​“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.
Barbara Frances’ sparkling, richly human novel takes you back to a time when Ike was president and life was slower, but people were the same as now. You’ll encounter a cast of characters storm-tossed by change, held together by love. 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. 

​5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE IT! - Family Saga Full of Drama and Heart
Verified Purchase
Don’t start this book before bedtime or you’ll be late to work! I love family sagas and this one swept me along. It’s about Grace, a warm, creative woman strong for her family but out of touch with her own needs. The place is rural Texas and the time is the fifties, when women were still trapped as homemakers. The family is Catholic and Grace’s daughters have their own struggles. Angela is unsure if she should become a nun and Regina has to decide if she’ll divorce her abusive husband. Grace herself is a talented artist who has never realized her potential. She develops a close bond with Ceil, a sophisticated transplant from LA who blows into the life of Grace and her family like a powerful wind. In the end, everything turn s out but nothing is the same. A great read!

M. M. Bishop Award-winning author and poet
 
5.0 out of 5 stars WILL SURELY BECOME ONE OF THE CLASSICS IN LITERATURE

It is easy to see how Like I Used To Dance by Barbara Frances won awards. It is a novel that should easily find its way into classic literature. It is not just the story of the Wolanskys, who live in a small farming town in the nineteen-fifty’s, but the story of life, and how even generations of family issues can affect each new generation unless something happens to break the cycle.
Ms. Frances paints a picture of each character, their weaknesses, as well as the strength in their character. From Grace, and Bud, their three grown children, to neighbors, and friends, each is drawn with a fine pencil, fully formed, and genuine, some are people you wish you knew, and others you would like to string up. Yet, each is so well crafted as to be able to see them in your life, or town.
Whether she is painting the generous nature of Bud, to the horror of Billy Ray, Ms. Frances brings us a full picture of life as it was, and life as it still is. Many things may have changed in our world, underneath there is still an underbelly of both the beauty and ugliness of human nature.
Like I Used To Dance was not a book that I could easily put down, but sat up till the wee hours of the morning reading.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Can Sara Outwit A Tegen Who Has Vowed To Hunt Her To The Death?A dangerous, cunning Tegen has escaped and is determined to capture Sara and watch her go up in flames. Before the fugitive was taken into custody for a second-level offense, he confessed to Sara that he committed a heinous crime, for which the punishment is death by burning. No one else heard that confession. He’s resolved to prevent her from testifying against him at any cost. Sara is no match for the fugitive’s strength and proficiency in deadly techniques. As the lethal pursuer hunts her, a Tegen enforcer is hunting him.
Despite the risk to her personal safety, Sara can’t ignore a request for help to investigate the suspicious death of an acquaintance’s grandson in New Mexico. Disguised to evade detection, she is making progress in unraveling the jumbled threads of truth when Conner, her crime boss lover, shows up in the same town in the same seedy strip club. He’s there to seal a mysterious business deal with the same nefarious criminals whose misdeeds she is beginning to uncover. Uncertain of whom she can trust, Sara once again turns to Conner.
Will she survive if her deadly immortal enemy tracks her down?
Tegen Hunt reveals more secrets about Sara’s Tegen world as she struggles with the choices that lie ahead while unable to restrain her deep and irresistible attraction to Conner.

​Aaron P. Lazar

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrills, chills, spiders, and a whole new race of beings!
Verified Purchase
The Tegen Hunt is a unique genre-crossing story, book 4 in the Tegens series. Combining mystery, fantasy, suspense, and horror, this novel is a compelling page-turner with outstanding scene painting that can invoke instant shudders or thrills.

Ms. Goss has created a new race of humans who have spider-like qualities and who live in partnership with spiders they carry in cages wherever they go. The culture is full of shocking ceremonies which the members need to survive. The heroine, Sara, is a complex being who belongs to this race of Tegens and who is on a mission to gain righteous vengeance for terrible deeds perpetrated by a powerful drug dealer while concurrently being hunted by a man determined to kill her.

The author keeps you guessing. Are the Tegens evil or good? There are plenty of twists to keep you wondering what’s around the corner. In addition, the main character, who is on this noble quest, also dates two very different men, one of whom is a crime lord. Needless to say, Sara’s life is complicated.

Sara also has the ability to don disguises at a moment’s notice, which comes in very helpful in her adventures with nefarious villains. Because of her spider skills, she can scale the tallest building when she gets cornered.

Inge-Lise Goss is a fine writer. I read and very much enjoyed Compelled, by Ms. Goss, a thriller with paranormal twists that I highly recommend. Tegen Hunt is a horse of a different color, and definitely not for the faint of heart!

