The Story Behind Soul Stirrings by Anita Hackley Lambert

  

 

 

 

 

The Story Behind Soul Stirrings 

By Anita Hackley Lambert

I never set out to become an author for accolades or recognition. I wrote to survive—to breathe through the storm of my own silence.

My earliest inspiration didn’t come from a classroom or creative workshop. It came from deep pain—wounds that weren’t visible to the world but weighed heavily on my soul. By the time I turned fourteen, the trauma of my childhood had left me emotionally paralyzed. Depression had taken root. I was young, broken, and desperately trying to understand the purpose behind my pain.

Then, one evening during a small Christian fellowship at our kitchen table, something divine pierced through the darkness. The Holy Spirit rested upon me, and I heard His voice—not in the natural, but in my spirit. He said, “Anita, you can choose to be bitter or better. Which do you choose?” That moment was sacred, unforgettable. It changed everything. I chose better.

From that encounter, my calling was birthed. I picked up a pen and poured my pain onto the page, writing my first manuscript, No Where to Run. It was never published, but it served its purpose—it became my healing balm, my silent prayer, my soul’s release. Writing became more than a coping mechanism; it became a holy commission.

But I had to wait on God's timing—and that required obedience and much patience. For over sixteen years, I wrote in secret. I filled notebooks with dreams, outlines, and chapters, while continuing to live, learn, and grow spiritually. Though the vision tarried, I trusted the Lord to bring it forth in its season. That season finally arrived in 2023.

Without a traditional publisher or literary agent, I turned to Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). It was a door God opened, and I walked through it. The process was intimidating at first—but liberating. From God’s guidance, I learned the essentials: formatting interiors, designing covers, crafting descriptions, and optimizing keywords. Most importantly, I prayed over every step. Each decision was guided by the Holy Spirit, from the cover concept to the final sentence.

Publishing through KDP allowed me to steward the message God entrusted to me without compromise. Since then, I’ve released several books, each one born from divine instruction and spiritual insight. These aren’t just titles—they are living testimonies. They represent altars in my life—points of divine encounter, revelation, healing, and transformation.

Now, I write not only to survive, but to help others do the same. My books are for the wounded and the weary, the searching, the silenced and anyone needing spiritual uplifting. I want them to know that God sees, hears, and heals because their lives matter to Him. I want them to realize that what nearly broke them can become the very platform from which they rise.

If there’s one truth I could share with every aspiring author, it would be this: do not wait for perfect circumstances. God’s timing may involve preparation, pruning, and perseverance—but when He says it’s time, move. You don’t need man's approval to fulfill a God-given purpose. If He gave you the story, He’ll provide the strength. He’ll equip you with everything you need to release it. The world is waiting, and your obedience could be the answer to someone’s silent prayer.

 

 

 

Soul Stirrings invites you on a transformative journey, offering devotions rooted in God’s timeless Word. This heartfelt series is designed to help you navigate life’s challenges, embrace His boundless love, renew your spirit, and walk boldly in His light. Whether seeking clarity, hope, encouragement, or a deeper connection with God, this book will stir your soul and renew your spirit.

What’s Inside:

• Uplifting Inspiration: Thought-provoking devotions to uplift your heart and nurture your faith.

• Practical Wisdom: Encouraging insights to overcome trials, find clarity, and deepen your walk with God.

• Spiritual Renewal: Messages of hope to align your life with God’s divine plan and empower you to live with grace and purpose.

Why You’ll Love Soul Stirrings

• Rooted in Scripture: Every devotional message is guided by the truths of God’s Word.

• Life-Changing Perspective: Encourages growth, resilience, and spiritual healing.

• For Every Season of Life: Soul Stirrings provides wisdom and encouragement tailored to your journey, whether in a storm or on the mountaintop.

Perfect For:

• Daily personal devotions.

• Gifts for friends and loved ones seeking hope and inspiration.

• Small group or Bible study reflections.

Begin Your Faith Journey Today!

Let Soul Stirrings be your companion as you discover the life God has designed for you. Every page brings renewed strength, peace, and a deeper connection to His promises.

Soul Stirrings: Inspirational Messages Through Revelation is available at Amazon.

FIND HEALING, STRENGTH, AND RENEWAL THROUGH GOD’S GRACE. Life’s challenges can leave us weary and searching for hope, but God’s grace is a refuge, a healer, and a restorer—lifting us from brokenness into wholeness.

