4.5 stars.

I really enjoyed this one! The Montrose women are varied in their lives and their beliefs about the “family curse”.
I saw so much of my own relationship with my mother in Nikkie and her mom. It’s so strange how, no matter how much a parent “trusts” their kid, they almost always inevitably do something to push the kid away before realizing the error of their ways.

I thought the dynamics between the family generations was very relatable. The multiple POVs present us with unique perspectives and difficult decisions (and a little miscommunication *sigh*). But the Montrose women have a lot to offer. The mystery plot was interesting but the flashbacks pushed me away when I was really getting into a certain character POV. I enjoyed the fantasy elements and the past setting of magical new orleans was great.

Black candle women by Diane Marie Brown

This story surrounds three generations of women, continuously trying to protect themselves and now the youngest generation from their family curse. In addition to dealing with their internal conflict , they also have to decide as to whether they should finally take a chance on life and love. This book contained multiple elements shaping the story. I loved that it included many aspects of New Orleans culture and tradition, including Voodoo practices and the huge black catholic population there. Because I'm not a fan of voodoo practices even in books, cannot speak on how accurate the portrayal of these things was, especially with regards to the New Orleans aura.
The best thing about this story was the multiple points of view which were pretty well interwoven. I loved Willow and Nanagusta’s characters. The main trope of the book is miscommunication ( am a little impatient with that particular trope) . But because it was an intergenerational thing, I could kind of understand it. I think most of us can relate how complicated mother daughter conversations can be. And how miscommunication can be a part and parcel of that relationship. The characters aren't overshadowed, and readers get a complete and in-depth picture of their stories. With this story centering around a generational curse, the author did a great job illustrating and emphasizing how a person's decision at the top of a lineage affects each generation after.

It was a 3.5 ⭐️ read for me. And I think there should be a star added for that beautiful cover!!

I love a generational story!

This book was slow at first and it took some time to get into but once things started rolling, they never stopped!

This is a story of generational history and voodoo! All that needed to be said was black witches and I was reading it! Plus the cover is everything!

I enjoyed this very much. It started off a bit slow, but picked up about 1/2 way through and finally focused some on the magic parts of the story. A fun, unique read, but also emotional.

While an enjoyable read, this was definitely missing something for me.

I wanted more of a New Orleans feel to it, and I felt like a lot of things happened off page. More telling than showing, you know.

I did enjoy Nanagusta's background story a lot, and Willow was definitely a character I wish we got more from.

I feel like adding Nickie to to the storyline made things a bit more convoluted and took away from Victoria, Willow and Nanagusta's story.

Overall, a good book if you're interested in generational curses and magic, and following different POVs.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. Review based on final copy. All opinions are my own.
Black Candle Women is an intriguing debut novel, combining the family saga/drama with magical elements. While that combination can be rather-hit-or-miss for me, it actually worked for me, albeit with some caveats. I love mess, and this is a fairly well-executed mess, even if the main flaw is miscommunication among family members.
It definitely takes time to fall into the rhythm of things, figuring out the connections between characters and the complex family dynamics. But I appreciate that the first part of the book is largely devoted to that specifically, prior to focusing more on the magic in the second half. It was fascinating to explore how each of the major characters was impacted by the curse (if they knew about it anyway, as Nickie is kept in the dark by her mother Victoria initially). From Victoria’s tendency toward self-isolation to Willow’s contrary profession of non-belief in the curse, while not putting herself out there, it’s hard not to feel for them, but also root for them as they navigate these issues throughout. And with it being a family saga, I appreciate the commentary on the complex relationships between mothers and daughters, especially the intense expectations mothers can have for their daughters. It manifests most prominently in Victoria and Nickie’s relationship, but Augusta, as a grandmother who raised Victoria and Willow, also has expectations which are unpacked, commenting on the intergenerational trauma that contributes to their dysfunction.
I had odd feelings about the revelations of the origins of the curse, as while the rest of the family didn’t deserve to be punished, Augusta kind of brought things on herself with her actions. However, she does play a role in healing the rift, so at least there is atonement on her part.
Whether you will enjoy this will depend on the type of reader you are. If you’re going in hoping for something heavily magic-centric, you may be disappointed. But if you go in expecting a messy family drama with magical elements, you might enjoy this book.

