Endorsements
"Through her excellent prose, Ms. Elam Dauw stimulates the reader to reach this emotional catharsis that, in addition to being thoroughly satisfying, may help to guide individuals and their families who are traveling down the path of Alzheimer’s disease. In brief, whether you are interested in Alzheimer’s, music, or just a good story, I urge you to read this book. I promise you won’t forget it."
---Andrew E. Budson, MD, Chief of Cognitive & Behavioral Neurology - VA Boston Healthcare System, Professor of Neurology - Boston University School of Medicine, Associate Director - Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Lecturer in Neurology - Harvard Medical School, Author of Seven Steps to Managing Your Memory: What’s Normal, What’s Not, and What to Do About it.
“Ms. Elam Dauw taps her personal experience with a family member’s dementia to guide us through a musical, multigenerational tale of love and commitment where even a cure for the despicable Alzheimer’s disease seems like a believable possibility. Let us hope that as this book depicts the characters' life stories, its hope for a future without Alzheimer’s may be fully realized.”
---Janis McGillick, MSW, LNHA, Former Education Director, Alzheimer's Association St. Louis Chapter
"Stories of love and music intertwine in this thoughtful and thought-provoking novel by Denise Elam Dauw. If Music Be The Food Of Love makes one think about what it is to love, how it forms, and how Alzheimers disease can affect that intimacy. Tapping into her personal experiences, Denise weaves several lives together, as she tells an intimate and personal tale of life and loss, that retains hope for what future research might unlock."
---Brad R. Cook, owner of Broadsword Books L.L.C., and author of The History of St. Louis Writers Guild
"A travel through generations interconnected by the pure love of music, If Music be the Food of Love is a story that defines the true meaning of love at first sight. Ms. Elam Dauw gives us an intelligent male character who fights for what he believes is right through patience, self-determination, and affection: a male protagonist who truly goes above the call of duty to fight for love. This is a story that charms audiences by the growth of pure love and proves that true love is worth fighting and waiting for!”
–--Andrew Westerman, Language Arts Teacher
“This novel struck multiple chords with me, being at once sadly poignant and beautifully romantic. From the book's first couple of pages, the perceptive reader discovers that Alzheimer's disease will play at least a supporting role in the book. In the final part of the novel, Alzheimer's is clearly the solo performer of a piece every audience dreads hearing. Ms. Elam Dauw's excellent narrative paints a vivid and endearing portrait of each one of her characters. I wanted to be in love and be loved in exactly the same way as Ellie (in Part 3). This is a very moving novel.”
---Wendy M. Hershey, CFA, CFP, CIMA, CAIA
Who Will Be Singing At Your Bedside? (web link)
Amazon and Barnes & Noble Reviews
"I loved the passion in this book. It was inspiring to see each couple overcome initial problems to be with their soul mate. Truly beautiful with a sad but oh so real end that too many families face. The young adult discussion questions at the end of the book were an added bonus for all readers."
-Mrs. B
"Full of romance, this book covers three generations of strong, loving women as well as the musical works that shaped their lives. Beautifully descriptive, you will read about true love through their lives and common illness. Especially good read for people interested in music or learning more about Alzheimer's."
-Dee
"I began this novel upon the referral of a friend, and though it was an unknown author, I was pleasantly surprised how the characters and their actions jumped out at me from the page. Every part was unique, set in various time periods, and moved quick enough to keep the reader engaged. I was completely blown away when I read the twist at the end of part 3, which you absolutely must reach. This is a read every young adult, if not every adult, should read to comprehend the genuine love that's worth risking everything to simply wait for and save... I hope Ms. Elam Dauw writes more classics like this one as it's reminiscent of anything by Nicholas Sparks. Fabulous read!"
- Anonymous
"Dauw tells the tale of three woman and how they triumphed over the obstacles they faced to be with the ones that cared for them most. None of them had it easy as life and even society played against them. Somehow, one way or another they made it through. Their stories will pull at your heart strings and take you on an emotional journey. There were a few telling moments that resonated strong. Most of that happened later with Ellie and Robert; their story was the strongest to me and they had a few moments that are unforgettable. I recommend this for anyone who loves music, romance, or both!"
-S.L. Teller
"Ms. Elam Dauw writes with such passion and charisma that you cannot avoid the overwhelming emotions that cross your path while reading this book. Insightful, intelligent, and passionate are a few of the words that come to mind when describing her writing style. Personally, I was able to connect with each of the characters, allowing me to laugh and cry with them. I will absolutely be reading this book again, and I highly recommend it to all my friends and family."
-Jenni Kath
"This book is a beautiful story covering several generations and the struggles and loves that they endured. The author pulls you right into each story and pulls all of your heart strings. A good read and will recommend it to friends and family."
-M. Jones
"This beautiful novel tells a moving story about the influence of music and the power of love for personal happiness and relationships. The characters caused me to pause and reflect about past situations and future opportunities in my life. Since I read this book my time with my 90 year old mother has taken on a much greater meaning. Music and love offer the perfect balance for a more meaningful life. Ms. Elam Dauw has captured the true essence of what's important in life at any age."
