Sicilian Love Story is the first novel of Anna's cast of fantastic characters. Corleone Sicily, the 1920's under the     power of the Fascist regime.

The Cascios leave the town of Corleone in a well-staged escape during the middle of the day. The plan-America. They escape to Naples, port of embarkation. Upon arrival in NYC, Charlie and his family are taken to their new home on 107th street in East Harlem. Through the influence of a local mobster, Charlie obtains a position with the local construction union.

Carving a living out of East Harlem isn't the only thing Charlie has to worry about. His two teenage daughters are busy acclimationg to their new world where they are free to move about without the constant watch of their parents and neighbors.

Within the year Charlie's daughter, Paula, garnishes the attention of the capo on the block. A close relationship developes between the young Paula and Sam Montana, but an incident propels the story into murky waters when a cop beats a child on the street. A bloddy war between the Irish cops and the mobsters ensues. In the midst Paula begins to fall for one of the enemies, a cop.

As Mary learns to survive on her own, she evolves from the discarded wife of Vito into her own new persona. When Mary's daughter brings Sean home, he sweeps Mary off her feet. Sean's presence strains Mary's relationship with her children and urges her to break her Sicilian traditions.

The PaTriarch is a page turner. It gives a sense of what it was like to be a Sicilian American in the 1950's. Despite Mary's impulsive actions, one cannot help but to like her. the plot thickens (like a good sauce) and though the book ends, the story does not. It continues with The Matriarch and The Matriarch Conclusion.

 The Matriarch

Sean surprises Mary with a trip to Sicily with the intent for Mary to shed some light on her past. But Sean, a  victim of the newspaper strike of 1963 uses this trip to write a lucrative article about a Sicilian woman returning to her roots. However, the trip to Sicily is more than anyone anticipated. Mary learns of the violent deaths of her parents and the tragic demise of her in-laws. Mary's discoveries shake the very foundation of their marriage when she is re-acquainted with a long-time admirer. His presence eats away at Sean and Mary's relationship.

        The Matriarch Conclusion

This is the long awaited conclusion of The PaTriarch trilogy. There are many twists and turns in the lives of Mary Petraca's children which are intricately involved in her own life. The resolution of the many unanswered questions in Mary's life come to fruition at the end of the novel leaving every reader with a great sigh of satisfaction. That after all even though real life does not always end happily ever after, Anna Mione's novel does.

The Diva

     Intrigue and destiny intercede in the life of Maurizio Brescia, an oboist who's dream it is to join the orchestra at La Scala do Milano. After his audition for La Scala, Maurizio celebrates with a night of love with his finance, Gemma Liguori. Gemma shares Maurizio's aspirations as she is a concert pianist. Out of Gemma's and Maurizio's celebration, Gemma conceives a daughter. Maurizio leaves for La Scala unknowingly leaving behind a pregnant Gemma at a time when an unwed mother was a target for life-altering scandal. Before anyone discovers Gemma's secret, she allows herself to be seduced into lies to protect her career, her daughter, and the unknowing Maurizio.

The Diva is a a tale of two cities, Milano and New York, against a backdrop of operatic stages. It is a page turner that brings you into the world of opera, but where the real drama occurs - backstage.