The Second Life of Mirielle West: A Haunting Historical Novel Perfect for Book Clubs
The Second Life of Mirielle West: A Haunting Historical Novel Perfect for Book Clubs
Couldn't load pickup availability
The glamorous world of a silent film star’s wife abruptly crumbles when she’s forcibly quarantined at the Carville Lepers Home in this page-turning story of courage, resilience, and reinvention set in 1920s Louisiana and Los Angeles. Based on little-known history, this timely book will strike a chord with readers of Fiona Davis, Tracey Lange, and Marie Benedict.
* A 2023 Silicon Valley Reads Selection *
* Reader's Digest Editor's Choice *
For Mirielle West, a 1920’s socialite married to a silent film star, the isolation and powerlessness of the Louisiana Leper Home is an unimaginable fall from her intoxicatingly chic life of bootlegged champagne and the star-studded parties of Hollywood’s Golden Age. When a doctor notices a pale patch of skin on her hand, she’s immediately branded a leper and carted hundreds of miles from home to Carville, taking a new name to spare her family and famous husband the shame that accompanies the disease.
At first she hopes her exile will be brief, but those sent to Carville are more prisoners than patients and their disease has no cure. Instead she must find community and purpose within its walls, struggling to redefine her self-worth while fighting an unchosen fate.
As a registered nurse, Amanda Skenandore’s medical background adds layers of detail and authenticity to the experiences of patients and medical professionals at Carville – the isolation, stigma, experimental treatments, and disparate community. A tale of repulsion, resilience, and the Roaring ‘20s, The Second Life of Mirielle West is also the story of a health crisis in America’s past, made all the more poignant by the author’s experiences during another, all-too-recent crisis.
“Scrupulous in her research and practically clairvoyant in her choice of urgent subjects — from the Indigenous boarding schools of her first novel to the disease and quarantine of The Second Life of Mirielle West — historical novelist Amanda Skenandore has quietly become one of the valley’s finest authors.” – The Las Vegas Review Journal
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Shipping Policy
Thank you so much for shopping with Love and Lore Bookstore! Every order is packed with care, and we want your experience to be as smooth as possible. Please take a moment to review our shipping policy below.
Processing Your Order
Most orders are packed and shipped within 2–3 business days (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays).
Please keep in mind that processing times may be longer during book releases, sales, holidays, or other high-volume periods. We appreciate your patience as our small team works to get every order out as quickly and carefully as possible.
Preorders
Ordering a preorder? Here's what to expect:
If your order contains both preorder and in-stock items, everything will ship together once all preorder titles are available. If you've ordered multiple preorder books in the same order, your package will be shipped after the last preorder release date.
Want each preorder shipped as it's released? Just send us an email at loveandlorestore@gmail, and we'll arrange separate shipments for an additional shipping fee through PayPal.
After a preorder's official release date, please allow 5–8 business days for us to prepare and ship your order.
Please note that preorder boxes or special preorder promotions with exclusive merchandise may require a little extra processing time while we wait for all included items to arrive.
Shipping Costs
Shipping charges are calculated automatically during checkout based on your order and delivery address. You'll always see the total shipping cost before placing your order.
Where We Ship
At this time, we ship within the United States only.
Delivery Issues
Once your package has been accepted by the shipping carrier, delivery is outside of our control. While we'll gladly help however we can, we aren't responsible for shipping delays, lost packages, or damage that occurs during transit.
If your package is lost or arrives damaged, please contact the shipping carrier directly to begin the claims process. If they need information from us, we're happy to provide it.
If your order arrives with the wrong item or something is missing, please contact us within 5 days of delivery at loveandlorestore@gmail. Include your order number and photos (if applicable), and we'll work with you to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Questions?
Have a question before or after placing your order? We'd love to hear from you!
You can reach us anytime at loveandlorestore@gmail, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Returns & Cancellations
At Love and Lore Bookstore, every order is packed with care and made especially for you. Because of the nature of our products and our size as a small independent bookstore, all purchases are considered final sale.
Returns & Exchanges
We are unable to accept returns or exchanges, including on preorder items, unless there is an issue with your order.
If your order arrives with an incorrect item or is missing something, please email us at loveandlorestore@gmail within 5 days of delivery. Be sure to include your order number and photos (if applicable), and we'll work with you to make it right.
Order Cancellations
Need to cancel your order? We completely understand! Orders may be canceled before they have been processed or shipped.
Once an order has entered processing or has shipped, we're unable to cancel it.
If your cancellation request is approved, your refund will be issued to your original payment method. Depending on your bank or payment provider, refunds may take 5–10 business days to appear.
Promotional Codes
Orders placed using an invalid, unauthorized, or expired discount code may be canceled at our discretion. If this happens, you'll be notified and can place a new order using a valid promotion, if applicable.
Questions?
We know that every situation is a little different, and we're always happy to help if you have questions about your order.
Please reach out to us at loveandlorestore@gmail, and we'll do our best to assist you.
Thank you for supporting Love and Lore Bookstore. Your support means the world to our small business!!
