Some debts are a great joy to carry. This has been one of them. Sophie Avett, in the midst of a blog tour with her new novel 'TWAS THE DARKEST NIGHT, took hours out of her schedule to introduce Isa, my heroine from NIGHTMARE INK, to the witchy seamstresses of Sinister Stitches! There's a link near the bottom of this post to enter a contest - I won't say what for. You'll have to look. But don't dawdle. The contest is only open until Monday night!
My characters are either naked or dressed to kill. Given they’re all monsters stalking the city of New Gotham’s twisted, cracked, and cobbled streets, the criminal wardrobe is part of the job description. Rockabilly princesses, corpse brides, leather queens…my city is full of them.
Where do they get their menacing
threads?
There is a
boutique hiding out between the fractured, narrow store-fronts lining the foggy
docks. The shingles are ribbed and black. Washed, peeling paint and displays
offer views into wicked leather and lace studded glam. The mannequins are
ghoulish beauties stitched together from whatever was left from the last fool
to cross one of the sinister witches.
Push open its shabby, frosted front door. Tiny white flakes of paint will pepper the wind like spectral dust. The minute you set heel onto waxy polished oak floors and step into the candelabra fire-light you know…
This is where the magic happens.
Welcome
to Sinister Stitches
“…apparel
for a wicked fairy tale.”
A spicy
trinity of black magic sisters breathe star-dusted dreams to life with their
gothic apparel boutique. They are schooled in the old ways of “fabric-bending”
by the Needlewitches of old. With this knowledge, they’ve created an entire
line of clothing that all share the same basic design element: one-size fits
all. Each garment will magically tailor itself to its wearer once worn. There
might be some “twirling” required, but a vampire’s steady hand should turn
every wardrobe change into a stolen moment.
Care to take
a peek at what the Sinister Stitches has to offer?
Check out some of the questionnaire Marcella Burnard’s Isa from Nightmare Ink was asked to fill out after she wandered into Sinister Stitches.
THE WITCHES WHO STITCH
Please provide the witches with your name: Isa Romanchzyk
Please
provide the witches with the following:
Hair
Color: Black
Hair
Length: [ ] Short and Sassy, [ ] Medium and
Modern, [X] Lush and Long
Eye
Color: Dark brown/black
Skin
Tone: [ ] Ghoulish, [ ] Snow White, [X]
Cina-baby, [ ] Mochalicious, [ ] Dark Chocolate,
[ ] Other:__________
Please provide the witches with your measurements and body-type.
a.) Height:
5’7”
b.) Body
Type: [ ] Skeletal, [x] Lean and Tender, [ ] Lean and Tough, [ ] Ripe and
Edible
Do you have any extra extremities? Place an “X” to all that apply.
[ ] Horns or
[ ] Halo
[ ] 20 ft. of
Hair or More
[ ] Gills and
Fins or [ ] Hooves
[ ] Wings
(Span: )
[ ] Tail (How
many: )
How many heads do you have? NOT funny. One. Physically. I don’t care what *he* says. I’m still in the driver’s seat.
Do you have arms and legs? If so, how many?
Yes,
of course, but I don’t…*glances down at full body tattoo of winged demon* uhm.
Usual number. For the moment.
How dead are you? [X] Living, [ ] Undead, [X] Astral Form – extra-planar travel as pertains to the working of magic. Can’t be helped.
What are you? (Species/Breed)
No one really knows, right? I mean, genetically, we’re told we’re still human.
Ish. But the fact that I draw things that come true … suggests more. And this
guy? *Gestures to the gleaming emerald eye of her tattoo* He’s complicated.
What is the occasion? (Ideas include: Wedding, Funeral, Sabbath, etc. Oh, and seduction is a valid occasion. The more details, the better.)
Apparently, I’m to be used as a ‘key’ to open a door between worlds. I gather this will end in my demise, thus it’s likely to also be a family reunion of sorts. Unless you can do something that would turn away a silver knife blade? Or at worst, something my funeral director can wash the bloodstains from?
What’s the occasion setting? (Beach, haunted castle, grand ball, etc.)
The rusty, cold hold of a fishing
boat/Astral (Otherworld, Dreamtime – whatever you’d like to call it.)
