Allison Bottke One Little Secret

One Little Secret

Allison Bottke

Bethany House, Aug 2007, $12.99

ISBN: 9780764200588

Nik Prevel is a rising superstar in the world of rock music; ambitious he will do anything to further his ascent. However he is irate when Bruce Springsteen takes the Grammy for song of the year that he felt he earned.

Housewife Ursula Rhodes loves music, but gave up her dreams and chances to make it to further her husband Don's legal career and raise their two children (Valerie and Victor); she enjoys teaching people especially her talented son Victor. Valerie obtains an internship with Youth with a Mission and will shortly go to Australia for a month; Victor is heading to Berkley for a Masters of Music Theory.

When Nik and Ursula meet, he offers her a rare opportunity to perform with him on his next CD. She wants to, but fears what it will do to her beloved family even as her kids are soaring away from her and she faces an empty nest. So she takes the "summer job", but worries how will Don react.

ONE LITTLE SECRET is a simple family drama with several powerful complex messages. Ursula is a terrific unselfish person trying to do what is best for her family at the cost of her dreams. Yet with one encounter she realizes she can try to achieve her dream if she takes the chance of becoming a suburban Cinderella; although she has her doubts that midnight would come too soon with Don's reactions and her own fear she is too old. Fans will appreciate this fine character driven tale even when a Grammy makes choices easier.

Harriet Klausner