Expat Scribe's Blog: Scribbles of an Eternal Expatriate, page 3

Freebies & 99c Goodies on Amazon Prime Day

Hey-ho, Amazonians & Goodreads dudes & dudettes! Great news for mystery, thriller & suspense fans. This virtual book fair featuring our beloved genres (including these sub-genres: cozies, crime fiction/police procedurals, espionage, and conspiracy theories)—plus a smattering of romance—has joined Amazon Prime Day: amazon.expatscribe.com. Grab these goodies from July 8 to 11.

Books at this fair are US 99 cents each and/or FREE on Kindle Unlimited (KU), like The Invisible Cyber Bully: What it's like to be watched 24/7 (synopsis: cyberbully.expatscribe.com).

If you're not an Amazon Prime member, sign up for a FREE 30-day trial. College students, young adults 18-24, and peeps on government assistance can sign up for a six-month free trial, then get a discounted rate afterward. More info on the site.

If you're not a KU member, sign up for a FREE 30-day trial, so you can read KU books from this fair FREE + snag your own picks on Amazon. Hope you find your next great read(s) at this fair.

Summer Reads for the Discerning Netizen

Calling all denizens of Goodreads searching for deeper meaning in life, motivation, inspiration, or are exploring existentialism, spirituality, and metaphysics. Check out this unique listing featuring various genres in fiction and non-fiction: new.expatscribe.com. Some titles in the mystery/suspense/thriller genre, including crime fiction, police procedurals, espionage, and conspiracy theories have been thrown in for good measure.

This curated collection, which runs from July 1 to August 15, is sponsored by Dr. Andrew CS Koh, a retired cardiologist turned Bible teacher, Christian author, and digital creator who shares God’s Word worldwide. Dr. Koh is best known for his biography, Memoirs of a Doctor: an Extraordinary Journey of Faith Across Continents That Will Encourage, Enlighten, and Empower You to Fulfil Your God-ordained Destiny!.

Some books at this virtual fair offer discount coupons, like: The Anti-Bully Manual: How to fight bullies the cyber way (synopsis & video trailer: antibully-intl.expatscribe.com).

Others are FREE on Kindle Unlimited (KU), like The Invisible Cyber Bully: What it's like to be watched 24/7 (synopsis: cyberbully.expatscribe.com).

If you're not a KU member, sign up for a FREE 30-day trial, so you can read KU books from this fair FREE + snag your own picks on Amazon. Hope you find your next great read(s) at this fair.

Happy Canada Day!!!

Happy Canada Day! Thank you, Lord, for another blessed year. To celebrate, I included two of my books in the Smashwords Annual Summer/Winter Sale:
1) My Mother, the Good Witch Doctor: How Mom helped princesses with dyslexia (synopsis & video trailer: witchdoctor.expatscribe.com)
and
2) The international edition of The Anti-Bully Manual: How to fight bullies the cyber way (synopsis & video trailer: antibully-intl.expatscribe.com). The original edition of this book is FREE on Amazon Kindle Unlimited.

Both books are available at a discount during the event, which is on throughout July. If you're not already a Smashwords member, consider signing up to get access to the sale. Registration is free and there are lots of free books during the sale... and even after! Register at smashwords.com. #SWSale2025 #Smashwords

Can You Use a Cheat Sheet to Live the Life You Desire?

The term “adulting” wasn’t in the mainstream English vernacular until the mid-2010s when US writer Kelly Williams Brown began using it on social media. Now, as a neologism (aka coinage), it has been added to traditional dictionaries. To the uninitiated, adulting refers to the process, behavior, activities, and tasks associated with daily adult life necessary to function in civilized society.

Adulting: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet by Haley Cavanagh is sort of an informal manual on how to start life as an adult and sustain it. It’s a kick-your-own-butt guide on how to quit being childish and start being mature.

When I read the first few pages of this ebook, I was quick to dismiss it, as most of what the author mentioned I already knew. Many of the earlier passages elicited a “duh” from me. However, a couple of chapters in, I noticed that this non-fiction book offers valuable tidbits to a much younger audience. Besides, I have to acknowledge that it isn’t meant for me. (I turned 18 many moons ago.) It suits older teenagers and peeps in their early 20s.

Youngsters will definitely benefit from this publication, as well as older, jaded folks who may (prematurely) scoff at its contents. The section I think will offer the most value—regardless of reader age—is the chapter on survival, as it will help in possible future catastrophes. Even though it’s highly unlikely we’ll experience a zombie cataclysm in our lifetime, this chapter offers some insight on addressing basic needs in the event of a natural or manmade disaster. If you’re more interested in preparing for (God forbid) nuclear war or World War III, you’re better off consulting dedicated manuals specific to that subject, as it’s beyond the scope of this book.

You may already be familiar with some of the everyday solutions the author offered in the first part of this publication, but toward the end, you’ll discover some hidden gems. Those that resonated with me were the chapters on Everyday Hacks, Home Remedies, and Survival, because some tips were new to me.

I’m a sucker for hacks because I dislike doing domestic chores and thus appreciate shortcuts that make these tasks easier and faster. So I particularly liked the chapter that doled them out. I already knew several—thanks to my mom’s passed-down homemaking practices over the years—but there were some I didn’t. For instance, did you know that you can use foil to remove rust, clear stove/oven grime, and beat a heat wave? I’ve tested one of the tips and it worked!

Readers will also appreciate these templates and checklists they can print out or save offline on digital devices:
✓ Budgeting
✓ Cleaning
✓ Meal planning
✓ Daily self-care
✓ Skin care
✓ Home remedies for common medical ailments
✓ Packing for travel
✓ First-time parenting
✓ Emergency contacts

There’s also a collection of recipes for healthy grub, including drinks.

Those concerned with the upkeep of external appearance will like the Beauty Treatments section, as it contains hacks using natural methods with non-toxic materials and ingredients.

The book will delight both cheapskates and new adults low on funds, as the author shares how to get free and discounted beauty treatments, groceries, reading material, leisure activities, and vacation destinations.

The manual includes advice on finance management, first-time parenting, apartment hunting, job hunting, thriving in the workforce, the navigation of life’s ups and downs, and other matters pertinent to new adult life. Oddly enough, it doesn’t include tips on how to buy your first home.

The author, though not a “new adult,” knows what she’s talking about, as she shares her experiences as a military veteran, spouse, and mom. On the side, she also writes sci-fi novels.

I’m sure there are many publications out there tackling adulting, but I don’t have time to research these. Therefore, I wouldn’t mind mentioning this title to those likewise time-strapped and just want an easy-to-read, all-in-one book that discusses multiple aspects of starting (and sustaining) life as a new adult. Rating: four stars.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev

Mystery, Thriller, Suspense Freebie Fair

Howdy, fans of mystery, thriller, crime procedurals, suspense, espionage, conspiracy theories, sci-fi & fantasy! Check out this virtual book fair focusing on our genres: thriller.expatscribe.com. It's running throughout June, in case you missed my first post in the group chats.

Some books at this virtual fair are FREE on Kindle Unlimited (KU), like The Invisible Cyber Bully: What it's like to be watched 24/7 (synopsis: cyberbully.expatscribe.com). If you're not a KU member, sign up for a FREE 30-day trial, so you can read KU books from this fair FREE + snag your own picks on Amazon. Hope you find your next great read(s) at this fair.

Young Adult Book Listing for June

Howdy, YA denizens of Goodreads! Check out this June book listing specifically for young adults (and aspiring young adults): ya.expatscribe.com. It's running throughout June and features fiction and non-fiction titles, including romance. Some books at this virtual fair offer discount coupons, like:
1) My Mother, the Good Witch Doctor: How Mom helped princesses with dyslexia (synopsis & video trailer: witchdoctor.expatscribe.com)
and
2) The Anti-Bully Manual: How to fight bullies the cyber way (synopsis & video trailer: antibully-intl.expatscribe.com)

Others are FREE on Kindle Unlimited (KU), like The Invisible Cyber Bully: What it's like to be watched 24/7 (synopsis: cyberbully.expatscribe.com). If you're not a KU member, sign up for a FREE 30-day trial, so you can read KU books from this fair FREE + snag your own picks on Amazon. Hope you find your next great read(s) at this fair.

Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Extravaganza With a Smattering of Romance—June edition

Ahoy-hoy, Goodreads denizens, especially mystery, suspense & thriller fans! Visit this virtual book fair dedicated to our beloved genres—with a sprinkle of romance: mystery.expatscribe.com. This collection runs throughout June.

Some books at this virtual fair offer discount coupons, like My Mother, the Good Witch Doctor: How Mom helped princesses with dyslexia (synopsis & video trailer: witchdoctor.expatscribe.com).

Others are FREE on Kindle Unlimited (KU), like The Invisible Cyber Bully: What it's like to be watched 24/7 (synopsis: cyberbully.expatscribe.com). If you're not a KU member, sign up for a FREE 30-day trial, so you can read KU books from this fair FREE + snag your own picks on Amazon. Hope you find your next great read(s) at this fair.

June Fiction Listing for the Young and Young-at-Heart

Hey-ho, young (and young-at-heart) netizens of Goodreads! I invite you to visit this virtual book fair focusing on young adult, teen, middle grade, and children's fiction titles: adventure.expatscribe.com. It's on throughout June. Genres include: fairy/folk tales, fantasy, paranormal, action/adventure, mystery, thriller, crime procedurals, suspense, espionage, conspiracy theories, indigenous heritage stories, sci-fi, dystopia, and pets.

Some books at this virtual fair offer discount coupons, like: My Mother, the Good Witch Doctor: How Mom helped princesses with dyslexia (synopsis & video trailer: witchdoctor.expatscribe.com). Hope you find your next great read(s) at this fair.

June Listing for Fans of Fiction

Howdy, fictions fans! Check out this virtual book fair focusing on multiple genres: fiction.expatscribe.com. It's running throughout June.

Some books at this virtual fair offer discount coupons, like: My Mother, the Good Witch Doctor: How Mom helped princesses with dyslexia (synopsis & video trailer: witchdoctor.expatscribe.com).

Others are FREE on Kindle Unlimited (KU), like The Invisible Cyber Bully: What it's like to be watched 24/7 (synopsis: cyberbully.expatscribe.com). If you're not a KU member, sign up for a FREE 30-day trial, so you can read KU books from this fair FREE + snag your own picks on Amazon. Hope you find your next great read(s) at this fair.

If you’ve judged the homeless, the addicted, and the LGBTQ+ community, read this book

A review of Everybody But Us by Ben Rose

When I first saw the title of this novel, I wondered what it meant and ventured to find out by reading the book. But then, I saw the synopsis on its Amazon info page and that killed it for me. Gauging from the point of view of the characters in the book, I surmised that, from a sociological perspective, only the poverty-stricken and the downtrodden are the ones saying this phrase. Specifically:
Who gets a warm home to live in?
Everybody but us.
Who gets loving parents to nurture them?
Everybody but us.
Who gets all the breaks in life?
Everybody but us.

On the flip side, however, even the über-wealthy 1% of the world’s populace also say it:
Who gets to bear the consequences of our factories’ and conglomerates’ pollution of the atmosphere?
Everybody but us.
Who will suffer from global warming?
Everybody but us.
Who toils by the sweat of their brow but gets cr*p in return?
Everybody but us.
Whose children/descendants will suffer from the repercussions of our fiscal irresponsibility, exploitation of our employees, and blatant disregard for our fellow humans?
Everybody’s but ours.

The story in this book is told from the darker side of that fence. It’s an important one because not everyone is aware of what it really means to be mired in poverty and be out on the streets. I was part of an outreach ministry in British Columbia that works with street folk, the addicted, the homeless, and sex trade workers. One of the initiatives was for our parishioners to sleep with the homeless overnight, so we can know firsthand how it feels to live their lives.

However, even if you join organizations like ours, one night will not give you a 360-degree view of what it’s really like. Hopefully, you will not have to experience it. And if you are in this situation, I hope you will come out of it and be able to generate sustainable income that enables you to live a life of comfort but with purpose and service to others.

