One Little Secret

A former rising star in the music world, Ursula loves being a happily married stay-at-home mom---but that's about to change. Her silvery voice entrances pop singer Nik Prevelakis. When he asks her to record an album with him, she hesitates. How can she have a successful career without disrupting her family life? 352 pages, softcover from Bethany.

Can keeping one little secret from one’s family end in anything but disaster? Ursula Rhoades has been the stellar housewife. She supported her husband as he climbed the corporate ladder, raised two God-fearing, responsible children, and served her community through a multitude of volunteer efforts. Suddenly, Ursula’s husband is called away to New York City to work on the case of a lifetime, one that will secure him the coveted promotion to senior partner at the law firm. Ursula finds that her empty nest has left her lonely and searching.

Then a dream Ursula thought she had long ago buried becomes possible. Should she pursue it? How might it change her family? Can it hurt her husband’s career? Ursula grasps the opportunity but hides it from her family, deceiving herself with the thought that one little secret doesn't really matter.

Alison Bottke paints a realistic picture of a marriage that, although far from perfect, is based on God and therefore built on solid ground. She deals with the theme of long lost dreams and how they can be restored. She helps the reader learn that God’s gifts are to be treasured and used, not ignored or buried. Bottke takes her readers into exhilarating, heart-palpitating moments where one has to remember to breathe. The story is one wonderful ride. – Vasthi Acosta, Christian Book Previews.com

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by Carol Kinney (Herkimer, NY), July 13, 2009

I found the characters believable in their struggles. I appreciated that these characters were far from perfect and that the temptations and sins that they struggled with were very real. I thought that this was a well written book and look forward to more from the author soon.

Reviewed by Bettye Willett (Louisville, KY), April 09, 2009

This turned out to be a really good book. I stayed up late when I was reading about how she was going to tell her husband about the secret album she did with Nik. It was good reading about how she witnessed to the rock star and those around him and did not compromise her Christian values. Highly recommend it for fun reading.

Reviewed by Cheri (Clay), December 07, 2007

Wow! the author Allison Bottke does an amazing job on this her second novel the first being “A Stitch in Time” where we first meet Ursula. God is all over this novel! An awesome read for teen girls and adult women alike call it fiction, contemporary fiction or chick-lit this reviewer calls it God’s light as this novel has more reference to God than most Christian fiction books I’ve read in along time and that is so awesome. So find a comfortable chair, maybe some popcorn and sit back and enjoy “One Little Secret” as you won’t want to put it down and I promise you’ll come away never looking at your own life the same again!

Reviewed by Alicia H Williams (Fort Washington, MD), October 24, 2007

This was such an engaging novel. My attention was captured from the beginning and although this is fiction, the emotions, conflicts, choices, and prayers were very believable. It is refreshing to see characters face life's challenges and turn to God's love and grace for answers. I was also inspired by the main character, Ursula Rhoades, as she held tight to her priorities. I could definitely relate.

Reviewed by Deborah (Portsmouth, VA), August 23, 2007

This was a really fun book to read. I enjoyed learning about what goes on in the music industry. Who hasn't had the dream of winning a Grammy? Even if you sing horribly, you always wish that you could be up there singing a duet with your favorite star and then getting rewarded for it. I liked how even though I know that there are negative influences in the music world, this story was able to stay in the positive area. I was proud of Ursula for not backing down with her priorities with Nik. I'm glad that she set down what conditions she was going to follow and not give in to him simply because he was famous. I know that there would have been many women who would have fallen for Nik's advances especially if their husband had been distant like Don. I'm glad that Ursula did not fall prey to him. Although I will admit, I got frustrated that she kept giving in to her family and Don at the end of the book. They keep getting mad at her for keeping a secret yet she didn't seem to explain to them the real reason why she did it. She just kept apologizing when I felt she shouldn't have to. But other than that minor quirk, I really did enjoy this book. Very fun and I learned a lot too! I really loved seeing all the famous celebrities stop by and make little cameos throughout the book. It's more fun than seeing fake names pretending to be stars. They didn't have to interact with the main characters but it was fun to not know who would pop up next. I would love to own a copy of Blissful Love. It sounds like it would be the perfect CD to listen to on a romantic evening or to kick back and relax

Reviewed by Tracy Ruckman (Lowndesboro, AL), August 02, 2007

This book is fun and encouraging. All moms and wives who've devoted their lives to family should read this book for fun and for dreams! The characters are real, the drama and tension is life-like. At one point, I was turning the pages so fast my hubby couldn't believe I was actually reading them! I highly recommend this book for a great read! I also plan to give it as gifts to several "over-busy" women I know and encourage them to reach for their dreams.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan (Suwanee, GA), August 02, 2007

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!

Reviewed by Karen Power (Albuquerque, NM), July 29, 2007

Great cast of characters! I couldn't put it down..a real page turner! I loved getting to be backstage at the Grammy Awards!

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