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Willie - Rum Running Queen: Based on the True Story of Willie Carter Sharpe
“In the first pages of Rum Running Queen, I could smell the broken earth, hear the sound of the tractor, and know the compelling characters who would become friends. This book is a hard and fruitful journey you will want to take. Every step was a pleasure.” –Scott Hammond, author of Finding Asher
During Prohibition, Rum Running Queen Willie Carter Sharpe rises from poverty to the heights of fame and fortune in the moonshine business. In spite of her high-speed trick driving, the law catches up to her. When she is brought to testify in the Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1934, she realizes she is a target for both sides of the law with no place to hide.
During Prohibition, Rum Running Queen Willie Carter Sharpe rises from poverty to the heights of fame and fortune in the moonshine business. In spite of her high-speed trick driving, the law catches up to her. When she is brought to testify in the Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1934, she realizes she is a target for both sides of the law with no place to hide.
- GenresFiction
201 pages, Paperback
Published February 5, 2025
About the author
Louella Bryant
11 books47 followersLouella Bryant’s novel WILLIE, RUM RUNNING QUEEN launched in early 2025 with Black Rose Writing. Her 2023 novel SHELTERING ANGEL, BASED ON A TRUE STORY OF THE TITANIC, has been a #1 bestseller on Amazon Kindle. Hot Springs and Moonshine Liquor, a family memoir follows the historic trail of bootleg liquor since the Revolutionary War. Louella's WWII novel Cowboy Code is based on the true story of a Virginia mountain town. Other books include While In Darkness There Is Light, nonfiction about the Vietnam era, a story collection, and two Civil War novels for young adult readers. Her award-winning writing has appeared in magazines and anthologies. A graduate of George Washington University and Vermont College of Fine Arts, Louella works as an independent editor. Visit her website at https://louellabryant.com.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 16, 2026
FAST CARS, RUNNING SHINE, PRISON, AND SELLING YOUR SOLE JUST TO GET BY...NOT A WAY TO LIVE YOUR LIFE
2/15/26 Review:
☆☆☆☆ 4.5
Willie – Rum Running Queen: Based on the True Story of Willie Carter Sharpe by Louella Bryant is not a family story. It's a well told story of Willie Collins who was raised on a farm in the 1920's during prohibition. She had a way with anything with an engine and loved to drive fast and to say the least, she was very good at it. On the other side, she had really bad luck with men, or more correctly, husbands and law officers. The roads she had traveled lead her to riches and jail cells, bad marriages and lost time with her family and friends. Yet still, Willie was happiest while driving like a bat out of hell with the feel of the car at her finger tips, with her foot on the pedal to the floor.
This fictional historical tale by Louella Bryant is well-written and she's brought the characters, especially Willie and her brother Jimmy, to life on the pages in a way that you not only understand what they are going through but feel their excitement, joy, pain, and sorrow. Though there were times in this story that I was a little taken back to how Louella brought the relationship between Charlie Sharpe and Sheriff Jeff Richards to the pages, I can understand the need to spice up the pages for some of the readers, though it's hard to believe that interactions between Willie, Charlie, and Jeff were that spicy it adds to the storyline and might interest some smut readers.
To tell you the truth, I really didn't know much about prohibition, bootleggers, or pilot car drivers for the runners and this story about Willie Carter Sharpe brought some knowledge and interest in wanting to learn more.
This again, was a very captivating story and well worth the time spent reading this book and the ending is very touching to say the least.
Quotes:
"To me being country was a state of mind. We looked out for our neighbors and cared for our family through good times and bad."
"Bootleggers knew their way around the law. In fact, I came to understand law officers were some of their best customers."
"When you're good at something and you're denied the right to do that something, it's like losing a limb.”
2/15/26 Review:
☆☆☆☆ 4.5
Willie – Rum Running Queen: Based on the True Story of Willie Carter Sharpe by Louella Bryant is not a family story. It's a well told story of Willie Collins who was raised on a farm in the 1920's during prohibition. She had a way with anything with an engine and loved to drive fast and to say the least, she was very good at it. On the other side, she had really bad luck with men, or more correctly, husbands and law officers. The roads she had traveled lead her to riches and jail cells, bad marriages and lost time with her family and friends. Yet still, Willie was happiest while driving like a bat out of hell with the feel of the car at her finger tips, with her foot on the pedal to the floor.
This fictional historical tale by Louella Bryant is well-written and she's brought the characters, especially Willie and her brother Jimmy, to life on the pages in a way that you not only understand what they are going through but feel their excitement, joy, pain, and sorrow. Though there were times in this story that I was a little taken back to how Louella brought the relationship between Charlie Sharpe and Sheriff Jeff Richards to the pages, I can understand the need to spice up the pages for some of the readers, though it's hard to believe that interactions between Willie, Charlie, and Jeff were that spicy it adds to the storyline and might interest some smut readers.
