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Blessings and Curses
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
1 day and 17:04:49
100 copies available
U.S. only
"A cleverly constructed Christian Mystery wrapped in romance, coated in spiritual longing, with a would-be priest and a serial killer at its core." –Chanticleer Reviews
Olivia Douglass is undecided about becoming a priest even after she has completed seminary. She is adopted and for most of her life, she has had a curse over her that she has held secret. In order to help her find out whether or not she is led to the priesthood, her parish priest gives her an assignment – to pray with an inmate on death row. The relationship with the inmate makes her curious about her own life before she was adopted. Before he is executed, the inmate asks for Olivia’s help and in honoring his personal request, she discovers something in her past that threatens to uproot her ordinary life with her adopted family and causes her to desperately struggle to hold on to her persona and position.
Olivia Douglass is undecided about becoming a priest even after she has completed seminary. She is adopted and for most of her life, she has had a curse over her that she has held secret. In order to help her find out whether or not she is led to the priesthood, her parish priest gives her an assignment – to pray with an inmate on death row. The relationship with the inmate makes her curious about her own life before she was adopted. Before he is executed, the inmate asks for Olivia’s help and in honoring his personal request, she discovers something in her past that threatens to uproot her ordinary life with her adopted family and causes her to desperately struggle to hold on to her persona and position.
- GenresFictionContemporary
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2018
27 people are currently reading
8300 people want to read
About the author
Judy Kelly
3 books27 followersJudy Kelly presently is an adjunt professor at Montgomery College in Maryland. She has been an elementary school teacher and a high school teacher in Fairfax, Virginia. She is an avid bicyclist, running enthusiast, enjoys playing the piano and an active member of her church. She lives in Maryland. That Ever Died So Young is her first published work of fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 28, 2020
Disclaimer: Judy Kelly very graciously beta read my literary novella about a year ago, and I also beta read a novel in progress for her. I bought this, one of her published works, at the 2019 Gaithersburg Book Festival.
All of this being said, perhaps my rating is low, if anything. I admit, I read some Toni Morrison before this, and that’s a high bar. Also, this novel is Christian Inspiration and Mystery, with genre conventions that aren’t to my usual taste.
The plot follows Olivia Douglass, soon to be ordained as an Episcopal priest, though she’s having a crisis of faith. She’s been dealing with feelings of unworthiness, which she calls a “curse,” since she was a little girl, and it’s all coming to a head now. Her mentor, Fr. Wilson, suggests that she test herself by praying with a man on death row. Little does she know that these encounters will not only challenge her abstractly, but also uncover very personal secrets and truths about her life.
Speaking of bias, there’s a lot in this novel that intrigued me because I explored similar themes in my novella. Both Kelly and I are interested in redemption. Our main characters are dealing with feelings of unworthiness; Olivia calls hers a curse, and mine calls hers the boogeyman. Their sisters, also dealing with guilt, turn towards danger and addiction instead. The protagonists are similarly stuck in unhealthy romantic relationships, though frankly I’m not sure what Olivia ever saw in Claude, whose main attribute seems to be denigration towards women. Luckily Olivia gets a better match down the line.
And finally, Kelly and I both wrote characters whose acts were so heinous that they ended up in prison. I think Kelly had a more difficult job to do here. My prison character was nowhere near as bad as Leon, though then again, perhaps I’m not objective, since I had to get into my character’s head in order to write him. :P Still, my character accidentally killed his uncle by shoving him into a hard surface during a vicious fight; Leon was responsible for kidnapping, sexually abusing and murdering several girls. Oy.
Kelly isn’t interested in the gory details. She wants to find a sliver of humanity within Leon during his final days. It’s an argument where we largely agree, I think—that people aren’t born evil. It’s a fine line between acknowledging that and not letting a villain off the hook. Similarly, through Olivia and her romantic replacement, Wesley, Kelly showcases adults struggling with the questionable but ultimately beyond-their-control choices they made as children. I’m not a Christian, but as a Jew I can appreciate the restorative salve they found in faith.
