The Belly Dancer

A scandal that shocks a nation... A passion that transforms a woman.

At the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, the modern, the exotic, and the groundbreaking collide as exhibitions from all corners of the globe draw millions of spectators. But Dora Chambers has more pressing matters to consider.

Dora has hopes to begin a long-dreamed-of life of wealth and privilege in Chicago. So she sets out to earn the approval of the local women of high society—the World's Fair's Board of Lady Managers—to appease her socially ambitious, aloof husband. Unimpressed with the young bride from New Orleans, they give her the distasteful task of enforcing proper conduct in the Egyptian belly dancing exhibition.

But Dora's sensibilities are not so easily flustered by the dancers. She finds herself captivated by the exotic women, and by their enigmatic manager, Hossam Farouk, who makes his mistrust of her known—although his lingering glances hint at something else.

As Dora's eyes are opened to the world beyond her own oppressive life of social expectations and quiet servitude, she seeks the courage to break free of her self-imposed bondage—and discover the truth about the desire and passion in her own heart.