Will you be running for your life at some point in the evening? (Helps with shoe selection.)
No. I’d like to think so, but no. Chains
are likely to figure into the restraint plan. My nemesis seems to have a
limited imagination on that front.
Will you be set on fire? Better yet, will you be setting other people on fire?
How I wish I could set certain people
afire. I can guarantee, however, that bolts of magic, including the odd curse,
will be flung with malicious intent.
Will you be grave-robbing? (Dirt is a dressmaker’s tedium.)
No! Desecrate sacred ground?? Is that what
you think of me?
Is your neck a dinner plate?
If the demon sewn to my skin is to be
free, he must rip out my throat and take over my body.
Life for life. So when we say ‘dinner plate’, think in terms of ‘last supper’.
Do you hope to be naked at some point in the evening? (All right, dirty birds. Such questions are actually intended toward the weres and shifters in regards to their transformations.)
Not on purpose.
Describe your last brush with Death in two sentences. (Helps us plan for the unexpected.)
Tortured and starved for six weeks, which
is when the Living Tattoo was forced upon me with the intent of stealing my
magic and my life. Spider Woman forbade my death.
Do you need a secret compartment for weapons, wands, tampons, etc.?
No. I have more than enough secrets,
thanks.
What are your three favorite colors?
Black, black, dark gray. What? I grew up
in a conservative household. My piercing artist tries to get me to wear other
colors. I just don’t see the point.
What two colors rattle your kettle?
Light blue, white
Please pick a style that you feel embodies you the best. If none apply, feel free to surprise us by providing your own brilliant description in the “other” slot.
[ ]
Rockabilly Starlet: This
is for the spoonfuls of sugar. The good-natured and naughty girl next door
types. Candy is the business and fairy tales are ultimate. More often than not,
her head is in the clouds and her nose in the book. Our dreamers.
[ ]
Leather Queen: This
is for the warrior princesses. The type of girls who give boys a run for their
money and wear tight jeans just watch the little vampires come undone. Hands
for fighting and these heels for ass-kickings. Our protectors.
[ ]
Medieval Mistress: This is for the no-nonsense girls. The ones
who know better because they’re ten steps ahead. They’re schemers—they might be
shy, or they might not be. More importantly, they’re selective. Our wisdom.
[ ]
Gothic Dame: This for the mysteries.
The ones no one can quite make heads or tails out off. She’s a mixture, a
melting pot of sugar and sinister. She might be Rockabilly Starlet one day, or
a Medieval Mistress other days. Our sisters.
[X]
Other: Hard working, barely getting by tattoo artist and extra-planar
traveler. Brought up in the Navajo Nation by a trio of elders who taught me
healing, chant, and trance work. Other cultures say ‘shaman’. Special
consultant to the Seattle Police Department’s Acts of Magic Unit.
Who is your favorite fairy tale villain?
No favorites. Monsters are real. I’ve
known too many of them. Sometimes, I think I may be one.
If you could be any fairy tale princess, who would it be?
Is there a fairy tale princess of normal?
I’d like that. To have people not be afraid of me or the magic. If only for a
few minutes.
Now, tell us the twit you hate most.
So many choices… the one who kidnapped and
tattooed me – Daniel. No. The monster tattooed on Daniel. No! My cousin
Charlie. Oh yeah. He’s the one. All right. I admit it. If I could desecrate his
grave? We’d be designing a very different dress.
Anything else you’d like to add…
I mentioned the demon tattooed to my hide.
He’s sharing my living space – my psyche, my body, fighting me for control.
You’d think I’d hate him. I don’t. He’s only looking for freedom. And maybe
revenge. Thing is, if I lose control and he wins, people will die. A lot of
people. Is it possible to design some kind of warning system into the clothing?
While I’m me and throwing sparks of amber magic, the clothes stay one color? But if his midnight dark magic takes over – I
don’t know – can the clothes turn into a flashing DANGER sign?
