Cherry-stealing Birds and a Weaponized Purse - Self-Defense Tip 35
Jun 20, 2025 9:36 pm
Hi friends,
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I finally hit that glorious milestone this week: Book 5 is edited and off to my early proofreaders!
Once they’ve torn it apart (lovingly, of course), it heads off to JS Arquin to start recording the audiobook version. I can’t wait to hear it come to life in his voice.
Imperial Chaos (Shieldwall Academy Book #5) is currently available on pre-order and will go live Oct. 3rd. (You can get a free early copy if you're willing to post an honest review before then - just reply for a spot on my ARC team)
And an amazing deal just popped up: If you have Amazon Prime, you can get 3 months of Kindle Unlimited for FREE right now! Plenty of time to binge all four of my Shieldwall Academy books, plus thousands more.
You can even cancel immediately and still read free for three months!
Otherwise, things have been gardeny around here. My fruit trees, planted two years ago, are producing their very first real harvests. Okay, “harvest” might be too generous a word . . . I had maybe ten cherries.
But those cherries felt like treasure, which meant I was furious to see birds steal them before they were even ripe. Amazon to the rescue. I bought some protective screen and I wrapped the last bunch up like a mini cherry fortress.
In a week or so, I'll be the one enjoying fully ripened, homegrown cherries. Take that, birds.
Anyway, speaking of victories, I’ve got a quick self-defense tip today that might surprise you. But before we get to that . . .
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Self-Defense Tip 35 - Everyday Shields
If you’re ever in a dangerous situation and don’t have a traditional weapon, don’t panic. Simply look at what’s in your hands.
Your purse, mug of your favorite drink, book, or even a rolled-up magazine can become an effective defensive tool.
The key isn’t to do damage. It’s to block, deflect, or slow down an attacker long enough for you to escape or yell for help.
Imagine a hardcover book to the face or wrist. Brutal and unexpected.
Or a hot drink thrown in an attacker's face. Distracting and painful.
Even a metal water bottle makes a solid swing if you're backed into a corner.
Bonus tip: Keychain flashlights or pens can work as improvised force tools in a pinch. So, clip one on and forget it until you need it.
There's a component of mental surprise to this tip, too. The attacker usually expects panic or freezing. Hitting them out of nowhere with an everyday object can throw them off mentally and give you the upper hand.
If you enjoyed this newsletter, click reply and let me know. Even better, tell me what kinds of tips and content you like the best.
I'm all about my readers!
Take care and stay safe (from birds and bad guys),
- Misty :)
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