee
Hi Rhonda,
I really don’t have any questions or comments. But I wanted to stop by and support your tour. I also wanted to commend you on choosing to focus on health issues in your tour rather than just saying “buy my book” as so many of “us” tend to do. lol
Okay, I guess that was a comment of sorts. Anyhoo, I’m here reading and supporting you and RAW.
LOL. I can always count on you for a chuckle. Girl, if I put all my energy into buy the book I really would damage my heart.
I believe that when we serve others that our needs are always met on the back end.
By the way, Zaria has a great new book titled Prodigal. It’s been on the Black Expressions bestseller list for 12 weeks straight!
Zaria, and we appreciate the support for Rhonda and the group.
Hopefully you’ll join us one day for a blog tour or black book chat.
-Tee
Hello everyone!!!!
I read SECRETS AND LIES and I absolutely loved the book, the characters. I enjoyed that the flow of the story and appreciated the fact that the characters had flaws, as we all do.
Sorry, I didn’t read over the other questions, Rhonda, I’m wondering what can we expect from you next?
Thanks for reading Secrets and Lies and stopping by today. I’m glad you enjoyed Jonah and Faith’s story. I wrote about the people I know and the woman I am. FLAWED! LOL.
The title to my second novel is An Inconvenient Friend and here’s a little about it:
Samaria Jacobs doesn’t know Jesus, yet. She’s still the same manipulative, devious, man stealer we met in Secrets and Lies. Her creed in life: If at first you don’t succeed, try…try…again. She’s got her hooks in somebody’s husband, but this time her plan to steal him involves secretly befriending his wife. Will she get the man or destroy herself and everyone else in the process?
Available August 1, 2010 wherever books are sold. It’s available for pre-order on Amazon.
Once again I explore the theme of forgiveness and the effects of unresolved emotional pain, but I also hope the book will generate some discussions around sisterhood.
Thanks for sharing. My anniversary is August 1st! YAY me!
I almost forgot the anthology I’m in. It will be released in early May.
A Woman’s Revenge by Tiffany L. Warren, Sherri Lewis and Rhonda McKnight
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. 3 stories of revenge served up cold by 3 of your favorite Christian fiction authors.
Here’ s a synopsis of my story:
A Piece of Revenge By Rhonda McKnight
Where do broken hearts go? If you’re Tamera Watson…to the pawn shop to buy a gun. Tamera Watson’s husband is gone and so is her life savings and all the corporate grant funds for a non-profit program for underprivileged kids. With the last of her pennies she pays a private detective to hunt him down, so she can gun him down. When she finds him will she be able to pull the trigger? Or will the God of her heart stop her before she lets her desire for revenge take her too far?
Mine kind of story…I’m adding the anthology to my ever growing list.
Oh my! I’m putting this date, on the August 1st release date on my calendar NOW!!!
I stopped reading anthologies because I find myself thirsting for more. I really enjoyed your book and I enjoy Tiffany L. Warren as well, so I’ll be checking that out as well.
Continued blessings!
I am the same way, Nardsbaby, but this one does sound good! Maybe I’ll give anthologies another try.
-Tee
I am enjoying this blog tour.
I think it is important to carve out family time – and everyone has to participate. Sometimes setting up a contract will work.
The family time has to be at a time that works for all parties. There have been times that I have had to stop work and do family time and then after that continue with work evern if it meant that I was up most of the night.
Hi Beverly,
I agree that family time has to be scheduled and I like the idea of a contract. I attempted to do something similar with my family many years ago. I wanted to sit down and write a family mission statement and our strategic plan. I didn’t get the support I wanted from the Jonah in my life, so it didn’t happen, but I believe it was a good idea. I still do. Perhaps I should try again.
Thanks for stopping by the tour and sharing your thoughts.
I’ve never thought of doing a contract, Beverly, so thanks for sharing. But, I do often cook & feed the family and then come back to work late into the night.
We also try to keep Friday as family night; so we watch movies, play the Wii or things of this nature. And though we do most meals together, every Saturday or Sunday, I turn our kitchen into IHOP…lol…and I make homemade pancakes for them. They really love it too.
Other ideas are to incorporate family time into chores or bath time. We do this sometimes, too.
-Tee
Rhonda et al,
Time got away from me yesterday and I didn’t have the opportunity to stop back by and participate as much as I wanted, so I’m going to try again later today. But, thank you all SO MUCH for participating.
I can not wait to read the book and hope we’ll have the opportunity to discuss it with you in detail, Rhonda. Sounds like a black book chat kinda book to me.
Have a wonderful day, everyone.
-Tee
Not sure how I missed this but I loved Secrets and Lies and look forward to the new one~ stay
BLESSED~
angelia