After
many barrels of chocolate, a dash of magic, and furious sewing…
Sinister
Stitches’ Gothic Dame,
Madame
Mari presents Isa’s Completed Dress
“Rebel
Angel”
Spanish
Jasmine, spectral dust and Bayou willow leaves circle the slender figure
shrouded in the midst. Twin viceroy swallowtail wings stretch high over her
back and the sweeping evergreen evening frock spun from clover and cannabis
pales in comparison to the sheer utter majesty of true court:
Welcome to Sinister Stitches, shugah. I’m Madame Mari. This is my little shop
of sissorhands. Now then, let’s get with the stitchin’.
Gillian the Candy Witch, and my beloved eldest, was in charge of your skirt. The mini-tutu petticoat
skirt is fashioned from sable silk spun from black butterfly cocoons and
brimstone crepe imported from The Veil. The fabric is light, soft, and slightly
crinkled to give you that extra effortless sweet and sour silhouette. Expect
two volume adding tiers with ruffled mesh frills at the hems.
As far as
your query about a “danger sign,” all you need for that is an accessory, dear.
Astrid,
my daughter, got in touch with her friend, Elsa the Troll, from Bits and
Pieces. Together, they scoured the goblin markets in search of just the thing. Pay
special close attention to the beaded necklace, dear.
While you’re in control, they will appear as mundane Neverland black pearls. In the event all...well, demon should break loose, they will glow white. That way everyone’s kettle is rattled and there’s a chance to save the day in time for tea.
We’ve paired
the outfit with a pair of merfolk net stockings and my dear pup, Brenda, threw
in your knee-high, patent leather hooker boots from Hellish Heels. According to
her, one shouldn't stalk around hell on earth in anything else.
Here, take
your dress box. No, no, it’s on the house, dear. You’ve made an old girl laugh
and that’s worth the world to me. Come back and see us for tea, sometime. I’m sure,
Brenda, would so love to share a snarky giggle or two.
IMPORTANT
BULLETINS from THE PIXIES:
Fancy
a tour of New Gotham? Check out New Gotham’s
Survival Guide! It might save your life! (Link: http://sophieavett.weebly.com/new-gotham-bonus-content.html)
For
more information about Sophie Avett’s New Gotham novels and Sinister Stitches
series and
recent release, ‘Twas the Darkest Night, please check out her website: http://www.sophieavett.weebly.com
For
more information about Marcella Burnard and Isa’s adventures in Nightmare Ink,
please check out her website: http://www.marcellaburnard.com/books.html
Image Credit(s): chaoss
Twas the Darkest Night
A New Gotham Novel
A Sinister Stiches Spin-off
Sophie Avett
Genre: Erotic Gothic Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Skeleton Key Publishing
Date of Publication: March 15, 2014
Number of pages: est. 355 pages
Word Count: est. 160, 000
Cover Artist: Elaina, For the Muse Designs
Book Description:
Remember the story about the troll who lived under the bridge—yes, well, that twit didn't have to pay rent.
Owner and operator of Bits and Pieces, and resident expert on charms and glamours, Elsa Karr is a witch with a sour frown and a list of things to do as long as Thor’s hammer. Top of the list is saving her father's shop from ruin. If she isn't trying to claw her way out of debt, she's arguing with her cat, Fenris, or shoveling carts of cake into her gob. She's not interested in romance or the vampire who rents the flat above her shop. All she wants is a little peace and chocolate--fine, all right! All right! The vampire is kind of screw all cute. (Curse him.)
The disgraced son and heir of the Wingates House vampire clan and a mad-man to boot, Marshall Ansley spends most of his time working and dodging his mother's phone calls. Marshall is beyond family. He's beyond everyone, actually. Don’t be daft, he especially doesn't do…Christmas. But behold, the plague brings an original flavor of annoyance this year when his boss tasks him with acquiring the account of a recluse fey and her upcoming Gothic clothing boutique, Sinister Stitches. That is the ONLY reason he's bothering with his shrewish landlord. No, that's it. No…really. Fine, if you insist, the witch might be a tad bit...all right, she's adorable. (Damn her.)
Scrooge meets Scrooge. Dominant meets Dominant. Tempers…spark. In each other, they may unfold a tale that only comes to pass on the darkest of nights.
About the Author: Sophie Avett is kind of a nerd. Like not even one of the cute, hip ones everyone brags about nowadays. More like the socially awkward hippie who eats way too much bread and dreams about being a dragon from behind towers of mythology books. Um...yeah. Picture old, tattered paperbacks and comic books--mostly Batman and Wonder Woman--dwarfing a tiny desk, with just barely enough room for the troll who writes there and the 70 pound hell-hound that insists of laying it's wet nose on top of her bare foot.
