Now it is time to welcome Sophie Avett as she gives a peek into her world and the fabulous clothes that can be found there … and how they came to be SO fabulous.
Make sure you check out the giveaway toward the bottom of the post. It is a definite can’t miss!
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Sophie Avett’s Sinister Stitches Dress Fitting Interview, guest-starring Jennifer Blackstream’s Ivy (Golden Stair)
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 boutique hiding out between the fractured, narrow store-fronts lining the foggy docks. The shingles are ribbed and black. Washed, peeling paint and displays offering 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 may 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 Jennifer Blackstream’s Ivy from Golden Stair was asked to fill out after she wandered into Sinister Stitches.
THE WITCHES WHO STITCH QUESTIONNARE
Please provide the witches with your name: Ivy
Please provide the witches with the following:
Hair Color: Golden blonde
Hair Length: [ ] Short and Sassy, [ ] Medium and Modern, [X] Lush and Long
Eye Color: light brown/burnished gold
Skin Tone: [ ] Ghoulish, [ ] Snow White, [ ] Cina-baby, [ ] Mochalicious, [ ] Dark Chocolate,
[X] Other: bronzed caramel
Please provide the witches with your measurements and body-type.
a.) Height: 5’8”
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
[X] 20 ft. of Hair or More
[ ] Gills and Fins or [ ] Hooves
[ ] Wings (Span: )
[ ] Tail (How many: )
How many heads do you have?
One
Do you have arms and legs? If so, how many?
A pair of each
How dead are you? [x] Living, [ ] Undead, [x] Astral Form*
(*by marriage/bonding)
What are you? (Species/Breed)
A sun elemental.
What is the occasion? (Ideas include: Wedding, Funeral, Sabbath, etc. Oh, and seduction is a valid occasion. The more details, the better.)
A wedding. My husband and I are going to have a formal wedding since our bonding was…private. Well, sort of private. I’m not sure how long Kirill was standing there…
What’s the occasion setting? (Beach, haunted castle, grand ball, etc.)
The royal palace.
Will you be running for your life at some point in the evening? (Helps with shoe selection.)
No. But if my husband is his usual self, I will be running for the bedroom in an attempt at having privacy when he catches me.
Will you be set on fire? Better yet, will you be setting other people on fire?
No intentionally, but it will be an emotional day and I’m still learning to manage my full powers. The fire won’t harm me, but it would be nice if it could be arranged not to harm others as well. Also, any clothing that won’t turn to ashes would be appreciated.
Will you be grave-robbing? (Dirt is a dressmaker’s tedium.)
I don’t believe so.
Is your neck a dinner plate?
No. I’m sure we’ll be getting some lovely china as wedding gifts.
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 due to any shapeshifting.
Describe your last brush with Death in two sentences. (Helps us plan for the unexpected.)
An unexpected power surge made my power flare to unmanageable levels. My husband is an incubus and he…took care of the problem nicely.
Do you need a secret compartment for weapons, wands, tampons, etc.?
No. I am a weapon and I don’t hide anymore.
What are your three favorite colors?
Blue, gold, green
What two colors rattle your kettle?
Black, red
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.
[X]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.
[ ]Other: _____________________
Who is your favorite fairy tale villain?
My husband’s friend Kirill.
If you could be any fairy tale princess, who would it be?
If?
Now, tell us the twit you hate most.
I don’t currently hate anyone.
Anything else you’d like to add…
After many barrels of chocolate, a dash of magic and furious sewing…
Sinister Stitches’ Medieval Mistress,
Gillian Dweyer presents Princess Ivy’s Completed Dress
“Sun Day”
Sweet-pink and violent violet specs of spectral dust waft around the witch cast in the shadow of the grand staircase. Shimmering bubblegum pink corset offer her creamy breasts in sumptuous invitation and waves of cake-like taffeta flare at her knees. She’s a hellish princess on six-inch patent leather ballerina stilettos. She starts waving…like a lunatic: Congratulations!!! Oh, I’m so excited. I can’t believe it—wait, are you on fire? Wait, wait, wait…(*snaps fingers and pink winged eyeglasses fog with purple coffin glass*) Ahhh, much better. Now then, your friend, Princess Irina, recommended us to you, right?
