Black Candle Women: A Read with Jenna Pick

From School Library Journal In the decades before the novel's present, Augusta Montrose was blessed with a gift from her ancestor, the loa Lanora; recognizing this, the powerful Bela Nova began training her in the religion of Voodoo and the practice of hoodoo magic. But when Augusta ran off with Bela Nova's son, Bela Nova cursed the Montrose family: the men they love will die. Years later, as her daughter, Madelyn, struggles with addiction, Augusta takes her granddaughters Victoria and Willow and moves to California. Now the women, including Victoria's daughter, Nickie, cohabitate in an uneasy alliance. Victoria uses Lanora's gift as a therapist; Willow creates spells and potions. When Nickie invites a boy over for her birthday dinner, the women find themselves trying to explain their family curse to a teenager ignorant of their history and gifts. Augusta, left unable to speak after a stroke, struggles to communicate with her family the events that led to the curse. Madelyn joins the household, adding to the tension as she tries to redeem herself. The family fractures, culminating in Nickie running away and the women returning to New Orleans to confront Augusta's past so they can move forward. Chapters provide alternating points of view, and the lack of Madelyn's voice reinforces her outsider status. Augusta's narrative focuses on the past, illustrating the ripple effect of her actions. A Spotify playlist is provided by the author. VERDICT Generations of women must confront their fears, resolve their issues, and rebuild their relationships. Good general purchase.—Tamara Saarinen “If you like Practical Magic … you will love Black Candle Women .” — Jenna Bush Hager “Propulsive and poignant, Black Candle Women concocts an intoxicating potion of warmth, wisdom, and wonder. I was completely and gladly under Ms. Brown’s spell.” —Ava DuVernay “Richly imagined and elegantly told, with plenty of satisfying secrets, heartaches, and twists. Black Candle Women is a promising debut.” —Sadeqa Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of Yellow Wife and Reese's Book Club Pick The House of Eve “A spellbinding romp. This book will have you asking yourself, who amongst us isn’t cursed? More importantly, how far would you go for a chance at love?” —Carolyn Huynh, author of GMA Book Club Pick The Fortunes of Jaded Women “Written with warmth and an eye for detail, Diane Marie Brown’s Black Candle Women explores the bonds of family and the magical power of belief to transform our lives.” —Shaunna J. Edwards and Alyson Richman, authors of The Thread Collectors “ Black Candle Women is a bold and tender story about three generations of women each attempting to find their way amidst the gifts and curses they've inherited. This novel is a wondrous celebration of womanhood.” — Cleyvis Natera, author of Neruda on the Park “ Black Candle Women is a compassionate novel about motherhood, sisterhood, independence, and the reflection and forgiveness required to break generational curses. Diane Marie Brown’s prose, as well as her fascinating main characters, will win you over immediately.” — De'Shawn Charles Winslow, winner of the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and author of Decent People “A big-hearted debut, with complex, flawed, and compelling characters I was rooting for every step of the way.” —E.M. Tran, author of Daughters of the New Year “Brown deftly portrays an insular family of women in all of its complicated glory...The spiritual angle gives this powerful family drama a magical twist that will delight readers.” — Booklist (starred review) “For fans of intergenerational family dramas, this magical twist on the genre will prove refreshing.” — Publishers Weekly “[A] gripping Black family drama...Brown’s debut tackles generational trauma in an engaging and heartfelt way.” — Library Journal “Told with warmth and wit, this page-turner cooks up a complex stew of family, love, and magic.” — Woman’s Day Diane Marie Brown is a professor at Orange Coast College and a public health professional for the Long Beach Health Department. She has a BA and MPH from UCLA and a degree in fiction from USC’s Master of Professional Writing Program. She grew up in Stockton and now lives in Long Beach, California, with her husband, their four daughters, and their dog, Brownie. Black Candle Women is her debut novel. Read more