We all need a little escapism right now, and a lot of love. Well, I can certainly promise you that in Song of the Nile!

Luxor, 1946. When young nurse Aida El Masri returns from war-torn London to her family’s estate in Egypt she steels herself against the challenges ahead.

Eight years have passed since her father, Ayoub, was framed for a crime he did not commit, and died as a tragic result. Yet Aida has not forgotten, and now she wants revenge against the man she believes betrayed her father – his best friend, Kamel Pharaony.

Then Aida is reunited with Kamel’s son, the captivating surgeon Phares, who offers her marriage. In spite of herself, the secret passion Aida harboured for him as a young girl reignites. Still, how can she marry the son of the man who destroyed her father and brought shame on her family? Will coming home bring her love, or only danger and heartache?

Set in the exotic and bygone world of Upper Egypt, Song of the Nile follows Aida’s journey of rediscovery – of the homeland she loves, with its white-sailed feluccas on the Nile, old-world charms of Cairo and the ancient secrets of its burning desert sands – and of the man she has never forgotten.

A compelling story of passion and intrigue – a novel that lays open the beating heart of Egypt.

Here are four reasons to read Song of the Nile:

The history

The novel is set just after the Second World War, a time of frivolity and glamour for the aristocracy in Cairo – think polo tournaments and extravagant balls and luxurious boat expeditions on the Nile. Think, too, of women in Egypt beginning to stand strong in a whole new way, to have their own opinions, make their own choices, build careers, be independent, in a country still steeped in patriarchy.

Though it is the 1940s, the ancient history of this land is never far away: the Pyramids, the great tombs and temples, the gods and goddesses, the pharaohs, these are interwoven into the story. Where better to have a date than the Temple of Hathor, goddess of the sky, of women, of fertility and of love?

The setting

Egypt is my homeland, a place I have kept in my heart throughout my travels and time abroad. In Song of the Nile, I transport you to this proud and picturesque land.

Throughout the book, I paint a vivid picture of the landscapes of Egypt: the timeless waters of the Nile gliding past ancient temples and monuments; the fields worked by the fellahin, country folk, and their tiny villages built from the mud; the vast desert with its rippling dunes and lush oases; the bustling, buzzing city of Cairo, ‘Paris of the Nile’, a melting pot of cultures.

The intrigue

Who framed Aida’s father? Who planted an Egyptian antiquity in Aida’s father’s home and why? Who is the Bedouin prince who takes an interest in Aida and what is his agenda? Is Phares’s sister in league with political revolutionaries? Can Phares be trusted – what secrets is he guarding? Is there another woman? Is he involved somehow in Aida’s father’s death?

Conspiracies, deceits, plots: Aida is in unchartered and dangerous territory. With twists and turns, mysteries and dramas, this is my most action-packed novel yet.

The romance

Last, but by no means least! Passion is guaranteed in any Hannah Fielding novel, but in this one the scorching desert sun really pushes up the temperature. The attraction between Aida and Phares is undeniable – and powerful. It would be all too easy to become lovers. But what of love? A marriage of convenience isn’t what Aida wants for herself. She wants to give her heart, but only if Phares will give his in return. Are they destined for each other? So goes the proverb, al maktoub alal guibeen la bodda an tarah el ein, what is written will be fulfilled…

Song of the Nile is exclusively available in ebook format on this website (hardback and paperback editions will follow in the spring). I do hope you enjoy the book and travelling to the Egypt of my memories.