My novel is a non-linear historical/lesbian romance novel about 20th/21st-century women, twin sisters, Violet and Rose born in Germany by educated parents who were scientists and botanists living in England. Violet is telling her story to a volunteer, a new and emerging writer who works at the nursing home where Violet lives in her last year and decides to record her story from her birth in 1912 right up to her last days on earth at 102 years of age.
Whilst away overseas in Africa and India at the age of twelve, Violet describes her experiences and how a career as an anthropologist and artist was at the forefront of her mind but when being back at England, it was about the human condition that was under the microscope. As adults they experience love, joy but also tragedies and upheavals. Her story soars across the globe from London to Germany, Africa and India. Peopled with extraordinary and engaging characters - botanists, scientists, social workers, registered nurses, social anthropologists, artists, journalists, gay men and women, a popular book shop owner, a dress designer, adventurers and an unforgettable heroine in Violet who lived in a world where being gay was illegal. Along the way, Violet learns she is a lesbian like her Aunt Christina and meets many interesting women and one who became the love of her life. They would have loved to have married and live happily ever after. The only problem was, what to do when love and the law collide?
To help the War effort Violet becomes a social worker and ambulance driver but after WWII decides to become a social anthropologist where she shares her research on Romani gypsies, Hijra communities and near-death experiences and her sister Rose opens a popular bookshop, "Wisdom Books" sharing her experiences and the many colourful and famous people that walk through the door.
There are many plots points, a ship voyage and return, love and lesbian romance, mystery, tragedy, which allow the reader to understand fully the main context of the story and how remarkable Violet's life really was and the importance of recording down her story.
