Crafting the first lines of a novel
‘First sentences are doors to worlds.’ – Ursula Le Guin
Author: Hannah
The repatriation of artefacts
Should museums return artefacts to their country of origin?
7 things you may not know about the Mona Lisa
A ‘sphinx of beauty who smiles so mysteriously…’ – Théophile Gautier
Autumn captured in music
Sit back, close your eyes and let music infuse you with the beauty of the season…
The sacred animals of Ancient Egypt
From the ibis to the baboon, the crocodile to the cat, these are the most sacred animals of the Ancient Egyptian religion…
My top five romantic spots in Paris, City of Love
In this favourite destination for romantics, love is all around…
Together at last: love stories built on reunion
Sometimes hope for the future lies in reconnecting with the past…
The Taj Mahal, a symbol of enduring love
In Agra, India, on the banks of the river Yamuna, stands this Wonder of the World.
The Valley of the Kings
Welcome to one of the most famous and most visited sites in Egypt…
Perfumes of Ancient Egypt
In my novel Song of the Nile, I draw inspiration from the fragrances of Ancient Egypt.
On the value of rereading books
‘If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.’ – Oscar Wilde
Ancient Egyptian temple design
The Egyptians took their religion very seriously, and so too their temples.
5 reasons to love vintage clothing
On choosing unique items of fashion that tell their own story…
My fifth award for Song of the Nile!
I’m delighted to announce that my latest novel has won another award…
Saqqara: a treasure trove of Egyptian artefacts
This site in Egypt continues to be a source of remarkable finds from the time of the pharaohs.
Is the internet replacing reference books?
What will become of the dictionary, the atlas?
The Bahariya Oasis, Egypt
A place of great natural beauty that is famous for its golden mummies…
The orphaned heroine
How does facing the world alone, without her parents, shape the heroine of my latest novel?
St. Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai
This monastery, at the foot of Mount Sinai, is steeped in history…
Is the male point of view important in a romance novel?
Should the hero get a chance in the spotlight, or is the heroine the star?
The Mena House Hotel, Cairo, Egypt
The perfect setting for a glamourous party and an inspiring view…
The Festival of the Blooming Rose, Venice, Italy
Today, on St Mark’s Day in Venice, it’s traditional for men to give women a single red rose to symbolise their love.