Do you read classic literature?
March 7, 2022
On why we may not read classic literature – and how we may do so.
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My latest blog posts
The lost pleasure of handwriting
March 3, 2022
‘I have found that when I am writing something emotional, I must write it the first time directly with hand on paper. Handwriting is more connected to the movement of the heart.’ So wrote Natalie Goldberg in Writing Down the Bones, and I quite agree. For me, handwriting has such soul.
The Temple of Isis, Philae
February 28, 2022
This ancient temple, devoted to the mother goddess, is a uniquely precious site in Egypt.
Comparing Egyptian, Roman and Greek gods
February 24, 2022
Did the ancient civilisations have similar deities?
A legendary love story: Tristan and Isolde
February 17, 2022
So many of our modern-day love stories are inspired by legends, stories that have been passed down from generation to generation, and so it is with the tale of Tristan and Isolde.
7 things you may not know about Cleopatra
February 14, 2022
Who exactly was Ancient Egypt’s famous queen?
‘Dressing’ my heroines
February 10, 2022
The women in my novels are strong and independent, so why not stylish as well?
Romance novels – the ideal bedtime read
February 7, 2022
Sweet dreams follow a romantic read…
Colour symbolism in Ancient Egypt
February 3, 2022
What did the colours used in Ancient Egyptian art mean to the people of this civilisation?
The Golden Age of Hollywood
January 31, 2022
On taking inspiration from the era of classic movies…
A dynastic timeline of Ancient Egypt
January 27, 2022
What were the dynasties of Ancient Egypt?
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…
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?
My latest blog posts
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…
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?
