Wednesday 26 March 2014

Sophie Avett’s Sinister Stitches Character Dress Fitting Interview, guest-starring Suzanne Johnson’s Drusilla “DJ” Jaco (Sentinels of New Orleans Series)



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 and 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 Suzanne Johnson’s Drusilla “DJ” Draco from the Sentinels of New Orleans Series was asked to fill out after she wandered into Sinister Stitches. 

THE WITCHES WHO STITCH QUESTIONNAIRE

Please provide the witches with your name: DJ Jaco

I was named Drusilla Jane after my great aunt but, really, don’t call me Dru or I’ll think you’re an elf and have to zap you one with my magical staff. If you call me Drusilla, I’ll think you’re the undead pirate Jean Lafitte, and if you call me Drusilla Jane, I think you’re my grandmother.

Please provide the witches with the following:

Hair Color: Blonde

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

Eye Color: Blue-green

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

[ ] Other:__________

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

a.) Height: 5’3”

b.) Body Type: [ ] Skeletal, [X] Lean and Tender, [ ] Lean and Tough, [x] Ripe and Edible

Depends on whether I’ve been stressed out and eating chocolate.

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:   )

I feel so…inadequate.

How many heads do you have?

One, but it’s plenty enough to get me in trouble.

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

Two arms, two legs, although technically you could consider Charlie a third arm. That’s the nickname for the ancient elven staff that claimed me as its master; its ceremonial name is Mahout, and the elves are plenty pissed off that I have it and that I, a mere wizard, can do some of their magic. Of course I also have the elven non-husband, Quince Randolph, but that’s a whole other issue. He’s more like an albatross than an appendage.

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

Although I do have a friend-maybe-suitor who’s a 240-year-old undead French pirate, Jean Lafitte. Does that earn extra points?

What are you? (Species/Breed

Wizard, Green Congress (ritual magic), advanced class. I work as Sentinel of the central Gulf Coast area, based primarily in New Orleans. A Sentinel is…well, think “border guard” between the modern world and the preternatural Beyond.

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

Oh, what to choose! Here’s the challenge: My house burned down last month and I have very little clothing now. I have to testify at an important meeting of the Interspecies Council in a few weeks, and there’s a lot riding on my testimony. You know, like the continued existence of the human world. I also have a gunshot wound to my left shoulder and bruised ribs, so it needs to be something easy to get in and out of.

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

It will likely be a formal affair, in a courtroom-like setting, with representatives from the wizards’ Congress of Elders, the Elven Synod from Elfheim, the Vice-Regent from the Realm of Vampyre, the Historical Undead (represented by the French pirate mentioned earlier) and three representatives from the Monarchy of Faerie. With some shifter security that includes my sometimes-signficant-something Alex. Oh, and the undead Truman Capote will also be testifying.

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

It does seem to happen with alarming regularity, so I’d better say yes.

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

I’m much more likely to set others on fire. In fact, I’d pretty much bet on it. My aim with the staff isn’t that great so it might or might not be the person I’m actually trying to set on fire.

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

Absolutely not. I can’t promise I won’t end up tossed to the ground, however.

Is your neck a dinner plate?

Oh God, I hope not. But it’s possible. The vampires are kind of pissed off at me right now.

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 am naked during this particular evening, something has gone horribly, horribly wrong.

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

After being gnawed on by a reanimated serial killer, I was shot by an undead pirate who was being controlled by a necromancer, who’d been hired by the evil bitch who heads up one of the elven clans. It happened at Six Flags.

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

I have a thigh holster that holds the elven staff; otherwise I need some way to carry it—it’s about two feet long. I like to carry a small portable magic kit and a knife.

What are your three favorite colors?

Teal, red, and purple.

What two colors rattle your kettle?

Orange and pink. I am SO not a pink girl, and nobody wears orange well.

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: Zydeco Geek Mistress: The snarky, nerdy girl next door type who given a choice, will always follows her heart rather than her head, which sometimes lands her in precarious circumstances, particularly with one sexy undead French pirate. A lot tougher than she gives herself credit for. Fiercely loyal to those who earn her trust.

Who is your favorite fairy tale villain?

Lord Voldemort. I can introduce you to the equivalent figure in Elfheim, Vampyre and Faerie if you want. Nasty.

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

None. Fairy tale princesses have to be rescued by the prince. I’d rather find my own way out, but thanks!

Now, tell us the twit you hate most.