To tell you the truth, I really didn't know much about prohibition, bootleggers, or pilot car drivers for the runners and this story about Willie Carter Sharpe brought some knowledge and interest in wanting to learn more.
This again, was a very captivating story and well worth the time spent reading this book and the ending is very touching to say the least.
Quotes:
"To me being country was a state of mind. We looked out for our neighbors and cared for our family through good times and bad."
"Bootleggers knew their way around the law. In fact, I came to understand law officers were some of their best customers."
"When you're good at something and you're denied the right to do that something, it's like losing a limb.”
July 9, 2025
Willie was a pistol, as they used to say. Farm life was never going to hold her and from her first foray into the big city, she knew there was more to life and she wanted to have. First off she married the scion of one of the biggest moonshine runners in the state. He showered her with all sorts of luxuries but could not grasp why it was never enough. Willie needed action and excitement and she had a need for speed, which made her one of her father in law’s greatest assets. He made the mistake of letting her go when her marriage to his son broke down. But Willie already had eyes on someone else.
Together, she and Charlie raced through the back roads of Virginia, living life to the full and making piles of cash. But things would turn dark for Willie and the men who surrounded her took great pleasure in bringing her down. Never one to feel sorry for herself, she was stymied. She was too famous and could not do what made her famous and what she loved best in the world. And that was behind the wheel.
Her downfall was pre-ordained when she was bullied into testifying in the Great Moonshine Trial. She knew she was a walking target and tried to get away and start again. Sadly where her brother found her for the last time was a steep drop from the heights she once scaled. No one knows what happened afterward. There were rumours and gossip but nothing that was substantiated. Whatever her end, I suspect when it came she would have never traded her years as the speed queen for anything. The book, like Willie, grabs the reader and does not let go. Even with the sad ending, she proved girls can do anything. Five purrs and two paws up.
Together, she and Charlie raced through the back roads of Virginia, living life to the full and making piles of cash. But things would turn dark for Willie and the men who surrounded her took great pleasure in bringing her down. Never one to feel sorry for herself, she was stymied. She was too famous and could not do what made her famous and what she loved best in the world. And that was behind the wheel.
Her downfall was pre-ordained when she was bullied into testifying in the Great Moonshine Trial. She knew she was a walking target and tried to get away and start again. Sadly where her brother found her for the last time was a steep drop from the heights she once scaled. No one knows what happened afterward. There were rumours and gossip but nothing that was substantiated. Whatever her end, I suspect when it came she would have never traded her years as the speed queen for anything. The book, like Willie, grabs the reader and does not let go. Even with the sad ending, she proved girls can do anything. Five purrs and two paws up.
April 30, 2025
From the first paragraph, I was transfixed by the voice in Louella Bryant’s page-turning historical story of the Rum Running Queen herself: Willie Carter Sharpe, whose hardscrabble life in the southwest Virginia hills led her to riches in the only career she was destined to perfect. As a “pilot” (a decoy driver) for the souped-up Model-Ts hauling moonshine from Virginia to the surrounding states, the real-life Willie was already a teen-age natural at motor skills attributed to boys. Driving fast was her passion, and running moonshine gave Willie the opportunity to do it. In Bryant’s colorful recreation, Willie, Rum Running Queen, Willie is as wily as she was witty. By the court’s account when Willie testified at the Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1934 for tax evasion, she’d hauled two hundred thousand untaxed gallons herself. In her short career evading cops during Prohibition, Willie lived large and left a mostly forgotten mark until Bryant revived her colorful life with animated writing, bringing us the sounds and smells and sights of rural Virginia moonshine-making, a way of life for generations. I devoured Willie in one day, near as quick as she ran shine over the hills.
May 25, 2025
A very atmospheric account of life during the depression and prohibition period. How the normal way of life for the folks in this part of America continued as best they could, with a sense of resourcefulness born out of necessity and what they did best. Within the farming communities, all had their stills, all made their own hooch and come the enforcement of taxes and bans on the selling and consumption of alcohol, traded in Moonshine.
This is a vivid account of a family, told through the eyes and experiences of two siblings, narrated alternately by Jimmy and his old sister Willie, a famous bootlegger.
I loved the sense of place and the elements of life in both plenty and want. Life was difficult but the sense of neighbourly support and goodwill comes through. Based on real people and historical events this is an important record of those times.
However, because of its telling through the fictional accounts of brother and sister it cannot provide a complete picture of the times and the wider implications for the general population. That said it does speak about the impact of the depression, the unemployment, the struggle to pay rent, the financial losses when banks failed and the growth of shanty towns of the displaced and homeless.
