Home

Thank you for visiting my website. I love telling stories, and turning some of them into published novels is very rewarding for me as a writer. Having the chance to meet diverse and wonderful readers such as you is just as valuable.

At a glance, you’ll find that LOST IN THYME, BITTER ALMONDS and SHADOWS OF DAMASCUS are novels inspired by current events, and their plots move between the Middle East, Europe and the United States.

In my novels, I try to celebrate the human spirit with many of its contradictions, showing the complex struggles of regular folk trying to overcome extraordinary circumstances.

If interested, you can read excerpts and reviews of each book on the BOOKS Page. You will also find lists of some bookstores world-wide where the books are available, as well as optional buy links.

If you’d like me to visit with your book club click here

I welcome your comments, questions, and book discussions. Just drop me a line and I’ll get back with you.

Paperback and E-book Editions

Lost In Thyme

A tale of two souls whose paths cross and intertwine, and the inevitable dance with fate that ensues.

A man’s dying wish unearths a tumultuous past and brings together two lost souls searching for the missing pieces that will make them whole again.

Thrust together by fate, Sami and Petra begin a whirlwind journey that explores their families’ mysterious past, from America all the way to the precarious outskirts of Palestine. As their lives and histories entangle and intertwine, will they be able to forge a shared future together, or will fate once again intervene?

Paperback and E-book Editions

الترجمة العربية Arabic Translation

Norwegian Translation

Bitter Almonds

Omar is an orphaned Palestinian born into chaos, displaced by violence, and driven by forces beyond his control to find his place in the world. He only has one thing to hold on to: a love that propels him forward and gives him hope.

Nadia is maturing into womanhood in a refugee community in Damascus. She tries hard to cope with the tough realities of her world. But she is confronted with a cruel load thrust upon her by a selfish brother. Will she break out of her traditional social mould to create her own destiny?

Paperback and E-Book Editions

Shadows Of Damascus

A story of intrigue, emotional upheaval, danger, hidden love, misunderstandings, and unexpected events.

Honor, pain, solitude. These are things Adam Wagener knows all about. Warmth, love? Those he never masters. But the war veteran is trying to make peace with his past, and he is one who keeps his word. Adam owes the man who saved his life in Iraq. He doesn’t question the measure of the debt, even when it is in the form of an emotionally distant, beautiful woman.

Yasmeen agreed to become the wife of a complete stranger so she could flee her war-torn country. She counted on staying in the US for a few months until she could safely return home. Beyond survival, there was one thing she did not count on: wanting more.

Is it too late for Adam and Yasmeen to overcome their circumstances?

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Join me in Austin, Texas at the Laura Bush Community Library

Books took a Middle Eastern Tour with HBKU Press through Book Fairs in Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Cairo

Many, many heartfelt thanks to all who stopped by during the 2022 Texas Book Festival!

Excited to meet readers at the 2022 Texas Book Festival on Saturday, November 5th in Austin from 3-3:45 pm at the Writers’ League of Texas table. Copies of my English language books will be available for signing and purchase. Join the fun!

An informative virtual discussion about Bitter Almonds at the Qatar National Library as part of their Community Read Program. I love hearing from readers and working through their analysis of my books. Thank you to all who participated.

Click on the link Gulf Times to read a press release about the event

Had a fantastic discussion of my book LOST IN THYME with the wonderful bookclub ladies of Houston.

Having an amazing creative time during my residency at Art Omi:Writers this fall. International authors coming together, stimulating discussions, shared information and insights from agents and editors, fantastic guidance from staff, and above all an enchanting upper state New York setting in Ghent. Ideas flow, imagination soars and words find new meanings.

Honored to have discussed my novel BITTER ALMONDS with the Arab American National Museum Book Club. Full video at this link AANM Virtual Book Club

Excited to announce the re-release of Shadows of Damascus with new cover and a new publisher.

Now available as an E-book and Paperback

Join me in a facebook book club discussion of BITTER ALMONDS on May 27 organized by the Arab American National Museum through a live facebook event. Click on the links above to join or here for more details

“In her Own Words: My stories are like children that leave the nest to become books”
Feature Article in QF Publication

Honored to be the HBKU Press-sponsored resident for the 2020 Art Omi Writers’ Residency Program in New York.

Excited to announce that LOST IN THYME novel is chosen the winner of 2019 Best Book Awards in the Category Fiction: Inspirational. The contest is sponsored by American Book Fest