Granted not the most exciting existence, but she tries to make up for it by writing romances populated with her own peculiar ilk of paranormal beasties. Trolls, wyverns, the obscure Nordic brownie--she likes to keep things interesting. And bloody. (And mostly naked--but, we'll keep that bit between us.)
Granted not the most exciting existence, but she tries to make up for it by writing romances populated with her own peculiar ilk of paranormal beasties. Trolls, wyverns, the obscure Nordic brownie--she likes to keep things interesting. And bloody. (And mostly naked--but, we'll keep that bit between us.)
Sophie Avett loves to hear from her readers. (Hi, mom.) So if there's something on your mind, feel free to leave a message after the scream.
(Mom, seriously…you can just call me.)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SophieAvett
Post-Its, the Blog: http://sophieavett.weebly.com/post-its-the-blog.html
Brimstone Pub, the Blog: http://thebrimstonepub.com/
Take
a trip to New Gotham!
A
paid vacation to New Gotham is an expensive affair. So, the ravens have decided
to cover the cost of travel and fashion this delightful "Carriage
Charm."
"Naked
wizards and scheming vampires? Where do I sign?!" all the witches scream
and random sparks of black magic crackle across the ceiling.
We're
getting to that, dearies...
An
Appointment for Tea with Mrs. Potts the Storymaven (aka Fairy Godmother) will
require the use of the earrings the pixies have fashioned out of raven skulls,
AKA, "Raven Ear-wings."
The baubles should land the winners in New Gotham's clock-tower square. It could be that they do nothing at all. Or you might end up in oblivion. Good luck with that. The crickets will read about it in the papers, no doubt.
“What
do I have to do?” everyone screams and waves their good silver stakes in the
air. (Good girls.)
How
to Win the Vacation of a Lifetime...
You
have to fill out information in the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of the tour
stops
Win
a Dress from Sinister Stitches!
Sophie
Avett's ravens have partnered with the Witches-Who-Stitch to offer a special
prize. It’s a dress featured in Sophie’s upcoming release, ‘Twas the Darkest
Night. The sinister witches made it special for Elsa but after many carts of
cake offered to the trinity in sacrifice, they have agreed to stitch an exact replica
for one lucky witch.
“What
do I have to do?!” everyone screams and fails theirs arms like deranged
daisies. (Just go with it.)
How
to Win a Dress...
You
have to sign up via the Rafflecopter form that will be posted at the bottom of
each and every Sinister Stitches Tour Stop
At
the end of Sophie Avett’s Bewitching Book Tours campaign (March 17 to March 31
2014) the ravens will announce a winner and gather that witch's measurements
via email.
Well?
What
are you waiting for?
Every
girl needs a dress for a wicked fairy tale.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
March 17 Guest blog
Erotica by Cori Vidae
March 17 Spotlight
Book Liaison
March 17 spotlight
Sapphyria's Steamy Book Reviews
March 18 Character Interview
Bitten By Love Love Reviews
March 18 Spotlight
Behind Closed Doors
March 18 Guest blog
The Snarkology
March 19 Interview
Eclipse Reviews
March 19 guest post
Books & Tales:
March 19 Spotlight and review
Penny For Them...
March 20 Spotlight
Author Karen Swart
March 20 Interview
Words Without Limits
March 21 Guest blog
Magic and Mayhem
March 21 Interview
The Simple Things in Life
March 24 Guest blog (all week feature)
Kay Dee Royal
March 24 Interview
Darkest Cravings - Adult Blog
March 25 Guest blog
Erotica For All
March 25 Interview
All I Want and More
March 26 Guest blog
Fangs, Wands & Fairy Dust
March 26 Interview
Butterfly-o-Meter Books
March 27 Spotlight
Shut Up & Read
March 27 Spotlight and review
The Book Review
March 28 Guest blog and review
Romantic Reads and Such
March 28 Guest blog
Aly's Miscellany
March 31 Spotlight
Share My Destiny
March 31 review
Nicky Peacock Author
