DeSio relentlessly attacks disturbing subjects, like child abuse, grief, bigotry, estrangement, terrorism, and man’s inhumanity to man, with a mixture of brutal honesty and Sedaris-esque humor that makes her readers, both men and women, laugh out loud and label Rose’s will as “a clever, fast-paced, engaging read.”

For the past eleven years, DeSio has been the cranky author of a monthly in-your-face advice column called Ms. Knowitall, published by the Women's Community Connection Webzine with a readership of over 3500 members. “If you want to be happy, at some point you have to look pain squarely in the eye and slap its face,” says the author, who hasn’t lost her Brooklyn accent after 19 years in Phoenix. She lives with her life-partner of 23 years and claims to have documented and transformed all their worst experiences as a couple into hilarious parodies. “I’m thinking of compiling them into a book called, The Secret to Longevity.”

Here’s what readers are saying about Rose’s Will:

“The author is remarkably skilled with language, using fresh images and comparisons where too many other authors might fall back on clichés…The ending is powerful and unexpected…a major accomplishment for a first-time novelist…DeSio is a writer to watch in years to come.”—J.E. Knowles, author of Arusha

“Reading this novel is like rubbernecking the scene of the accident…It takes a very gifted writer to tackle this potentially tear-jerking topic and deliver a novel with great compassion and wit, but no self pity.”—Mary Janosik

“Take the messy stew of family emotions, add a dash of savory sense, a tablespoon each of love and tragedy, some salt of the earth, slip in some hidden spices and mix liberally with humor- what do you get? Rose’s Will that keeps you laughing, crying or sitting on the edge of your seat from start to finish.” – Dianne Post

“DeSio has an amazing talent for voice and dialogue.” – Claire