"Of all the heroines I've ever created, Magdalena would probably be the one I'd choose to be in real life. Tall, passionate, fearless, she's a redhead who was taught to fence at a very young age by fencing masters. She is very athletic and a natural born leader who will die for her principles. I took fencing in college and loved the sport and when I decided to set a book in California shortly before the Gold Rush, it was fitting to make her a female Zorro. I love the Zorro stories. But she had to have a compelling reason to masquerade as a man, something absolutely scandalous for well bred young senoritas in the 1830's . The stealing of her lands, her good name, the murder of her grandfather and brother, both of whom she adored, fits the bill, I think. Clint, with his own ulterior motives, and a natural urge to protect the gorgeous young madonna he kisses in the strawberry fields, is in for the shock of his life. She defeats him at sword point first and then forces a readjustment of his biases. Only when he acknowledges her right to set her own destiny, even if she dies for it, does he win her.. ."