For years, she was the girl at the back of the classroom, words blurring on the page, convinced she’d never belong in the world of books. In the small steel town of Noblesville, Indiana, no one—not even Rhonda Parker Taylor herself—could have predicted she’d become the author of a suspense novel praised by Mariel Hemingway’s book club. But grit runs deep in families like hers. Rhonda’s story is one of setbacks, second chances, and the kind of stubborn hope that refuses to let a dream die quietly.
In this episode, she shares how fear, self-doubt, and even a sabotaged manuscript couldn’t keep her from finding her voice—and how every character in her debut novel, "Crossroads," carries a lesson about balance, resilience, and the courage to choose your own path. What You’ll Hear: The truth about Rhonda’s early struggles with reading and how fear shaped her childhood The pivotal teachers and family moments that helped her find her voice The real-life inspiration behind "Crossroads," and what makes its characters so relatable (even the ones you’re not supposed to like) How emotions like anger, fury, and envy can shape destinies—on the page and in real life Honest talk on rejection, imposter syndrome, and the power of mentorship Rhonda’s family motto, and why “If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me” became her guiding light The one lesson she wants every reader to take away: be your unique self, no matter what the world says If Rhonda’s story moved you, there’s so much more to explore—both in her work and in the journeys we share on this show.
Connect with Rhonda:Dive deeper at https://www.RhondaParkerTaylor.com.
Grab your copy of "Crossroads," and join the conversation about resilience and self-discovery.
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