Adrian Hoffman, son of the wizards’ First Elder and a Blue Congress wizard in his own right (creation and re-creation). He’s arrogant, snarky, disagreeable, and not nearly as smart as he thinks he is. Of course, I’m trying to forgive him for almost getting me killed, especially since he ended up with fangs.

Anything else you’d like to add…



After many barrels of chocolate, a dash of magic and furious sewing…
Sinister Stitches’ Rockabilly Starlet and Medieval Mistress,
Gillian and Astrid Dweyer present DJ’s Completed Dress
“Elfshot”




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 flare at her knees. She’s a hellish princess on six-inch patent leather ballerina stilettos. She starts waving...like a lunatic: 

HI! Welcome, welcome, welcome—wait, what is that? Is that a staff? Or are you just...you know, happy? Never mind. What was I doing...? Hmm...? Oh, that’s right—the dress. Well, what can a candy witch say?

I’m a f#cking genius, that’s what.

First of all, Lady Geeks are most welcome and you look fabulous—here, have a piece of chocolate. Second of all, this one of my special designs. Haven’t shown it to a soul till now. Frankly, if this dress doesn’t get you carts of cake offered in sacrifice from pirates and prince charmings alike—it’s a user error, dear. But I have faith that you’ll wear my brilliance well. And I’ll have you know that not every fairy tale princess needs saved. On the contrary, I put out a burning ship for that pain-in-the-ass Viking without lifting a finger save for a spell. And I was eating cookies. Or maybe it was gumdrops. I don’t remember....Remind me, what was I reading then?

A vampire swathed in a midnight blue medieval sewing frock with cobweb black lace sweeps into the foyer. Miles of sable locks trail her like a gothic wedding veil and her first order of business is to shove her sister out of an open window. (As regally as possible, of course.) She dusts her hands like she can cross another heathen off her list: 

Don’t worry. She can fly. But all of that—you know, being useless for anything but fabulous dress design and chocolate—is precisely why we don’t let that simple mind leave the house unchaperoned. Nor is she allowed to work the front of the store. So let’s just call this a....plot twist. I’m Astrid, I’m the Medieval Mistress running the catwalk around here. Now then, about your dress...you know, what you actually came here for. (*heavy sigh*)

Gillian was in charge of overall design, but I worked especially hard on the color blending. Per your color request, the fabric is made of fuchsia cherry blossoms and lavender changeling flowers imported from Wuthering Wonderland. The fabric is inflammable—completely and utterly incapable of being burned. These blooms came directly from the Red Queen’s secret pavilion garden, so if you should so happen by Hell’s Kettle during your visit in New Gotham, please stop by and give your thanks.

Thanks to our resident leather queen and my sister, Brenda, the dress is a two piece set. It was crafted that way to allow you freedom of movement. The neckline is a crisscross, pressed-draping. And you can, of course, blame Gillian for the bow, but in your case—the touch is softening. Almost like a tiny pair of tulle wings—well, sort of...  

The tulle fashioning the bow has been welded with special Void fabric imported from the Veil—the sheath should allow the elven staff to fold and bend with the skirt. So, fear not, it’ll be there when you need it. The Void pocket also allows for the storing of a moderately sized supply pouch and small dagger in the other bow’s wing.

Pay special attention to the earrings momma fashioned you. They’re special. What do they do? Well, have you noticed that your gunshot wound is missing? That’s right—they’re Isis Ear-Wings, i.e. earrings ripped from the goddess’ earlobes right before she was cast from the heavens and imprisoned in the form of a young Princess Cleopatra. What? Wasn’t the tale you heard? No? Here, have a brochure. You’re gonna love New Gotham...

What do the earrings do, you ask again? Well, they will practically heal any wound made by a man-made instrument. Flaming balls of hellfire, ketchup, and insidious dirt stains—well, we’ve already got that covered, don’t we?

Oh, and before you go....Gillian would like your Lord Voldemort’s number. Seems he’s just her type. I know, it hurts. No, really.  Here, join me in a piece of chocolate. The burden of is almost too much...

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 Suzanne Johnson and DJ Draco’s adventures in the Sentinels of New Orleans Series, please check out her website: http://www.suzanne-johnson.com/ 

Image Credit(s):© Cisek Ciesielski - Fotolia.com

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.)

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.)



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.


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


20 comments:

  1. DJ thanks you for her gorgeous dress. The bow hiding the elven staff is particularly clever; she has reassessed her entire attitude about bows. She think her significant-something Alex might even put on a suit (black, of course) to accompany her in this beauty!

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  3. Greetings Shut Up and Read! Here, have yourself a bowl of French assorted chocolates. You girls totally deserve it, everything looks wonderful. Thank you so much for hosting me!

