The ‘false’ doors of Ancient Egyptian tombs and temples
January 24, 2022
What was the symbolism of doors that led nowhere?
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My latest blog posts
Agatha Christie: Taking inspiration from the Nile
January 20, 2022
A passion for Egypt inspired this prolific English novelist to write one of her most famous crime stories…
Does a woman need a ‘room of her own’ to write?
January 17, 2022
On claiming a space for your writing…
Lessons from great philosophers
January 13, 2022
Born in every generation are the wise people, the thinkers, the guiding lights who can show us the path ahead…
Why did Egyptian pharaohs build pyramids – and why did they stop?
January 10, 2022
Pyramids are emblematic of Ancient Egypt. But what was their purpose, and why did the kings stop building them?
Why are we so fascinated by history?
January 6, 2022
What draws us to the stories and experiences of those who came before us?
The curse of the pharaohs
January 3, 2022
Are those who disturb the tombs of the ancient pharaohs destined for misfortune?
Literary tourism: The best places to visit in England
December 30, 2021
If you love English literature, then these places belong on your ‘visit someday’ list…
The Temple of Hathor at Dendera
December 27, 2021
What better place for romance in my novel Song of the Nile than the Temple of Hathor, devoted to the goddess of love, beauty and fertility…
Christmas carols to stir your soul
December 23, 2021
Black skies, a dusting of snow, the smell of mulled wine, the flicker of candlelight – and, to complete the scene, voices raised in harmony singing traditional carols…
Giving: the true meaning of Christmas… and beyond
December 20, 2021
‘It is in giving that we receive…’ – St. Francis of Assisi
Warm up your winter with one of my novels
December 16, 2021
Is Jack Frost making you shiver? Why not escape the winter chills with a little literary sunshine…
Traditional Christmas treats from around the world
December 13, 2021
Christmas: a time to give, to spend time with loved ones – and to feast!
The sacred city of Abydos
December 9, 2021
For the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, Abydos was an important centre for religion, and today it is a very precious archaeological site.
Beautiful fairy-tale books to give as gifts
December 6, 2021
Once upon a time, a fairy-tale book made the perfect Christmas gift…
WIN lovely prizes in my Christmas giveaway
December 1, 2021
Christmas is just around the corner! I’d love to treat you to a gift…
Top museums worldwide for Ancient Egyptian artefacts
November 29, 2021
If, like me, you’re fascinated by the Ancient Egyptian civilisation, you’ll find the items in these museums absolute wonders.
Today, let’s be thankful
November 25, 2021
Happy Thanksgiving to my readers in the US. What better day for us all to practise gratitude?
Writing from the heart
November 22, 2021
Should an author write the book they think they ought to write, or write the book their heart aches to write?
Modern English words derived from Ancient Egyptian
November 18, 2021
Pharaoh, pyramid, mummy, desert – which modern English words can be traced back to the Ancient Egyptian language?
Views of the water to soothe and stir the soul
November 15, 2021
‘Beauty sleeps on the calm dreamy bosom of the ocean, or lives in the dance of its wild waves.’ – Thomas Clark Henley, ‘Beauty’, 1851
Remembering the fallen on Poppy Day
November 11, 2021
‘In Flanders Fields, the poppies grow / Between the crosses, row on row…’
Beautiful paintings inspired by autumn
November 8, 2021
The colours, the air, the ‘mellow fruitfulness’ – autumn is a rich source of inspiration for artists.
Protection from evil: The Eye of Horus
November 4, 2021
The Eye of Horus was a symbol of great power in Ancient Egypt, used for protection, wellbeing and healing.
Silent, mysterious, illimitable: The Egyptian desert
November 1, 2021
The desert – wild, beautiful and timeless – is an evocative backdrop in my novel Song of the Nile.
Shakespeare’s First Folio
October 28, 2021
One of the most influential, and thus valuable, books ever published…
Cats in Ancient Egypt
October 25, 2021
By no means a humble house pet, the cat of Ancient Egypt was deeply symbolic and revered.
Should we always finish reading a novel?
October 21, 2021
Is life too short… or should we give each book a fair chance?
A novel tour: Favourite blogs on my novels
October 18, 2021
Ten years, many hundreds of blogs exploring my novels. Here are my favourites…
Ancient Egyptian cuisine
October 14, 2021
From grapes to figs, bread to beer, what was on the menu for the Ancient Egyptians?
My latest blog posts
The ‘false’ doors of Ancient Egyptian tombs and temples
January 24, 2022
What was the symbolism of doors that led nowhere?
Agatha Christie: Taking inspiration from the Nile
January 20, 2022
A passion for Egypt inspired this prolific English novelist to write one of her most famous crime stories…
Does a woman need a ‘room of her own’ to write?
January 17, 2022
On claiming a space for your writing…
Lessons from great philosophers
January 13, 2022
Born in every generation are the wise people, the thinkers, the guiding lights who can show us the path ahead…
Why did Egyptian pharaohs build pyramids – and why did they stop?
January 10, 2022
Pyramids are emblematic of Ancient Egypt. But what was their purpose, and why did the kings stop building them?
Why are we so fascinated by history?
January 6, 2022
What draws us to the stories and experiences of those who came before us?
The curse of the pharaohs
January 3, 2022
Are those who disturb the tombs of the ancient pharaohs destined for misfortune?
Literary tourism: The best places to visit in England
December 30, 2021
If you love English literature, then these places belong on your ‘visit someday’ list…
The Temple of Hathor at Dendera
December 27, 2021
What better place for romance in my novel Song of the Nile than the Temple of Hathor, devoted to the goddess of love, beauty and fertility…
Christmas carols to stir your soul
December 23, 2021
Black skies, a dusting of snow, the smell of mulled wine, the flicker of candlelight – and, to complete the scene, voices raised in harmony singing traditional carols…
Giving: the true meaning of Christmas… and beyond
December 20, 2021
‘It is in giving that we receive…’ – St. Francis of Assisi
Warm up your winter with one of my novels
December 16, 2021
Is Jack Frost making you shiver? Why not escape the winter chills with a little literary sunshine…
Traditional Christmas treats from around the world
December 13, 2021
Christmas: a time to give, to spend time with loved ones – and to feast!
The sacred city of Abydos
December 9, 2021
For the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, Abydos was an important centre for religion, and today it is a very precious archaeological site.
Beautiful fairy-tale books to give as gifts
December 6, 2021
Once upon a time, a fairy-tale book made the perfect Christmas gift…
WIN lovely prizes in my Christmas giveaway
December 1, 2021
Christmas is just around the corner! I’d love to treat you to a gift…
My latest blog posts
The ‘false’ doors of Ancient Egyptian tombs and temples
January 24, 2022
What was the symbolism of doors that led nowhere?
Agatha Christie: Taking inspiration from the Nile
January 20, 2022
A passion for Egypt inspired this prolific English novelist to write one of her most famous crime stories…
Does a woman need a ‘room of her own’ to write?
January 17, 2022
On claiming a space for your writing…
Lessons from great philosophers
January 13, 2022
Born in every generation are the wise people, the thinkers, the guiding lights who can show us the path ahead…
Why did Egyptian pharaohs build pyramids – and why did they stop?
January 10, 2022
Pyramids are emblematic of Ancient Egypt. But what was their purpose, and why did the kings stop building them?
Why are we so fascinated by history?
January 6, 2022
What draws us to the stories and experiences of those who came before us?
The curse of the pharaohs
January 3, 2022
Are those who disturb the tombs of the ancient pharaohs destined for misfortune?
Literary tourism: The best places to visit in England
December 30, 2021
If you love English literature, then these places belong on your ‘visit someday’ list…