Skip to main content

Interview with Allison Bottke

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.02.2007

Today I have an interview with Boomer Babe Allison Bottke talking her latest novel, One Little Secret.

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, here’s me and Allison!

How did you come up with the story idea for One Little Secret?

The idea actually germinated from a television interview I saw with Meryl Streep well over a dozen years ago. I think maybe it was with Larry King. She said she would love to work on a film where she got to sing. I’ve heard her sing and she has a fabulous voice (Alas, Prairie Home Companion didn’t do her justice.)

I’ve always wanted to work in films and from that interview I began to write a script for her…figured I’d create a role she couldn’t refuse. Nothing like starting at the top of the Hollywood food chain, eh? I mean, seriously, Meryl Streep? But the more I though about it, the more the ideas came. I called the screenplay, JUST A HOUSEWIFE, because as the lead character, she would be anything but.

When Bethany House asked me for another novel after A STITCH IN TIME, I remembered this screenplay gathering dust on my shelf and pitched them the idea. And voila! Just a Housewife became One Little Secret.

As an FYI to your readers, because I still dream of Meryl Streep playing the lead of Ursula Rhoades, I’ve developed a Hollywood Casting Call Contest on my web site where folks can vote for their favorite actors and actresses to play Ursula and Nik and some of the other cast of characters from One Little Secret. It’s a whimsical contest but if the book is actually ever adapted to a screenplay, I’m going to award the person who best guesses the actual movie cast with an all expense paid trip to Hollywood. They can check out the contest here: http://www.boomerbabesrock.com/onelittlesecret_castingcall.htm

What's your favorite scene from One Little Secret?

I have a few, but if I tell you my most favorite I’ll give away the one little secret. :) So I’d have to say all the scenes where Nik and Ursula get to sing the classic American standard love songs are my favorite scenes. Songs like “As Time Goes By,” “What a Wonderful World,” ”La Vie en Rose,” “Time After Time,” and “You’ll Never Know Just How Much I Love You.” I absolutely love those classic love songs, and as I wrote those scenes I could see them singing together in Nik’s lush and lavish Malibu studio. I could even “hear” the music.

I think that ice cream ought to be a food group. If you were an ice cream flavor, what would you be and why?

It’s not a food group? Don’t spread that falsehood! :) I’d want to be something with coffee and caramel in it – and maybe crunchy sugar-coated pecans. Kind of a mocha butter pecan praline kind of a concoction. Why? I have no idea. I guess if I really have to come up with a “why” it would be because I can’t eat ice cream anymore and I miss it. So I’d gladly “be” any flavor.

In case your readers want to know why I can’t eat ice cream anymore – it’s because after having gastric bypass surgery in 2000 and losing 120 pounds, I still can’t eat anything with milk and butter fat combined – and what is ice cream if not milk and butter fat? Sherbet, that’s what, and it’s not the same. :(

Aw man! I’m so sorry to hear that. I truly feel for you.

You may not know, but a few months ago, I got a darling pink (yes, PINK) Dooney and Bourke purse (on sale, natch) that is my first real foray into designer couture. What's your current purse designer, and what would be your dream purse?


I developed an addiction a few years ago to a purse designer out of San Francisco named Mary Frances. I have a few Mary Frances handbags in my collection and they are each like little pieces of artwork. “Little” being the operative word—big enough for a compact, driver’s license, credit card and lipstick. Oh, and maybe a few business cards and an ink pen. But as for a dream purse, I’d have to say I’d love to have something elegant and classic from Hermes.

I love ethnic food--I've tried a bunch and have yet to try an ethnic cuisine I didn't like. Do you have a favorite ethnic food?

It’s a toss up between two—sushi and Indian food. I love unagi (eel) and shrimp rolls and California rolls and tempura (battered, deep fried veggies) rolls. All the “rolls” aren’t really sushi, if you ask an expert, but unagi qualifies, right? And chicken tikki masala with naan bread is a major feast!

Because of my surgically altered stomach, I can only eat small portions and must focus on protein first—so anything with fish or chicken is at the top of my list. It’s a major pain in the you-know-where to always be consciously aware of everything I eat—but alas it’s one of the perks of maintaining this newly acquired girlish figure of mine (ha-ha, yeah, right…girlish?)

You're off the hotseat! Any parting words?

Wow, that was hot? Piece of cake! I’d like to invite readers to send me their feedback on One Little Secret—I really do want to hear what they think of my second novel. I totally changed POV, so for those who have read A Stitch in Time, which was written in first person POV, I’d like to hear what they have to say about One Little Secret, written in third person POV. I’d also like to know what your readers think about this new genre we are calling “Boomer-Lit.” We’ve set-up a book discussion group on our web site—please visit us at: http://www.boomerbabesrock.com/bookclub.html

But as for my “parting words,” I’d like to encourage your readers to be bold and to never give up on their dreams. I’m a 52 year old boomer babe who was 45 when my first book was published. I am doing what I’ve always dreamed of doing and I’m here to say that fairy-tales can come true and with God all things are possible! Thanks, Camy, for allowing me to visit with your readers in Camy’s Loft! Have a blessed day.

Camy here: Thanks, Allison!

Popular Posts

Interview with Tamara Leigh

Captain's Log, Stardate 03.13.2006 Multi-published Tamara Leigh has shifted from Medieval romances to chick-lit! Her newest book is STEALING ADDA published by NavPress. It had been a long time since New York Times best-selling author -- and historical romance writer extraordinaire -- Adda Sinclaire had experienced more than a fictional dose of romance, but when publisher Nick Farnsworth walks into her life, everything changes. Life for Adda ironically reads more like a country song than a bodice-bursting, breathless affair. For starters, she has no actual romance in her life. That might have something to do with the fact that her husband -- correction-EX husband -- ran off with Stick Woman, whom everyone knew would never be more than a mid-list author anyway. To add insult to injury (and another verse to the country song), he not only took their dog but gave it to her. If this isn't enough, Adda's come down with a horrible case of writer's block and finds h

In-N-Out from A DANGEROUS STAGE

Source: tumblr.com via Camy on Pinterest In-N-Out, one of my fav burger joints, makes an appearance in the first chapter of A Dangerous Stage . It's a chain on the West Coast and Hawaii, I'm not sure how far east they have restaurants. They don't freeze any of their food, it's all fresh, including the buns and the french fries. When you order, you can see them use this french fry hand-crank machine to make their fries, it's pretty cool. The specific restaurant in A Dangerous Stage doesn't exist at that location, but there's a couple of them near me and I go there way too often than is good for me, but it's oh-so-yummy!

Last chance! Jane Austen sweepstakes

Last chance! Win a Library of 30 Historical Romance Novels + Jane Austen Swag Worth $250! This is a delightful surprise I've been eager to share! Join me and 30 extraordinary authors in an enchanting giveaway where we're gifting a vast array of historical romance novels to two fortunate winners! And the cherry on top: The Grand Prize winner will be treated to an exclusive Jane Austen swag pack, worth an impressive $250! You'll get the chance to win a copy of my book, Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 1: Archer, as well as novels from renowned authors like Laura Beers and Kasey Stockton. (Please be aware that not all the historical novels in this giveaway are Christian or sweet.) To enter, simply click the magical link below. Wishing you the best of luck and a journey filled with delightful reads! Join Our Giveaway

99c Squeaky Clean Christmas Romance sale

I’m participating in the 99c Squeaky Clean Christmas Romance sale. Check out all the sweet/clean romance books available and stuff your eBook reader! 99c Squeaky Clean Christmas Romance

Sweet & Clean Christmas Romance sale

I’m participating in the Sweet & Clean Christmas Romance sale. Check out all the sweet/clean romance books available and stuff your eBook reader! Sweet & Clean Christmas Romance

No Cold Bums toilet seat cover

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.22.2008 I actually wrote out my pattern! I was getting a lot of hits on my infamous toilet seat cover , and I wanted to make a new one with “improvements,” so I paid attention and wrote things down as I made the new one. This was originally based off the Potty Mouth toilet cover , but I altered it to fit over the seat instead of the lid. Yarn: any worsted weight yarn, about 120 yards (this is a really tight number, I used exactly 118 yards. My suggestion is to make sure you have about 130 yards.) I suggest using acrylic yarn because you’re going to be washing this often. Needle: I used US 8, but you can use whatever needle size is recommended by the yarn you’re using. Gauge: Not that important. Mine was 4 sts/1 inch in garter stitch. 6 buttons (I used some leftover shell buttons I had in my stash) tapestry needle Crochet hook (optional) Cover: Using a provisional cast on, cast on 12 stitches. Work in garter st until liner measures

Clean Romance Deals

I’m participating in the Clean Romance Deals sale. Check out all the sweet/clean romance books available and stuff your eBook reader! Clean Romance Deals

Year of the Dog serial novel

About Year of the Dog : A month or two ago, I remembered an old manuscript I had completed but which hadn’t sold. It was a contemporary romance meant for Zondervan, titled Year of the Dog . The book had gone into the pipeline and I even got another title ( Bad Dog ) and a cover for it, but eventually my editor at the time decided she didn’t want to publish it, for various reasons. She instead requested a romantic suspense, and so I cannibalized some of the characters from Year of the Dog and thrust them into the next book I wrote, which was Protection for Hire . Honestly, I didn’t take a lot from Year of the Dog to put in Protection for Hire , aside from character names and a few relationship ties. I was originally thinking I’d post Year of the Dog as-is on my blog as a free read, but then it occurred to me that I could revamp it into a romantic suspense and change the setting to Hawaii. It would work out perfectly as (yet another) prequel to the Warubozu series and introduc

Tabi socks, part deux

Captain's Log, Stardate 07.25.2008 (If you're on Ravelry, friend me! I'm camytang.) I made tabi socks again! (At the bottom of the pattern is the calculation for the toe split if you're not using the same weight yarn that I did for this pattern (fingering). I also give an example from when I used worsted weight yarn with this pattern.) I used Opal yarn, Petticoat colorway. It’s a finer yarn than my last pair of tabi socks, so I altered the pattern a bit. Okay, so here’s my first foray into giving a knitting pattern. Camy’s top-down Tabi Socks I’m assuming you already know the basics of knitting socks. If you’re a beginner, here are some great tutorials: Socks 101 How to Knit Socks The Sock Knitter’s Companion A video of turning the heel Sock Knitting Tips Yarn: I have used both fingering weight and worsted weight yarn with this pattern. You just change the number of cast on stitches according to your gauge and the circumference of your ankle. Th

Grace Livingston Hill romances free to read online

I wanted to update my old post on Grace Livingston Hill romances because now there are tons more options for you to be able to read her books for free online! I’m a huge Grace Livingston Hill fan. Granted, not all her books resonate with me, but there are a few that I absolutely love, like The Enchanted Barn and Crimson Roses . And the best part is that she wrote over 100 books and I haven’t yet read them all! When I have time, I like to dive into a new GLH novel. I like the fact that most of them are romances, and I especially appreciate that they all have strong Christian themes. Occasionally the Christian content is a little heavy-handed for my taste, but it’s so interesting to see what the Christian faith was like in the early part of the 20th century. These books are often Cinderella-type stories or A Little Princess (Frances Hodgson Burnett) type stories, which I love. And the best part is that they’re all set in the early 1900s, so the time period is absolutely fasci