    @ Suzanne: Hi! Thank you so much for stopping by! I'm so pleased that you enjoyed the dress. (And the bows! (Damn Gillian.) DJ was an absolute joy to work with and I look forward to seeing her come back to our little shop of sissorhands in the future! :)

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    1. Mmmm, chocolates! We will be glad to host you any time :)

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  4. I love the dress! The colors are gorgeous :)

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    1. Hi Susan! First off, I want to apologize for my tardiness. (Evil day job. (heavy sigh)) Thank you so much for stopping by. Here, we've brought brownie bites for you. And the Witches-Who-Stitch will be so pleased to hear that you liked the dress! The colors are my favorite part of that dress. Almost looks like the textile is electric! Oh, and before I forget, you've won a free copy of TDN! Send me an email at sophieavett AT gmail DOT com with your preferred e-book format and I'll strap it to the nearest carrier pigeon. :)

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  5. The dress is fabulous! I really like the colors. And the questionnaire is a hoot!

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    1. Merry met Liz! So sorry it has taken me so long to respond. The day job is evil. Anywho, thank you so much for dropping by and leaving a comment. The sinister witches appreciate it! They're so pleased that you liked the dress and the funny. I hoped you signed up for the giveaway as they're giving away a dress! In the meantime, you've won a free copy of TDN! Send me an email at sophieavett AT gmail DOT com with your preferred e-book format and I'll have the pixies send out right away.

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  6. Really lovely not what i had in mind but she would make sensation^^

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    1. Greetings Miki! I was trapped at the evil day job, so please forgive my tardiness. I'm so happy you enjoyed the result. I am curious, what did you have in mind? The witches LOVE to talk shop. In any case, I totally agree that DJ would be the beauty of the ball. Probably in just about anything we put her in. She's fabulous like that. (lol) Thank you so much for stopping by. Oh, and you've won a free copy of TDN! (If you do end up reading it, I would love to hear some feedback on the dress selection.) Send me an email at sophieavett AT gmail DOT com with your preferred e-book format and I'll send you a carrier pigeon!

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  7. I can totally see DJ in that dress...with Alex on one arm, growling at Jean on her other...
    ;)

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    1. Hi Liv! Re DJ Dress -- Right?! DJ was one our favorites here at Sinister Stitches. We wanted to give her an attention getting make-over. (You know, so maybe Alex and Jean will play nice for an evening.) I do so hope she comes back for another dress. Next time, I'm going to let Brenda join on the madness. Thank you so much for stopping by. You've won a free copy of TDN! (so far, hope you entered the giveaway!) Send me an email at sophieavett AT gmail DOT com with your preferred e-book format and I'll have the pixies mail it out right away!

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  8. I love the dress and the colors are beautiful!

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    1. Merry Met Bonnie! The Witches Who Stitch are thrilled to hear that the dress was such a success! They had a blast with DJ. And the colors--the colors are absolutely wonderful. (I can't believe Gillian got away with putting some pink tones in there, but then again--the wench is crafty. (lol)) Thank you so much for stopping by. Like the other girls, you've won a free copy of TDN! Send me an email at sophieavett AT gmail DOT com with your preferred e-book format and I'll strap it to the nearest will o' wisp.

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  9. Beautiful dress! Love the questionnaire!

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    1. Greetings VampedChik! Re the Fabulous Dress -- I know?! I LOVE it. One of my favorites. And I'm so pleased you enjoyed the questionnaire! I had a blast crafting these interviews and DJ gave me tons of material to work with. Thank you so much for stopping by. The pixies have a copy of TDN for you if you're interested. Send me an email at sophieavett AT gmail DOT com with your preferred e-book format and I'll get it to the pony express right away! :)

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  10. What an awesome blog post! I do love the questions and DJ's answers. I love the dress, truly amazing and gorgeous. I hope Jean Lafitte will fall over himself when he sees DJ in it.

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    1. Oh my Poptarts, Aurian! I didn't expect to see you here, too! You little minx. Bring your tea cup and come sit next to Sophie. (lol) Thank you so much for dropping by and I'm so very pleased you enjoyed the dress! (The witches agree, it's sure to knock him off his feet!)

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  11. Love, love, love the humor! The dress is beautiful! I'm so glad DJ (Suzanne) led me to you Sophie. Which of your books do you recommend I start first?

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    1. Hi Dawn! I had no idea that you'd left a comment here! Dear, send me an email at sophieavett AT gmail DOT com and we'll have some tea. :)

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