Allison Bottke is a force to be reckoned with! As I mentioned a few days ago, she’s the founder of the God Allows U-Turns ministry. She’s penned over twenty books, been featured in several magazine articles, is an inspirational speaker, and uses her skills to help other writers hone their craft. Amazing. She has also started a new ministry for “Boomer Babes”. I’m a Gen-Xer and probably the youngest one on this blog tour – a fact I haven’t checked – but I really relate to a lot of what she has to say. I’ve never dealt well with being told I have to fit in a little box as defined by my birth date. Besides, aren’t I mature for my age?? đ When I joined this tour, I was a little nervous about people thinking I’m unqualified to review a book written about and for baby boomer women. Then I picked the book up and laughed and cried my way through it in a day. I’m an avid reader and I love to encourage people any way I can. I think that’s qualification enough.
Allison was masterful at weaving the familiar things in my life in with the Hollywood-esque things I may never experience but am curious about. The book begins with Nik, the main male character being up for an award at the Grammys. As a music lover, I was hooked. And what girl hasn’t had a crush on a rock star? Nik is also what my brothers call me – with that exact spelling. Ah common ground. Then we meet Ursula, the beautiful suburban wife and mom who has a hidden musical gift of her own. I’m a wife, mom, and sing with a band. More common ground. I’m liking this book. As the tale unfolded and I began to establish feelings for each of the characters, they became so real that I could almost picture them played out in movie form. (More on that later) As with all of my friendships, when I read a book, I tend to look for common interests and learn from the differences. It wasn’t difficult to get drawn in to the storyline of ONE LITTLE SECRET.
Some of the issues addressed in this book are universal whether you’re a rock star, or a housewife, or any other profession. I cringed and felt the tightening in my stomach when Ursula and her husband argued over a major miscommunication. I smiled as I listened to Ursula and her son’s playful banter and dreamed of the day my son and I will have that relationship. I sat a little straighter in my chair as I witnessed her be strong and insistent with her boundaries. My mouth dropped open when the young music star decides he wants her and makes it his mission to get her. I watched as she struggled to live out her faith in a world that is sometimes hostile to Christianity. I was hopeful as the seeds of God’s love were planted in Nik and he struggled through his confused emotions and the difficult task of forgiveness. I held my breath in anticipation when the characters did so. Like you and me, Ursula had many opportunities to make a positive impact on the people around her. Most of the time she got it right. There were many other lessons I loved. Some I related to and some I didn’t. Lessons like living life in the shadow of a famous parent and all of the baggage that comes with the dance of that fragile relationship. Having an appreciation for the finer material things in life, and the contrast of how the two characters dealt with their blessings and abundance. The glimpse of loneliness in someone who has a reputation of being a ladies man. The effects of the ugly green monster – jealousy. How one little secret can grow into several little secrets that are hard to keep straight and may have serious consequences for all involved.
There were little details sprinkled in the story that I found comforting and amusing. In one scene Ursula relaxed with a cup of Good Earth tea, one of my favorites. Nik tends to cook when he gets nervous, that’s definitely not me, but I’m all for a man with skills in the kitchen. I have to say that my favorite part was watching this well-organized, gifted, and lovely woman provide stability for her family, and still make the decision to pursue a dream she had had since childhood. As a new empty nester with time on her hands and an old longing in her heart, she must decide how to spend her summer. A wonderful and crazy opportunity lands on her doorstep, and she has to choose. The choices she makes will impact her family and she learns the hard lesson that ONE LITTLE SECRET never is…
This book was a great summer read. It was fun and refreshing, and not too old for me. đ I’m looking forward to giving a free copy away to a lucky winner on Friday. If you’re interested in putting your name in the hat, email me.
Below is the description of ONE LITTLE SECRET as described on Allison’s website – which should be your next stop when you leave here! Thank you Allison for writing this book. I look forward to reading more of your work!
One more thing…Reaching for your dreams is one of Allison’s messages she is passionate about. She has a dream that this will one day be made into a film. To read details on a casting call contest she’s holding at her website, and to cast your vote for the stars who would be great in these roles, check out this link. www.boomerbabesrock.com/onelittesecret_castingcall.htm
For Ursula Rhoades, her ONE LITTLE SECRET is about to become her one big problem! ONE LITTLE SECRET fits seamlessly into a culture obsessed with reality TV and celebrity lives (think American Idol and E! channel). Delving into the life of a fictional rock star, ONE LITTLE SECRET grabs readers from the start and takes them on a fun-loving ride through Hollywood and the famous GRAMMY awards.
In a land of glitz and glamour, Ursula Rhoades isn’t fazed in the least by the constant parade of Prada and Tiffany’s or the high-profile celebrity sightings. A beautiful home, a loving family, and fulfilling volunteer opportunities leave this fashionable and loving Bel-Air housewife completely content, even if she did have to give up her dreams. Nikolai Prevelakis, or Nik Prevel to his fans, is the hottest young music star in the country. But it isn’t enough. Handsome, famous, and living the life of a rock star, Nik isn’t content. When his path crosses Ursula’s, he sees the opportunity he’s been waiting for.but what seems like a harmless little secret changes their lives forever-and becomes one big secret everyone’s trying to figure out!
Ursula is a fun and hip main character-a baby boomer quite different from most heroines you see in today’s inspirational fiction. Offset by a male protagonist who is captivating and gets more likable and “deeper” as the story goes on, it’s just plain fun to watch these characters interact. A Hollywood fairy tale with all the pleasures of escapist literature mixed with gentle lessons on using the talents God has given you, the power of sacrifice, self-esteem, and the value of being “just a housewife.”
Find out why folks are saying that Allison writes “women’s fiction with an attitude!”
