Counterfeit Detectors ~ Leeann Betts ~ Giveaway ~ Devotional

Counterfeit Detectors

By Leeann Betts

A television program recently discussed counterfeit money, and all of the schemes that man has devised to try to duplicate paper currency. Every year, billions of dollars are illegally printed in the United States, using the most incredible methods, from color copiers to printing on stolen currency paper. Forgers are in great demand to duplicate the printing plates needed to print good quality forgeries.

            On this program, one of the fraud detectives was asked how he could so accurately spot a counterfeit bill. His reply was, “Because I have spent years studying the real thing.” He handled the money, felt it, learned the smell of it, held it up to the light.  He could detect a counterfeit bill 100% of the time because he knew the real thing.

            Ezra 7:10 says that the writer devoted himself to study and observe all of the Law of the Lord. He didn’t mean he just read it through once and tried to apply it in his life.  He means that he read and studied, and compared, and delved deeply into the Word. He examined the Word of God, precept upon precept until he understood the intent of the Law. Then he applied it in his life and used the Word of God to show him where he, and others, were falling short.  Why would he do that? So that when a false word came, he would know it was false because he knew the Truth.

            In the same way, we need to know the Truth so well that when the enemy comes with a false word, we will know it is not from God. When a word comes from someone that is against the Word of God, such as “I am so broke”, you can remind them Whose we are: “My God will meet all your needs” (Phil 4:19). When a doctor tries to pronounce a diagnosis that is not in alignment with God’s Word, our reply should be: “By His stripes you are healed. . . ” (Isa 53:5)  We need to hold every word up to the Light of the World, to see what it’s made of, and to recognize whether it’s from God or not.

            The only way to know the Truth is to spend time with Him, to touch Him, to feel Him, to know His fragrance, to study His Word, and to learn to apply it in our lives. We are to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only. (James 1:22) We are to study to find ourselves approved, by God and by man. (2 Tim 2:15) In this way, we will be able to detect a false word before it can cause us to question our faith, and possibly to stumble.

About A Deadly Dissolution:

The total lunar eclipse of October 2004 leaves more than Bear Cove, Maine, in the dark. The town’s newly-elected mayor, Walter Akerman, hires Carly to audit the town’s books but is then caught in a compromising situation with his secretary Evie Mack. A journalist in town to cover the eclipse turns up dead. Tom and Sarah’s adopted son Bradley comes to stay overnight to see the eclipse, then goes missing on a walk in town. When Mike’s car is in a serious wreck which the police say is an accident, Carly thinks somebody is trying to send her a message to stay away. How can she solve all these mysteries while not completely wearing herself to a frazzle? 

About Leeann:

Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical suspense. She has released eight titles in her cozy mystery series. In addition, Leeann has written a devotional for accountants, bookkeepers, and financial folk, Counting the Days, and with her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, has published two books on writing, Nuggets of Writing Gold and More Nuggets of Writing Gold, a compilation of essays, articles, and exercises on the craft, as well as a contemporary suspense, In Search of Christmas Past. She publishes a free quarterly newsletter that includes a book review and articles on writing and books of interest to readers and writers. You can subscribe at www.LeeannBetts.com or follow Leeann at www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com All books are available on Amazon.com in digital and print, and at Smashwords.com in digital format.

Website: www.LeeannBetts.com Receive a free ebook just for signing up for our quarterly newsletter.

Blog: www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com

Facebook: http://bit.ly/1pQSOqV

Twitter: http://bit.ly/1qmqvB6

Books: Amazon http://amzn.to/2dHfgCE  and Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2z5ecP8

Giveaway: Question for readers: Have you ever found yourself caught up in a counterfeit situation of life? How did God help you out of it? Leave a comment below with your contact info (e.g: you(at)123XYZ(dot)com) and enter to win a free print (US Only) or ebook copy of A Deadly Dissolution. Giveaway runs for one week, ending Friday, Dec. 7, at Midnight, CST.

H.L. Wegley ~ Virtuality ~ Giveaway

Virtuality

noun: 

the quality or state of being virtual 

Readers, please welcome author H.L. Wegley to Whispers in Purple blog. Oh, there's a giveaway involved. See details below. ***

Harry, please tell us about your newest release, Virtuality!

~ ~ ~

In my story, Virtuality, the hero, Vince, inherits controlling interest of his deceased brother’s high-tech company, Virtuality Incorporated. Vince is an author, not a computer geek, but his childhood friend and next-door neighbor, Jess, can help because she is brilliant and has an advanced Computer-Science degree.

Virtuality [Inc.] won an Army contract to build a Top-Secret product for military applications. When Vince’s business partner, Patrick, stonewalls Vince by not submitting his security-clearance application, Vince and Jess wonder what’s really going down in Virtuality’s lab. Then someone tries to kill the two.

Seeking answers about the technology and who might want it badly enough to kill for it, Vince and Jess meet with a professor at the University of Washington, Doctor Scoggins, an expert in the field of video games, virtual reality, and their impacts on society.

The following is an excerpt from chapter 23, part of the discussion with Dr. Scoggins about the human mind—material or spiritual:

Jess leaned toward the professor’s desk. “Could artificial intelligence have any role in all of this? I didn’t have enough visibility into Virtuality to know if they’re using AI. But I do know Steven Hawking warned that AI could bring about the end of the human race.”

Doctor Scoggins chuckled. “That would seem to be true only if one has the wrong model for the human brain—actually a wrong understanding of who and what a human being is.”

Jess gave him a crooked smile. “So you’re claiming to know more than Stephen Hawking?”

Scoggins raised an eyebrow. “We all have our own opinions, Jess. And each of us thinks we know better than the others do.”

“Nice dodge, professor.” Now Vince was the one giving the crooked smile.

“I wasn’t trying to dodge the question,” Scoggins said. “An equivalence of biological intelligence with digital intelligence—it’s never going to happen. But then I base my conclusion partly on my worldview, which includes a biblical definition of who we are as human beings, Imago Dei, created in the image of God. Perhaps my biblical understanding isn’t quite correct, but I would stake my professional reputation on it.” Scoggins pointed to a journal lying on the corner of his desk. “As a matter of fact, I already have.”

 “So that’s what Paul meant when he told me he didn’t exist in his brain. That it‘s only an interface to the real person.”

“Exactly. It’s part of our dualistic nature—physical and spiritual.”

“Physical and spiritual,” Vince said. “I think I understand what you mean by dualism, but could you explain, once more, exactly what you mean when you use the term?”

“Sure. Let me state in another way the differences between materialism and dualism. Dualism says that our mind—where we think and exist—is separate from the matter that comprises the brain. Mind and material are separate categories. Neither one can be reduced to, or can be said to contain, the other.”

“If that were true …” Jess massaged her forehead, then looked up. “Couldn’t we demonstrate it, somehow, in a lab? I mean, we could have mental states that don’t correspond to physical states of the brain and vice versa.”

“And that’s a brilliant deduction, Ms. Jamison. Yes, we have demonstrated in a laboratory that mental function and brain function don’t always correlate. Which means that mental function is not identical to brain function.”

Jess shook her head. “Then why aren’t we hearing about this from some source—science or the media?”

“Journal articles have been published about this. The evidence is out there. One researcher even demonstrated that acts of the will, making choices, have no corresponding brain activity. Volition does not require a brain.”

“That has been demonstrated in a lab?” Jess’s eyebrows nearly touched.

“Yes. But to someone who has literally sold their soul to a materialistic view of the universe, it takes more than a little evidence to convince them to change their mind and admit that there is more to us, and this universe, than just the physical. For goodness sake, we might find that we’re accountable to some higher being.” Scoggins chuckled. “It’s frustrating, but such is the world of academia.”

This is probably the only chapter in Virtuality without some action or at least a high level of conflict. But, hopefully, the subject matter has intrigued you. If so, prepare to go much deeper as Vince and Jess try to find out what’s happening in the SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility) that comprises Virtuality’s lab.

Do you believe any technology could produce a trillion-dollar business within three years and could endanger the lives of everyone in America? If such technology exists, how would you stop its spread, when the potential monetary rewards are so high? If answers to those questions exist, and if you want to know more about them, you’ll have to read the book.

Virtuality back cover blurb: 

What would you do with innovative technology that could make you the next Bill Gates but could unravel the fabric of civilized society?

“Don’t sell the company. Jess can help.” His brother Paul’s dying words to Vince van Gordon, a struggling author who can’t write happy endings, inherits controlling interest in Virtuality, a growing high-tech company with a mysterious product the US Army classified Top Secret. Paul’s last words force Vince to return home to Seattle to run Virtuality and face the girl he walked away from seven years ago. Can Vince, once again, endure being eclipsed by Paul’s larger-than-life shadow, a shadow that cost him the woman he loves?

Jessica (Jess) Jamison is a genius, a beautiful, highly introverted, young woman who can count her friends on her thumbs. Seven years ago, Vince left, shattering her heart. Now Jess has a Computer Science degree and still prays her childhood soulmate will come home. If he’s willing to reconcile their relationship, Jess can help Vince take the reins of Virtuality. But why is someone trying to kill Vince and her? And could Professor Scoggins be right—that, in the wrong hands, Virtuality’s technology could shred the fabric of civilization, and stopping it may literally take an act of Congress?

Virtuality, a character-driven thriller with romance about dangerous technology lurking on the near horizon—a story of love and sacrifice, illustrating that there are no shadowed, worthless people in God’s economy.

 Bio:

H. L. Wegley served in the USAF as an Intelligence Analyst and a Weather Officer. In civilian life, he served as a Research Scientist in Atmospheric Physics. After earning an MS in Computer Science, he worked 20+ years in computer systems development at Boeing before retiring near Seattle, where he and his wife enjoy small-group ministry, grandchildren, and hiking on the Olympic Peninsula. He is an award-winning author of inspirational thrillers and romantic-suspense novels with 12 published books and more on the way.

 Virtuality purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K2JJ75V/

Harry's Web Links:

Website: http://www.hlwegley.com 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/H.-L.-Wegley/e/B00B1XMR56

Twitter https://twitter.com/hlwegley 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4460203.H_L_Wegley

Facebook author’s page: https://www.facebook.com/HLWegley

Many of my readers have friended me and use my FB profile page:

Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/harry.wegley.1

***The Giveaway!

Harry is offering to give away either a print or eBook copy (winners choice) of Virtuality. Entering is easy: Leave a comment below this post with your name AND contact information (e.g: you (at) 123XYZ (dot) com). Failure to supply that info could disqualify you from winning. This giveaway runs for one week, ending next Tuesday, December 4, at MIDNIGHT CST. Winner will be notified via email when drawing completed.

Thanks, Harry, for being my guest this week. This book goes on my TBR list.

Back in His Arms Again ~ Teresa Ives Lilly ~ Behind the Story

Back in His Arms Again 

A novella by Teresa Ives Lilly. 

This story had been long dreamt of in my mind and finally given the perfect opportunity to blossom into a full novella. The truth is, I’ve always dreamed of moving to Colorado, although I’ve only been to visit there one time.

But as the Holidays draw near each year, the yearning to find a lovely lodge to visit comes to my mind.  When I did visit Denver, there was hardly any snow. In fact, to even get a picture with snow, I had to find an old pile behind a building. But I hadn’t seen snow in over twenty years, so even that dirty snow was wonderful.

Anyway, when I was offered the chance to write in the Hotel Amore Collection, which takes place in Colorado, I immediately agreed to join the group and of course, chose the Christmas Season in which to place my story.

Now, don’t try to read too much into the story, even if some of the wishes in the book are wishes I have had. Instead, relax by a nice Christmas fire and imagine yourself snow-bound in the lovely Hotel Amore…. Maybe finding a new love… or an old, true love.  

Back in His Arms Description: 

Paris has come to the Lodge at Confluence to work as the event’s coordinator and fulfill her desire to see the beautiful state of Colorado. The last thing she expected to find was her high school sweetheart Paul Gordon, the only man she ever truly loved.

Will the Lodge’s reputation of being the Hotel of Love (Hotel Amore) stand true when Paris finds herself back in Paul’s arms again?

 Follow Teresa Ives Lilly at:

www.teresalilly.wordpress.com    (Please sign up for Teresa’s monthly newsletter and chances to win free books and other items)

Back in His Arms is available on Kindle at  https://www.amazon.com/Back-Arms-Teresa-Ives-Lilly-ebook/dp/B07DSY399F

About Teresa:

Teresa Ives Lilly has been writing most of her life, although her career began in magazines such as Turtle, Corvette Fever, and several others. She soon began writing novellas, which have become her true love. 

Teresa has written over 25 novellas, published through Lovely Christian Romance Press and Forget Me Not Romances. Her books are all available on Amazon.   She lives in San Antonio, Texas… and enjoys having her family all close by.

    

The Other Neighbor ~ Gail Sattler

The Other Neighbor - by Gail Sattler

Peg, here ... Please welcome author Gail Sattler, a dear lady with the most delightful sense of humor! Her 'tagline' is: 

Serious comedy - no kidding 

Enjoy this post from her.

Cheryl Richardson doesn’t know that her landlord who owns the other half of the duplex where she lives is plotting to build a bomb—but the FBI does. In order to discover what her landlord is planning to blow up, agent Steve Gableman moves next door to get closer to Cheryl to learn what she knows, namely the target and motive, so they can stop it. But when Steve involves himself in every area of her life, including her dog, will Cheryl be the one to explode?

Purchase link - https://www.amazon.com/Other-Neighbor-Gail-Sattler-ebook/dp/B07J6RD2W5/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541881890&sr=8-1&keywords=neighbor+sattler

Just how well do we know our neighbors? Most of the time we wave at each other as we come and go, and sometimes we remember their names. More often, what we remember is the names of their dogs, as that's what we hear the most often. After all, people call their dogs, but dogs don't call their people.

Most of the time our neighbors are simply normal people just like ourselves, with ordinary lives. But sometimes, they're not. After all, everyone who makes the news, in both good ways and bad, are somebody's neighbor.

My neighbors are all nice, normal people. At least I like to think so.

Bio:  Gail Sattler lives in Vancouver BC, Canada, which is technically a rain forest, except that occasionally in the winter all that rainfall actually turns to snow. Regardless of the weather, Gail spends a lot of her time writing and has over 30 published novels and novellas, and a few works of non-fiction.

Visit Gail Sattler's website at www.gailsattler.com

On Facebook  - https://www.facebook.com/gail.sattler.3

Or Gail Sattler's author page at https://www.facebook.com/Gail-Sattler-author-568988573496833/?modal=admin_todo_tour

Early Christmas Excitement Is Good for You ~ Nike N. Chillimi

Early Christmas Excitement Is Good for You 

by Nike N. Chillemi

I've been hearing in news reports that people who put up Christmas decorations early tend to be happier people. I don't know how they measure such a thing, but I do know that Christmas decorating make me happy. I know that as soon as I begin seeing Christmas decorations in the stores, I feel happy. I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm like the character in the movie "Elf," or that anyone should be, but Christmas cheer is just that…cheerful.

Looking a little deeper, as a Christian, I think the world is desperate for some light, relief from the darkness. Christmas is that time for many and they want to extend it. They want it to come earlier and earlier. Of course, the real reason Christmas is the season of light, and love is because it celebrates the birth of the Baby Jesus. Jesus is the Light of the world.

It's one of the reasons why I wrote a Christmas detective story/murder mystery. You can read them anytime of year, I suppose, but it's so much more fun to read them when Christmas displays are popping up…even if it's early. I think mistletoe and murder mysteries go together. It's so much fun to cuddle up with a Christmas murder mystery -- early. Why wait for Christmas when you can have the Christmas mystery spirit now. BLOOD SPEAKS is my Christmas novel. It's filled with Christmas decorations, shopping scenes, winter scenes. However, it's most endearing quality is the story's fifty-something character, Bertha Dagney, who thanks God for everything, even when she's framed for murder.

BLOOD SPEAKS in a nut shell…

Veronica "Ronnie" Ingels, Brooklyn gal PI, waited a long time for the solitaire on her finger. When her sometimes boss, a shadowy figure and director of a secret government organization, offers a one-week bridal shopping vacay in Maryland she jumps at it.

Joined by bridesmaids, Sandra Daube and Bertha Dagney, Ronnie sets off for the village of Heritage Cove on Arrowhead Lake, Maryland. Their joyous stay at the rustic yet luxury Heritage Cove Inn is shattered by a murder with tendrils and a clandestine motive stretching back to the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

It doesn't take long for Ronnie and her gal-pals to become targets of the killer. It goes without saying, Taylor County Deputy Sheriff, Lieutenant Dawson Hughes leaves Texas to protect his bride-to-be. He's joined by Sandra's employer, conservative political activist Ben Cohen. No obstacle can keep Gabby Hayes look-alike Hoot Dagney from the side of Bertha, his new bride.

  

Author Bio:

Nike N. Chillemi writes contemporary detective and/or suspense novels with a touch of wry humor, and there's often a national security twist to them. She likes her bad guys really bad and her good guys smarter and better.

Nike is the founding board member of the Grace Awards and its Chair, a reader's choice awards for excellence in Christian fiction. She has been a judge in the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017 Carol Awards in the suspense, mystery, and romantic suspense categories; and an Inspy Awards 2010 judge in the Suspense/Thriller/Mystery category. Her four novel Sanctuary Point series (out of print), set in the mid-1940s has finaled, won an award and garnered critical acclaim. 

The first novel in the Veronica "Ronnie" Ingels/Dawson Hughes series HARMFUL INTENT won in the Grace Awards 2014 Mystery/Romantic Suspense/Thriller/Historical Suspense category. She has written book reviews for The Christian Pulse online magazine. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and John 3:16 Marketing Network. Find Nike online at:

http://nikechillemi.wordpress.com/
Blood Speaks Amazon purchase link: https://amzn.to/2PR0b2x
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nike.chillemiTwitter: @NikeNChillemi

Christmas in Stoney Brook ~ Joi Copeland ~ Giveaway

Please welcome guest author Joi Copeland and her Christmas book Christmas in Stoney Brook. There's also a giveaway involved. Details below.

He was hunting for revenge. She was fleeing from the past.

Austin Birch wanted one thing and one thing only: seek revenge on the man who stole everything from his family.  No matter what it took, he would see it come to pass. When his plans go awry, he is forced to settle in Stoney Brook, Colorado.

Addison McClave only wanted to live her life in peace, away from the man who took everything from her. When their paths collide, Addison is forced to deal with her past and face the one who turned her world upside down.

For a peek at the first several pages, go to:

https://amzn.to/2zAbySm 

About the Author 

 Joi Copeland is married to a wonderful man, Chris, and has three amazing boys. She is living the dream in beautiful Denver, Colorado. Joi loves being a wife and mom and also enjoys spending time with friends over a good cup of coffee or tea. She's been a Christian for over twenty years. God has called her and her family overseas, and she hopes to make her home in Ireland by 2019.

https://www.facebook.com/Joi-Copelands-Book-Page

twitter-@JoiCopeland4

Instagram-www.instagram.com/booksbyjoi/
www.joicopeland.com

Joi is doing a Giveaway~

She is offering a free copy of Christmas in Stoney Brook to one of this blog's readers. Winner's choice of either print or eBook. If the winner is outside the United States, the copy will automatically be the eBook. Entering is easy ... just leave your name, where you're from, and your contact information so we can notify you if you're the winner. Giveaway ends one week from today on Thursday, November 15, at Midnight, CST.

Love's Christmas Blessings ~ Laura Hilton ~ Rachel J. Cook ~ Giveaway

Christmas ...

A time for fellowship, family, and love. Enjoy two novellas from beloved Amish authors and fill your heart with the wonder of the Christmas season.

Book Synopses:

Winter's Treasure:

Paris and Quil have sparks from the beginning, especially since his appearance causes a vicious rivalry between friends. But who can resist when a chance meeting beginning with donuts and coffee ends with a missing person, puppies, a skunk, and a sleigh ride—not to mention a trip the Amish young people plan to Niagara Falls. Could it also involve falling in love?

Mistletoe and Miracles:

An exhausted son, Daniel, and a recent widow, Fern, join forces to brighten a grumpy old man’s day and cheer up a shy, displaced little girl. However, things take a serious turn when Fern’s daughter goes missing on a school field trip. With a little help from Daniel, Fern discovers more than just her daughter’s whereabouts. Will four lonely hearts create special bonds to make it a Christmas to remember?

Release date: November 20, 2018

Purchase link:

http://www.celebratelitpublishing.com/shop-our-books/

Author Bios

 Inspirational author Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. The author of several Amish romance series, she grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for many of her stories. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family eventsRachel’s Amish series include Sisters & Friends (Charisma House & Harlequin), Love & Promises (Hachette/Grand Central), Hearts of Amish Country (Annie’s Book Club), and the forthcoming Surprised by Love (Kensington). She also has several anthologies in print as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Book.

 Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with over twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs and writes devotionals for blog posts 

Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor’s wife, and homeschools her two youngest children.

When she’s not writing, Laura enjoys reading and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter, her favorite holiday is Christmas. 

To learn more about Rachel, visit her at www.racheljgood.com.Seriously Write

Author Media Links: 

Laura:

http://www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Q 

visit my blogs: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/   

twitter: @Laura_V_Hilton

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/

Rachel:

www.racheljgood.com

https://www.facebook.com/racheljgoodnovels/

https://twitter.com/RachelJGood1

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14661177.Rachel_J_Good

https://www.pinterest.com/racheljgood1/

https://www.amazon.com/Rachel-J-Good/e/B019DWF4FG

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rachel-j-good

https://www.instagram.com/rachelj.good

 Newsletter sign-up: http://bit.ly/1qwci4Q

Genre: Christian fiction Amish

Format: Paperback, eBook

Series information:

Love’s Christmas Blessing is book 4 in our Amish Collections

Other books in the series are:

Springs of Love: https://amzn.to/2S6nHqN

Love’s Thankful Heart: https://amzn.to/2R4Fhda 

Plain Everyday Heroes: https://amzn.to/2yvV6CV

 

Publisher: Celebrate Lit Publishing Group

For more information, contact:

Sandy Barela

Celebrate Lit Publishing Group

Celebratelit@celebratelit.com

Love's Christmas Blessings eBook is now available for pre-order for only $3.99!

Pre-order and receive the following extras:

-The book a week early (Nov 13)

-Free eBook copy of Springs of Love -$2 off the full purchase price

Get two amazing Amish collections (5 stories) for just $3.99.

Only available through Celebrate Lit Publishing's Website. Click below to find out more about the book and to order.

http://www.celebratelitpublishing.com/posts/book/loves-christmas-blessings/?fbclid=IwAR0UO4sPY0F2MdiwblGOfCJpXQYT52WX1V1r8r4_ct2DcZZuqbrVp_xXFuU

About the Giveaway:

Laura is offering to give away a free copy of Love's Christmas Blessing, either print (US only, please) or eBook. To enter, just leave a comment below with your name and emailinformation so we can contact you if you're the winner. Giveaway ends, one week from today on Tuesday, November 13, at Midnight, CDT. But, remember, the book won't be available until November 20.