Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Blurb Blitz & #Giveaway for All Signs Point To Murder by Connie di Marco

Welcome to my stop on the Blurb Blitz, presented by Goddess Fish Promotions, for All Signs Point to Murder by Connie di Marco.  Please leave a comment or question for Connie to let her know you stopped by. You may enter her tour wide giveaway, where one (1) randomly chosen commenter will be awarded a $20 Amazon/BN GC, by filling out the Rafflecopter form below.  You may follow all of the stops on the tour by clicking on the banner above.  The more stops you visit, the better your odds of winning.  Good Luck!

All Signs Point to Murder
By Connie di Marco
A Zodiac Mystery, Book 2

Publisher:  Midnight Ink
Release Date: August 8, 2017
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Length: 336 Pages
ISBN: 978-0738751078
ASIN: B01M14L2YK

Pre-Order Links:  Amazon | B&N  


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.

Excerpt

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.  

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Connie di Marco is the author of the Zodiac Mysteries from Midnight Ink, featuring San Francisco astrologer, Julia Bonatti, who never thought murder would be part of her practice.  Book 2 in the Zodiac Mysteries is All Signs Point to Murder, to be released on August 8, 2017. 

Writing as Connie Archer, she is also the national bestselling author of the Soup Lover’s Mysteries from Penguin Random House (Berkley Prime Crime), set in the village of Snowflake, Vermont.  Her recently released A Clue in the Stew is the fifth in this series.  Some of her favorite recipes can also 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. 


Twitter:  @askzodia


Zodiac Mystery Book 1:  The Madness of Mercury:  http://amzn.to/2sJuqwr


Twitter:  @SnowflakeVT


a Rafflecopter giveaway

27 comments:

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

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    1. Hi Lisa ~ catching up this morning. Thanks so much for following along and good luck!

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  2. I really enjoyed reading the entire post, thank you!

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    1. Thank you Nikolina ~ and thanks for following my tour! Best of luck!

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  3. Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway as well.

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  4. An intriguing novel which I would enjoy. A very creative author. Thanks for this great feature and giveaway.

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    1. Thanks for visiting today, Sharon! Best of luck!

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  5. Sounds like a book I'll enjoy reading!

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    1. So glad you've been able to follow along, Victoria! Good luck in the giveaway!

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  6. Thanks for featuring All Signs Lead to Murder on your blog. I really look forward to reading this book ~ Thanks so much for the giveaway!

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    1. Hi Celia ~ I really hope you enjoy Julia's adventures in Book 2! Good luck!

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  7. This sounds like a great read! Thanks for hosting!

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    1. Thank you ~ I hope you get to enjoy Julia's latest adventure soon!

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  8. Thanks to everyone for stopping by and thanks to my hostess for featuring All Signs Point to Murder today!!!

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  9. I enjoyed Julia's first story and can't wait to read this new one!

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    1. Oh thank you! I hope you enjoy this one just as much! Happy reading!

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  10. What is the best book that you have read in the past month. Thanks for the giveaway. I hope that I win. Bernie W BWallace1980(at)hotmail(d0t)com

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    1. Hi Bernie ~ I just finished The Marsh King's Daughter which is an excellent book. Now an international bestseller.

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  11. Enjoyed the excerpt and loved the cover.

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  12. Enjoyed the excerpt and loved the cover.

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    1. Hi Pam ~ Thank you! And the cover is delightful, isn't it? Good luck!

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  13. Great excerpt. And that Sally was pretty mad!

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    1. She's not named after you, believe me! Great to see you here!

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  14. Replies
    1. Hi Kim - thanks for stopping by and best of luck!

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