A fabrication of the past. Four generations of women plagued with the same deadly curse. Secrets wrapped in a web of lies. Say hello to the Montrose family!!!

This debut novel follows a family of black women held back by a generational curse brought upon them by the wrongdoings of their grandmother. For so long this family secret was hidden and never spoken of to Victoria’s daughter Nickie. But when Grandma Madelyn shows up and stirs the pot revealing the truth. They’re all forced to make peace with what they’ve done in the past and present.

I really found this novel to be entertaining. The premise was also intriguing making the book seem promising. The first half was a slow-burn for me and didn’t really pick up until the second half. But this book was the perfect potion of family drama and miscommunication with a slight dash of hoodoo & magic.

The author was able to magnificently conjure a cohesive connection between all of the characters. The Montrose women not only shared magical abilities or a “curse”. But a true everlasting bond that pulled them back together when things started to fall apart.

I love books with strong female characters. Willow was my fav a bit rebellious but still caring, feisty, sarcastic, and full of sass. She knew how uptight and rigid her sister could be and still found ways to do what she wanted. They all believed in the curse yet Willow was the only one that had doubts.

A lot of what occurred in their family was the fault of grandma Augusta and their lack of open communication. Not to mention the unnecessary lies and them all feeling the need to withhold the truth from each other.

My only downside with the novel is that it lacked appeal on the magic and hoodoo side. Rather than it being the center of the novel it seemed more like the subplot. But the author gave enough drama to keep the reader going.

Overall, I enjoyed the book even with the slow pacing. I came for the magic but stayed for the drama. Special thanks to the author, @hearourvoicestours & @graydonhouse for my advanced copy!!!

Rating: 3.75

Black Candle Women follows the Montrose women as they unfold and work through some of their family history. Nickie just turned 18 and brings Felix home to meet her family. Once he arrives, her mother excuses herself.

You see, the Montrose women are thought to be cursed. Any man they love turns up dead. Is this a family curse or just bad luck.

As the story unfolds, Nickie learns the truth of her family history and their dealings with voodoo and hoodoo.

I’d recommend this book for those who are interested in unfolding generational history and the practice of voodoo.

The beginning started off kinda slow for me…I was thinking there’d be more “magic” if that makes sense. It’s more of learning about where you come from and facing those truths.

Overall it was a solid read…I gave it 3.5 ⭐️ out of 5.

I really had high hopes for what this story could have achieved with its premise, but alas I found that the execution lacked ingenuity. The played out response to what is seen as a slight or impediment to upward social mobility manifesting in a multigenerational curse.

I found the need for validation that Nickie had to be so disappointing and offsetting, the secret keeping, and resentments being held that really hampered the growth of these characters.

To preface this review I must say that I'm not big on the world of voodoo and hoodoo due to my faith in Jesus Christ and the practice of such evil, in my opinion, within my culture.

Beyond this fact, this story follows Nickie who is born to a mother and generation of women who believe that all the women within their family are under a curse that does not allow them to fall in love. All the men they fall in love with die or will die. When Nickie brings home Felix on her 18th birthday, her mother starts to act pretty strange.

The women are forced to face their past and truths are revealed!

I listened to this on audio, narrated by Bahni Turpin. Sometimes the audiobook version of a book saves it for me and this was the case here. I could more easily get lost in the story. It was not a terrible book but not something i'd return to time and again. The intertwining of the three lives was the most tempting- enjoyed the interactions between the generations of women. Around 60%, though I felt the story lag and there was a lot of 'not much' happening. I skipped around to the end. I've enjoyed this author talking about the book and the journey to writing it.

Honestly, I struggled with this story. Characters are having too many internal thoughts and the story itself is just taking too long to gain traction.

Finished ✔️ Black Candle Women by Diane Marie Brown

4 ⭐️’s
Publish Day: February 28th, 2023
Kindle Unlimited: No
Jenna Bush Hager book pick
Propulsive
Poignant
Intoxicating potion of warmth, wisdom, and wonder
Warm and wry family drama with a magical twist about 4 generations of black women
A family curse
One very complicated year of heartache, miscommunication, & learning to let go

#DeesReading #DeesRecs #DeesBookRecommendations #BookNerds #BookNerdProblems #BookNerdsUnited #BookProblems101 BookProblems #BookNerds101 #Bookworms #BookwormProblems #BooksOfFacebook #DeeTheBookReviewer #BookReviewer #NewToMeAuthor #ReadOfTheDay #BookOfTheDay #NetGalley #DianeMarieBrown #BlackCandleWomen

An Intriguing read about a family of women who believe their cursed.
I liked all the magic talk and exploring different dimensions.
Since I was a child I’ve wanted a book of spells like described in the book.
The message of bonds, family, and sisterhood resonate in this novel.

