Hi friends,

I hope everyone is doing well and has avoided some of the plague-like illnesses that have been sweeping through our neck of the woods.

I, my college son, and my son training for a mission all got nasty cold, flu-like illnesses with no contact between us. I've heard rumors from friends of a vicious illness that is knocking people flat for weeks.

I guess we're all leveling up our immune systems, right?

But I'm making significant progress on book 4 in my Shieldwall Academy series, and it's time to think about the cover. Here are the first three covers in the series.

Quick question for you: Based on the first three book covers, which of the following ideas would you consider a good idea for the fourth?

Quick hit reply and share your ideas!

Book 4 is about our heroes going undercover to gain information for the rebels and taming wild beasts as companions to fight by the side of fellow warriors and mages.

1. Spy Themed: Pax looking sneaky with shadowy, ominous villains in the background.
2. Beast Themed: Pax holding a wand while taming a powerful, struggling beast.
3. Battlefield Themed: A battlefield scene with Pax at the forefront facing off against an imperial army.

And if you choose #2 - give me a fun idea for a type of beast that fits with the other covers. It needs to be different, but this is fantasy, so you can make anything up.

And since I visited with my sister-in-law today and our respective granddaughters found a sandbox filled with icy water and covered themselves in muck, I wanted to share a simple washing machine that works when the power is out . . .

. . . or you just have really sandy and muddy clothes you don't want to put through your machine.

Read below for instructions:

But first, here are this week's books and promotions to support my newsletter:

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My friend DJ has a new book out in the best-selling October Fall Series.

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5 Gallon Bucket DIY Washing Machine

Grab these supplies:

1. a 5-gallon bucket
2. a simple plunger (check the dollar store)
3. a drill
4. some sandpaper

And that's it.

Put it together like this:

1. Drill/cut a hole in the lid that is big enough for the plunger handle to fit through
2. Sand the edges of the hole so it doesn't mess up the plunger handle.
3. Drill a few holes in the rubber of the plunger (so it goes through the water better)

Done!

To use:

1. add dirty clothes, some water and just a bit of laundry soap.
2. Add the plunger.
3. Put the lid on and thread the plunger handle through the hole.
4. Fasten the lid.
5. Grab the handle and begin agitating up and down and around to the edges to reach all the clothes.
6. Repeat with fresh water and/or soap until washed and rinsed to your satisfaction.

Then you need to . . . figure out a good DIY clothes dryer.

Hmm. Maybe a good idea for next time. Unless you have suggestions that are better than swinging clothes in the air until most of the water is gone? lol.

Enjoy a good book this week and stay healthy!

- Misty :)

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