Two Cultures, One Dream

In her revealing memoir, Shifting Sands, T.L. McCown shares insights into the Saudi Arabian culture which were previously hidden to the Western world.  Having had a unique opportunity to experience the inner circle of Saudi Arabia’s royal family firsthand, T.L. chronicles her experiences and offers unique insight gained from sharing 10 years of life with a princess in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  When the Islamic-controlled East meets West in this illuminating adventure through the mysterious world of Arabia, a startling and unexpected result is produced.  Two women from completely different worlds wind up developing a deep friendship built through sharing their fears, dreams, beliefs, and challenges of life in the desert.  As the reader encounters the humorous results of Westerners living in a foreign land, the extravagance of royal weddings, remote Bedouin villages, radical Islamic clerics, and the chilling fear of experiencing the effects of terrorism, the differences and similarities between T.L. and the princess are unveiled.  Shifting Sands reveals the reality of life for a Christian, Western expatriate in the Middle East who discovers a special relationship with a Muslim princess. As terrorism and pressure from the Islamic religious police invades both of their lives, they fight to keep their dream of bringing liberation to the women of Saudi Arabia, and their friendship alive.

One Vision, Different Paths

Sequel to her enlightening memoir, Shifting Sands, T.L. McCown chronicles the underground awakening of the growing Saudi feminist movement within the pages of Creating Shamsiyah.  Having had the unique opportunity to share ten years with a royal family in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, T.L. details the life-changing journey with her employer and friend, Princess Madawi.  Enjoy the path of their friendship and the stages of their personal development while you feel the love grow between two women from two different worlds and religions. Inspired by this bond and personal empowerment, Princess Madawi envisioned the same for her Muslim sisters.  As a result, they embraced the other’s strengths to face religious, cultural, global and personal challenges in their mission to bring new ways of thought to the women in the heart of the Muslim world.  Experience their journey – and unfortunately their parting – as you travel around the world and into the private world of the real women beneath the veil.