It is a well written piece and vital addition to this period of American history where a half forgotten recollection of “The Untouchables” fades to just a few images and sounds of Sean Connery and Kevin Costner.
A book I will return to, as it is so accessible, readable and engaging despite the dark days it reflects upon. Willie is a person the reader can identify with and her outlook on life a fine example to others. Not in terms of criminality but her values, her approach to life, a grafter, a genuine person and without a thought to blame others for her own choices and mistakes.
This is a vivid account of a family, told through the eyes and experiences of two siblings, narrated alternately by Jimmy and his old sister Willie, a famous bootlegger.
I loved the sense of place and the elements of life in both plenty and want. Life was difficult but the sense of neighbourly support and goodwill comes through. Based on real people and historical events this is an important record of those times.
However, because of its telling through the fictional accounts of brother and sister it cannot provide a complete picture of the times and the wider implications for the general population. That said it does speak about the impact of the depression, the unemployment, the struggle to pay rent, the financial losses when banks failed and the growth of shanty towns of the displaced and homeless.
It is a well written piece and vital addition to this period of American history where a half forgotten recollection of “The Untouchables” fades to just a few images and sounds of Sean Connery and Kevin Costner.
A book I will return to, as it is so accessible, readable and engaging despite the dark days it reflects upon. Willie is a person the reader can identify with and her outlook on life a fine example to others. Not in terms of criminality but her values, her approach to life, a grafter, a genuine person and without a thought to blame others for her own choices and mistakes.
March 21, 2025
Gritty Taste of Bootlegging History
From start to finish, this follows the life of Willie Carter Sharpe, the so-called Rum Running Queen. You see her life before bootlegging, her introduction to it, and all the twists her path takes. The ending leaves much to the imagination, which is sad, but not surprising.
From start to finish, this follows the life of Willie Carter Sharpe, the so-called Rum Running Queen. You see her life before bootlegging, her introduction to it, and all the twists her path takes. The ending leaves much to the imagination, which is sad, but not surprising.
June 7, 2025
Review: A Fast-Paced, Gritty Ride with a Few Missed Turns — *Rum Running Queen
*Rum Running Queen* barrels through the backroads of Prohibition-era Appalachia with all the speed and grit of its daring heroine, Willie Carter Sharpe. A moonshine runner turned legend, Willie’s rise from poverty to notoriety is as thrilling as it is tragic, and the novel captures the chaotic energy of a woman determined to outrun every rule designed to break her.
The book excels in atmosphere—its depiction of 1930s Virginia is vivid and alive with bootleg smoke, fast engines, and backroom deals. Willie is an undeniably compelling character: bold, sharp-tongued, and magnetic. Her stunt driving and slippery dealings add a pulse-pounding rhythm to the story’s first half, while her growing unease as the law closes in creates effective tension.
The climax—centered around the real-life Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1934—is a standout. The courtroom drama is intense and well-paced, showing just how trapped Willie has become, used and betrayed by allies on both sides of the law. Her gradual realization that fame offers no protection adds a sobering layer of complexity to her character.
That said, the novel sometimes races too quickly past emotional depth. Willie’s internal struggles—especially as she becomes a pawn in a larger game—could have used more exploration. Her relationships, romantic or otherwise, feel underdeveloped at times, which slightly mutes the impact of her eventual isolation.
Still, *Rum Running Queen* delivers a thrilling slice of historical fiction centered on a bold woman who defied expectations and carved her own path through a dangerous world. It's a high-octane story with bite, even if it occasionally speeds past its quieter moments. Fans of historical crime fiction and complex female leads will find plenty to enjoy.
*Rum Running Queen* barrels through the backroads of Prohibition-era Appalachia with all the speed and grit of its daring heroine, Willie Carter Sharpe. A moonshine runner turned legend, Willie’s rise from poverty to notoriety is as thrilling as it is tragic, and the novel captures the chaotic energy of a woman determined to outrun every rule designed to break her.
The book excels in atmosphere—its depiction of 1930s Virginia is vivid and alive with bootleg smoke, fast engines, and backroom deals. Willie is an undeniably compelling character: bold, sharp-tongued, and magnetic. Her stunt driving and slippery dealings add a pulse-pounding rhythm to the story’s first half, while her growing unease as the law closes in creates effective tension.
The climax—centered around the real-life Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1934—is a standout. The courtroom drama is intense and well-paced, showing just how trapped Willie has become, used and betrayed by allies on both sides of the law. Her gradual realization that fame offers no protection adds a sobering layer of complexity to her character.
That said, the novel sometimes races too quickly past emotional depth. Willie’s internal struggles—especially as she becomes a pawn in a larger game—could have used more exploration. Her relationships, romantic or otherwise, feel underdeveloped at times, which slightly mutes the impact of her eventual isolation.
