{"product_id":"the-seamstress-of-new-orleans-by-diane-c-mcphail","title":"The Seamstress of New Orleans by Diane C. McPhail","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003e1900:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Though the dawn of a new century promises social progress, there are few options for women like Alice Butterworth, pregnant and abandoned by her husband. In desperation, Alice leaves Chicago’s bitter cold and travels to New Orleans, where she offers sewing lessons at an orphanage.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYoung widow Constance Halstead has thrown herself into charity work since her husband’s death. Seeing Alice’s skill, she offers lodging in exchange for help creating a gown for the Leap Year ball of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eLes Mysterieuses,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e the first all-female krewe of Mardi Gras. Leap Years offer women a rare opportunity—to turn the tables on men, upending convention. As the breathtaking gown takes shape piece by piece, it becomes a symbol of empowerment for them both.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut overshadowing all is the Black Hand—the vicious New Orleans gang to whom Constance’s husband was deep in debt. His death hasn’t satisfied them. And as Mardi Gras draws near, a secret emerges that will cement the bond between Alice and Constance, even as it threatens the new lives each is building . . .\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Spine Bookshop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51381099528473,"sku":"9781879605381","price":16.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0740\/8399\/1833\/files\/81TUaDXg1mL._SL1500.jpg?v=1758220388","url":"https:\/\/thespinebookshop.com\/products\/the-seamstress-of-new-orleans-by-diane-c-mcphail","provider":"The Spine Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}