Hi friends,

Big news first — Imperial Chaos (Book 5) is coming out in two weeks on Oct. 3rd in audiobook, ebook, and paperback. Preorders are up if you want it delivered to your device on release day.

Imperial Chaos - Book #5!

(If you're on my advance reader list, you should have already received your free review copy. Send me a quick email if you haven't, and I'll help.)

I’ve also been living my best garden life: picking raspberries from my two-year bushes and enjoying the first peaches from our little O’Henry tree. Diced over oatmeal = heaven.

Anyone else have a fun garden/harvest story to share?

I’ve got a short, very practical self-defense tip below. But first, check out a few awesome reads from friends in the promo block. Clicking them helps support this newsletter and the indie authors who keep the genre alive.

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One of my new author friends on Royal Road just released his first book! Check it out:

Successor of Kukulkan by No_Creative_Name

New Release on Amazon! Free in KU.

Ripped away from his son and forced to fight against the world itself, TJ has no love for this new Divine System.

Excellent selection of Strong Female Post Apoc Deals!

New System Apocalypse Anthology

The third short story anthology by Tao Wong and returning authors set in the bestselling System Apocalypse universe.

Tons of Amazing Dystopian Reads!

Net Zero Infiltrates Eureka Base by Jay Toney

Book #20 - Just out on Amazon!

They went to bury the nightmare. They left nothing but stardust.

Looking for SFF reads? All FREE!

Self-Defense Tip: The Shin Kick (Brutal, Fast, Effective)

Most people instinctively think the groin or face are the best targets to fight off an attacker. But they're also the most common.

Try a shin kick instead.

Why it works so well:

• The shin has very little padding over bone. A focused strike, scrape or stomp with your shoe or boot causes intense pain.
• It's a very fast strike and hard to see because it's below eye level.
• It's easy to learn and do, which means less chance to miss.
• Attackers often try to control your arms and hands, not your feet.
• Causing sudden, unexpected pain gives you a chance to break free and get away.
• Leg pain means the attacker can't chase after you as well.

When to use it:

• Someone has grabbed your wrist, arm, or clothing.
• An attacker is very close and you need to get away. (this isn't a long-distance technique)
• Your hands or arms are trapped but you have a foot free.
• Any time you need a quick, powerful option that doesn’t require strength or fancy technique.

How to do it (step-by-step)

1. Just pick up your foot, turn it slightly to aim with the edge (gives you a wider area to strike with and less chance of missing)
2. Drive straight forward into the side or front of the attacker’s shin. Imagine trying to stomp through a stick to break it. The motion is short and explosive.
3. Optional: continue the motion to stomp down on the top of the foot as hard as you can.
4. Get out of there: as soon as they flinch or let go, get away. Run to safety, shout for help, and use your phone.

Practice safely:

Try the motion in slow, controlled drills at home. Get something sturdy to practice against: a 2x4 board leaning against a wall or even the wall itself. Just start slow until you feel comfortable before increasing power. Safety first.

If you have a partner who can hold a pad or a rolled up carpet, you can go full strength once you feel comfortable with the movement.

You've got this. Stay safe out there!

(And here's the link again to Imperial Chaos coming out Oct. 3rd: Preorder Imperial Chaos)

- Misty :)

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