Hi friends,

Searching for Allies has been having a great first week thanks to all of you! And awesome readers have already posted a handful of encouraging reviews - You're the best!

Check it out:

Searching for Allies: Book 4 in Aftermath

And a quick note: If you want to be notified when my new books come out - head over to Amazon and click the "Follow" button under my pic on my author page:

https://www.amazon.com/author/mistyzaugg

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When a Promise is Dangerous? Warning Signs #6

Here's the sixth tip about behaviors that can warn you an attack is imminent from the informative book "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin deBecker.

Remember, no single one of these seven behaviors predicts that an attack will come, but if you see multiple ones, be warned.

Here's the list of the ones I've discussed so far:

1. Discounting the word "No"
2. Too many details
3. Charm and Niceness
4. Loansharking
5. Forced Teaming

And for today:

#6 Unsolicited Promises

A potential attacker will make a promise to do (or not do) something in order to reassure you they aren't as dangerous as they are.

"I promise I'm a nice guy."

"I promise I'm not going to hurt you."

"I promise I only need your phone for a minute."

"Can you give me a ride? I promise my house is just around the corner."

Example #1:

A good-looking man knocks at your door, looking sheepish. (Charm and Niceness)

"I'm so sorry to bother you, but I just ran out of gas and my phone is dead. I'm such an idiot. I'm sure you've probably let your phone die, like me. (Forced Teaming).

Would you let me come in and use your phone? I promise it'll only take a minute. (Unsolicited Promise)

Example #2:

A mom rushes flustered to the back of a grocery store with multiple small children and one that has to go to the bathroom NOW.

A personable man gives the mom a sympathetic look. "Oh, wow," he says. "I really don't miss potty training." (Forced Teaming) "Can I help?" (Loan Sharking)

"No, I've got this," she replies, distracted.

"Really," he insists. (Discounting No) "I can watch the others for a minute while you run her into the bathroom really quick. No need to be superwoman." (Typecasting)

She hesitates, glancing toward the bathroom.

"I promise, I'm a really nice guy," he says with a disarming smile.

***

These are examples of how a potential attacker will add a promise to give added strength to his reassurance that you don't need to worry.

Now that you know about this warning sign, it should have the opposite effect.

"I promise I won't hurt you."

becomes

"I'm planning to hurt you."

Remember, someone with no ill intentions toward you doesn't need to convince you to change your mind.

***

Stay safe out there! And if you've noticed any of these warning signs in a real situation, I'd love to hear what happened. I enjoy reading your stories!

All the best,

— Misty :)

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Misty's Writing Update:

With my sister's family with six kids in town visiting, we've been in the midst of enjoyable bedlam . . . and no writing (other than this newsletter).

It's pretty fun to take a break from the daily writing to reconnect with some family who live so far from us.

How about you? I hope you're able to visit with friends and family again as the covid pandemic finally begins to wind down in many places.

I'm also jotting down ideas for my new litrpg fantasy series, which is part of the writing process I really enjoy. Creating a new world. Complex magic and people. What's not to love?

Happy reading this week!

— Misty :)