The writing could be passive and it needed a thorough edit. But that’s something to lay at the feet of Kelly’s publisher, Black Rose Writing. From my research it seems like they don’t do any editing of their manuscripts at all, and several reviews of their books cite finding lots of grammatical mistakes. The indie press world can be a murky place (I’m thinking about, with my literary novella currently out on submission!)
I’m glad I read this; always good to expand the bookish repertoire and engage with new ideas! And perhaps find surprising similarities, too.
All of this being said, perhaps my rating is low, if anything. I admit, I read some Toni Morrison before this, and that’s a high bar. Also, this novel is Christian Inspiration and Mystery, with genre conventions that aren’t to my usual taste.
The plot follows Olivia Douglass, soon to be ordained as an Episcopal priest, though she’s having a crisis of faith. She’s been dealing with feelings of unworthiness, which she calls a “curse,” since she was a little girl, and it’s all coming to a head now. Her mentor, Fr. Wilson, suggests that she test herself by praying with a man on death row. Little does she know that these encounters will not only challenge her abstractly, but also uncover very personal secrets and truths about her life.
Speaking of bias, there’s a lot in this novel that intrigued me because I explored similar themes in my novella. Both Kelly and I are interested in redemption. Our main characters are dealing with feelings of unworthiness; Olivia calls hers a curse, and mine calls hers the boogeyman. Their sisters, also dealing with guilt, turn towards danger and addiction instead. The protagonists are similarly stuck in unhealthy romantic relationships, though frankly I’m not sure what Olivia ever saw in Claude, whose main attribute seems to be denigration towards women. Luckily Olivia gets a better match down the line.
And finally, Kelly and I both wrote characters whose acts were so heinous that they ended up in prison. I think Kelly had a more difficult job to do here. My prison character was nowhere near as bad as Leon, though then again, perhaps I’m not objective, since I had to get into my character’s head in order to write him. :P Still, my character accidentally killed his uncle by shoving him into a hard surface during a vicious fight; Leon was responsible for kidnapping, sexually abusing and murdering several girls. Oy.
Kelly isn’t interested in the gory details. She wants to find a sliver of humanity within Leon during his final days. It’s an argument where we largely agree, I think—that people aren’t born evil. It’s a fine line between acknowledging that and not letting a villain off the hook. Similarly, through Olivia and her romantic replacement, Wesley, Kelly showcases adults struggling with the questionable but ultimately beyond-their-control choices they made as children. I’m not a Christian, but as a Jew I can appreciate the restorative salve they found in faith.
The writing could be passive and it needed a thorough edit. But that’s something to lay at the feet of Kelly’s publisher, Black Rose Writing. From my research it seems like they don’t do any editing of their manuscripts at all, and several reviews of their books cite finding lots of grammatical mistakes. The indie press world can be a murky place (I’m thinking about, with my literary novella currently out on submission!)
I’m glad I read this; always good to expand the bookish repertoire and engage with new ideas! And perhaps find surprising similarities, too.
August 12, 2018
I have never been a religious person and have no beliefs. It just goes to show that one doesn't have to be religious to enjoy 'Blessings and Curses'. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the fact that it revolved around the main character (Olivia) being undecided about becoming a priest, didn't matter. There was enough for me to put religion to one side, as i wanted to find out the mystery of Olivia's adoption, even though it was somewhat predictable. I felt for Olivia when she discovered her past and i did have a tear or two towards the end, when she was finally able to put the past behind her and move forward.
It is the first time that i have read any books by this author and hope to read more. Highly recommended.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review, which was freely given.
It is the first time that i have read any books by this author and hope to read more. Highly recommended.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review, which was freely given.
April 11, 2025
Blessings and Curses offers a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of faith and the human capacity for change, making it a recommended read for those interested in character-driven stories with spiritual undertones.
