Book Description
Espionage, love, and power play upon the shifting sands of
wartime Cairo
CAIRO, EGYPT 1941. As the Second World War rages, the city known
as “Paris on
the Nile” plays
host to an international set who seem more interested in polo matches and
swanky nightclubs than the Germans’ unrelenting advance across North Africa.
Meanwhile, as refugees, soldiers, and spies stream into the city, the Nazis
conspire with the emerging Muslim Brotherhood to fuel the Egyptian people’s seething resentment against their British overlords.
Ambitious American journalist Mickey Connolly has come to Cairo
to report on the true state of the war. Facing expulsion by the British for not
playing by their rules, he accepts a deal from the U.S. embassy that allows him
to remain in the country. His covert mission: to infiltrate the city’s thriving Jewish community and locate a refugee nuclear scientist
who could be key to America’s new weapons program. But Mickey is not the only
one looking for the elusive scientist. A Nazi spy is also desperate to find him—and the race is on.
Into this mix an enigmatic young woman appears, a refugee herself. Her fate
becomes intertwined with Mickey’s, giving rise to a story of passion, entangled
commitments, and half-truths.
Deftly blending the romantic noir of the classic film Casablanca
with a riveting, suspenseful narrative and vivid historical detail, City of the
Sun offers a stunning portrayal of a time and place that was not only pivotal
for the war, but also sowed much of the turbulence in today’s
Middle East.
Juliana Maio was born in Egypt but expelled from the country with her family during the Suez Crisis. She was raised in France and completed her higher education in the United States, receiving her B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and her Juris Doctor degree from UC Hastings.
Juliana practices entertainment law in Los Angeles and has represented internationally renowned filmmakers as well as a host of independent production companies. Prior to that she served as vice president of worldwide corporate and business affairs for Triumph Films, a joint venture between Columbia Pictures and Gaumont Films.
Juliana co-founded Lighthouse Productions, an independent film and television company. She has spoken both domestically and abroad about the Arab Spring. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, film producer Michael Phillips. They have a daughter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbThdy9jhp4
Praise
As Publishers Weekly exclaims
that the setting of CITY OF THE SUN, 1941 Cairo, offers “A vivid setting for
Maio’s debut… The many historical figures lend authenticity… [in] this
satisfying exploration of a key time in western and Middle Eastern relations.”
–Andrew Nagorski, former Newsweek foreign correspondent and senior editor, and author of Hitlerland: American Eyewitnesses to the Nazi Rise to Power
Book Readers Review
“Paris
on the Nile”,
Egypt, World War II, Espionage, Jewish refugees, love, are some of the elements
of this incredible story. Readers who
appreciate historical fiction, will love Juliana Maio's City of the Sun. Juliana brings to life WWII set in Egypt. The
novel is rich with historical figures and details of the Second World War. Nazi
conspiracy with the Muslim Brotherhood adds to the Egyptian people’s resentment against the occupying British. The Americans are on the edge of being thrown
out of Cairo by the British. Intrigue
and romance are intertwined resulting in a suspenseful and passionate book.
It is not necessary to say more about the story. The book description says it all. I like the author's ability to combine
historical events and imagination to culminate in an intriguing tale. Maio has developed characters that are
believable and grow stronger as the book progresses. Her connection with Egypt and passion is
evident in her writing. Juliana has done a remarkable job of capturing the
essence of a key time in western and Middle Eastern relations. I absolutely recommend
this book! I received a copy from
NetGalley in return for an unbiased opinion.
Thank you NetGalley and Juliana.
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