Soul STIRRINGS: Inspirational Messages With Grace to Restore is an uplifting collection of faith-filled reflections, biblical wisdom, and transformative messages designed to strengthen your spirit and renew your faith. Through deep scriptural insights and real-life encouragement, you’ll discover:

✔ Strength in hardship as faith is tested and refined
✔ Healing from past wounds through God’s unfailing love
✔ Clarity and wisdom to navigate life’s challenges
✔ The life-changing power of grace to transform and restore

Each chapter serves as a spiritual awakening, reminding you that God’s grace is abundant, unshakable, and available to you right now. Whether you’re in a season of waiting, healing from past struggles, or seeking a closer walk with God, this book will stir your soul, uplift your heart, and inspire you to embrace His grace with bold faith.

Restoration is always within reach—let His grace renew your life today!

Soul Stirrings: Inspirational Messages with Grace to Restore is available at Amazon.

DISCOVER STRENGTH, PURPOSE, AND VICTORY IN GOD’S PRESENCE. Life is filled with storms and uncertainties, but one truth remains unshakable: God is always on your side. Soul STIRRINGS: Experience the Unshakable Presence of God delivers powerful, faith-filled messages that will strengthen your spirit, ignite your faith, and deepen your trust in God’s promises.

Through compelling real-life testimonies and biblical wisdom, this book will help you:

✔ Overcome life’s challenges by standing on God’s Word
✔ Step boldly into your divine calling with faith and confidence
✔ Embrace gratitude, trust, and hope in every season
✔ Walk in God’s anointing and spiritual purpose
✔ Find renewal and rest in His ever-present love

Each chapter offers scriptural insights, spiritual reflection, and practical guidance to help you align with God’s will and step into your victorious destiny. Whether facing trials, seeking renewal, or desiring a deeper connection with God, this book will equip you with strength, encouragement, and divine assurance. You are never alone, never forgotten. With God on your side, victory is already yours.

Soul Stirrings: Inspirational Message with God On Your Side is available at Amazon.

 

Renowned for her expertise as a genealogist, historian, and biographer, Anita Hackley Lambert secured her place in history with her inaugural book—a feat lauded by Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Levering Lewis, esteemed historian Charles Patterson, and Harpers Ferry Historical National Park. She stands unrivaled as the familial authority, penning insightful biographies of F.H.M. Murray and Barry A. Murray, both visionary businessmen and lifelong champions of civil rights. As the CEO and president of her former high-tech company, Ms. Lambert founded HLE Publishing, a subsidiary of Hackley Lambert Enterprises—from which she launched her writing career. 

With a passion for sharing God’s truth and a deep understanding of scripture, she crafts compelling messages that uplift, encourage, and strengthen believers in their walk with Christ. Her works reflect a profound commitment to faith, wisdom, and the transformative power of God’s love. Through her books, devotionals, and teachings, Anita aims to empower readers to confidently embrace their spiritual journey, trust in God’s promises, and experience the abundant life He has planned for them.

She is the mother of three sons and one daughter. Nestled in the picturesque Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, she lives with her husband. Her journey continues. In addition to two captivating biographies, she as added an impressive number of faith-based nonfiction gems to her literary legacy. 

Website & Social Media:

Website | X | Facebook #1 | Facebook #2 | Facebook #3 | Instagram | LinkedIn | BookBub

The Story Behind Seeking Tranquility: Chincoteague Sunsets Trilogy Book 1 by Amy Schisler

 

The Story Behind Seeking Tranquility: Chincoteague Sunsets Trilogy Book 1

Many readers have fond memories of Misty of Chincoteague, the beloved tale by Marguerite Henry about the Beebe siblings and their Chincoteague pony. I still own my paperback copy, now falling apart at the seams. I don’t know how many times I read it, but I know that the book and the island left an imprint on my heart that I wasn’t aware of for many years.

In 2014, I began writing a book about Kate, a young woman who flees her life in the city to start over in a place with no ties to her former life, a place to escape and hide, a place to be reborn. Without giving it a thought, I watched my character pack her car and head to Chincoteague Island off the coast of Virginia. 

This wasn’t surprising for me—my characters always do what they want and end up in places and predicaments I never foresaw. What was surprising was how vivid the location and the islanders were in my mind. I’d been to Chincoteague a handful of times, and have family who live on the island, but these images and personalities were so real to me that I began to think of them as friends.

Six years after the publication of the award-winning Island of Miracles, I can honestly say that many of the islanders are my friends. And as Kate found when she fled to the island, they have welcomed me with open arms. 

Even before I finished writing Island of Miracles, I knew there was much more to tell about the Kelly and Middleton families and everyone they encountered on Chincoteague. I was certain that a trilogy was needed to tell their stories. Island of Promise followed and garnered nine national literary awards for inspirational fiction, and the trilogy concluded with the award-winning Island of Hope. 