Readers have also found the novel engaging, regardless of their religious backgrounds. One reviewer on Goodreads mentioned that, despite not being religious, they were captivated by the mystery surrounding Olivia's adoption and found the story emotionally resonant.
Judy Kelly is a compelling novel that delves into themes of faith, identity, and redemption. The story follows Olivia Douglass, a seminary graduate grappling with doubts about her calling to the priesthood. Her journey takes a profound turn when she's assigned to pray with Leon Wilkerson, a death row inmate convicted of heinous crimes. Through their interactions, Olivia confronts buried memories of her own past, leading to transformative revelations
Readers have also found the novel engaging, regardless of their religious backgrounds. One reviewer on Goodreads mentioned that, despite not being religious, they were captivated by the mystery surrounding Olivia's adoption and found the story emotionally resonant.
Judy Kelly is a compelling novel that delves into themes of faith, identity, and redemption. The story follows Olivia Douglass, a seminary graduate grappling with doubts about her calling to the priesthood. Her journey takes a profound turn when she's assigned to pray with Leon Wilkerson, a death row inmate convicted of heinous crimes. Through their interactions, Olivia confronts buried memories of her own past, leading to transformative revelations
August 12, 2019
Blessings and Curses by Judy Kelly is a gentle reminder that as humans we are more than our genetics and environment--we have a soul and higher calling when we are willing to listen. I'm so glad a friend let me borrow her copy!
In Blessings and Curses, Judy Kelly paints a harsh reality of a soon-to-be priest offering solace to a death-row inmate. Olivia Douglass has ambitions to become a priest and wife. However, before her ordination Olivia must find the courage to recognize her personal past as a kaleidoscope of defining moments as she enables a death-row inmate to surrender to his. Blessings and Curses by Judy Kelly is an emotional adventure that questions the innate fragments of humanity that exist beyond death row and into the human soul. Kelly’s flawless flow leaves the reader hoping for a resolution to the hidden dynamics of family and faith. –Sharon CassanoLochman, author of Stranded on Thin Ice, Man with the Sand Dollar Face, and Spiritual Verse Today
In Blessings and Curses, Judy Kelly paints a harsh reality of a soon-to-be priest offering solace to a death-row inmate. Olivia Douglass has ambitions to become a priest and wife. However, before her ordination Olivia must find the courage to recognize her personal past as a kaleidoscope of defining moments as she enables a death-row inmate to surrender to his. Blessings and Curses by Judy Kelly is an emotional adventure that questions the innate fragments of humanity that exist beyond death row and into the human soul. Kelly’s flawless flow leaves the reader hoping for a resolution to the hidden dynamics of family and faith. –Sharon CassanoLochman, author of Stranded on Thin Ice, Man with the Sand Dollar Face, and Spiritual Verse Today
November 1, 2019
Such a Good Book
This book was thought provoking, inspirational, and thoroughly enjoyable. This book to me through every emotion possible. I probably explored some emotions I wasn't even aware I had. This was a book that demonstrated in a very real way, the power of God's love and the power of forgiveness. I will be telling everyone about it. To God be all glory!
This book was thought provoking, inspirational, and thoroughly enjoyable. This book to me through every emotion possible. I probably explored some emotions I wasn't even aware I had. This was a book that demonstrated in a very real way, the power of God's love and the power of forgiveness. I will be telling everyone about it. To God be all glory!
September 14, 2019
This book was presented to me as Christian fiction and has been accepted by many readers as such—the first thing I want to make clear to anyone reading this review is that it is not Christian fiction. Blessings and Curses is a work of Catholic fiction—I acknowledge there are many who will lump any book that mentions God and faith into the same category, especially considering Christian fiction has a stronger presence than Catholic fiction, but I personally find them to be very different genres, as much as they are different religions entirely. Call me nitpicky, but as a devout Christian, I must—and will always—make a difference between Christian and Catholic material. There are no Priests or Fathers or perishes in Christianity, we do not perform the prayer of “Hail Mary” and we do not wear rosary beads. I will say this now and however many times I need to say it again in the future; Christianity and Catholicism are not the same faith nor religion—and that is not up for debate, not with me at least.
