"Contemporary Romance Cookbook: A definite must-read and must-eat!"

Recipe for a Millie Criswell hit:
1 newly independent woman
1 divorced man
1 pizza eating kid
1 crazy-locked friend
Handful of Italian family members (add more to taste)

Mix together in the new restaurant called Mama Sophia's every night except Monday for 2-3 weeks.

Mary Russo is taking control of her life. At age 33, she finally moved out of her parents' house and has started her own restaurant. Her friend, Annie, just wishes she could find a man to drive her crazy in bed -for the first time. Mama Sophia's caters to the Italian lovers, with recipes provided by her family and a few concoctions of her own, namely a Chocolate Cannoli. When sportswriter- temporarily turned restaurant critic Dan Gallagher stops by, he writes quite a horrible review on the food. And that little piece of black and white paper turns out to be the best piece of article for Dan and Mary.

By storming into Dan's office, Hurricane Mary stole his heart and lost hers at the same time. Dan suddenly frequents Mama Sophia's, despite his own review and even brings Matt, his son. Matt's mom decided she no longer wanted to care for him, ran off with her gym instructor and left Dan as his sole protector. Mary and Matt instantly connect, although she wanted to have nothing to do with his father. At first.

If only her family would butt out of Mary's life! Grandma Flora cannot stop fighting with Sophia, her daughter-in- law and Mary's mother, while her father creates toilet seat warmers that burn butts off! Thank goodness Uncle Alfredo wasn't in town to meet Dan or "that Irishman". The entire family pretends he has 'connections' and has the potential to be dangerous. All Mary can think about is Dan's lips smiling at her and all he can think about are her big, brown bedroom eyes. Maybe Mary will take Annie's advice on trying out the bed with Dan, as long as her family isn't in the neighborhood!

My first Millie Criswell book turned out to be a novel experience. Her story was entertaining and before each chapter is a recipe featured in the book, something to cook while you read. A definite must-read and must-eat!

Reviewed by Jennifer Vaughn
Posted March 12, 2003