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My latest blog posts
For the love of historical fiction
August 18, 2022
On telling a story interwoven with history…
The Valley of the Kings
August 11, 2022
Welcome to one of the most famous and most visited sites in Egypt…
What makes a great summer holiday read?
August 4, 2022
Finding the perfect book for your vacation…
10+ books to read on Ancient Egypt
July 28, 2022
Recommended reads for budding Egyptologists…
Tastes of Provence
July 21, 2022
Simple, fresh and délicieux, these are the flavours of my summer…
Perfumes of Ancient Egypt
July 14, 2022
In my novel Song of the Nile, I draw inspiration from the fragrances of Ancient Egypt.
On the value of rereading books
July 7, 2022
‘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
June 30, 2022
The Egyptians took their religion very seriously, and so too their temples.
5 reasons to love vintage clothing
June 23, 2022
On choosing unique items of fashion that tell their own story…
My fifth award for Song of the Nile!
June 16, 2022
I’m delighted to announce that my latest novel has won another award…
Saqqara: a treasure trove of Egyptian artefacts
June 9, 2022
This site in Egypt continues to be a source of remarkable finds from the time of the pharaohs.
Is the internet replacing reference books?
June 2, 2022
What will become of the dictionary, the atlas?
The Bahariya Oasis, Egypt
May 26, 2022
A place of great natural beauty that is famous for its golden mummies…
The orphaned heroine
May 19, 2022
How does facing the world alone, without her parents, shape the heroine of my latest novel?
St. Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai
May 12, 2022
This monastery, at the foot of Mount Sinai, is steeped in history…
Is the male point of view important in a romance novel?
May 5, 2022
Should the hero get a chance in the spotlight, or is the heroine the star?
The Mena House Hotel, Cairo, Egypt
April 28, 2022
The perfect setting for a glamourous party and an inspiring view…
The Festival of the Blooming Rose, Venice, Italy
April 25, 2022
Today, on St Mark’s Day in Venice, it’s traditional for men to give women a single red rose to symbolise their love.
Sobek, the Egyptian god of the Nile
April 14, 2022
This ancient god, inspired by the fearsome crocodile of the Nile, was worshipped for thousands of years.
A legendary love story: Abelard and Héloïse
April 11, 2022
Let me take you back in time, to the 12th century, and tell you a story that has become legend. This is a true story, and it has inspired many stories since.
The exquisite sculptures of Antonio Canova
April 7, 2022
Two hundred years after his death, the works of this Italian sculptor continue to awe and inspire.
‘Dreams are necessary to life’: Anaïs Nin
April 4, 2022
Taking inspiration from an insightful writer…
Spring blossoms
March 31, 2022
As the poet Emily Dickinson wrote, ‘A light exists in spring.’
To sleep, perchance to dream
March 28, 2022
Where does a dream end and reality begin? Can a dream not only come true but be true?
Timeless views from the River Nile
March 24, 2022
Drifting serenely along the waterway that is the source of life – the perfect way to see the age-old beauty of Egypt.
Papyrus: the ‘paper’ of Ancient Egypt
March 21, 2022
The Nile was the source of life in Egypt – and of the all-important papyrus plant.
Floriography and the symbolic meaning of flowers
March 17, 2022
Throughout history, people have seen flowers as not only beautiful but also symbolic.
The origins of English words
March 14, 2022
Have you ever wondered why we use the words we use today?
Springtime captured in poetry
March 10, 2022
Spring: beautiful, hopeful and a great source of inspiration for poets…
My latest blog posts
What made Rameses the Great so great?
December 1, 2022
The famous ‘Ozymandias’ really made his mark in Ancient Egypt.
The fives names of an Ancient Egyptian pharaoh
November 17, 2022
Why have one name when you can have five?
Crafting the first lines of a novel
November 10, 2022
‘First sentences are doors to worlds.’ – Ursula Le Guin
The Temple of Luxor
November 3, 2022
An important place of worship for thousands of years…
Writing the first kiss in a romance novel
October 27, 2022
‘Soul meets soul on lovers’ lips…’
The repatriation of artefacts
October 20, 2022
Should museums return artefacts to their country of origin?
7 things you may not know about the Mona Lisa
October 6, 2022
A ‘sphinx of beauty who smiles so mysteriously…’ – Théophile Gautier
Autumn captured in music
September 29, 2022
Sit back, close your eyes and let music infuse you with the beauty of the season…
The sacred animals of Ancient Egypt
September 22, 2022
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
September 15, 2022
In this favourite destination for romantics, love is all around…
Together at last: love stories built on reunion
September 8, 2022
Sometimes hope for the future lies in reconnecting with the past…
The Taj Mahal, a symbol of enduring love
September 1, 2022
In Agra, India, on the banks of the river Yamuna, stands this Wonder of the World.
For the love of historical fiction
August 18, 2022
On telling a story interwoven with history…
My latest blog posts
Egyptomania and its influence on Western architecture
January 26, 2023
How has Ancient Egypt inspired the buildings around us?
Everyday phrases we owe to Shakespeare
January 19, 2023
Did you know that many common English phrases originated in the Bard’s writings?
An interview with Aida, heroine of Song of the Nile
January 12, 2023
What lies beneath the surface of this fiercely independent young woman?
The rewards of mindful reading
January 5, 2023
Rather than striving to read more books, how about really reading the books we choose?
New Year: the promise of a new beginning
December 29, 2022
‘The beginning is the most important part of the work.’ – Plato
Victoria, Albert and their passion for Christmas
December 22, 2022
Tracing Christmas traditions back to this queen and her prince consort…
Wonderful gifts for book lovers
December 15, 2022
Bibliophiles are such fun to shop for at Christmas…
Can we read ourselves warmer this winter?
December 8, 2022
Does fiction offer a glimmer of hope in these cold, dark months?