Every morning, no matter where we are in the world and whatever our time zone, our prayer rings worldwide pray for the homeless, the hopeless, the helpless, and those who suffer from mental disorders and all forms of addiction. I hope you will join us, regardless of your faith belief. Even if you are an atheist, I hope you will also put positive thoughts out into the universe for our less fortunate global siblings.

This book dispels some of the myths about the poor and homeless but also confirms popular beliefs. Here are just two examples of the former:

Myth: The homeless are all drug addicts and/or mentally ill. Some are criminals and murderers, so they do not deserve to be helped.
Truth: Everyone has a different story. Destiny Wilbury, the protagonist, was kicked out of her home by her religiously fundamentalist parents and excommunicated by church leaders for being bisexual. Her friend, Mackenzie Guevara, ran away from home because her mother’s numerous boyfriends abused her. Their mutual pal and economic savior, Vinnie Il-Cazzo, was forced to go solo when his con artist parents had to disappear when the consequences of their criminal activities caught up with them.

Many law-abiding, morally upright, illegal-substance-free middle class people—whether in developing nations or wealthy countries (except Scandinavian ones)—are only one missed paycheck away from homelessness. Job loss clinches it.

Myth: All prostitutes are “bad” women.
Truth: Commercial sex workers are of different genders, including people from the LGBTQ+ community. They are not all from dysfunctional families. They were not all abused/molested as children. Not all of them are drug addicts, alcoholics, and/or have mental disorders. Not all of them are into the trade by choice. Most of them are forced into it through desperation due to abysmal life circumstances.

This book also tackles LGBTQ+ issues through the characters’ conversations. Both sides (those sympathetic and otherwise) will benefit from these discussions.

Another value of this book is that it gives tips and tricks on how to survive living on the streets. They are not all commendable, but I agree with the positive and legal ones.

Despite the book’s benefits I’ve outlined above, I’ve docked half a star from my rating because the experiences of the characters, however dire, played out like they were having fun; that homelessness was like a big adventure. They were having parties, raking in hundreds of dollars from busking, staying in hotels (albeit both seedy and swanky), and buying luxury goods. These activities are not indicative of the truly impoverished. They did, however, have kind people enter their lives who helped them. Also, they are perhaps a few of the fortunate ones. I have to remind myself that this is a work of fiction. However, I know, as a writer myself, that most stories in books—at least the notable, genuine ones—are based on real people and events that really happened.

For a peek into a more realistic view of poverty and homelessness, I recommend the movie, Shelter, starring Jennifer Connelly, who won an Oscar for A Beautiful Mind. (Filmography tidbit: Connelly purposely lost 25 pounds for her role as Hannah, a surgeon's widow who left her child with her father after she became a cocaine addict because she couldn’t deal with her husband’s death. To be convincing, she researched the lives of people her character portrayed, even learning how to use needles and illegal substance paraphernalia.)

It’s true what the author said about how hospitals treat indigent patients, especially those who OD due to substance addictions. However, it’s not the staff’s fault whenever injustice prevails. They are merely cogs in an invisible profit-making machine who have to follow rules. Most of the time, they are just saving their behinds because they have families to feed and are in danger of being homeless themselves if they lose their jobs. I know this for a fact, because I have relatives and friends who are medical practitioners serving hospitals in New York, Michigan, Texas, and California. Whenever possible, they go out of their way to help the cash-strapped, even forking out of their own pockets, kitchens, and wardrobes to assist. A couple have even taken in some street folk into their homes and paid for their rehab. And yet, the people they helped had the gall to steal from them.

I discussed this aspect recently with a friend whose family members in the Philippines work in public hospitals as surgeons and doctors with different specialties. They do the same as my American relatives in private medical centers. A few also got slapped in the face (figuratively) by the very people they helped. This is why I don’t judge folks who won’t (or can’t) assist. Most are really wary of circumstances like these or don’t want to be involved, blamed, or sued.

If you feel your life is wretched, read this book. Unless you’re on the streets yourself, you’ll find out how blessed you are. You’ll realize that the problems you think are insurmountable are actually quite petty. And if you are dismissive and judgmental about the homeless (like my friends and I once were), I hope it will inspire you to open your minds, hearts, and wallets… or at least be more sympathetic to them.

Rating: 4.5 stars