-J. Moloney
"This is a beautiful book. I loved reading it. I enjoyed the history and how love conquers all."
-Jennifer Kollai
---Andrew E. Budson, MD, Chief of Cognitive & Behavioral Neurology - VA Boston Healthcare System, Professor of Neurology - Boston University School of Medicine, Associate Director - Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Lecturer in Neurology - Harvard Medical School, Author of Seven Steps to Managing Your Memory: What’s Normal, What’s Not, and What to Do About it.
“Ms. Elam Dauw taps her personal experience with a family member’s dementia to guide us through a musical, multigenerational tale of love and commitment where even a cure for the despicable Alzheimer’s disease seems like a believable possibility. Let us hope that as this book depicts the characters' life stories, its hope for a future without Alzheimer’s may be fully realized.”
---Janis McGillick, MSW, LNHA, Former Education Director, Alzheimer's Association St. Louis Chapter
"Stories of love and music intertwine in this thoughtful and thought-provoking novel by Denise Elam Dauw. If Music Be The Food Of Love makes one think about what it is to love, how it forms, and how Alzheimers disease can affect that intimacy. Tapping into her personal experiences, Denise weaves several lives together, as she tells an intimate and personal tale of life and loss, that retains hope for what future research might unlock."
---Brad R. Cook, owner of Broadsword Books L.L.C., and author of The History of St. Louis Writers Guild
"A travel through generations interconnected by the pure love of music, If Music be the Food of Love is a story that defines the true meaning of love at first sight. Ms. Elam Dauw gives us an intelligent male character who fights for what he believes is right through patience, self-determination, and affection: a male protagonist who truly goes above the call of duty to fight for love. This is a story that charms audiences by the growth of pure love and proves that true love is worth fighting and waiting for!”
–--Andrew Westerman, Language Arts Teacher
“This novel struck multiple chords with me, being at once sadly poignant and beautifully romantic. From the book's first couple of pages, the perceptive reader discovers that Alzheimer's disease will play at least a supporting role in the book. In the final part of the novel, Alzheimer's is clearly the solo performer of a piece every audience dreads hearing. Ms. Elam Dauw's excellent narrative paints a vivid and endearing portrait of each one of her characters. I wanted to be in love and be loved in exactly the same way as Ellie (in Part 3). This is a very moving novel.”
---Wendy M. Hershey, CFA, CFP, CIMA, CAIA
Who Will Be Singing At Your Bedside? (web link)
Amazon and Barnes & Noble Reviews
"I loved the passion in this book. It was inspiring to see each couple overcome initial problems to be with their soul mate. Truly beautiful with a sad but oh so real end that too many families face. The young adult discussion questions at the end of the book were an added bonus for all readers."
-Mrs. B
"Full of romance, this book covers three generations of strong, loving women as well as the musical works that shaped their lives. Beautifully descriptive, you will read about true love through their lives and common illness. Especially good read for people interested in music or learning more about Alzheimer's."
-Dee
"I began this novel upon the referral of a friend, and though it was an unknown author, I was pleasantly surprised how the characters and their actions jumped out at me from the page. Every part was unique, set in various time periods, and moved quick enough to keep the reader engaged. I was completely blown away when I read the twist at the end of part 3, which you absolutely must reach. This is a read every young adult, if not every adult, should read to comprehend the genuine love that's worth risking everything to simply wait for and save... I hope Ms. Elam Dauw writes more classics like this one as it's reminiscent of anything by Nicholas Sparks. Fabulous read!"
- Anonymous
"Dauw tells the tale of three woman and how they triumphed over the obstacles they faced to be with the ones that cared for them most. None of them had it easy as life and even society played against them. Somehow, one way or another they made it through. Their stories will pull at your heart strings and take you on an emotional journey. There were a few telling moments that resonated strong. Most of that happened later with Ellie and Robert; their story was the strongest to me and they had a few moments that are unforgettable. I recommend this for anyone who loves music, romance, or both!"
-S.L. Teller
"Ms. Elam Dauw writes with such passion and charisma that you cannot avoid the overwhelming emotions that cross your path while reading this book. Insightful, intelligent, and passionate are a few of the words that come to mind when describing her writing style. Personally, I was able to connect with each of the characters, allowing me to laugh and cry with them. I will absolutely be reading this book again, and I highly recommend it to all my friends and family."
-Jenni Kath
"This book is a beautiful story covering several generations and the struggles and loves that they endured. The author pulls you right into each story and pulls all of your heart strings. A good read and will recommend it to friends and family."
-M. Jones
"This beautiful novel tells a moving story about the influence of music and the power of love for personal happiness and relationships. The characters caused me to pause and reflect about past situations and future opportunities in my life. Since I read this book my time with my 90 year old mother has taken on a much greater meaning. Music and love offer the perfect balance for a more meaningful life. Ms. Elam Dauw has captured the true essence of what's important in life at any age."
-J. Moloney
"This is a beautiful book. I loved reading it. I enjoyed the history and how love conquers all."
-Jennifer Kollai