Rachel Hauck:

Kristin Billerbeck's - A Girl's Best Friend
Anthony Bourdain's - Kitchen Confidential
Pat Conroy's - The Pat Conroy Cookbook

I recently finished reading Waking the Dead by John Eldredge. An excellent spiritual about the truth of the Christian life. An excellent read for the new year.

At the suggestion of a fan, I now have an Upcoming Releases page on my website.  After selecting the Books page, you'll find the Upcoming Releases pick located on the left-hand column.  I'm currently featuring a couple of titles that will be released later this year.  I'm always excited about my works in progress and this page will permit me to share with you what's coming next.

If you have a relative or friend who finds it a bit challenging to read standard sized print, please note that in December '06, Thorndike Press released Country Charm in large print hardcover edition. Also in March '07, Equestrian Charm and the first in the Texas Legacy Series - Leather and Lace will be released in large print.  You can find Thorndike Press large print editions on-line or have your favorite bookstore order copies.

Reminder - If you change your e-mail address, please be sure and subscribe your new email address so you'll continue getting my newsletters.  You can click here to subscribe or unsubscribe at anytime.

We all love to laugh and have a great time. This year I'm adding a new spot to my newsletter: HUMOR!  One of my favorite websites is www.HumorPower.com. On this unique site, you can subscribe to John Kinde's monthly newsletter that not only gives you something to smile about, but he also hosts contests and will give you speakers an extra smile to your talks. I particularly appreciate his speaking tips. Another good humor newsletter is www.lolamerica@excite.com. I haven't yet seen anything offensive from these sites, but I'm not claiming that everything printed will appeal to your tastes.

So to kick off Laugh a Lot, I'd like to have a contest! I'm looking for the three best "clean" one-liners - please, nothing off-color or vulgar - that will strike our funny bones. But I also need help in judging this contest. So I need three people who will judge this contest and three winners. That's six people who will receive their choice of either my novel Footsteps or Nebraska Legacy. E-mail me with your desire to judge and also e-mail me with your funny one-liners. I will not share your names or e-mail address with anyone unless you give me permission. I will manage those items personally if that is your preference.

Now here is my Laugh-a-Lot for January -  maybe just a smile :)

"Don't let your worries get the best of you. Remember, Moses started out as a basket case"

OR

Helen Keller said: Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved