Rita Schiano's Page

Painting The Invisible Man
Here's how it began...

In 2001, while researching the online archives of her hometown newspaper for a client, freelance writer Rita Schiano stumbled upon archived stories about her father’s murder and the possible mob connections that led to his death. This brief visit to her past inspired her to look deeply into the heart of her childhood. The journey she embarked on was nothing she could have ever anticipated. Rather than place her work into the harsh scrutiny of memoirs, Schiano developed her story through the eyes of a fictional character, Anna Matteo. It is the story of a stolen childhood, a family torn apart by the violence of mafia ties, and one young girl’s resilient spirit that allowed her to rise above the hardships and seek solace in the most unusual ways.

Schiano explores the emotional ties that bind us to our family and our history. She shows that it is our past that gives birth to our dreams and it is our future that gives us hope. — BOOKFINDS.com

"Written with razor-sharp wit, Painting the Invisible Man is an absorbing tale that smoothly blends the quest for truth with the complexities of a self-portrait." — Midwest Book Review

"Painting The Invisible Man is a courageous book by a courageous writer." — Anne D LeClaire, author of Listening Below The Noise, Entering Normal, and The Lavender Hour

"Rita Schiano has proven herself to be a powerful, talented storyteller." — Shelfari Author Review

Sweet Bitter Love
From the moment writer Jenny Ceretti spots Susan Fredrickson at the Village Coffeehouse, her serene life begins to change. As their friendship explodes into a tempestuous love affair, Jenny discovers that all is not as it appears.

While Susan is haunted by a terrifying past, Jenny comes face-to-face with past ghosts that no longer will stay hidden.

Sweet Bitter Love explores a relationship that walks the fine line between compassion and codependence.
"Sexy, passionate, and humorous, the book is a great 'fast read'." - Linda Wong, Sojourner

...Schiano captures the passion, pain and fragility of modern day romantic relationships...Readers will cycle through feelings of joy, bitterness, excitement and anger as they learn how and why the relationship unfolds as it does...Schiano presents this dramatic tale of love, pain and soul-searching in clear, easy-to-read prose with an energizing style that dares the reader to set the book down. Highly recommended! - Susan Phelps, author A Lady Without a Latitude

Schiano serves up passion, courage, and clear-eyed honesty in this dramatic debut novel. A roller-coaster romance which vividly captures the rhythm and feel of love's sometimes rocky ride. - Womankind Books, New York

The reader sees the relationship from Jenny's point of view, from her beginning fascination with Susan, through to the end. It is an interesting look into the highs and lows of life with an alcoholic...This is not an easy subject ...It is, however, a situation common to many. Schiano has opened the door to an important subject that few want to discuss.

- R. Lynne Watson, Mega Scene, Palm Springs, Vol. #14

This is a debut novel by Rita Schiano - passionate, courageous and dramatic. Definitely a name to remember. When's the next book out? - ScotsGay Magazine, Scotland