Now that the elephant has been ushered from the room, I’d like to say the inclusion of Catholic customs did not hinder my enjoyment of this book nor did it impact my rating. In fact, I think Blessings and Curses is a fine read for YA and adult audiences—Christian, Catholic, or otherwise. The writing was solid and full of emotion; it was very easy to relate to Olivia and her questions, her wavering, and her curiosity about her past. I’ll admit, the mystery behind her life before adoption was a little predictable but that doesn’t mean I didn’t feel my heart skip a beat or feel a tug at my sensitive side while going through each page.
Blessings and Curses introduces faith, mystery, romance, and even a little suspense as we follow Olivia on her journey of self-discovery and spirituality. She comes into the life of a death row inmate and begins asking hard questions about herself, her faith, and the circumstances we find ourselves in as unique human beings. I personally liked Olivia and I think the style of narration really helped to highlight just how unique she was. Olivia was not a shy little church girl filled with everlasting hope—she was a person with problems and was determined to find answers to each one of her questions, no matter how painful the process was. Despite her meek demeanor, I thought Olivia was honestly a strong woman who brought a very interesting sense of grit to the story.
I recommend this story to YA, new adult, and adult readers who enjoy contemporary fiction, Christian fiction, and Catholic fiction. Anyone who likes emotional reads and tough journeys of self-discovery and reflection will certainly want to spend an afternoon with this.
*I received a free copy of this book, on behalf of The Rebel Christian, in exchange for an honest review*
Now that the elephant has been ushered from the room, I’d like to say the inclusion of Catholic customs did not hinder my enjoyment of this book nor did it impact my rating. In fact, I think Blessings and Curses is a fine read for YA and adult audiences—Christian, Catholic, or otherwise. The writing was solid and full of emotion; it was very easy to relate to Olivia and her questions, her wavering, and her curiosity about her past. I’ll admit, the mystery behind her life before adoption was a little predictable but that doesn’t mean I didn’t feel my heart skip a beat or feel a tug at my sensitive side while going through each page.
Blessings and Curses introduces faith, mystery, romance, and even a little suspense as we follow Olivia on her journey of self-discovery and spirituality. She comes into the life of a death row inmate and begins asking hard questions about herself, her faith, and the circumstances we find ourselves in as unique human beings. I personally liked Olivia and I think the style of narration really helped to highlight just how unique she was. Olivia was not a shy little church girl filled with everlasting hope—she was a person with problems and was determined to find answers to each one of her questions, no matter how painful the process was. Despite her meek demeanor, I thought Olivia was honestly a strong woman who brought a very interesting sense of grit to the story.
I recommend this story to YA, new adult, and adult readers who enjoy contemporary fiction, Christian fiction, and Catholic fiction. Anyone who likes emotional reads and tough journeys of self-discovery and reflection will certainly want to spend an afternoon with this.
*I received a free copy of this book, on behalf of The Rebel Christian, in exchange for an honest review*
September 11, 2019
It is a Christian book with mystery, suspense, drama, and romance all rolled into one novel.
Olivia was training to become a Priest, but she seemed to have a mysterious curse holding her back and she didn’t quite know what it was—other than a shadow hanging over her head.
When she was a small child, she had been adopted by parents, who had always given her unconditional love and acceptance. But she had a curiosity about her previous life, especially since she couldn’t remember much about it. Olivia and her sister, Kara, had something between them and she couldn’t quite figure out what it was. However, life was good, otherwise. Olivia was a very religious person and her character was unique and well-written.
Things began to change when Father Wilson asked her to pray with a prisoner on death row, two weeks prior to his execution. Olivia was troubled by the gruesome and horrible life of the prisoner and his son—they had abused young girls for many years. Olivia began thinking about the blessings of a loving God versus the curses of a spiritual adversary—satan.
