Hi friends,

I've had some fun reading the reviews of Awakening Horde that keep coming in. Closing in on 300 already and still rocking the Best Seller tag!

Some are not so nice, like T Brace who says, "Reads like poor copy of another series on heee. Moving on...."

Ouch! . . . Is it bad I want to correct his typos?

Thankfully, the majority of readers are loving Pax's adventure going from street rat to rebel mage and defying the corrupt empire powers.

Movie Guy: "A truly masterful work that is both uplifting and magical."

My: "A credit to the genre and the bane of sleep schedules. Hats off to you author . . ."

Kel: "The characters are well developed and engaging and the story line is full of intriguing possibilities that pull you in, so much so that I didn't want to put this book down! "

Pamela Bond: "If one wants a fun adventure without the use of needless profanity, this book is for you!"

Thanks to everyone who took a few minutes to add a star rating and write something positive - authors love reading reviews like that. It sends us off to get busy writing more with a smile on our faces.

It also makes me smile when I can help teach girls, women and men to avoid violent situations and defend themselves when they can't.

If you haven't given thought to a self-defense plan, you should at least consider what you're willing to do ahead of time.

Click on a few of the books and collections below to support this newsletter and then continue below for the latest self-defense tip . . . thanks!

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Tons of Excellent Adventures!!

Rescue by Edita A. Petrick

$0.99 on Amazon!

It’s not yet time to exhale….

A child that should not have been born in the Rimworlds, is hidden behind the impenetrable wall that screens the dominion of frontier gods from the tribal factions. 

Searching for your next Sci-Fi Escape?

Darkworld by TR Magnus

FREE eBook!

The World is Ending... Again

This isn't the first Kataklysm. It's happened before.

Tons of Excellent Sci-fi & Fantasy!!

Desolation by Starr Z Davies

$0.99 New Dystopia Release On Amazon. Free in KU!

Paige and Gavin Powers are unique. It's in their very DNA – a gift from their legendary father, the current Minister and Hero of Elpis. But the two are nothing alike.

Epic FREE Fantasy and Sci-Fi ebooks!

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Planning how to protect yourself ahead of time: Self Defense Tip 27

The last thing you want to do if find yourself fighting to defend yourself and having no idea how.

What can you do to prepare ahead of time?

First, everyone has to decide what level of action they are willing to take to defend themselves and those around them.

Here is a sample of my personal plan, though I often tweak it to fit me as life changes:

Basic plan:

• Stay safe by avoiding dangerous situations in the first place.
• Take hands-on self-defense training.

How?

• Recognize the pre-incident indicators (Gift of Fear by Gavin deBecker) and avoid anyone use them to manipulate you and the situation.
• Pay attention and listen to your inner warning voice.
• Leave a situation that makes you uncomfortable.
• Choose a self-defense course that has physical contact allowing me to learn what it's like to be hit and to hit back. If I get punched by an attacker, I don't want it to be the first time, which could leave me stunned and vulnerable. I visualize myself shaking it off and fighting back.

If I find myself in danger?

• Leave or run first
• If forced to defend yourself, hit hard and as unexpectedly as possible. Cause sudden and immediate pain to make an attacker let go, or distract him/her. Don't stop until I can break free.
• Then - Get out of there!

And afterward?

• Tell someone you trust as soon as you can.
• If you can't bring yourself to talk to authorities, telling a close friend can help in the future, if you decide to go to court.
• In the case of intimate assaults, put your clothes in a bag and understand the consequences of getting in the shower. It may be something you feel you have to do, but you'll be losing evidence to put your attacker away in the future. If you can stomach it, find a friend to accompany you to the ER to do a rape kit. You may or may not use it, but it gives you the choice.

I know many people live a creed of non-violence, no matter the provocation. Every person should choose what they are the most comfortable with.

What I hate to hear are women who wanted to fight back but found themselves unable to. Or ones who didn't recognize warning signs that a situation would turn dangerous.

Ask me any questions you might have on the topic. I love to help!

This topic is close to my heart. I take every opportunity to teach free self-defense seminars in my community. I'm even teaching one next week for my daughter-in-law's teenage girl's church group. I can't wait! :)

And thanks for all your support of my writing. Stay safe out there!

- Misty :)

p.s. Follow me to get updates from Amazon here: Misty Zaugg Amazon Page

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