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!

What's Your...One Little Secret?

Tell us your little secret, and win an iPod Shuffle...



As many of you may have noticed already, Allison Bottke has been doing a blog tour this month to promote her newest book published by Bethany House titled, One Little Secret. I'm thrilled to announce that Allison will be wrapping up the tour with the grand finale, held here at my blog on August 31st!

In order to celebrate her book release, I've decided to hold a contest, and our company, Art Bookbindery, is going to sponsor it by giving away an ipod shuffle to the winning blogger. In addition, Allison Bottke will also be giving away an autographed copy of her book. We'll randomly draw one winner and announce it on September 1st.

When I came up with the idea for this contest, I decided that since the name of the book was so fun, we could really have fun with the contest too... So what do I want you to do? It's simple--tell us one little secret about yourself on August 31st, then come over here to leave a link to your post on that day. Mr. Linky will be available so you can add it yourself that morning. Along with Mr. Linky, Allison Bottke will be chatting a bit about the book, so it's going to be a party of sorts!! When you post your blog, please include a link back here, and also thank Art Bookbindery by including a link back to them. I appreciate my DH for sponsoring contests like this. :)

Of course we don't expect you to share a deep dark secret with your internet friends, but it would be fun if we can each learn something about each other that we probably don't know yet or a dream we have for the future. For example, did you know that I don't touch door knobs when I leave a ladies room? I'm not OCD, but this is one little quirk that I've practiced for years. And my dreams...well I think I'm living them, but I'll try to reveal a little more at month end...

Anyway, I hope that you decide to join us for this contest. It's a great way to help Allison promote her new book, and have a little fun while we're at it. I'll leave this post at the top of my blog as a sticky until the day comes. Can't wait to hear your "One Little Secret!" :)

Friends...can you grab the button and announce it at your blog too? I'd appreciate getting the word out...

<center><a href="http://www.darleneschacht.com/blog.html" ><img border="0" src="http://www.christianwomenonline.net/SecretButton.jpg" /></a></center><br />
Copy this code to
link your site to the
One Little Secret Contest

Thank YOU for Being a Friend

One of my long-time blogging friends, Paula made a cute little video about her blogging friends, me, Val and CJ. How sweet is that? If you want to see some horribly photoshopped images of me, in the kindest of videos, you can find them
here:
Paula's Walk

Most of these images stem from the good old days when Jeff over at Think Sink and I used to have duelling photoshop posts. He outlasted me by far.

Thankful Thursday - Summer Blessings

With summer nearing its end, I reflect and have much to be thankful for...

I'm thankful for the four children I've spent so much time with.

I'm thankful for sunshine. I'm a sunshine fanatic, you know!

I'm thankful for vacation Bible school that enriched my kids lives.

I'm thankful for my husband who spent so much time with us when he wasn't at work.

I'm thankful for the new deck that I've been waiting years to get.

I'm thankful for the beautiful day we had today. The sky was clear blue, a breeze was blowing, and I had Crystal Siemens new CD to listen to in the car. It was a perfect day.

I'm thankful that my blogging friends have been patient with my summer schedule, since I was absent more than not.

I'm thankful for Iris who is hosting Thankful Thursday, and who puts so much of her time into this meme.

Visit more participants over at Sting My Heart

8 Random Facts About My Marriage

Mrs. Diamond tagged me with a meme, which is to list 8 random things about my marriage. Oooh--fun!

1. Michael and I eloped. A guy that I worked with conducted the ceremony. I wasn't even aware that he was a pastor since he worked full time at the dental lab I was at, but someone pulled him out of the lunch line and paired us together. We really wanted to elope, so we preferred to quietly keep it away from our home churches.

2. I officially met my husband on Valentine's day when I sang at his church.

3. I unoffically met him about three years earlier when he was dating a girl that I worked with. It was more like a brief nod at that time.

4. This year is our 19th year of marriage.

5. We were so broke in the early years that we borrowed the money for our wedding rings. They are simple gold bands, and I wouldn't trade mine for anything.

6. Both of our moms were playing Bingo while we were saying our "I Do's"

7. We've never gone on a honeymoon, in fact we don't travel much at all.

8. Michael is a procrastinating thinker who doesn't take a step until all of the angles are considered, and I'm a fly by the seat of my pants/take a chance kind of girl.

I'm going to tag...Paula, Val, Iris, Gen, and Laurel

Life is Hard...Yep!

Remember the other day when Maddy cooked dinner for our family? Well before dinner we had to go shop with the boys, and of course they grumbled because we bought the ingredients for pasta salad. The word "salad" scares them about as much as a bottle of shampoo, but nonetheless, if it's put before them at dinner time, they MUST eat it.

Walking to the car with vegetables in hand, Graham asked, "Mom, why is life so hard?"

"Well," I answered him, "because if we can make it through tough situations, there's always a reward. It's called perserverance, little guy."

I reminded him how tough that saving can be, and how great it is to finally buy something you've always wanted. And how cleaning the house sucks, but sleeping in a nice tidy bed feels great. I reminded him that when we eat healthy we can run faster and live longer. And labor...now that's a subject he'll hear about from his wife someday--and never stop hearing about!! :)

So yesterday I took the kids shopping because Grampa gave the boys each some birthday money--$20.00 to be exact! Graham took the $34.00 he had recently saved and combined it with the $20.00 for a whopping $54.00 shopping spree!

With arms full of stuff, he raised himself up on his toes to plunk the goods on the counter; a crooked smile tilted his specks. "You're right, mom!" he said, "Life is tough, but if we make it through the tough stuff, life's great!!"

Of course I smiled a crooked one of my own, knowing that finally something I said had sunk in.

The next stop was McDonalds, and while the kids ordered their little meals, I opted to wait for that leftover salad we had in the fridge. It was a little tough watching a Big Mac pass me by, but when you finally get it, you realize that the difficult path ain't all that bad!

Life is hard...yep! But it's good.

My Little Chef

My daughter and I went to Hairspray tonight. It was a good mother/daughter flick. My husband would hate it (which means we liked it).

Maddy is a huge mommy fan these days; how great is that? I love having my own fan club living in the same house. She actually stared at me sleeping this morning. I know because I lifted a lid a few times.

She's nine and plans to own her own restaurant one day--if Dad foots the bill. Tonight she made supper all on her own. I watched her, and gave her some tips, but she basically did all that needed to be done. She made barbeque chicken (oven) and pasta salad. I did the dangerous stuff like pour the boiling water into the strainer, and cut some onions right before her eyes caught on fire, but other than that the little trouper took care of it all. She wants to cook homemade chicken noodle soup tomorrow. How cute.

My hope is that she'll eventually kick me out of the kitchen completely. Did I say hope? I mean my earnest prayer!!

I'm blogging over at the internet cafe this Wednesday. If you'd like, you can join me there...

The Journey

Today is the day I usually dread the most every year. My husband goes back to work after a wonderful few weeks together and life returns to normal. But you know what? It isn't that bad. I think the thought of it all ending is really worse than it actually is. The sun is shining, this little guys are still adorabe as they sit around in their underpants waiting for me to say "Get dressed guys!" and my daughter is still the same adorable cuddly bear she was yesterday. Brendan is still sleeping till noon and all is peaceful in my home.

Everyday life is wonderful all by itself. We don't need a trip to the beach or a vacation to a far away land to make it any better than it is already. I wouldn't trade the moment I have here and now for any I could dream of myself, unless of course we're walking with the Father in the life here after! That's one place I long to be more than any other.

Like most things in life, we're so busy looking toward the destination that we miss the beauty of the journey. I thank God today that He's richly blessed me with a window seat.

Blessings,