I thought I was finished with the island, but the island wasn’t finished with me. I had emails, online messages, and people at signings asking if I would set a book in Chincoteague again. My answer was vague at first, but a voice continued to call from the ocean waves, and the familiarity of the town and its citizens clung to me like salt and sand. I couldn’t brush them off and walk away. They had seeped into my pores, becoming part of who I am. 

Last winter, I planned a return to the island. I didn’t know who would take me there or what I would encounter. Even as I began the first chapter, I didn’t know which character would spring to life and be the one to take my hand and lead me on an adventure. It didn’t take long for Christy to capture my heart and imagination. What was her story? What happened to her family? To whom was she going to turn and why? 

Setting Christy’s own struggles against the backdrop of an island struggling to regain its place in a world gone mad felt like the perfect fit. After two years of living with fear and uncertainty, when few visitors ventured across the causeway and businesses shut down, everyone on the island is ready to live again. Two years after losing her parents then being forced to sell their home, Christy and her younger sister move to the place where their family found rest and refuge. She feels as if she will never live again, but the island that brought miracles, promise, and hope to many, proves once again the place to go for those Seeking Tranquility.

It's a funny thing, how we are inspired by people and places we least expect. If I had to choose a vacation spot, it would never be somewhere with sand. My most popular books take place on an island where sun, sand, and wild ponies reign. This always surprises me. Give me a wooded path to explore, a kayak on a lake, or a mountain to climb, and I’m at home. Put me on a towel in the sand, and I’m counting the minutes until it’s time to leave. Still, there’s something about Chincoteague that leaves me rejuvenated every time I visit. 

Despite my lack of love for sandy shores, when I sit in my office and begin writing about Chincoteague, I’m transported. I smell the salt in the breeze and taste it on my lips. I hear waves crashing against the beach and gulls calling out overhead.  Maybe it’s the painting over the spare bed in my office that first inspired me to write about the island. Whatever the draw, Chincoteague pulls me in again and again.

I look forward to traveling across Maryland and Virginia’s Eastern Shore this summer as my book tour takes me to Chincoteague and beyond. In between those travels, my mind will travel to another small town, this one in the Arkansas Ozarks. Unlike Chincoteague, Buffalo Springs can’t be found on any map or the pages of a travel guide, but the little town nestled between mountains and rivers is as real to me as the Atlantic beaches. You’re welcome to travel with me this summer to the ocean coastline and this winter to the Ozarks. Simply pick up Seeking Tranquility on June 15 and Sapphires in Snow in November. I promise exciting travels and heart-stopping adventures ahead. 

Whether Amy’s penning novels of faith and inspiration, books for children, or her weekly blog, she loves connecting with readers. Her first of twelve novels debuted in 2014. Amy lives on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with her husband, their daughters, and their dogs. When she’s not writing, she can be found on a boat in the Chesapeake or hiking in the Rocky Mountains, most often with a good book in her hand. 

Follow Amy online: 

Website: http://amyschislerauthor.com

Blog: https://amyschislerauthor.com/category/amys-blog/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmySchislerAuth

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmySchislerAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8436890.Amy_Schisler

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyschislerauthor/

Christy McLane and her child prodigy sister, Molly, are alone in the world. Alone, until they arrive on the island of Chincoteague, Virginia. Like the famous ponies that roam the area, Christy and Molly flee to the island to take refuge after a tragedy leaves them marooned and unanchored. To stay afloat, Christy will need to make unforeseen sacrifices as she navigates the waters of life. 

Against the beautiful backdrop of the Virginia shoreline, caring islanders and shy, aerospace scientist, Jared Stevenson, help Christy find the faith and tranquility she seeks. However, just when everything seems perfect, Jared’s hidden past disrupts their peaceful existence, plunging the entire island into a sea of lies and danger that will change their lives forever. 

Book Information

Release Date: June 16, 2022

Publisher:  Chesapeake Sunrise Publishing

Soft Cover: ISBN: 979-8985223217; 345 pages; $15.95; eBook $7.99

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OjMioj

 

Amy Schisler is a novelist, poet, children’s book author, spiritual writer, blogger, reader, and avid traveler with years of professional experience in all manner of writing-related endeavors. Whether she’s writing novels filled with faith and inspiration, books that children will love, or her weekly blog devoted to family life and faith, she loves connecting and resonating with her readers. Amy’s first novel, A Place to Call Home, a romantic suspense, debuted in 2014, and her much-loved Chincoteague Island Trilogy has won numerous literary awards. Amy lives on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with her husband, Ken, their daughters, Katie and Morgan (and sometimes their daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Anthony), and their dogs, Rosie and Luna. When she’s not writing, Amy can usually be found on a boat in the Chesapeake Bay or hiking in the Rocky Mountains, most often with a good book in her hand.

Her latest book is Seeking Tranquility: Chincoteague Sunsets Trilogy Book 1.

You can visit her website at www.AmySchislerAuthor.com  and connect with her at Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads and Instagram. 

 

The Story Behind Connecting With Christ by Yolonda Tonette Sanders

 

The Story Behind Connecting with Christ

By Yolonda Tonette Sanders

I appreciate reading material that supports my spiritual growth. Yet, I have at least a half-dozen daily devotionals on my bookshelf, and I have never finished a single one. The problem I have with 365 daily devotionals (especially when also committing to daily Bible reading) is that it’s easy to get behind schedule if one day is missed. One missed day easily multiplies to twenty, and then it becomes impossible to catch up. Or, if catching up is possible, reading becomes a checklist item to get back on par, and the spiritual nourishment becomes secondary or gets lost completely.

 

My goal was to create a yearly devotional that was both practical and applicable. It’s much simpler to commit to reading a weekly devotional than a daily one. Plus, the devotionals will not stand in the way of daily Bible reading. Let’s face it. Sometimes we don’t always get devotional lessons during the first read-through. I didn’t want anyone to feel rushed to complete each devotional just to keep a up with a daily schedule. I want the lessons to stick!

 

There are 18 authors, including me, who contributed to this project. The 52 devotionals are broken down into 12 over-arching themes. I challenged everyone to be real. I didn’t want any pie-in-the sky stories, but real-life accounts with which others could identify and find encouragement. As the editor, I’ve read each devotional more times than I can recall, and yet, each time I read something, it’s like I’m seeing it for the first time . . . even the ones that I wrote. This collection of works contains a level of transparency that is rarely displayed by authors. I hope that readers will enjoy Connecting with Christ. It’s raw, encouraging, and transformative.

 

 

Self-care is a buzzword often mentioned when people seek to optimize their health. Suggested self-care practices tend to include activities such as exercising, getting a massage, or eating a healthy diet. While all of these actions have their place, none of them are sufficient enough to provide the soul-care we need to maximize our self-care. Self-care without soul-care equates to temporary solutions that leave

us searching for the next new thing. However, when Christ becomes the center of our holistic health journey, we not only find fulfillment in Him but also a dependency on and trust in Him to truly live our best lives-emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually.

“If ever there has been a time in history when we need to connect with and cling to Christ, it is now. Loud divisive voices vie for our attention. World events distract. Personal challenges overwhelm. Staying connected to Christ takes effort, even for the most devoted believer. Connecting with Christ aids in fostering that connection. Yolonda Sanders chose contributors well, those who provide thoughtful, encouraging, helpful guidance in making connection to Christ a priority.”– Candy Arrington, author, Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well

“Inspiration can wane when the winds of discouragement blow through our lives. Connecting with Christ offers 52 weeks of easy encouragement everyone can benefit from. Easy to read, easy to understand, and easy to apply to our wind-blown lives. Receiving inspiration from a variety of authors makes you feel like you’re family. Coming together to talk about life and how God’s truth plays an active part for all of us is priceless.”– Linda Goldfarb, Speaker-Trainer-Coach, Award-winning author of the LINKED Personality Series, helping you take your next best step- Relationally-Spiritually-Professionally (www.LivePowerfullyNow.org)

“Connecting with Christ is a unique, faith-filled, inspiring devotional designed to cultivate a thirst for the Word as you grow in your spiritual journey. You will feel the love of God and experience His goodness, grace, and faithfulness, which are woven throughout this work.”– La Verne Tolbert, Ph.D., author of How to Study and Understand the Bible (www.etaworld.org); Founder & CEO of Teaching Like Jesus Ministries, Inc. (http: //teachinglikejesus.org/); and host of Sunday School Made Simple (https: //www.youtube.com/c/SundaySchoolMadeSimple)

“Eternal, intrinsic, and unique, your soul is a touchpoint between you and God. A healthy soul is protection against agnosticism, hatred, prejudice, and superficial materialism. Yolonda Tonette Sanders and others provide a resource for the vital care and feeding of your soul and help you connect with the God who loves you.”– PeggySue Wells is the bestselling author of 29 books, including The Ten Best Decisions A Single Mom Can Make, and the founder of SingleMomCircle.com

Book Information

Release Date: November 30, 2021

Publisher:  Yo Productions

Soft Cover: ISBN: 978-1732850842; 212 pages; $14.99

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3FoBsZh

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3I3410c

Walmart: https://bit.ly/3nk80xu

 

Yolonda Tonette Sanders is the CEO of Yo Productions, LLC and co-founder of the Faith & Fellowship Book Festival. Her writing portfolio includes academic papers, novels, short stories, poems, and other creative works. She is an editor for a national publication, a professor, and serves on several boards and associations. Yolonda holds two bachelor’s degrees, a master’s degree, and is currently completing her Ph.D. in organizational leadership. She treasures her relationships with family and close friends. Yolonda is blessed to be the wife of David; mother of two adults, Tre and Tia; “Nini” to her grandchildren, Khari and Khia; daughter of Eddie; sister to Milton; and dog mom to Paco.

