One Little Secret

As an avid reader of mystery, sci fi and action stories, this book would not have been on my reading list. But I received a free copy since I am in close working relations with Ms. Bottke. Feeling the obligatory need to read it, I picked it up on Saturday afternoon. By Sunday I had finished it! What a pleasant surprise. I thorougly enjoyed it! It moved fast, never bogged down and had me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. Her characters where real people with real emotions, attitudes, joys and problems. I even had to go get a kleenex on several parts. She even gave "Tinsel Town" a human touch. Nothing was left hanging at the end except for a wish to read what happens to Ursula now. When is the sequel??? Anyone who enjoys reading will enjoy this book. Cheryll Hutchings Editor-in-Chief Boomer Babes Rock Dream-zine www.boomerbabesrock.com Co-Editor God-Allows U-Turns Compilation Series www.godallowsuturns.com

Allison does a masterful job of blending fun, faith and fiction into one zippy package! I got this book on Wednesday, and by Thursday, I'd gobbled it all up and wanted more! I really related to the main character, Ursula, as I applied the lessons she learned to my life. This was a fun read, but not shallow: there were some deep spots too. All in all, excellent!

One Little Secret contains all the right stuff--good writing, deep characterizations and a great story from an author who lives in the midst of it. Bottke knows L.A. and all its burbs. And it shows. The Southland, with its sun, beach communities and Hollywood, almost becomes a character in the book. Creating a twisting, totally non-predictable plot, Bottke infuses a witty chick-lit style to contemporary fiction. Her voice is fresh and unique. I was drawn into the story from the first page. Her characters are real and fall into the same traps we do. When the wife of one of her husband's law partners is condescending to her, Ursula wants to dig into the grocery cart, grab a fresh lemon pie and shove it in the woman's face--but knows she can't. I laughed out loud numerous times at Ursula's thoughts and reactions. And I blinked back tears a few times, too. With characters I could relate to, I found myself getting angry at Nik, fearful that Ursula was heading toward trouble, and worried that Don, her husband, would be blind to a sexy new law partner's advances. There's conflict at every turn! A few times I wished I had Ursula's cell phone number. I'd call her up and yell at her. But as the story unfolds, Bottke kept surprising me with a new twist I hadn't expected. In Ursula, Bottke gives us a portrait of a Christian woman living in a fallen world. She faces temptations; she sins but keeps going, assured of her Savior's love and forgiveness. How she shares her faith with those around her is well written, never schmaltzy or preachy. This reviewer gives it her highest recommendation--a must read!

Ursula Rhodes had set aside her talents and ambitions for her husband and children for many years. But her day has finally come. She is thrown serendipitously into pursuing her life dream, and discovers how deep her longing is and how terrific her skills turn out to be. Ursula makes many mistakes in her pursuit of success, some that even threaten to tear apart the family she loves so much; but through it all she grows emotionally and spiritually. If you're looking for a little escape and inspiration, join Ursula in a delightful adventure into the world of the rich and famous ... to the land where dreams come true.

Wow! This book is fun, smart, touching and a must read for any woman who has ever sacrificed for her family. This book encourages all of us to dream big, and never give up our dreams. It also encourages us to GO FOR IT when the opportunity arises. A fun read that had me turning page after page when I should have been sleeping. At one point in the book, I realized I was so into the main character Ursula that I was having STAGE FRIGHT for HER!!! Tremendous ride, and one I'll read again and again.