Like I Used To Dance - A Novel

Like I Used to Dance

A Novel by Barbara Frances

When tradition collides with transformation, one family’s world will never be the same.

Texas, 1951. The Wolanskys seem to have it all—a thriving farm, unshakeable faith, and three grown children who should be their pride and joy.

But as Bud Wolanksy wryly observes: “One marries God, another a Jew and the last one, the devil!”

Beneath the surface of their orderly rural life, the close-knit Wolanksy family is fracturing. Grace battles dark memories and secret obsessions. Their son Andy has rejected farming to pursue love with a sophisticated Jewish woman from the big city. “Perfect” daughter Angela’s calling to become a nun unleashes unexpected consequences, while youngest Regina suffers in silence, trapped with an abusive, alcoholic husband.

The Ceil Dollard arrives like a force of nature.

Wealthy, sophisticated, and utterly modern, Ceil drives a car, wears pants, and shatters every convention this traditional community holds dear. She’s the catalyst that will force Grace to confront her deepest fears and discover what it truly means to be alive in a rapidly changing world—even if it costs her everything she holds dear.

“After only a few pages I was hooked... Barbara Frances creates multidimensional characters who are so real”

This five-star Reader’s Favorite award winner weaves together themes of faith, family tradition, and the courage to embrace change. Frances masterfully captures a pivotal moment in American history when old certainties crumbled, and new possibilities emerged.

Perfect for readers who love:

- Character-driven family sagas

- Historical fiction set in 1950s America

- Stories about women finding their voice

- Complex portrayals of faith and tradition

Available here as a PDF eBook and also on Amazon in Kindle, paperback, hardcover and Audiobook.

Discover more at https://likeiusedtodance.com and learn more about the author at https://barbarafrances.com