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Nina Romano earned an MA from Adelphi University and an MFA in creative writing from Florida International University. She is the author of four poetry collections: "Cooking Lessons from Rock Press", which was submitted for the Pulitzer Prize; "Coffeehouse Meditations" from Kitsune Books; "She Wouldn’t Sing at My Wedding" from Bridle Path Press; and "Faraway Confections" from Aldrich Press. Romano has published two poetry chapbooks: "Prayer in a Summer of Grace" and "Time’s Mirrored Illusion", both from Flutter Press. She has been nominated twice for the Pushcart Prize. She co-authored "Writing in a Changing World". Her debut short story collection, "The Other Side of the Gates", has recently been published by Bridle Path Press. Visit her at www.ninaromano.com.
Reviewed by Ica Iova for Readers' Favorite
In America by Nina Romano follows the story of a gorgeous, unwavering young woman by the name of Marcella Scimenti. Marcella loves to sing; music has been part of her life for as far back as she can remember. She sings in the bathroom, on her way to school, at Mass, going to the store, or just walking down the street. Her biggest dream is to sing in Hollywood. But she lives in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, during an ever-changing era of the 1920s and she is part of a large, tradition-bound Italian family. The menacing economic depression forces her to set aside her life's dream and become a modern working girl. Along the way, she discovers a shocking family secret that tests everything she thought she knew about life and family.
Nina Romano’s In America is a charming story focusing on Marcella and her large Italian-American family’s life. Seen through the eyes of Marcella Scimenti and told almost in straight narrative, In America is the story of practically every young woman of her time. It touches on family expectations, religion, love, and loyalty. Nina Romano has created a fascinating page turner using as backdrop a time period when family and family values were placed above almost everything else. I loved Marcella’s character and the way she interacts with the rest of her family members, as well as her friends and potential suitors. She knows what she wants and though not all dreams are doable in real life, she chases the one that matters most.
