WRITTEN WITH COMPASSION, HUMOR AND SUSPENSE, LIKE I USED TO DANCE WILL CHARM YOU, WARM YOU AND EVEN SQUEEZE A FEW TEARS, FROM ITS OPENING NUMBER TO THE LAST WALTZ. BY BARBARA FRANCES

 

“Our kids, my, my, Gracie” laughed Bud. “Where did we go wrong? One marries God, another a Jew and the last one, the devil!”

Texas, 1951. The Wolanskys—Grace, Bud and their three grown children—are a close knit clan, deeply rooted in their rural community and traditional faith. On their orderly farm, life seems good and tomorrow always holds promise.

But under the surface, it’s a different story. Grace is beset by dark memories and unnamed fears, calmed only by practicing a secret obsession. Their son Andy has said no to becoming a farmer like his dad and, worse, has fallen in love with a big-city Jewish girl. Youngest child Regina is trapped in a loveless marriage to an abusive, alcoholic husband. Even “perfect” daughter Angela’s decision to become a nun unleashes consequences no one could foresee.

And then Ceil Dollard breezes into town.

Ceil—wealthy, sophisticated, irrepressible—is like a visitor from Mars. She’s a modern woman. She drives a car and wears pants. She blows away tradition and certainty, forcing Grace to face her fears and brave a changing world. Through Ceil, Grace learns about courage and pleasure—but at the risk of losing Bud.

5 Stars – There is not a dull page in this book

Amazingly well written! The details of the characters are very much thought out and well described. The story plot will keep you reading and reading.. There is not a dull page in this book. A moment in time that I was reading I was sitting at the dr’s office and had to be tapped by the nurse who had called my name several times. I never heard the nurse due to being so wrapped up in the book! This is one book that you must read!

LIKE I USED TO DANCE