About Chesapeake Bound
Desperate immigrants risk a dangerous Atlantic crossing in search of adventure, advancement, love, and most of all, a sense of belonging.
London, 1763: Gifted musician and medical apprentice Michael Shea is living rough after being blackballed from working as a surgeon's assistant. Not only does Michael lose his gig playing fiddle in a tavern, he is also framed for the murder of a tavern patron visiting from colonial Virginia.
Heartbroken and out of options, Michael and his friend, Danny, escape the turmoil by shipping out on the misnamed brig The Delight as lowly indentured servants.
On board are forty-eight other desperate souls—everyday people risking their lives to immigrate to the wilds of America, hoping for a better life in the colonies where they can break free of England's rigid class system, prejudice, and poverty.
Reader Reviews For Chesapeake Bound
"Chesapeake Bound is a visceral tale of love, adventure, and perseverance centered around one man, Michael Shea. Shea's quest to survive and navigate a lost romance, a false murder sentence, and the mysterious presence of the actual killer, all while tending to the ill aboard an eighteenth-century transatlantic voyage, is ready-made for a film adaptation. While reading, my theatrical history mind instantly set about casting movie stars."
-- Chris Haley
Director of Research, Education and Outreach and the Study of the Legacy of Slavery Program, Maryland State Archives
___________________________
" Combine some of my favorite things—sailing (although never on a leaky old ship carrying indentured servants across an angry Atlantic), the hammered dulcimer, the Chesapeake Bay and the charming small town of Annapolis— and I knew Chesapeake Bound by Thomas Guay was a book I wanted to read. Not for a single page was I disappointed."
-- Mary Tillman
Author, Divided Loyalties and many others
___________________________
"Tom Guay’s historical novel Chesapeake Bound is a salty romp of a sea story filled with shenanigans, scruffy musicians turned sailors, love, murder, intrigue, stormy seas, and even pirates, all aboard the ship Delight, sailing from London to a faraway town called Annapolis. If you enjoy rollicking adventures with memorable characters, you’ll enjoy this book."
-- Molly Winans
SpinSheet magazine
___________________________
"Well-thought out, descriptively versed, and detailed, Guay's tale opens the reader's eyes and minds not only to hanging questions about history but also about questioning conflicts that plague modern day. The story puts a microscope on human nature, offering meaningful insight into the inclination and motivation of human beings."
-- Susan Frances
Reviewer, Goodreads
___________________________
"A gripping tale of survival . . . set against the backdrop of impending political upheaval in pre-revolutionary America. Guay delves into various themes and subjects, providing a captivating insight into the aspirations and struggles of impoverished immigrants seeking a fresh start in colonial America. With its meticulously crafted characters and the turbulent historical context, Chesapeake Bound is compelling historical fiction that will captivate and entertain new and seasoned readers."
-- Quarterdeck Maritime Literature & Art Review
___________________________
"Thomas Guay’s eighteenth-century high seas adventure brims with irresistible historical and nautical detail. I found myself ripping through the pages to learn what happens
to the characters, especially Michael and Moira. Chesapeake Bound is a terrific read."
-- Danny Costello
Author, The Rag Tree: A Novel of Ireland
___________________________
"A talented writer, communicator, and musician, Tom Guay is deeply ingrained in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. He writes with authenticity and passion that showcase his commitment to his characters, their stories, and their settings."
-- David Gendell
Author, The Last Days of the Schooner America
___________________________
About the Author
Tom lives in Annapolis with his family where they learned to sail on the Chesapeake Bay. Tom can be seen walking the streets of Annapolis as a colonial tour guide and helping students appreciate Maryland's colonial history.
He also plays guitar and fiddle with the popular music group The Eastport Oyster Boys.
His experiences as a musicioner, sailor and educator infuse his stories.
Author Photo: Karen Guay
Questions & Bookings
Thomas Guay is available to schedule book club and speaking events to discuss his novel and the history of the age in which Chesapeake Bound takes place.
Send email to: thomas.guay@aol.com