At this point in the book, there were many twists and turns, including a great deal of secrets—right up to the end of the book.
The book was generously provided by the author in exchange for my unbiased review.
Olivia was training to become a Priest, but she seemed to have a mysterious curse holding her back and she didn’t quite know what it was—other than a shadow hanging over her head.
When she was a small child, she had been adopted by parents, who had always given her unconditional love and acceptance. But she had a curiosity about her previous life, especially since she couldn’t remember much about it. Olivia and her sister, Kara, had something between them and she couldn’t quite figure out what it was. However, life was good, otherwise. Olivia was a very religious person and her character was unique and well-written.
Things began to change when Father Wilson asked her to pray with a prisoner on death row, two weeks prior to his execution. Olivia was troubled by the gruesome and horrible life of the prisoner and his son—they had abused young girls for many years. Olivia began thinking about the blessings of a loving God versus the curses of a spiritual adversary—satan.
At this point in the book, there were many twists and turns, including a great deal of secrets—right up to the end of the book.
The book was generously provided by the author in exchange for my unbiased review.
April 12, 2023
Redemption
Olivia is in her last semester at seminary when she is asked to go to the state prison to visit a man on death row and pray with him. This visit sets a whole series of events in motion in her life, beginning with her questioning her decision to become an Episcopal priest. She is adopted but cannot remember anything at all about her life before she moved to England with her new family, and her encounter with the prisoner has raised disturbing questions about that previous life which she feels driven to find the answers to. Along the way she deals with sin, fear, faith, and love, as she looks for her past and her future.
Olivia is in her last semester at seminary when she is asked to go to the state prison to visit a man on death row and pray with him. This visit sets a whole series of events in motion in her life, beginning with her questioning her decision to become an Episcopal priest. She is adopted but cannot remember anything at all about her life before she moved to England with her new family, and her encounter with the prisoner has raised disturbing questions about that previous life which she feels driven to find the answers to. Along the way she deals with sin, fear, faith, and love, as she looks for her past and her future.
September 6, 2025
I’m not super religious but I really enjoyed the book and the lessons within it. I really enjoyed all the character development and felt that it was relatable for a lot of readers. Personally I’ve been trying to learn to trust the process more and remind myself that I’m on the right path, so I felt like this book was super optimistic and hopeful. The discovery of the inmates crimes was a good thriller/mystery element that kept me engaged. And I felt that the characters relationships were all meaningful and wholesome. At times I felt like the writing was a little repetitive with certain lines having repeating elements. But overall this was a refreshing and hopeful read.
August 26, 2018
Overall I enjoyed this book, with it's topics of forgiveness and redemption. It did deal with some tough issues. And there was a bit of swearing in one scene near the beginning that was uncomfortable to read.
The character's faults and emotional pain were very well crafted and drew you into the story. It is worth reading.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy via NetGalley. A review was not required. The views and opinions expressed are my own.
The character's faults and emotional pain were very well crafted and drew you into the story. It is worth reading.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy via NetGalley. A review was not required. The views and opinions expressed are my own.
August 14, 2019
Curses and Blessings:::😂
Well written about religious beliefs and brilliant practices about prayers for everyone else. And how theme about make me feel better and thinking about ,the real life we live. Well Recommend::
Well written about religious beliefs and brilliant practices about prayers for everyone else. And how theme about make me feel better and thinking about ,the real life we live. Well Recommend::
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February 5, 2019This is perfect late night read for after you've put your kids to bed. I was hooked almost from the first chapter and couldn't put it down. Olivia is preparing to become a priest but something is holding her back. She's afraid her faith isn't strong enough to allow her to be able to move forward with her calling so she's visits with her parish's priest. Upon revealing she does not wish to go forward he approaches her with a mission of sorts, pray with a death row inmate at the men's prison. At first she's not sure it's a good idea but eventually she accepts and proceeds to pray with the inmate named Leon who asks that she find his daughter. This request leads her down a path where she will discover who she truly is. Great book from start to finish!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews