I’m honored to speak with Inez Foster, author of the South Shore Mystery series including the new releases, Murder on Oak Street. Welcome, Inez!
How long have you been published? 5 years
What titles and/or series have you published and with which publisher?
Three books in the South Shore Mystery series (Murder on Oak Street, Murder on West Main, and Murder on West Lake)
I’ve also published The Thunder on the Moor series and the Cross of Ciaran series under the pen name Andrea Matthews.
Have you self-published any titles? All books are self-published.
Please give details. All books are available on Amazon
Tell us a little bit about your books — if you write a series, any upcoming releases or your current work-in-progress. If you have an upcoming release, please specify the release date.
The South Shore Mystery series – An Edwardian mystery set on the South Shore of Long Island
The Thunder on the Moor Series – A time travel romance set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Borders.
The Cross of Ciaran series – A fifth-century Celtic priest, entombed for betraying his goddess, wakes in the twentieth-century to find himself falling in love with the archaeologist who unearthed him. New release coming in June
Describe your goals as a writer. My goal is to continue to write, as much, and as often, as I can. I have years of storylines in my head or scraps of papers hidden here and there.
What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? To attract readers that enjoy my books
What are you planning to do to reach these goals? To keep writing and try to find readers who enjoy my books.
What type of reader are you hoping to attract? Readers who loves history, as well as a good mystery, always with a touch of romance.
Who do you believe would be most interested in reading your books? Anyone who enjoys authors like Victoria Thompson, Nancy Herriman, etc. For the romances authors like Diana Gabaldon. Basically anyone who likes things to work out well for the the MC, no matter how sticky they get along the way.
What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?
Don’t give up. Get a professional editor and cover designer. Don’t let anyone tell you self-publishing isn’t real publishing. All the library journals are now reviewing self-published books, so they’ve been accepted as a legitimate form of publishing. But most of all, make sure you tell a good story with characters the reader can form a relationship with. In short, give it your best.
What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?
Fear mostly, of what people might think, of bad reviews, of being laughed at. When I finally dove in, I realized that you’re not truly published until you’ve gotten at least one bad review.
Do you belong to any writing groups? Which ones? I belong to the Long Island Romance Writers, the Historic Novel Society, Sisters in Crime, as well as the Alliance of Independent Authors and the Authors Guild.
What are your hobbies and interests besides writing? Genealogy
What do you like most and least about being an author?
Love the writing and the research
Don’t like trying to promote it. That’s hard work.
What is your toughest challenge? Getting my books to the people who will enjoy them.
What do you like about writing cozy mysteries?
Everything—the clues, the red herrings, getting to the solution without giving the murderer away on page one. I also enjoy slipping in a bit of romance.
Can you share a short excerpt from your latest title or upcoming release?
The air has become much too frigid around here.” Kathleen unclamped the skates from her boots and got up, handing the blades to him before heading up the path that led through the woods toward West Main Street, where their carriage waited.
Daniel sat down to unbuckle his skates from his boots.mAs he did, he pressed his lips together to keep from informing Mrs. Carrington that her darling husband kept a woman in the Waldorf, which was likely why he had business in the city so often. You’ll learn a lot of secrets in your profession, son. Just as I do in mine. He could hear his father’s words echoing in his ears, almost as if he were standing by his side. That’s a great responsibility, so always think before you speak. Your words could do more damage than you know. He took a deep breath and got up from the bench, but as he turned to go, the woman took hold of his arm, staying him for a moment.
“Would you be able to see me tomorrow, Doctor? I’ve had a terrible ache in my right shoulder. My daughter thinks I may have been doing too much and strained a muscle. She
says I shouldn’t work so hard, but what am I to do with the holidays coming and all?”
Was this woman kidding? He doubted she’d ever done a hard day’s work in her life. Breathe, he could hear Uncle Timothy saying. Ye don’t want to be saying anything ye’ll regret later.
“Give the office a call in the morning, and we’ll see if we can fit you in. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must attend to Miss Brissedon.” He should have picked a bench closer to West Main so she didn’t have to walk through the woods, but he’d been thinking about what a lovely stroll it would be for the two of them. How was he to know the old biddy was going to show up and upset Kathleen?
“Don’t you think you should call your sister over? Whatmwill people say if you go wandering off in the woods alone after Miss Brissedon?”
“Actually, I’m more concerned for her safety than for the gossip of a few bitter old women who have nothing better to talk about.” She gasped, but he continued. “The path is icy, and I’m afraid she might stumble and harm herself.”
“Oh yes, I suppose it would be prudent to make sure she’s all right. You will stop by tomorrow, though?”
He bit his lip again. “As I said, you’ll need to telephone the office in the morning. In the meantime, I suggest rubbing some Sloan’s Liniment on it. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Turning away once more, he threw the skates over his shoulder, trying to replace the thoughts of Mrs. Carrington’s flabby biceps with the image of his arm around Kathleen’s trim waist. With that picture in mind, he walked up the gradual embankment but had no sooner started down the
path toward their carriage when a scream rent the cold, still air. His heart flew into his throat, knocking the air from his lungs, for he knew the voice all too well. That scream had come from Kathleen.
Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know about you or your books?
It’s important to leave honest reviews. I do read them and I appreciate my readers’ opinions. Also, feel free to email me. My email is listed on my website, which is www.imfostermysteries.com I will try to respond. That’s the best way to contact me as I don’t reply to Facebook DMs
Please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. and include some book cover graphics and author photos if possible.
Website: www.imfostermysteries.com
Facebook: IMFosterMysteries
X: IMFosterMystery
Instagram: imfosterauthor
Threads: imfosterauthor
AmazonAuthorPage: https://www.amazon.com/stores/I-M-Foster/author/B0BFQK8854
Thanks so much for the interview and your wonderful replies, Inez. I’m sharing your blog tour below.
Murder on Oak Street (A South Shore Mystery)
by I. M. Foster
About Murder on Oak Street
Murder on Oak Street (A South Shore Mystery)
Historical Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – New York
Publisher : Inez M. Foster (November 12, 2022)
Hardcover : 503 pages
ISBN-10 : 173333758X
ISBN-13 : 978-1733337588
Paperback : 503 pages
ISBN-10 : 1733337571
ISBN-13 : 978-1733337571
Digital ASIN : B0BFMT4WL2
New York, 1904. After two years as a coroner’s physician for the city of New York, Daniel O’Halleran is more frustrated than ever. What’s the point when the authorities consistently brush aside his findings for the sake of expediency? So when his fiancée leaves him standing at the altar on their wedding day, he takes it as a sign that it’s time to move on and eagerly accepts an offer to assist the local coroner in the small Long Island village of Patchogue.
Though the coroner advises him that life on Long Island is far more subdued than that of the city, Daniel hasn’t been there a month when the pretty librarian, Kathleen Brissedon, asks him to look into a two-year-old murder case that took place in the city. Oddly enough, the case she’s referring to was the first one he ever worked on, and the verdict never sat right with him.
Eager for the chance to investigate it anew, Daniel agrees to look into it in his spare time, but when a fresh murder occurs in his own backyard, he can’t shake his gut feeling that the two cases are connected. Can he discover the link before another life is taken, or will murder shake the peaceful South Shore village once again?
About I. M. Foster
I. M. Foster is the pen name author Inez Foster uses to write her South Shore Mystery series, set on Edwardian Long Island. Inez also writes historical romances under the pseudonym Andrea Matthews, and has so far published two series in that genre: the Thunder on the Moor series, a time-travel romance set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Borders, and the Cross of Ciaran series, which follows the adventures of a fifth century Celt who finds himself in love with a twentieth-century archaeologist.
Inez is a historian and librarian, who love to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogically speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science and enjoys the research almost as much as she does writing the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history. Inez is a member of the Long Island Romance Writers, the Historical Novel Society, and Sisters in Crime.
Author Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IMFosterMysteries
X: https://www.x.com/IMFosterMystery
Threads: https://www.threads.net/imfosterauthor
Purchase Link – Amazon
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
April 14 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
April 15 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST
April 15 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
April 16 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
April 16 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
April 17 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
April 17 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
April 18 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT
April 19 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
April 20 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
April 21 – Frugal Freelancer – AUTHOR GUEST POST
April 22 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST
April 22 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
April 23 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
April 24 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
April 25 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW
April 26 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW
April 26 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
April 27 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT
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. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fundraising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
– set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.
– a slightly edgier series that takes place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!
– set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.
Ruff Drafts 