Published author of The Penny Lost trilogy (available wherever books are sold), I wrote The Crimson Clover as both a creative experiment and a personal exploration.
During you-know-who's first term, I became haunted by recurring nightmares of fascist regimes and Nazi invasions. To cope, I turned to storytelling and asked myself: What if The Scarlet Pimpernel existed in modern times and was a woman?
From that question, Maggie was born. A stage magician in the early 2000s, she finds herself battling a secret organization threatening the people she cares about. What follows is a high-stakes, emotionally charged journey of resistance, identity, courage and even romance.
Though I initially pursued publication, something didn't sit right. As a white woman writing about systems of oppression that deeply affect communities I'm not part of, I chose not to profit from this story. Instead, I'm offering it here, freely, as a gesture of solidarity and as a starting point for conversation.
I welcome constructive feedback, thoughtful discussion, and any reflections you want to share. This story matters to me, and I hope it resonates with you too. Maggie is not perfect and neither am I. We are, however, both excited to learn and explore how we can improve in our support.