If you love horror and thrills, Tegen Hunt is the book for you.

​Editorial Reviews
Honorable Mention Winner: Readers' Favorite International Book Awards ~Urban Fantasy"
Fans of both supernatural fantasy and crime novels are sure to enjoy the blending of genres, which author Inge-Lise Goss does really intelligently...Overall, Tegen Hunt is a well-plotted fantasy adventure with plenty of dark little twists and turns to keep readers entertained from start to finish."--K. C. Finn, Readers' Favorite Reviewer

"Tegen Hunt by Inge-Lise Goss is a captivating urban fantasy with memorable characters and a conflict-driven plot that is well spun."--Ruffina Oserio, Readers' Favorite Reviewer

"This whole series is one of the most immensely detailed and engrossing and Sara's character is one of the most powerful in the genre."--Rabia Tanveer, Readers' Favorite Reviewer

"The story is exciting, fast-paced and what I particularly like about it was that the characters, especially the superhero Tegens, were far from perfect and all had their flaws...An excellent read."--Grant Leishman, Readers' Favorite Reviewer

"The Tegens are a unique, intriguing species, making this a vastly entertaining series,"--Martha's Book Reviews

"If you like thrillers with a touch of romance and chilling horror waiting around every corner, you will love this novel."--Peggy Jo Wipf,Readers' Favorite Reviewer

​From the horror of a psychopath killer with extraordinary powers, to true ghost stories, and stories that leave you wondering, if there is a place for everybody or if some are really just lost in their own minds, you will find that story in this collection of short stories by Patricia Moran, Marta Moran Bishop, Roman Nyle, and Pat Marsden. Patricia Moran grew up in the Washington DC area. She spent her entire life writing, be it for the local newspaper or her stories, and poetry. Her stories are sometimes children’s stories, and others are paranormal.
Pat Marsden grew up in Northern Minnesota and shared a love of reading and writing with her large family. She spent most of her time taking care of her children and working outside the home at various careers. She had a love of animals and found joy in the simple things of life.
Marta Moran Bishop is the daughter of Patricia Moran, she inherited her mother’s love of reading, writing, as well as her mother’s written work. In some cases, they were published with only editing, and in others, Ms. Moran Bishop, completed her mother’s work. Ms. Bishop has over thirty books and stories in print. Roman Nyle lived and worked in Chicago, IL, except for the time he spent in the Army in Vietnam. He loves to read Stephen King type novels. He writes in a Twilight Zone, horror style, and loves to have his villains to be very creepy.

​Kindle Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read
Verified Purchase
Thoroughly enjoyed this collection of short stories. Most were different from the usual paranormal stories as they ended leaving the reader to decide what will happen. Fun and entertaining.

Lottie's Adventure: Facing The Monster, is an action-packed children's book written especially for ages 8 through 14. Children will enjoy this exciting read while also improving their reading skills. Twenty-nine chapters filled with twists and turns keep kids reading to discover the outcome.

​Lottie, a lively ten-year old Hispanic girl, longs for something new and different in her life. Her summers up to this point have all been, more or less, the same. Then the arrival of a magical letter and a TV newscast transforms her vacation time in a high adventure.


Her great adventure includes trying to relate to a cold, estranged, and rich grandmother, freeing a kidnapped ten-year-old African American boy from a locked room, hiding him in a safe place, and then fleeing with him from a kidnapper who is always just a step or two behind.

​Reading Lottie's Adventure was an imaginative excursion back to the heart of that warm summer day from my childhood when I quickly hopped on my bike and furiously rode down the street to save the deaf children from the evil ice cream man who came only to make fun of them. I think the spirit of Lottie lives in all of us and is celebrate in this delightful tale of innocence that know no social boundaries or limited thoughts but rather heart driven compassion!

Hailey Helm, Co-owner, Tinsel Delights, LLC

​While reading Barbara Frances’ chapter book Lottie’s Adventure: Facing the Monster, I was swept back to the books of my childhood. A place where tweens helped each other and became heroes without the use of make-believe or magic brooms. Just plain old smarts, ingenuity, and integrity.
I was engrossed in the story of Lottie, a Hispanic girl, as she helped Charles Ray a black boy, who had been kidnapped escape and confront the bad guy, outsmarting him, while facing their own fears. The friendship that grew between the two was a lesson in how people all want the same things out of life regardless of their upbringing, race, or nationality.
It is a compelling and wonderful tale that I’d recommend to both adults and the tween alike.

​“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.
Barbara Frances’ sparkling, richly human novel takes you back to a time when Ike was president and life was slower, but people were the same as now. You’ll encounter a cast of characters storm-tossed by change, held together by love. 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. 

