Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Feature Spotlight & Giveaway ~ ALL SIGNS POINT TO MURDER by Connie di Marco


All Signs Point to Murder (A Zodiac Mystery, #2)
by: Connie di Marco
Series: Zodiac Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: August 8, 2017
Publisher: Midnight Ink

The stars predict a wedding-day disaster, but San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti never expected murder

Julia Bonatti is alarmed by the astrological signs looming over Geneva Leary’s wedding day, but nobody asked Julia’s opinion and being a bridesmaid means supporting the bride no matter what. Even with the foreboding Moon-Mars-Pluto lineup in the heavens, no one’s prepared for the catastrophes that strike: a no-show sister, a passed-out wedding planner, and a lethal shooting in the dead of night.

With anger and grief threatening to tear the Leary family part, Julia is determined to understand how such a terrible tragedy could occur. As she digs deeper into the family’s secrets, her astrological insights will lead her to the truth about a criminal enterprise that stretches far beyond the California coast.

The door to the dressing room flew open with such force the mirror rattled against the wall.  “Where the hell did she get to?  We’re almost ready to start.”  Brooke’s voice hovered on the edge of hysteria.

I paused with a mascara wand halfway to my lashes.  “Have you checked the ladies room?”  Brooke’s nervousness was contagious.

“Yes.  I checked,” she groaned.  “Julia,” she whispered, “I think Moira’s been drinking . . .”  She turned back to the corridor, her mauve train catching on the threshold.  “Damn,” she twisted, tugged on her skirt and stormed off.

Geneva Leary, my best friend from college, my friend who had seen me through the darkest time of my life, was getting married in just a few moments in the courtyard of the Inn of the Seven Horses in Sonoma County, north of San Francisco.  Her sisters, Brooke and Moira, and I were serving as bridesmaids.

The door flew open a second time.  Sally Stark, our wedding coordinator, charged in with the same question.  “Where is Moira Leary?” she hissed.

I glanced up at Sally’s reflection in the mirror.  “Brooke is looking for her now.”

“I can’t have this.  I just can’t have this.  I have never had a bridesmaid who behaved in such an irresponsible manner.”  Sally, wearing a severe black suit, was painfully thin, her jaw permanently clenched.  The tendons in her neck bulged like ropes as she spoke.

Brooke halted at the door to the dressing room.  Sally turned to face her.  “Mrs. Ramer, this is absolutely unacceptable.  I have never seen such cavalier behavior.  I assure you, the Inn will never allow you to plan an event here again.  That’s if I have anything to say about it.”

Brooke’s face was flushed.  I was waiting for her to explode, but instead she took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment to regain her poise.  “I understand how you must feel.”

“No,” Sally bit back, “I don’t think you do.  This reflects badly on me.  In all the years I have been coordinating weddings, I have never had anyone – bride, groom, or bridesmaid, simply disappear moments before the ceremony is to begin!”

“We can’t delay any longer,” Brooke surrendered to Sally’s anger.

Sally sniffed dismissively.  “Fine.  I will signal the harpist.”  She left the dressing room, slamming the door behind her.

Brooke stared at me and silently mouthed the word ‘bitch.’  “Let’s go, Julia.”

I stood and followed Brooke out of the dressing room.  Clutching my small bouquet, I took my place at the top of the stairway behind her.  Geneva, sheltered in her private dressing room, had been able to ignore the hubbub and remain calm.  I reached behind me to squeeze her hand.  She smiled in response and we started our slow descent to the courtyard accompanied by the liquid strains of a harp.

Weddings always bring out the best and the worst in me.  On one hand, I become embarrassingly teary-eyed and sentimental, sometimes given to outright bawling.  On the other hand, a cynical part of me separates and steps back, like an astral body, watching, and wondering about all those ‘till death do us part’ vows.  Do the participants realize what they’re promising?  If all marriages end in death or divorce, why the rush to the altar?  I often reflect on the karmic connections between unique individuals, those connections that propel us to ‘own’ each other in a marital sense.  As an astrologer, this stuff interests me.  I know long term relationships must have a Saturn connection, otherwise they tend to be fun and short, or short and not so fun as the case may be, but Saturn connections can be difficult, restraining, and sometimes even, let’s admit it, oppressive.

When we reached the altar, Brooke pulled a small tissue from an unseen hiding place to mop her brow.  A trickle of perspiration rolled down my back and I prayed the June heat wave would abate after sunset.  It was no surprise the weather was brutal.  No one had bothered to ask my astrological advice when the date was chosen.  No one ever calls an astrologer when things are going well.  I wasn’t at all happy about the Moon-Mars-Pluto connection in the heavens on the chosen day, but I never for a second thought death was hovering with beating wings.

Purchase All Signs Point to Murder from:

The Zodiac Mystery Series:


Connie di Marco is the author of the Zodiac Mysteries from Midnight Ink, featuring San Francisco astrologer, Julia Bonatti.  The first in the series, The Madness of Mercury, was released in June 2016 and the second, All Signs Point to Murder, available for pre-order now, will be released on August 8, 2017.

Writing as Connie Archer, she is also the national bestselling author of the Soup Lover’s Mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime.  Some of her favorite recipes can be found in The Cozy Cookbook and The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook.  Connie is a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.

Places to find Connie di Marco:

You can follow the All Signs Point to Murder Blog Tour here.


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46 comments:

  1. Congrats on the tour and thanks for the chance to win :)

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  2. Congrats and best of luck on your upcoming release! Thanks for the excerpt and giveaway.

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    1. Hi James.

      Thanks for stopping by and checking Connie's upcoming book, All Signs Point to Murder. Good luck in the giveaway.

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    2. Hi James ~ Thanks so much! And best of luck in the giveaway!

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  3. I own the first book in the series and I believe I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads. I'd love to add the second one to my home library to share with my family (all readers).

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    1. I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed The Madness of Mercury, Nora-Adrienne! And thanks so much for reviewing too! I hope you get to follow Julia in her next adventure soon!

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  4. Thanks for sharing the excerpt, it sounds like a great book!

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    1. Hi Victoria ~ You're very welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Best of luck in the giveaway too!

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    2. Hi Victoria.

      Thanks for stopping by! I love Connie's writing.

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  5. The Zodiac Mystery Series sounds great. I just finished a great murder mystery this morning called Searching for Gatsby by Niki Danforth and loved it. I'm looking forward to reading your books. Thank you

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    1. Oops, I posted in the wrong spot, see below, Linda.

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    2. Hi Linda,

      Thanks for stopping by. I hope you get a chance to read Connie di Marco and Connie Archer. Love them both.

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  6. Who is your favorite author? Thanks for the giveaway. I hope that I win. BWallace1980(at)hotmail(d0t)com Bernie W

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    1. Hi Bernie ~ you know, there are so many I love, it's hard to say. I love to go into bookstores and look for an author I've never heard of and just about every time, I'm delighted with what I find. I discovered Zoe Ferraris and her Saudi Arabia series that way, but recently, I have to say Karen Dionne, Tana French, and lots of others!

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  7. Hi Linda ~ Thanks for visiting today! I hope you get to meet Julia soon and enjoy her adventures!

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  8. Kim ~ thanks again for hosting me today!

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    1. You are more than welcome. I love having you on the blog!

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    2. I'm so glad you're busy as ever in your new location!

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  9. Thanks for the excerpt and giveaway. This series sounds really good.

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    1. Hi Nancy, thanks for visiting. I hope you get to meet Julia soon!

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  10. I am really enjoying following this tour, thank you for all the great blog posts and excerpts!

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    1. Hi Nikolina ~ I'm so glad you're enjoying the tour! Best of luck!

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  11. Love the cover. A most intriguing synopses. A new author and series is always so exciting. Am so hoping this will be a start
    Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc (dot) com

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    1. Hi Della ~ thanks for visiting! I hope Julia will have a lot more adventures. Hope you get to enjoy this one! Good luck!

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  13. Great synopsis and love the cover art! Can't wait to read the book!

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    1. Hi Jennifer, thank you! Best of luck in the giveaway!

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  14. I haven't read the Zodiac Mystery series yet but I'm going to add it my list of new series to check out.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll enjoy Julia's world and all her adventures.

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  15. Wishing you a Saturday full of fun and thanking you for the chance at winning.

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  16. Sunday blessing to you and thanks for all you do bringing us these great giveaways.

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  17. Have a terrific Monday and thanks once again for the chance at winning.

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  18. Thank you once again for taking the time to bring us such great giveaways. I really appreciate it!

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  19. Thank you so much for offering us the opportunity to win this giveaway.

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  20. I sure am late tonight but better late than never to thank you again for the opportunity to win. Have a terrific Friday evening!

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  21. Hope your weekend is starting off terrific! Have a fun one and thanks again for bringing us these great giveaways.

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  22. Good Morning, Happy Sunday! Enjoy your day and thank you for the chance to win

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  23. Happy Monday and have a great week ahead. Thanks for the chance at winning once again.

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  24. Hey James! I hope you had a good weekend. Oh. Monday. Sigh. Good luck in the giveaway.

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  25. Hello! Sure hope you are not tired of hearing from me for my daily entries. I DO appreciate the opportunity you have given us to win Thanks so much!

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    1. Hey James! You make me smile. Thanks for stopping by everyday.

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