Crafting the first lines of a novel
‘First sentences are doors to worlds.’ – Ursula Le Guin
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My latest blog posts
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.
My latest blog posts
The sun gods of ancient religions
‘If I had to choose a religion, the sun as the universal giver of life would be my god.’ – Napoleon Bonaparte
For the love of period properties
What better backdrop for romance than a beautiful and soulful home?
Egyptomania and its influence on Western architecture
How has Ancient Egypt inspired the buildings around us?
Everyday phrases we owe to Shakespeare
Did you know that many common English phrases originated in the Bard’s writings?
An interview with Aida, heroine of Song of the Nile
What lies beneath the surface of this fiercely independent young woman?
The rewards of mindful reading
Rather than striving to read more books, how about really reading the books we choose?
New Year: the promise of a new beginning
‘The beginning is the most important part of the work.’ – Plato
Victoria, Albert and their passion for Christmas
Tracing Christmas traditions back to this queen and her prince consort…
Can we read ourselves warmer this winter?
Does fiction offer a glimmer of hope in these cold, dark months?
What made Rameses the Great so great?
The famous ‘Ozymandias’ really made his mark in Ancient Egypt.
The fives names of an Ancient Egyptian pharaoh
Why have one name when you can have five?
Crafting the first lines of a novel
‘First sentences are doors to worlds.’ – Ursula Le Guin
My latest blog posts
Let’s reread our favourite children’s books
Revisiting old book friends can provide solace and inspiration…
Sunrise: the promise of a new day
‘The morning steals upon the night / Melting the darkness…’ – Shakespeare, The Tempest
The lonely heroine
Some love stories aren’t simply about romance, but about finding your family…
7 things to know about the Great Pyramid of Giza
Majestic, mysterious, ancient – a true Wonder of the World…
‘Dancing with the daffodils’
Finally, after the long winter, spring is beginning to bloom…