Verified Purchase
After only a few pages I was hooked by Like I Used to Dance and Barbara Frances' gifts as a storyteller. She creates multidimensional characters who are so real that I found myself thinking about them in between sessions with the book, and she weaves a plot that is by turns suspenseful, funny, touching and gripping. Set in a rural Texas community more than sixty years ago, the book explores social, racial and family themes -- many of which continue to resonate today. But above all, it's a great read! It will take you places where you've never been, from a KKK meeting that is both sinister and pathetic, to a heartbroken man's encounter with a mystical fox. Barbara Frances writes with insight, compassion, full knowledge of the human heart, and lots of twists, turns and surprises. Highly recommended.

You'll Be Hooked on This Book

​M. M. Bishop Award-winning author and poet
5.0 out of 5 stars WILL SURELY BECOME ONE OF THE CLASSICS IN LITERATURE
It is easy to see how Like I Used To Dance by Barbara Frances won awards. It is a novel that should easily find its way into classic literature. It is not just the story of the Wolanskys, who live in a small farming town in the nineteen-fifty’s, but the story of life, and how even generations of family issues can affect each new generation unless something happens to break the cycle.
Ms. Frances paints a picture of each character, their weaknesses, as well as the strength in their character. From Grace, and Bud, their three grown children, to neighbors, and friends, each is drawn with a fine pencil, fully formed, and genuine, some are people you wish you knew, and others you would like to string up. Yet, each is so well crafted as to be able to see them in your life, or town.
Whether she is painting the generous nature of Bud, to the horror of Billy Ray, Ms. Frances brings us a full picture of life as it was, and life as it still is. Many things may have changed in our world, underneath there is still an underbelly of both the beauty and ugliness of human nature.
Like I Used To Dance was not a book that I could easily put down, but sat up till the wee hours of the morning reading.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

​Grady HarpTop Contributor: Children's Books

HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWER
5.0 out of 5 stars `Relationships are not about competition between partners. It should be about giving and taking.'
Verified Purchase
A. William Benitez's career is not as a therapist (his work included the construction business, governmental housing official, woodworking, IT manger for Hyatt Regency, founder of Positive Imaging, LLC writing and publishing) and he succeeds in this book about Relationships because of the gentle manner in which he relates his insights. He has an innate understanding about relationships that work (he is currently happily married for 23 years in a very strong and sustainable marriage) and ones that fail (his first marriage of 17 years ended in divorce) and has the courage to admit that he is one half of each relationship - a gratifyingly honest approach to view life in retrospect as well as with introspection. Or as he states, `My goal with this book is that, as an individual, parent, grandparent, spouse, and lover, I might be able to share just a small amount of information you might find of value.'

As far as the structure of this warm book of supportive guidance is concerned the author states, `This book contains ten chapters entitled: What Is Love, What is a Good Relationship, Fostering and Nourishing Relationships, Harming Relationships, Mutual Respect, Boundaries, Marriage, Breakups and Divorce, Helpful Tips, and Final Thoughts. All the chapters contain information based almost exclusively on personal experience that I hope helps to create safe, happy, and healthy relationships.' And from that platform for discussion we join Benitez in a drawing room atmosphere of heart to heart conversations about each of the topics he outlines.

His highlighted phrases scattered through the book are gems to ponder, phrases like `Love is caring for another person enough to want for her what she wants for herself, even if what she desires is not in your best interest.' After making statements such as this, Benitez dissects it, amplifies it with either personal experiences or postulated ones until we understand the concept completely.

So much of what is shared here is not earthshakingly original: there are therapists and erudite textbooks that serve that purpose. The reason Benitez succeeds is that he is so open and straightforward in the way he discusses those elements of humanity that must be respected in every individual in order to bond with another individual. His suggestions on how to nurture a relationship are simple but so often forgotten (as in the infinitely important art of conversing), his explanation of how to respect boundaries is as solid as anyone has written, and his definitions of how relationships can be harmed is especially poignant (and he is not afraid to discuss spousal abuse openly).

A few other phrases that stand out: `Regard your partner with consideration, appreciation, and acceptance just as she is, not as you believe she should be. Accept and value your partner's point of view even if it differs from yours. Honor your partner's right to privacy by not intruding, interfering, or spying.' `Boredom and predictability can hurt relationships as can the lack of joy and spontaneity.' This is a book of wisdom from experience - one that will touch many aspects of each reader's viewpoints and hopefully will provide examples for change where change is needed. Grady Harp, 

​Mr. Benitez’s book RELATIONSHIP helped me take a long hard look at what I could do better in all my relationships and in particular those with my husband.
What part do I play in the issues that arise in our marriage on a daily basis?
I found this book extremely helpful and insightful too.
Kudos to Mr. Benitez on writing this book and the work he had to personally do in order to bring it about.

​Start making money now as a handyman using only your home repair skills. Twelve chapters of valuable how-to information teach you how to:
*Find new customers
*Price every job to ensure profit
*Get paid in full for every job
*Expand your skills for profitability
*Use the Internet to increase profits
*Keep customers coming back and giving referrals
*Handle your accounting and taxes
*Become a highly paid home repair expert

Everything you need to know to succeed financially as a handyman. No fluff or hype, just down to earth details on exactly how to make money using your present skills

Five Stars by Jeremy
Great book written by a good man
Good useful information for anyone with a home repair business. I enjoyed the read and will use the information in my business. ​

​Who Will Be The Spider’s Next Victim?For over two years a treacherous Tegen has evaded capture by enforcers, executing anyone who crosses his path.
Recruited to assist a Tegen enforcer, Sara Jones is on a desperate hunt to stop the renegade who has no regard for human, or spider, life. To penetrate the religious compound he uses as his hideout, she must conceal her true identity. But finding the elusive Tegen is more difficult than she may have imagined, and the compound is far more dangerous than anyone could have known.


˃˃˃ A Dangerous Criminal Ally With His Own AgendaWhen a notorious crime boss shows up in town, Sara enlists his help, but he has his own agenda, one that may advance his criminal enterprise.
As mayhem erupts, she must outwit unsavory zealots and find the killer before her cover is blown. The clock is ticking.
Can she bring the fugitive to justice before it’s too late?


˃˃˃ This action-packed fantasy-thriller constantly leaves you on the edge of your seat.Tegen Punishment is the third book in the Tegen series. After reading the Tegen definition at the beginning of the novel, it can easily be read as a standalone story.

JoJo Maxson
5.0 out of 5 stars Thrill of the chase, but first they have to find out who is chasing whom!
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2019
Verified Purchase
Inge-Lise Goss has a talent for combining spiders, an occult, and mobsters into an enthralling novel, Tegen Punishment (Tegens Book 3). The introduction gives you enough information about what Tegens for this novel to standalone, but may characters within its pages where key plans in previous books. Sara Jones broke the rules and her punishment could be serious, but they gave her a choice to bring in a rogue Tegen enforcer as her sentence.
 
Though I am not a fan of spiders, I could not put Tegen Punishment down until I read to the last page. Inge-Lise Goss keeps the plot around Sara while developing the other characters more. Sara found she is effective working with Tegen enforcers but I love how she is more sensitive towards mortals and strives to keep innocent people unharmed. She does well working with several groups at one time though she is too trusting. I loved the theme and characters and would love to read more from this author.

5.0 out of 5 stars Relationships that last a lifetime

Reviewed in the United States
Verified Purchase
Relationships are not about competition between partners. It should be about giving and taking.
By A Benitez
Relationship: Notes On Love, Mutual Respect, Boundaries, Marriage, and Divorce by A William Benitez explores the subject of intimate relationship and probes how one can be in a wonderful relationship. This book contains ten insightful chapters:
-What Is Love
-What is a Good Relationship
-Fostering and Nourishing Relationships
-Harming Relationships
-Mutual Respect
-Boundaries
-Marriage
-Breakups and Divorce
-Helpful Tips
-Final Thoughts

The author did a fantastic job writing this book. In the first chapter he defines love, "a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person." If you have ever been in one then you know that it is a give and take in order to survive. Compromising is so important. It all depends on which stage of the game you are in. I am in my 40's so my experiences are different than those who are teenagers, whom could benefit from reading this book. They say that those that experienced it can give advice and tips of what they have learned to help you avoid tender mistakes. I especially liked the harmful relationships, mutual respect and boundaries chapters as I need to learn all of them once again. As a codependent it helps to keep me on track in my current relationships even if they are not love related, which includes friend, family and coworkers. Anyone could benefit from the helpful book with tips and thoughts of a personal experienced writer. Please post your review and hit Like.  Jackie Paulson
​

​M. M. Bishop Award-winning author and poet
 
5.0 out of 5 stars IT MADE ME THINK AND TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT MY OWN ACTIONS
​
Mr. Benitez’s book RELATIONSHIP helped me take a long hard look at what I could do better in all my relationships and in particular those with my husband.
What part do I play in the issues that arise in our marriage on a daily basis?
I found this book extremely helpful and insightful too.