Are You Ready to Party?

Wow, the month is over already? Well, that's a good thing for me, since Allison Bottke is here today discussing her book One Little Secret, and I'm discussing my own little secret. :)

First I wanted to ask Allison just a few questions about her book, and then we'll discuss our own little secrets, sound good? Remember, it's your chance to win an iPod Shuffle, courtesy of Art Bookbindery.

Allison, thank you for being here, and for giving me the opportunity to hold the finale at my blog. I'm always looking for an excuse to hold a party, and this one is good.

First off, can you tell us a bit about the book?

I developed ONE LITTLE SECRET first as a screenplay called JUST A HOUSEWIFE. When Bethany House wanted a second novel after A STITCH IN TIME, I immediately thought of this story, realizing that it would make some great Boomer-Lit!

For Ursula Rhoades, her ONE LITTLE SECRET becomes 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 takes readers 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. She has a beautiful home, a loving family, and fulfilling volunteer opportunities that leave this fashionable and loving Bel-Air housewife completely content, even if she did have to give up her dreams when she married Don so many years ago. Enter Nikolai Prevelakis, or Nik Prevel to his fans, 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!

ONE LITTLE SECRET is 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."

Why is it said that you write fiction "with an attitude?"

It was my agent who first coined that phrase in reference to my work. He was trying to describe the kind of fiction I write but it’s not your typical romance fiction, and it’s not historical, and it’s not quite chick-lit. My lead characters are all baby boomers, in their 40’s and 50’s. They are all smart, savvy, sophisticated and a bit sassy. He told a publisher that my stories had “attitude,” that my characters had “attitude.” Thus, “women’s fiction with an attitude” was born. So, for the record, it’s my characters and stories that have the attitude, and not me. :)

It's such a unique angle you've taken in writing for this age group--yet I'm not surprised, because you're full of creativity! Were you apprehensive about stepping out to write for this audience?

I’m afraid I’ve lived “outside the box” since I was a toddler—I’m not sure I could write any other way. My life experiences set me apart from most girls my age from as early as I can remember and the older I get the more “outside the box” I become. I’m not proud of a great many of my early life choices, and while a part of me would love to turn back the hands of time and make different choices—the fact is that God brought me through the trials for a reason—and I need to be ever vigilant to do my best to figure out why that is. :) I’m drawn to write love stories. I’m drawn to write screenplays for romantic comedies. I feel “called to write” in this genre, and I think we need wholesome love stories that contain enough worldly influence to make them exciting—while at the same time exhibiting a strong portion of faith-filled ethics, values, integrity and morals. We need to stay true to who we are—to our innermost passion and purpose.

Absolutely, and you write it so well! In fact we're blessed to have you as a regular contributor over at CWO, with your Boomer Babes Rock! column, which I always look forward to reading. Since you write for boomer babes over at CWO, and you’re a rockin’ boomer yourself, I’d love to know how “Boomer Babes Rock!” was born. Can you tell us a bit about that?

Here’s the definition that appears on my web site. “A Boomer Babe was born between 1946 and 1964, we are women who are comfortable enough in our own skin to realize that the mid-life years can be some of the best and most exciting in our entire life. That the hubris of youth is behind us and the wisdom of the years has made us pretty darn attractive—both inside and out. We are Boomer Babes and we’re proud of it!”

For years I’ve been known as the “God Allows U-Turns Poster Girl.” I’ve been blessed with that moniker and it’s always a joy to share with people how my life direction radically changed. Yet over the years, I found myself being drawn to the challenges my fellow baby boomer sisters were experiencing. In late 2006 I woke up one day with the idea to develop a web site separate from www.GodAllowsUTurns.com devoted to boomer women. We launched the new business, www.BoomerBabesRock.com on January 1st of 2007. A cornerstone of the outreach is a monthly electronic e-zine that we call a “Dream-Zine.” It’s called Boomer Babes with Brilliant Dreams and our goal is to empower and encourage baby boomer women to achieve the dreams of their heart.

And what may I ask is "Va Va Va Boom?"
I’ve just been contracted by David C. Cook Publishers to write three new Boomer-Lit books in a series I’ve called THE VA VA VA BOOM series. All three books will introduce entrepreneurial boomer babes who own their own businesses. Additionally, each woman has a deep dark secret and a deep dream desire. The first book in the series will release in 2008.

Oh, you’re a busy little thing, aren’t you? :)

With that, I’ll let you get back to work, but before I do, Is there anything you’d like to add?

I guess one of the main things I’d like to ask is that your readers please pick up a copy of One Little Secret and read it—and then let me know what they thought of it. I really want to grow as a writer and obtaining reader feedback is vital for that to happen. Also vital is the word-of-mouth recommendations readers can make about books they enjoy. If your readers like One Little Secret, I pray they will share it with others—and encourage their local bookstores to carry my work. I’d also like to invite your readers to visit my web sites where they can sign up for our free monthly Dream-zine, see my Blog Tour schedule, and read the Writer’s Guidelines for the next volumes in the God Allows U-Turns series. Here are the web site URL’s: www.AllisonBottke.com , www.GodAllowsUTurns.com and www.BoomerBabesRock.com

However, more important than that is my final word of the day…and that is for your readers to take the risk and reach for their dreams! God has placed a desire in your heart—He has given you special gifts—and he wants you to use them. No matter how old we are—there is still time to discover God’s purpose for our life—and to make the choices that will change the story of our life.

Thanks so much for having me here! It’s been a joy. I’ll be back!

Oh, I hope so! Thanks for joining us Allison, what do you think, is it time for a party? I do...

Ok readers, it's time for you to get involved. We'd love to hear what your one little secret is, and would love to give one of you an autographed copy of Allison's book, and an iPod Shuffle.



Here's what you do. Post one little secret or interesting tidbit about yourself on your blog today, and come back here to leave your link. Please also mention Allison's book, One Little Secret in your post, and post a link to Art Bookbindery in appreciation for their sponsorship.

You can leave a link to your post in the Mr. Linky box below.

Now, it's time to reveal my little secret. My life is rather boring to be honest, but we do have one nasty task we've been trying to hide...

I have to pay my children to flush the toilet. Yep, it's our dirty little secret these days! I had a barbeque last month, with about 25 people in the back yard. Someone came in to use the john, and found more then they bargained for under the lid. That's where I drew the line, and said "kids, something has to be done about this little issue." I'm handing out nickels to any child that can wipe, flush, wash and dry. Or in the case of a tinkle, lift a lid, flush, wash and dry.

They say it takes 21 days to form a good habit, so I'm hoping this experiment won't nickle and dime me before the kids are all broken in.

So, what's your little secret? Let's dish! (one blogger from the linky list will be randomly chosen, and the name will be announced here tomorrow, September 1st)

Note: If you can't see the Mr. Linky (some can't--argh!) Then leave a comment saying so, and I'll add you. Sorry!