3.5⭐️

Sometimes you just need to read about messy family drama that isn’t yours. This is what you grab when you want that and so much more.

The story features a generational family of Black women left without love because of a Voodoo curse placed on the matriarch. There’s lots of twists, turns, and secrets revealed. Bundle that with the youngest branch of the family refusing to accept the curse as normal and you have this gem of a story about healing generational trauma.

Full Review: https://readingbeyondthebookcover.com/black-candle-women-diane-marie-brown/

4.0 stars. I recommend this book for the gentle reminder that not all curses are equivocal to ultimate doom. In Black Candle Women, through the Montrose women, readers will experience:

- how curses meant to break people can ultimately bond them.
- the reinforced power of family.
- an unsuspecting character becoming the catalyst of change.
- the inescapable emphasis on things happening for a reason.
- forgiveness is always an option. Nobody is beyond giving and receiving it.
- how protection can also be harmful.

I hope you pick this book up. It was a good time ;-). I look forward to seeing what other stories Diane Marie Brown will share with us.

Many thanks to Graydon House, Diane Marie Brown, and NetGalley for an Advanced Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.

**Thank you to Netgalley for this arc.**

As soon as I read the description of this book of the tags of 'New Orleans', 'Black Women', "Voodoo and Hoodoo", "generational", and "secrets", I was so hooked and I really wanted to get my hands on a copy. I absolutely enjoyed Nickie's, Willow's and Augusta's perspectives the best out of our 4 main characters. Especially with Augusta providing more context for the history of their practice and how it started. I think that this is where the story really shone because the setting being New Orleans really captivated me and I enjoyed observing Augusta learning the ways of the Voodoo. I think what worked for me most was how different this matriarch was to each other. How different they parented and interpreted the curse and magic, yet perfectly mirrored in their secrets surrounding their practice and neglect (early on, especially) in educating Nickie about it. Overall, I really did enjoy reading this book this was a great read and I do recommended. 5/5 stars!!

A huge thank you to @netgalley and @graydonhousebooks for the eARC in exchange for this fair and unbiased review. Black Candle Women is about multi-generational women within one family whose lovers all meet a similar fate, dying as a result of falling in love with them. The backdrop of the story being New Orleans along with the gorgeous cover were what drew me to the story initially. Although New Orleans is referenced as the past the places and food were very relevant to my experience there. There were many secrets kept by each of the women and the journey of the unveiling of these secrets is interwoven throughout the book. The angst felt as a reader was quite intense as earlier conversations as in real life families can aid in circumstances and situations being avoided. Such a great story and read.

I was super excited initially by the synopsis of Black Candle Women. A novel that delves into a matriarchal family hiding secrets while trying to out run a devastating curse and practicing hoodoo! Sign me right up. We meet Augusta, her granddaughters Willow...my favorite and her sister Victoria, and her daughter Nikkie. Later on we meet Augusta's daughter Madalyn who did not make the initial migration from New Orleans to California. All we know is the women living lives loving and losing the partners they love, and it goes back to a curse on their family that two of them believe in, two could not be less worried about a fake curse, and Nikkie who doesn't know why she can't live a normal teenage life.

I will say that the novel is very beautifully written in the multiple perspectives of the four generations of Montrose women. I am usually overwhelmed with POV chapters of more than three characters, however the author did a great job in making me care about each of these women and their own personal struggle.

The pacing of majority of the book was a little slow for my liking, especially when I'm supposed to know what the family is up against and why it's important. It took quite sometime for this to be revealed and to "hook" me, often with me putting the book down for days at a time. In contrast the ending snuck up on me and boom we were wrapping up, leaving a lot to be desired. We go on this epic chase, and I felt let down.

I think the author had an amazing idea overall, and parts of the story were executed beautifully, however all the pieces did not connect for me in the end I gave this book a 3.5 rating. I think this author has immense potential and I'd give another work by Diane a try!