I give this book five stars because it's an important subject written as memoir and nestled within the pages of a very readable novel.
- Goodreads
A reader knows in their soul when they've read a book that is going to touch hearts the world over... Elda Dawber has done that with this novel.
- Goodreads
...Wait Until I'm Dead, is a startling story of a young girl's survival "in a family that kindness had forgotten." With her conscientiously chosen words the author engulfs the reader in the stark reality of an abused child. She creates a hopeless, believable aura. The author leads the reader to the abyss!.... Yet, Wait Until I'm Dead isn't a novel of despair, rather the opposite....
- Pat Cook, Witness to Mystery website
Very powerful. Tragic but uplifting. Great insight into feelings and therapeutic needs.
- Amazon Reader Reviews
Elda is a giant in the child sexual abuse prevention community, and so I knew this book would contain a lot of important information about childhood sexual abuse. I never anticipated, however, that it would be such a page turner!
- Amazon Reader Reviews
I thought the author did an amazing job with a difficult subject (child abuse). As a retired social worker with over 35 years of experience, I can tell you it is a subject most people avoid. To present it in the form of an entertaining story with well developed characters and humor was an unexpected but pleasant surprise.
- Amazon Reader Reviews
Just finished this book and highly recommend it. A book within a book, telling the impact of child sexual abuse and the importance of early intervention and treatment. Good character development and several intertwining plots. Author's first book, but I hope not last.
- Amazon Reader Reviews
This is an incredible first book. A page turner that I couldn't put down. Highly recommend it. Elda treats a very painful subject in a way that makes it possible to still sleep at night, if you could only put the book down to do so.
- Amazon Reader Reviews
A reader knows in their soul when they've read a book that is going to touch hearts the world over... Elda Dawber has done that with this novel. On so many levels, it was impossible to put down! Elda's writing style is extraordinarily... the intrigue woven throughout the story kept me up reading late into the night!! She has taken such an emotionally charged topic as child abuse and created an absolute masterpiece that touches, teaches, and opens the door to understanding and empathy.
- Amazon Reader Reviews
Congratulations on getting your book to print! You did a great job in weaving a very sad story undergirded with a craving for life and happiness which is the right of every child. I will not comment on what my feelings were in reading the book; suffice it to say that I was deeply moved. I found the front cover very powerful. Reflection on it bought me to the point of saying, ".... that's it; these portray my feelings!"
- E-mail comment
WOW! That's all I can say. I loved your book! What a great way to talk about survivors' internal lives without getting preachy - excellent use of the book within a book. I also loved the social worker friends who had a chance to demonstrate women's friendship with DJ, as well as talk about the issue, and get angry about women and children's oppression when necessary. All in all - I found it hard to put down. I laughed and cried, and loved that you included an emotionally distant mother, and sisters, and a good brother and one "protective" uncle along with the therapist and great buddies.... Very masterful!
- E-mail comment
Last Wednesday you were at SCCA and provided training on child cruelty/neglect. You also had postcards promoting your book. Well, I ordered your book and read it over the weekend. I hope it's not flippant to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I heard your voice in my head "reading" the book to me! I enjoyed the characters immensely and hope to read more about them (subtle hint: PLEASE WRITE MORE!) Thank you for all you do and have done for so many. You make the world a better place.
- E-mail comment
Peeling the Onion Ch.20 was when I finally felt the desperation and isolation of an abused child. "I mattered to someone." The three lines - changed but repeated - fit as poignant markers, almost last words not to be forgotten but to be imprinted in stone and written with bleeding fingertips.
- E-mail comment
I just finished reading your book. I was drawn into the characters immediately and that stayed with me throughout the whole book. Well written! It is such an emotional topic and I went along the roller coaster of emotions through the eyes of each person. I paid particular attention to DJ's long recovery and the steps needed. So many layers.
- E-mail comment
Just wanted to share that I read your book. You are an amazing author! Not only was it a great story, but it provided excellent information about the impact of sexual abuse. Best wishes for getting it published and circulated to a wider audience! Just posted a note on Facebook recommending your book to my friends.
- E-mail comment