Mad about Mia (Mass Market Paperback)

Mia DeNero is the ne'er do well sister of Angela (The Trials of Angela) who is now married to John Franco. Mia has opened a Bodyguard service, just the latest in a string of jobs her parents didn't approve of.

Nick Caruso hires Mia to guard him while he writes a novel about the Mafia. Mia moves him into her apartment and proceeds to introduce him to all of her family and friends in Baltimore's Little Italy. Which suits Nick as he is actually an undercover FBI agent investigating a money laundering scheme that may be run by Mia's Uncle Al.

Mia is a strong woman who also has a severe inferiority complex about her own femininity and choice of men-not to mention her many jobs. She reminded me in some ways of Robert on Everybody Loves Raymond, when she mutters "everybody loves Angela"-I immediately thought of poor Robert who always feels second best.

Nick is a man who is afraid to let people too close as he was a foster child who learned the hard way never to get too attached or place to much trust with people. Nick fights falling in love with Mia, as he doesn't think there could be a future for them when Mia learns who he is and how he has decieved her.

Criswell has created a delightful community with people one wants to meet again and again. My particular favorite is
Mia's father Sam, a retired cop/transvestite who enjoys lounging around in gold lame'. While Sam is a funny character, he is also portrayed as the great father and husband he is;when it would have been easy to just make him the butt of jokes.

I highly recommend Mad About Mia and it stands well on it's own, but do yourself a favor and read all 4 books in the series in order.(The Trouble With Mary, Much Ado About Annie and The Trials of Angela). Each was a quick and fun read with characters that are extremely memorable.

Mia does not know that Nick is actually working undercover for the FBI Organized Crime Investigation Unit. Nor does she realize that she lives live right above Mama Sophia's Restaurant which will allow Nick to keep close watch on his suspect who frequents the establishment. Also, Mia's sister is married to the Russo family and will provide an opportunity to interview family members and obtain other information he would not otherwise have access to.

Nick chooses Mia because she is naive and she is new to the bodyguard business. But Mia's inexperience does not make her unobservant. Once they fall in love, Mia may not overlook Nick's deceitfulness. Moreover, Nick is usually up front about women's place in his life. They are for friendship and sex, and never long term. So learning that he does not need her protection, but is using her bodes ill for Mia, regardless of Nick's sex appeal.

Fans of Mia Criswell will love her newest romantic comedy. While elements of intrigue underlie this delightful read, it is the marvelous characterizations that make MAD ABOUT MIA such a treasure. With Criswell's characteristically spunky heroine and sexy hero, MAD ABOUT MIA provides plenty of amusement. Although she is a bit flighty, Mia's determination and tenacity challenge Nick's determination to protect his investigation. Moreover, the background draws on the best of Baltimore's Little Italy, resulting in a flavorful read. A quick and entertaining story that fans will not want to miss, MAD ABOUT MIA comes highly recommended.

Nick is actually undercover as a member of the FBI Organized Crime Investigation Unit trying to crack a money laundering scheme. He is using Mia to get at the uncle of her brother-in-law Alfredo Graziano who claims mob connections as he frequents the restaurant beneath his bodyguard's apartment. As he and Mia become better acquainted they fall in love, but he knows that once she learns the truth she may never trust him let alone forgive him for his duplicity.

Though Mia is a dingbat, fans will appreciate this amusing romantic suspense though the intrigue appears late. The story line is humorous as Mia does nothing right even when she protects her client because the assaulter is a kid with a water gun. Still she believes in herself so much that Nick admires her spunk and dedication as much as her body. Fans of the Baltimore based series will go MAD ABOUT MIA, a lovable kook.

Harriet Klausner