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Here’s the secret I’ve wanted to share with you—not a big one, just One Little Secret which happens to be the title of Allison Bottke’s latest novel.

Allison is known for her God Allows U-Turn series. And in addition, her talents are now displayed in inspirational novels. Allison is a fabulous writer, a sweet friend and a role model who crafted the blueprint to move from struggles to success.

So what’s One Little Secret about?

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!

And now Allison reveals some secrets from her own personal life:

Janet: What specifically prompted you to begin writing fiction?

Allison: I’ve always wanted to write fiction. In fact, when I grow up I’d like to work in the world of film—writing screenplays. I have a deep love for creating those sappy, romantic comedy fairy-tale love stories that women can escape into. However, I had a major life-changing epiphany at the age of 35 that brought me closer to God in a very profound way. As a result of that, I founded an organization called: GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS. A vital aspect of that organization is a compilation book series of true short stories written by people from all around the world. The GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS anthology collection took off with its first volume published in 2001 and today, there are 23 plus books under the recognized GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS "brand." That said, I was blessed to enter the world of publishing and get my feet wet—more important—I was able to make connections with editors and publishers who were able to see how I conducted my business.

I also began attending writer’s conferences as an instructor, and while there I was able to take classes as a student with some amazing novelists who generously shared their craft in workshop sessions. I soaked up everything I could about how to write fiction—taking notes—buying tapes—listening over and over again to teachers like Angela Hunt, Gayle Roper, Brandilyn Collins, James Scott Bell, Jack Cavanaugh, Lauraine Snelling, and Tracie Peterson. It was after taking a 3-day long intensive workshop with Tracie Peterson that I was able to fine-tune my work-in-progress and submit it with a proposal to Bethany House. The rest, as they say, is history. Bethany House signed me to write two novels and the whirlwind began.

Q: We understand your novels reflect some personal areas of your life. What specifically prompted you to relate that particular aspect?

A: Some? You’re being kind…there was a whole lot of me in "Stitch," from the weight loss surgery aspect to the career as a professional fundraiser, to living in southern California. It’s been said that debut novels are often the most autobiographical in a novelist’s career. It’s also said that the second novel—the follow-up—is infinitely harder to write because you’ve used up pretty much everything you know in novel number one, and now the rubber meets the road for real creativity. (insert a big smile here.) That said, One Little Secret has far less of my real-life experience, which was a true joy to write! I had so much fun with this book!

Q: As your e-zine, which you call a "Dream-Zine," focuses on the "Baby Boomer" explosion, what would you say to women who view senior years as a dreaded reality?

A: I would say that the choices we make change the story of our life! If we choose to look at our boomer years in a negative light then that’s what we’re going to see! We have a choice! We can be proud to be Boomer Babes!

Q: Okay, since you mentioned it, what is a Boomer Babe? And how did that come about?

A: 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.

Q: Do you have a Mission Statement for your new Boomer Babes Rock! site?

A: Sure do! "Boomer Babes Rock, where fun, fashion, food, family, and faith merge to empower and inspire boomer women around the world!"

Q: Where can my readers find out more about Boomer Babes Rock?

A: Your blog readers can find more about what a Boomer Babe is by visiting this page on the Boomer Babes Rock! website: http://www.boomerbabesrock.com/mission-bbr.html. And, they can sign up to receive our free monthly Dream-Zine by clicking here: http://www.boomerbabesrock.com/dreamzine.html.

Q: As a career woman, what keeps you going and achieving your countless tasks?

A: We only have one life—this is it on this earth. I want to make a difference—I want to leave a mark. I want God to be proud of me when I get to heaven—that I took the experiences He entrusted to me and made something out of them.

Q: Can you share with us some moments when you felt discouraged? Disappointed?

A: Sure, almost every day! There is always something that pops up in any given day that if I allowed it to would change my outlook on life. There are times when I succumb to the pressure of the tasks on my plate, when I get overwhelmed and have what I call a "melt down." But I sure do try to keep those times few and far between! I’m only human and sometimes life throws a curve ball, you know? But we all have a choice how we respond to those times. I’m typically pretty optimistic most of the time.

Q: And what would you say is the highlight of your career as an author and speaker?

A: Speaking at the Crystal Cathedral was amazing. My talk there is available online at my website. This was like coming full circle, as I had received a personal letter from Dr. Robert Schuller years before I became a Christian. I remember sitting alone in the wings before I was introduced and thanking God for this dream come true (http://www.allisonbottke.com/mediaroom.htm#demos).

Q: Some women would love to reach your level of success. What advice would you give to that woman?

A: Janet, the fact I’ve been published at all boggles my mind. I want to encourage your readers who have a desire to write to never give up! I also want them to stop judging themselves against other writers. I’m a high school drop out with a ninth grade education and a GED. I quit school after the 9th grade to run away from home and get married. I was going to live happily ever after in my fairy tale dream.

But that’s NOT what happened. As a teenager, I was looking for love in all the wrong places. As a Boomer Babe, I know a whole lot more about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. I also know a whole lot more about pursuing the dreams of our heart…walking in God’s purpose for our life, and making life-changing U-Turns. Boomer Babes Rock is all about living the great American dream. It’s about deciding today… that THIS is the break-out year when you’re going to make things happen—and happen in a BIG way! And that’s what One Little Secret is about. It’s about a dynamic woman who takes a risk to make her lifelong dream come true.

Q: You’ve taken risks in your life, haven’t you? How are you like Ursula, your lead character in One Little Secret?

A: Ursula steps out in faith—and takes a risk. Although keeping her "One Little Secret" wasn’t the best way to handle her choice. J For me, being vulnerable enough to share my rocky past with people has been empowering to me personally—and I believe it has also helped to encourage other women they are not alone. To allow myself to be vulnerable has helped me to heal the broken places in my heart and soul. It used to be difficult to talk about being molested and abused as a toddler—then to share being a battered wife and a dysfunctional teenage mother. I made a horrible mess of my life—but things are different now. I make different choices now. I believe with ever fiber of my being that God has a plan for me—and that I had to walk the paths I did to be able to do what I do today. I believe it’s the same for all of us.

Janet, writing is not about formal education, or whom you know, or how long you’ve been at it. It’s about perseverance and risk and belief in yourself—and knowing that inevitably, God will make a way where there seems to be no way. Thanks, Janet, for hosting me on your blog today. As always, it’s been a joy visiting with you and your readers.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to share with our readers before you go?

A: 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 are 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 website 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!

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