Take Me Back to Cairo

Yousef's aspiration to fit into his new country of Canada is upended by the lies he hears from both sides-his traditional family trying to keep him entrenched in Egyptian Muslim culture and his new motorcycle-riding girlfriend Janelle, who disguises her fear of commitment as a freewheeling lifestyle. Yoga-pant-and-flipflop-wearing Janelle is the living embodiment of the adventurous life that camel-hair-coat-and-shiny-shoes Yousef has long craved. Yet his desire to enjoy life with her can only be realized in the shadows, far from the prying eyes of his scheming family. At the same time, Janelle, too, grapples with her own struggles and undisclosed realities. Will the family intrigue, deception, and the chasm of cultural differences push Yousef and Janelle apart, or can the unbreakable bonds of affection triumph over all obstacles?

"Pamela Paterson and Tarek Hussein have written a rollercoaster of a love story that triumphs over a collision of cultures, family dynamics, an old lover, and new traditions. From Kingston to Cairo and back again, this is a compelling and heartwarming tale by two writers who clearly know the inside story." - Terry Fallis, two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour

"With a high sense of humor and deep knowledge of the characteristics of Egyptian and Canadian cultures, Pamela Paterson and Tarek Hussein wrote a precious book about the two mentalities in the diversity frame. The writers took me smoothly to the depth of both cultures as they appeared in the behaviour, thinking, and feeling of the characters. The style, structure, and development of the action in this piece of fiction made me murmur: this intelligent way of writing is worth reading for its enjoyment and benefit." - Jamal Saeed, author of Yara's Spring and My Road from Damascus