Long Black Curl

March 30, 2015
Bledsoe’s third tale (after Wisp of a Thing) of the Tufa—Appalachia-dwelling descendants of the Fae, all possessing great musical talent—sees two of their own returning, after a long exile, to fight for leadership of the community. Bo-Kate Wisby feels slighted by the Tufa and wants revenge. She starts by eliminating Rockhouse Hicks, a longtime leader recently fallen on hard times. As the two factions of the Tufa react to this power vacuum, they recall Bo-Kate’s former lover, Jefferson Powell, the only one who understands her weaknesses. Meanwhile, Bo-Kate has recruited a legendary musician, thought dead for decades, to help her achieve her bloody goals. The core concept is solid and fascinating; the execution strikes just the right tone between fantastic and tragic. Bledsoe plays with lyrics and atmosphere, incorporates folklore and superstition to good effect, and even toys with alternate history for further resonance. The slow-building plot works well with the extended cast of characters, but the climax and conclusion feel rushed. Agent: Marlene Stringer, Stringer Literary Agency.

May 15, 2015

The power balance between the Tufa of Cloud County, TN, a group divided for centuries into two rival factions, is upset by the return of Bo-Kate Wisby. Once banished, Bo-Kate has found a way back and wants to unite the Tufa under her own control. First she must eliminate the malevolent force that was Rockhouse Hicks and then she targets the leader of the rival faction, young Mandalay Harris. VERDICT More details emerge of the history and traditions of the Tufa in this third outing (after The Hum and the Shiver and Wisp of a Thing). While it's great to see characters like Mandalay and Bronwyn from earlier books, it is the vividly drawn, seductively destructive Bo-Kate who dominates this story. Bledsoe combines folk music, fae myths, and the regular rhythms of life in an isolated rural community for another magical tale.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2015
The third novel in the Tufa series finds Bo-Kate Wisby and Jefferson Powell, the formerly star-crossed lovers from warring tribes who were exiled from the Tufa, reuniting under dangerous circumstances. Bo-Kate is determined to take control of both tribes; it's a murderous plan, literally, and her secret weapon is a rock-'n'-roll singer who has a serious grudge against any and all Tufa (because it was the Tufa who pulled him out of a plane crash several decades ago and encased him in a time bubble). The only serious threat against Bo-Kate's plan is Powell, who has been brought back from his own exile to stop his former lover. Readers unfamiliar with the earlier books in the series might have a tough time catching upthe author writes as though he's assuming we've read the other booksbut fans of the series (Wisp of a Thing, 2013, was the most recent volume) should have a great time. This is a horror/sf blend with humorous overtonesthe rock singer, Byron Harley, is clearly a twist on 1950s star Bill Haleyand it's a lot of fun.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)