I’m so excited! This is Sinister Stitches’ first wedding! Now, I know you requested blue, gold, and green as your colors—but I couldn’t help it! My dear friend, Elsa the Troll, from Bits and Pieces, was able to snag a few dying phoenix’s feathers, three slieces of Iduna’s golden apples, and a lock of hair from Apollo.
After we acquired these, we contacted Rumpelstiltskin and he agreed to spin an inflammable textile in exchange for someone’s first born. No, not yours. And don’t be ridiculous, it surely won’t be one of ours. Don’t worry, we’ll send that bill to someone who deserves it.
Rumpelstiltskin’s gold will draw off your power and glow nearly as brightly as you do. You’ll also note that the skirt has a yellow fox-glove bell motif. The empire waste is fit for divine nobility, so are the toga straps tied at the shoulder. We’ve tried to give your skin as much breathing room as possible, while still giving you the billowing skirt a princess bride deserves on one of her special days.
Granted that also means, the dress will channel your energy—so, should you get overly excited, we wouldn’t advise anyone touching without taking the proper precautions. Well, not unless they’re prepared to be naked. But I’m assuming the nude gentlemen driving Astrid to distraction by touching EVERYTHING in the store is…well, he’s yours.
Good luck with that, dear. Just warn the naked heathen that his fingertips are sure to…sizzle.
We considered a bridal veil but Astrid—who shares your hair pain—told me such additions would be unnecessary and troublesome. Instead, she’s offered to twist your hair into a fat fishtail braid embroidered with orange blossoms. Regal, fragrant, with just the right note of aristocracy. Perfection.
Now, here’s your Bridal box. It also includes a pair of blue garter belts, a pair of Midas gold slippers from Hellish Heels, and pink rice for the carriage ride home. Oh, and I might have slipped some chocolate and a new copy of ‘Twas the Darkest Night in there. Because really, what the hell else—besides that—is a witch to do when she’s on her honeymoon?
What do you mean you’ve read it? Come here, wench—sit next to me. There’s book boyfriend gossip and gushing to be had.
…
IMPORTANT BULLETINS from THE PIXES:
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 Jennifer Blackstream and Ivy’s adventures in Golden Stair, please check out her website: http://www.jenniferblackstream.com
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Twas the Darkest Night
A New Gotham Novel
A Sinister Stiches Spin-off
by Sophie Avett
Genre: Erotic Gothic Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Skeleton Key Publishing
Date of Publication: March 1, 2014
Number of pages: est. 355 pages
Word Count: est. 160, 000
Cover Artist: Elaina, For the Muse Designs
Blurb:
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 have unfold a tale that only comes to pass on the darkest of nights.
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Excerpt:
“Pardon the interruption, Ms. Karr, but are you ready for dinner?”
She forced her hand to her side and tossed a flat frown over her shoulder. “Indeed, vampire.”
Leaning against the door frame, Marshall was the picture of bloody elegance. Black slacks with a matching vest. A deep wine shirt. He’d left the top buttons undone. It was rich simplicity, and he wore it sickeningly well. Damp, disheveled locks drifted over his eyes as he peered at the blue marble on the coffee table with interest. She breathed in deeply, thoroughly appreciating the combination of his sandalwood body wash and amber cologne. His mouth quirked and she swallowed twice before she could speak. “Huldra, I—”
“And then be done with it, Elsa.” Ingrid reminded her firmly, but added in her signature sultry burst of frost. “Otherwise, enjoy. For both of us.”
Marshall lifted his eyebrows slightly and Elsa flushed and snatched up the speaker. “Ignore her.” She tapped the orb and it died into a mundane glass marble. “I’m ready.” She levered herself out of the chair and tossed the ball back in her bag. It clanked and rattled, circling until it dropped deep into the depths of the magical pocket.
He reached out for her hand. “Come here.”
She draped a black fur stole over her forearm and eyed his palm with suspicion. “Why?”
“I mean you no harm,” he promised.
Their gazes locked, time stilling between the two of them. She searched his expression and found nothing but the steely shrewd regard of a predator. Her feet felt heavy, leavened. She did not come to any man’s beck and call. Never. Never again. She offered her hand, but did not budge an inch. If he wanted her cooperation, he would appeal to her on her terms.
Marshall did not hesitate to take the distance between them, coming to stand so close, so quickly she back-stepped, the back of her shins bumping against the chair. Snowy blue eyes were almost black in the shadows. His cool slender finger closed around her wrist and he hauled her against the solid wall of his chest, his embrace sealing around her like a coffin.
“Stubborn little witch.” He yanked and something popped free from her dress. She hardly noticed. She was gone. Yearning for the individuals folds of the thin skin stretched across his bottom lip, wondering whether each individual wrinkle was a crevice of flavor. What would he taste like? Her tongue snaked out to tease the line of her mouth and she found it a poor substitute for his.
Marshall showed her the writing on the small tag he’d apparently pulled from her dress. “Twirl to activate skirt,” his voice rolled over the words in a deep murmur. It vibrated it in his chest and her naked shoulders tensed as she stifled a shudder. He took a step back and guided her around. He studied from hooded eyes. Slowly. So very slowly. He savored. Without reserve or shame.
One time around. Then two. Then a third. Every time their eyes would meet, her skin grew warmer as desire deepened the snowy depths into a profound sapphire blue. Her knees were weak, but as he drew her around faster and faster it didn’t seem to matter. Nothing seemed to matter. He became her only point of focus in a world quickly blurring beyond what she knew. Beyond what she could readily understand.
Magic. It crackled to life, sparking across the textile and thread. Energy tickled her naked thighs and the limp silky material puffed and inflated into a billowing bell of smoky black tulle. “What …” Unfamiliar excitement danced in Elsa’s veins and she reveled in the fabric twirling about her. Wispy and light. Akin to smoke and shadows, the bottom hemmed by a ring of gray fog.
Marshall finally drew her to a stop and she mopped her hair back out of her face, breathless. He didn’t immediately close the distance between them again, and Elsa couldn’t control her legs as they carried her across the floor until the hem of her large skirt covered his slick black dress shoes. Their gazes held. They stood enthralled in the moonlight. Pale light beating down them like a blessing.
“Beautiful,” he whispered and backed away toward the door, drawing her along with him.
Tethered to him by their entwined fingers, Elsa allowed her feet to carry her across the oak, and she couldn’t help but feel like somehow, someway, Marshall had finally caught her.
*****
Author Info:
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 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.)
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.
http://sophieavett.weebly.com/about.html
(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/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7779293.Sophie_Avett
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Giveaways!
Free e-Book Copy of ‘Twas the Darkest Night
The first five people to comment on one of Sophie Avett’s Bewitching Book Tour Stops will automatically win a free e-book copy of ‘Twas the Darkest Night. Available formats include: mobi, pdf, epub, and prc.
Interested parties should leave their email address and which format they would prefer at the end of their comment. The ravens will keep tally and submit prizes! (If your e-reader format is not listed, contact the ravens directly via the contact form and the ravens will fashion a book especially for you!) Likewise, any winner of Sophie Avett’s contests will also receive a free e-book copy of ‘Twas the Darkest Night.
BUT THAT’S NOT ALL!! You can also win:
1 Carriage Charm
1 set of Raven earrings
1 Sinister Stitches Dress
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.
ENTER HERE!
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112f579
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Romantic Reads and Such 
Hi Romantic Reads! Here, have a cookie! Thank you so much for hosting me–I really appreciate it. Everything looks wonderful. 🙂
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