Still, *Rum Running Queen* delivers a thrilling slice of historical fiction centered on a bold woman who defied expectations and carved her own path through a dangerous world. It's a high-octane story with bite, even if it occasionally speeds past its quieter moments. Fans of historical crime fiction and complex female leads will find plenty to enjoy.
May 15, 2025
The Temperance Movement is a wonderful example of the law of unintended consequences. Thinking that ridding the country of the excesses of alcohol would solve many of the country’s social problems, the era of Prohibition in the United States gave rise to organized crime. That is a fact. Instead of solving society’s ills, it gave rise to a whole bunch of new ones.
Willie Carter Sharpe was one of those who flourished during Prohibition. She came from a poor Virginia family that farmed the land and got by. That wasn’t enough for her, though. She had bigger dreams and ended up being a pilot for moonshine runners. This meant she would go out ahead of the trucks with the moonshine and make sure the road was clear, or lead police off the route. Most of the time, though, the police knew where the trucks were going and set up roadblocks. In that case, Willie’s job was to pay the police off and clear the way for the shipments. She was a natural behind the wheel, with great instincts and abilities.
The corruption existed throughout law enforcement. Many of the farmers where Willie lived supplemented their income by making moonshine. Some, like Willie’s father, just kept it for his own personal stash. Others sold it far and wide. Willie would drive as far west as Louisville and as far north as Washington, DC. The politicians who were charged with enforcing the laws often skirted them themselves.
To read my complete review, please go to Willie – Rum Running Queen: Based on the true story of Willie Carter Sharpe by Louella Bryant – Prohibition’s Infamous Moonshine Pilot
Willie Carter Sharpe was one of those who flourished during Prohibition. She came from a poor Virginia family that farmed the land and got by. That wasn’t enough for her, though. She had bigger dreams and ended up being a pilot for moonshine runners. This meant she would go out ahead of the trucks with the moonshine and make sure the road was clear, or lead police off the route. Most of the time, though, the police knew where the trucks were going and set up roadblocks. In that case, Willie’s job was to pay the police off and clear the way for the shipments. She was a natural behind the wheel, with great instincts and abilities.
The corruption existed throughout law enforcement. Many of the farmers where Willie lived supplemented their income by making moonshine. Some, like Willie’s father, just kept it for his own personal stash. Others sold it far and wide. Willie would drive as far west as Louisville and as far north as Washington, DC. The politicians who were charged with enforcing the laws often skirted them themselves.
To read my complete review, please go to Willie – Rum Running Queen: Based on the true story of Willie Carter Sharpe by Louella Bryant – Prohibition’s Infamous Moonshine Pilot
March 3, 2026
Good read!
This book was very interesting and a great portrayal of a young woman who made a difference to many people and lost everything she had and more. A great insight into what times were like during prohibition and the depression. It is an easy read and it kept me wanting to ready more. Hard to put down.
This book was very interesting and a great portrayal of a young woman who made a difference to many people and lost everything she had and more. A great insight into what times were like during prohibition and the depression. It is an easy read and it kept me wanting to ready more. Hard to put down.
March 20, 2026
caught in the middle
This was a very good read about a woman caught in the middle. It must have been a real challenge to live during the depression. Sometimes we just make the easiest choice. Food clothing and shelter are our essentials and as humans we get those however we can.
This was a very good read about a woman caught in the middle. It must have been a real challenge to live during the depression. Sometimes we just make the easiest choice. Food clothing and shelter are our essentials and as humans we get those however we can.
February 26, 2025
Great easy read!
April 17, 2025
Interesting, but not a great book.
August 27, 2025
I was so surprised I actually really love this book. This should be a movie. I think it would be a blockbuster.
Julia Gardner of Ozark fame could play her !!!!
Julia Gardner of Ozark fame could play her !!!!
January 12, 2026
Liked the book. Quick read, less than 200 pages. Some graphic sexual content.
February 21, 2026
Based on a true person but such a sad ending.
March 13, 2026
Good insight to Prohibition
Excellent read easy going. A lot about surviving during prohibition and the aftermath. The ups and downs of Willie Carter Sharpe.
Excellent read easy going. A lot about surviving during prohibition and the aftermath. The ups and downs of Willie Carter Sharpe.
March 23, 2026
when the book started the grammar was so cringe I almost didn't continue!! turns out the book was an OK read and I learned about the prohibition
Did Not Finish
June 8, 2026DNF at 25%, I can skate past the first instance of trashy redneck haystack sex but after the third it becomes enemy action, lol.
August 29, 2026
Good
This book pulls at your heart strings. It was a good read, something a little different for a change.I liked it very much.
This book pulls at your heart strings. It was a good read, something a little different for a change.I liked it very much.
March 11, 2026
Enjoyable read!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews