Twas the Darkest Night by Sophie Avett

I have a great new guest post today, which comes with some freaking amazing giveaways. So check out what Ms. Avett has to say and then scroll down to enter to win a selection of prizes INCLUDING A DRESS! Also, the first five people to leave a comment will receive a copy of the book, so even if you’re usually shy you might want to make an exception today 😉

Sophie Avett’s Sinister Stitches Dress Fitting Interview, guest-starring Rebekah Ganiere’s Evaine (Dead Awakenings)

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 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 Rebekah Ganiere’s Evaine Michael’s from Dead Awakenings was asked to fill out after she wandered into Sinister Stitches.

THE WITCHES WHO STITCH QUESTIONNARE

Please provide the witches with your name: Evaine Michaels

Please provide the witches with the following:

Hair Color: White

Hair Length: [ ] Short and Sassy, [ ] Medium and Modern, [X] Lush and Long

Eye Color: Ice Blue, but when I get angry or passionate they turn orange like flames

Skin Tone: [ ] Ghoulish, [ ] Snow White, [ ] Cina-baby, [ ] Mochalicious, [ ] Dark Chocolate,

[ ] Other: Pale white, bloodless_

Please provide the witches with your measurements and body-type.

a.) Height: 5’4”

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?

One and I hope to keep it.

Do you have arms and legs? If so, how many?

2 arms, 2 legs thank heavens. A missing limb would be fatal to my kind.

How dead are you?  [ ] Living, [X] Undead, [ ] Astral Form

What are you? (Species/Breed)

Deader*

(*Reanimated Undead)

What is the occasion? (Ideas include: Wedding, Funeral, Sabbath, etc. Oh, and seduction is a valid occasion. The more details, the better.)

Going to the opera. Because I’m a Deader, when I go out I have to wear makeup, a wig and contacts. I don’t like having to put make up on my arms. It is going to be a night in New York and though I don’t get cold, it would probably look strange for me to be wearing something sleeveless in November.

What’s the occasion setting? (Beach, haunted castle, grand ball, etc.)

A New York Opera House. Luca doesn’t really want to go, but he’s a trooper and knows how much the theater means to me, so he got us tickets.

Will you be running for your life at some point in the evening? (Helps with shoe selection.)

I never know, but since the scientists I escaped from are still out there, there is always a possibility. I hope not though. It would be nice to be able to get out for once without the threat of kidnapping.

Will you be set on fire? Better yet, will you be setting other people on fire?

I sure hope not because trying to recover from injury isn’t a pretty for a Deader.

Will you be grave-robbing? (Dirt is a dressmaker’s tedium.)

Probably not. At least I haven’t had to yet.

Is your neck a dinner plate?

No. But if something happens, my dinner could include any part of the internal organs. I sure hope that doesn’t happen though. I’m not a pretty eater.

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.)

If I’m lucky it will be with Luca.

Describe your last brush with Death in two sentences. (Helps us plan for the unexpected.)

Kidnapped by zombies who wanted to cut me into pieces and eat me then let me heal and do it again. I ended up fighting for my life and being rescued.

Do you need a secret compartment for weapons, wands, tampons, etc.?

Nope. My metal powers are all that I need. However it would be nice if I didn’t have to carry a purse full of make up for touch ups.

What are your three favorite colors?

Purple, ice blue, red.

What two colors rattle your kettle?

That’s hard because orange, yellow and brown are all right up there.

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.

[X] 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?

Elpheba from Wicked

If you could be any fairy tale princess, who would it be?

Elsa from Disney’s Frozen. All my life I’ve been good. It wasn’t till I became a Deader that I found out who I truly was and now am stronger for it.

Now, tell us the twit you hate most.

I don’t really hate anyone. It isn’t in my personality. But I do feel bad for the early fairytale princesses. They were all weak and gentle and never learned to be kick ass and strong in their own right.

Anything else you’d like to add…

I’m not a vampire. I’m a Deader.

 

After many barrels of chocolate, a dash of magic and furious sewing…

Sinister Stitches’ Gothic Dame,

Madame Mari presents Evaine’s Completed Dress

“Starlight”

 

Spectral viceroy swallowtail wings fan at her back as Madame Mari sweeps into the room clad in a velvet black sun-dress with crystal blood polka-droplets: Evenin’ wicked ones…

Madame Mari’s the name and stitchin’s the game, honeybunches.

Welcome to my little shop of sissorhands. Let’s get with it, shall we?  Ya’ll note that this piece of damn fine two-piece suit is made from Avalon midnight scarlet satin imported straight from the Veil.

A mild dive and fat velvet lapels frame the double-breasted vest. It’s been lined with a sheer ghost chainmail—a silver bullet and anything else moving that fast (or faster) will past straight through this sucker. A blade will simply slide right through. Tonight, you’re the ghost of the woman in red. Tonight, you’re gonna mysterious and untouchable—‘cause this momma says so.

The plum sash was spun from pixie wings and spider hair. It’s barely there—almost like a neverwinter snowflake melting against your fingertips—but who gives a whit? It’s warm.

The thick folds of the collar hide a small compartment beneath the sleeves for make-up, but you won’t need it, honeybunches. Part of the enchantment provides an appearance glamour thanks to my youngest, Astrid. That’s right, babycakes. These threads are fully-loaded with a and hexed with a glamour purchased from our dear friend, Elsa the Troll’s fabulous Bits and Pieces.

Brenda, my little rebel, made sure to give the dress a spectre dust coating. When I asked about her, that little runt had the nerve to sass her momma and say: “It’ll do if all hell breaks loose.”

Speaking of my hellish sweet children…my daughter, Gillian, fashioned you a troll tear necklace. Wear it and the only person who can lay eyes on you is the one who’s supposed to…

That ought to keep the meddling idiots at bay. Its magic wears off after one night. Sorry, doll—it’s all I could manage with these knobby old hands of mine, but it’ll do.

Sometimes, a girl only needs one.

(Hell, I NEED one.)

Now, go on, suga…and don’t worry your pretty little self about finding your happy ending—the strong ones earn it.

…

 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.

Giveaways- Rafflecopter entry

1 Carriage Charm

1 set of Raven earrings

1 Sinister Stitches Dress

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

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 Rebekah R. Ganiere and Evaine Michael’s adventure in Dead Awakenings, please check out her website: www.rebekahganiere.com

Image credit: patriziatilly / 123RF Stock Photo

Image credit: patriziatilly / 123RF Stock Photo