If you’ve been following my blog for any length of time, and certainly if you follow me on Substack or social media, you know that this week is the release of my debut novel, The Amazing Crab Alley Revival.
You know the storyline. You’ve seen reviews. You’ve read or listened to interviews. But what you don’t know is the inspiration behind the story.
The Backstory
It all started with a shooting, or more specifically, a couple of shootings. Back in 2011, we’d just moved to the quaintest little historic town, but within a few months of us moving there, the town experienced several shootings. They all took place within a very specific area and were all drug related, but they caused me some serious reflection on whether or not our move had been the right thing to do.
One day as I sat at a traffic light not too far from where the shootings had occurred, I began to pray. I prayed for the neighborhood, for the town, for my family.
As I prayed, I felt a deep concern for all the innocent families caught up in the fray of illicit activities. I wondered how many had the hope of salvation and how many were just living in fear with no hope.
Without even really realizing what I was doing, I prayed for revival for the town. “Lord, send revival here.” And before I could say, “amen,” God finished my sentence for me. “And let it begin with me.”
I froze. Where did that come from? It certainly wasn’t anything I was interested in. So I proceeded to let God know why revival couldn’t begin with me. I was nobody, just a newcomer to the area, a homeschooling mom. I had no influence whatsoever. And did I mention that I was a WOMAN? Women don’t lead revivals. What a silly thing to think that I could start a revival.
I did my best to bury the prayer, but every time I passed by that stoplight, I’d hear those words again, “Lord, send revival. And let it begin with me.” It got so bad, I quit driving that street. I took another way home.
Over time, we got involved in the community and a church. I took on leadership positions. We made Christian movies. I began a home Bible study. I started All God’s Women podcast. Then radio show. I wrote Women of Prayer.
The Book
I’d almost forgotten about revival. I began work on a historical novel loosely based on the story of Lydia in the Bible. It started off as Lydia’s Legacy. Over time, it because The Amazing Crab Alley Revival.
It wasn’t until I’d signed the contract, submitted the book, and was in the middle of edits that I realized that my novel was all about one woman starting a revival in her small town.
All those years ago, God planted a tiny seed that slowly germinated in my life until the time was ripe to write a book that would encourage women around the world to have the courage to step out in faith and do what needs to be done, even if they have to do it alone.
I hope that when The Amazing Crab Alley Revival releases on Tuesday that you’ll grab a copy and be inspired and encouraged in your walk with the Lord.
The Amazing Crab Alley Revival
A Southern Historical Story of Victorian Church Ladies
WOMEN OF PRAYER
Published by Elk Lake Publishing
Printed in the United States of America
© 2026 Sharon Wilharm
Formats Available (July 7): Paperback, Hardcover, eBook (Kindle Unlimited)
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