The Desert Nurse - Softcover

A grand love story set in a far-flung theatre of war, from the bestselling Australian author of The War Bride, Pamela Hart

Amid the Australian Army hospitals of World War I Egypt, two deeply determined individuals find the resilience of their love tested to its limits . . .

It's 1911, and 21-year-old Evelyn Northey desperately wants to become a doctor. Her father forbids it, withholding the inheritance that would allow her to attend university. At the outbreak of World War I, Evelyn disobeys her father, enlisting as an army nurse bound for Egypt and the disastrous Gallipoli campaign.

Under the blazing desert sun, Evelyn develops feelings for polio survivor Dr William Brent, who believes his disability makes him unfit to marry. For Evelyn, still pursuing her goal of studying medicine, a man has no place in her future. For two such self-reliant people, relying on someone else for happiness may be the hardest challenge of all . . .

From the casualty tents, the fever wards and the operating theatres of the palace; through the streets of Cairo during Ramadan, to the parched desert and the grim realities of war, Pamela Hart, beloved bestselling Australian author of The War Bride, tells the heart-wrenching story of four years that changed the world forever.

Praise for Pamela Hart

'This book is heart-wrenching proof that all's NOT fair in love and war, especially for a lone woman in a man's world.' Valerie Parv on A Letter From Italy

'Evokes WWI Sydney to the point where the reader can almost feel the salty wind blowing off the harbour as the troops are shipped out through the Heads' Books + Publishing on The Soldier's Wife

'A Letter From Italy cements Pamela Hart as a go-to author when I want a love story to remember' Ausrom Today

August, 1914. The Great War has begun, and one brave girl defies her family to cross the world and fight for what she loves.

Twenty-one-year-old Evelyn Northey desperately wants to become a doctor. But her father forbids it, withholding the inheritance that would allow her to attend university. At the outbreak of World War I, Evelyn leaves against his will, enlisting as an army nurse bound for Egypt.

In the unrelenting heat of the desert, Evelyn works alongside Dr William Brent, a hard-working and compassionate polio survivor. Yet despite the growing feelings between them, Evelyn has no intention of giving another man control over her future. And they both know their increasing love for each other might not survive the tragedies of war.

As chaos rages around them and they persevere through years of bloodshed, will love prevail? Or will they also fall victim to the endless trials of war?

Praise for Pamela Hart:

'A gorgeous story of love, set in the First World War. It made me cry . . . I loved it' Kate Forsyth

'This book is heart-wrenching proof that all's not fair in love and war, especially for a lone woman in a man's world' Valerie Parv