Coming May 2026
Port Royal, Florida Will Never Be The Same After Three Unlikely Women, A Boy,And A Dog Join Forces
The year is 1897 and wealthy widow Lydia Culpepper is evaluating her mundane existence. For sixty-three years, she’s faithfully gone through the motions of fulfilling everyone else’s expectations for her life, but nothing she does is ever enough. She longs for something more. When a young boy comes to her house in search of his missing coon dog, she gets her wish. She meets Emily Reed, a young finishing school instructor, and Opal Jackson, an Irish single mother, and the three women join together on a mission that turns the First Community Church on its head. Suddenly, the town is in an uproar as lives are being changed. When Yellow Fever hits, it looks like their efforts may have been in vain, but the epidemic isn’t enough to thwart the fruits of the Crab Alley Revival.
What Others Are Saying About The Amazing Crab Alley Revival
I can’t begin to say how much I enjoyed The Amazing Crab Alley Revival by Sharon Wilharm. Set in the fictitious town of Port Royal, Florida in 1899, this story is full of lovable quirky characters, and an amazing thread of what revival is all about. Upper-crust Lydia Culpepper and the band of merry townspeople who follow her despite the shunning she receives from her peers, made me laugh, cry, and cheer her on in her quest to bring the word of the Lord to the poor people in town (and learn the true meaning of Christianity herself). And it all starts with a scraggly young boy and his dog from the shoreside shanty village of Crab Alley. Seriously, if you’re looking for a unique historical story that will make you think about your own spiritual life, read this book!
– Lenora Worth, 2019 RITA Finalist, NY Times, USA Today, and PW bestselling author
From the first page, author Sharon Wilharm pulled me into this incredible historical novel. I immediately fell in love with the characters, especially the spirited Lydia who is a remarkable role model. I highly recommend The Amazing Crab Alley Revival to readers who wish to be challenged in their faith, their view of the people around them, and their understanding of God’s call on their lives.
– Danielle Grandinetti, award-winning historical romance author of As Silent as the Night
Sharon Wilharm’s novel explores the historical hypocrisy of churches that prioritize social standing over Christ’s teachings. The characters in The Amazing Crab Ally Revival discover a mission field they’ve too long overlooked. Reaching out to the poorest members of their community, they discover the need for a church meant for everyone and the joy of serving their neighbors. A brilliant novel skillfully written.
– Marbeth Skwarczynski, author of Princess of Moab: A Novel of Ruth and The Rose Collection
With the remarkably rich setting of Port Royal, Florida in 1899 as the backdrop to the story, Sharon Wilharm’s debut novel gives us a protagonist worth rooting for in Lydia Culpepper—a “rich lady who took a personal interest in ragged little Crab Alley children” much to the dismay of some “high society church folks” in town. The Amazing Crab Alley Revival is a beautiful reminder that all people are equal in the sight of God. An inspiring story with a broad cast of delightful and memorable characters!
– Heather Norman Smith, award-winning author of Songs for a Sunday and A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro