Bound to Sarah

The hand of fate, that had torn their lives apart, is now set to make their worlds collide once again.
BOUND TO SARAH will set you on a roller-coaster of emotions, graphic in description and action packed. This story is brutal and shockingly unpredictable.
In the year 1823, at the height of the British Empire and the colonization of Australia, Pat Roche sits on board a convict ship, sentenced for the term of his natural life to the New Colonies. All hope of ever seeing his wife and child again appeared to be lost. The ship is a fraught with tension under such a strict military guard; with one hundred and fifty criminals confined to a small space, it can only mean trouble. By the time the ship arrives at Van Dieman’s Land, there will be fighting, flogging, rape, murder and mutiny. Pat Roche will find himself involved in it all.
Sarah Roche has now been shunned by the local community and is struggling to fend for herself and her little boy. There is a terrible turn of events and she is soon to follow in her husband’s footsteps. So too will a desperate voyage begin for her on board the female convict ship, otherwise known as ‘Floating Brothels’. She arrives in Hobart a broken woman, only regaining her strength after a fleeting moment with her husband. Pat is being taken away to a place of unbearable torment; the notorious Sarah Island settlement, where escape is punishable by death.
Many colourful characters weave their way through the pages, creating a plot intertwined with deceit, retribution, murder, tragedy and enduring love, resulting in a heart wrenching climax.
For Pat Roche, when there is nothing more worth living for, a chance to escape and find his family is worth dying for.
**Review
"The lives of the characters were certainly harsh and the laws they were subjected to came across well. The historical detail given to the ships and how they were manned, crewed, and utilized for the deportation of prisoners was fascinating".  Historical Novel Society.
"The Author did a beautiful job with his writing and I thank him for sharing this story and of Sarah Island. Compelling reading if you are interested in history".  Jillian Jones (Australia)
"Richly written and vividly portrayed - curling up with this book became a highlight of my day - but alas the story came to it's wonderful conclusion. Thank you Craig Brennan for bringing us into this important time in history, and letting us experience it. I'm especially grateful that I could do it from the warm comfort and safety of my reading chair. Kudos!"
K. Driehorst (Atlanta, GA)
"It held my attention from start to finish. Descriptions of the living conditions both throughout the 9 month voyage on the 'Rupert' and the subsequent prison labour camps in Hobart and Van Dieman's land were harrowing".  Dinah Lee  (New Zealand)
"I loved this book,after finishing it I wanted to read it again".  Londongirl