TWO LIVES, MANY DANCES Set for Release

Two Lives, Many Dances by Francesca García Pratten follows the story of the author's parents, the celebrated dance couple, Tito and Corinne Valdez. From their respective early family life to the sensational rise of their dance career, Tito and Corinne would become a showbiz staple renowned for their individual choreography and the magic that rode on the flashy and exotic when they dance as a pair.

Some readers may remember Mlle Corinne, the "apple dancer" at the Texas Centennial in 1936, who performed with nothing but a G-string and an apple. The book delves into this infamous Dallas show and answers-what ever happened to her?-even as the author tags readers along to witness the early dancing life and career milestones of her parents.

Collecting her late father's personal memoirs and notes, the author weaves a nostalgic narrative that rides on family stories, anecdotes, backstage whisperings, and her memories as the daughter of the famed couple.

Growing up in disparate cultures, Tito is shown to struggle with his family's wishes to send him to medical school, while Corinne had to overcome polio. Tito would achieve fame in Paris, as Corinne would make her mark in Dallas, Texas and London. As both separately found success in the European nightclub theater, fate would bring them together in New York City. The book chronicles their success as a celebrity pair in Broadway, Hollywood, and across the U.S., sprinkling the narrative with their passion, artistry, and works.

Among the highlights of the new book:

• News and photos of Mlle Corinne's racy performance at the Texas Centennial, including her answer when asked to replace her "apple" with a grapefruit
• The pair's joint venture in producing the movie, Rehearsal for Broadway
• Pictures of their early family years, friends, and early career

More tellingly, their personal lives are revealed to resonate with turmoil and discord. Circumstances caused by their physical, emotional, and financial issues led them to choose different partners.

First time author, Francesca García Pratten, is a retired educator, received her doctorate from Oxford (Dayton, TN) in 1987. She moved to Port St Lucie, Florida with her husband Joe when they retired. They raised their four children on a small farm in the rural community of Catskill, NY, away from the hustle and bustle of any large city and only two miles from her family's farm in Leeds, NY.

Title: Two Lives, Many Dances

Author: Francesca García Pratten

Genre: biography