Her latest book is the nonfiction/inspirational Connecting with Christ: 52 Weekly Devotionals to Nurture Spiritual Growth (Yo Productions).

Visit her website at www.yoproductions.net or connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

One Last Hurrah by Mark & Brenda Smith

Title: One Last Hurrah ... Making Peace and a Difference Author: Mark & Brenda Smith
Publisher: MicroPress Books
Publication Date: September 21, 2014
ISBN: 978-0578150604
Genre: Inspirational / Christian / Self-Help


One Last Hurrah” allows the reader to experience a story of inspiration, inject their own experiences, unlike other books, so that the reader documents their own life story.

This is, not only, a book about a former professional wrestler overcoming loss, but his journey in finding purpose and peace. The book, “One Last Hurrah” , documents medical miracles, overcoming abuse and experiences with drug addiction. Mark and Brenda , both, come from broken homes and have found their calling in life working with youth/children for over 15 years.

Having come from divorce, Mark and Brenda had to decide if they were going to break the family cycles of abuse. They dedicated themselves to helping abused and abandoned children. They have been foster parents for several years and open their home to students who have no where to go. For them to understand their purpose, they had to go through a lot of trials. Mark has suffered mini strokes and multiple concussions from a career in professional wrestling. He had to make peace with the father that instilled a childhood of fear. Brenda witnessed Mark and his brother burying their father with shovels and the nightmares Mark would endure. Later, Mark and several of his friends would develop equipment and would be taken to Capitol Hill. He found himself working with military leaders from all over the world. When Mark wanted to give up on living, doors opened!  


Book Excerpt: 

Chapter One: The Lowest Point in My Life 

I walked into our apartment and called out her name. There was no answer. I began the search; I found her in our bed, face down. I knelt on the bed and gently turned her over on her back. I called her name again, and this time she began what I couldn’t decipher was laughing or crying. Whatever it was, it scared the living heck out of me.

Had I driven her over the edge? I accept total responsibility for whatever was happening to her. I know that I was no good for anyone. She would not respond to me; so I went to the other room and sat on the couch and cried. What have I done to her? Whatever was going on with her, I know I was the cause of it.

As I sat there and cried, she came walking into the room and calmly said, “We’re finished.” I looked up at her, staring blankly at this woman whom I loved (but apparently not in the way she needed to be loved). I felt like a loser, not something that a professional wrestler ever wanted to feel. I slowly got up and walked to the door. I looked back at her, lowered my head, and walked out the door.

I went for a drive to try to absorb what she had just said. Her words kept ringing in my head. “We are finished.” I can’t say that I don’t understand. I do. Our world was ridden with booze, drugs, verbal and mental abuse. I couldn’t think straight.


Purchase Book at: 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Last-Hurrah-Mark-Brenda-Smith-ebook/dp/B00NT8KCTY/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1417206086&sr=1-2&keywords=one+last+hurrah  

God has rebuilt Mark's life with his wife, Brenda, of 22 years. Having never thought he was worthy of being a father, Mark and Brenda have been blessed with three wonderful kids. Mark was diagnosed to lose his ability to walk by age 18. He not only beat the odds, but was invited to Spring Training with several Major League clubs and ended up traveling the U.S. working for Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling.

Brenda has been a Children's Minister for almost 15 years and also loves to lead Women's Bible studies. She has also been a worship leader for Women's Ministry Events. She enjoys singing Contemporary and Southern Gospel music.

Mark, Brenda and their children make their home in Fayetteville, TN

Visit Mark & Brenda online at www.onelasthurrahweb.com 


Contact Mark & Brenda at:

Website: www.onelasthurrahweb.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mark-Brenda-Smith/580166418759709
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mark_Brenda2014    

Contest Giveaway

Pump Up Your Book and Authors Mark & Brenda Smith are teaming up to give away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Terms & Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
• One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive the prize.
• This giveaway begins November 28 and ends on January 30, 2015.
• Winner will be contacted via email on February 1, 2015.
• Winner has 72 hours to reply.
• VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway