Lana Hansen first appeared in Death on the Danube: A New Year’s Murder in Budapest and one of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions, so let’s get to know Lana.

What is your name?
Hello! My name is Lana Hansen.

How old are you?
I recently turned 37.

What is your profession?
Hmmm, that is a great question. Profession might be too strong a word, but I did recently started working as a guide for Wanderlust Tours – that is a specialty travel agency based out of Seattle, Washington. So far, it is going well, though my tours do have a fairly high body count, compared to most. Don’t worry; that’s just bad luck – I had nothing to do with any of my guests’ demises! Before landing this job, I worked as an investigative reporter, magician’s assistant, kayaking guide, and yoga instructor.

Do you have a significant other?
Not anymore. My divorce became final in December.

What was his name and profession?
After a pretty wonderful nine years of marriage, my husband, Ron – a magician who tours under the name ‘The Great Ronaldo’ – fell for the charms of his new assistant.

Any children?
No, having children was on my ‘someday’ list. Ron and I were on the road so often, we couldn’t have provided a stable family life for them. I often hoped his show would be picked up by a theater in Las Vegas or Reno, so we could settle down and start a family. Our divorce put the kibosh on those dreams.

Do you have any siblings?
No, I do not.

Do your parents live near you?
My dear father died in a mountain climbing accident more than twenty years ago. My mother and I never really did see eye to eye, and his passing didn’t make things easier. We both live in Seattle, but rarely see each other. Though my boss did say my mom wants to join the Mother’s Day tour I am leading around the Netherlands later this year. I don’t know whether to be excited or nervous!

Who is your best friend?
Willow Jeffries is the sister I never had. She runs a yoga studio in Fremont, the neighborhood we both live in. When we aren’t exercising or thrift store shopping, we do love to cook together or drink chai lattes at NamastTea, a tea shop located below her yoga studio. I was thrilled to learn that Willow and her wife, Jane, will be joining the tour I am leading through Paris on Valentine’s Day. It’s going to be a blast!

Cats, dogs or other pets?
My cat, Seymour, is the love of my life. He is a black fur ball of affection who has helped save my sanity on more than one occasion.

What town do you live in?
I live in the Fremont district of Seattle, Washington.

Type of dwelling and do you own or rent?
My apartment is the basement of an old farmhouse-style home. The owner of Wanderlust Travels – Dotty Thompson – also owns the house and lives upstairs.

What is your favorite spot in your home?
My living room. It’s the only room in my basement apartment with windows looking out onto the backyard. I’ve arranged my furniture so that every seat has a good view. I’ve recently gotten into gardening and watching the seeds grow and blossom into beautiful trees and flowering plants, has been quite therapeutic. When I am not leading a tour, there is nothing I love to do more than lay out on my couch with Seymour on my lap and a good mystery novel in hand.

Favorite meal and dessert?
I make a killer Thai curry and do love to eat cheesecake. My desserts never taste as good as those I buy from our local baker!

Favorite hobby?
Kayaking is my favorite pastime. Not only is it great exercise, there is something so special about being low on the water like that, feeling the waves rock the boat, and hearing the seagulls cry as they duck and dive all around you. I always feel completely relaxed and at peace when I get back to shore.

Favorite color?
Dark green, like my eyes.

Favorite author?
Agatha Christie was my mother’s favorite author and her mysteries are the first books I can recall reading. Her Belgium detective Hercule Poirot, in particular, holds a special place in my heart.

Favorite vacation spot?
Oh gosh, that is tough to say! I had never been out of the States before starting this job as tour guide. Since then, I’ve visited several European and Central American cities and loved each and every one of them.
From what I’ve read about Paris, I think our upcoming trip is going to be incredible! I am also looking forward to visiting Amsterdam later this year. Those windmills are so darn cute!

Favorite sports team?
I really can’t say; I’m not much of a sports fan. I do like to watch to basketball on occasion, but don’t follow the Seattle SuperSonics.

Movies or live theater?
There is something so enchanting about live theater! You never know how it’s going to turn out. And it is quite unique being so close to the actors; it almost feels like you are a part of the show. My boss mentioned she wants to offer a West End tour of London next year; I hope she picks me to lead it!

Are you a morning or a night person?
Being a tour guide has made me a morning person. I try to be the first one down in the breakfast room so I can answer questions and lend assistance before the day gets underway. The guests usually start rolling in as soon as it opens – typically around seven. By the time we finish our group dinner and head back to the hotel, I am beat!

Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
Amateur all the way. And to be clear, I don’t enjoy playing detective. But when a guide or guest dies on one of my tours, it is my responsibility to ensure their body makes it home, as well as keep tabs on the police’s investigations –if they suspect foul play. My boss likes to be kept in the loop as much as possible. She has a serious aversion to giving refunds and wants to know all the facts, in case guests come to her complaining!

Because I am with the others all day long, I have been privy to information the police were not and was able to solve the cases before they could! My old editor, Jeremy, has helped me research some of my guest’s backgrounds, and has even provided vital information that lead to the unmasking of a killer.

In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
Wanderlust Tours last anywhere from seven to fourteen days and are primarily for older, wealthier Seattleites who are long on money and short on time. When I’m leading a tour, my guests’ happiness is my main priority. Most are lovely people who want to explore the world, but don’t want to travel solo. Others are tagging along for the ride and not as enthusiastic about the cities we are visiting as I would hope. I feel pretty spoiled being able to travel around Europe and stay in luxurious hotels, eat at top-notch restaurants, and go on fascinating day trips with my guests. I was not certain it would be a good fit for me, but now that I’ve been at it a while, I really enjoy leading tours and can’t wait to visit several new destinations this year!

Death By Baguette: A Valentine’s Day Murder in Paris is the second book in the “Travel Can Be Murder” cozy mystery series, released February 7, 2020.

Paris—the city of love, lights . . . and murder? Join tour guide Lana Hansen as she escorts five couples on an unforgettable Valentine-themed vacation to France! Unfortunately it will be the last trip for one passenger. . .

Lana Hansen’s future is looking bright. She has money in her bank account, a babysitter for her cat, and even a boyfriend. Regrettably she won’t get to celebrate Valentine’s Day with her new beau, Chad. Instead, she will be leading a “lovers only” tour in France. Luckily for Lana, her best friend, Willow, and her partner will be joining her.

Things go downhill when Lana’s new boyfriend shows up in Paris for her tour—with his wife. Chad is not the website developer he claimed to be, but a famous restaurant critic whose love of women rivals his passion for food.

After Chad drops dead during a picnic under the Eiffel Tower, a persistent French detective becomes convinced that he was poisoned. And the inspector’s sights are set on several members of the tour—including Lana!

While escorting her group through the cobblestone streets of Montmartre, the grand gardens of Versailles, and the historic Marché des Enfants Rouges market, Lana must figure out who really killed Chad before she has to say bonjour to prison and adieu to her freedom.

Purchase Link
# # # # # # # # # # #

About the author
Jennifer S. Alderson was born in San Francisco, raised in Seattle, and currently lives in Amsterdam. Jennifer’s love of travel, art, and culture inspires her award-winning Zelda Richardson Mystery series, Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mysteries, and standalone stories.

After traveling extensively around Asia, Oceania, and Central America, she moved to Darwin, Australia, before settling in the Netherlands. Her background in journalism, multimedia development, and art history enriches her novels. When not writing, she can be found in a museum, biking around Amsterdam, or enjoying a coffee along the canal while planning her next research trip.

To learn more about Jennifer, visit her website at jennifersalderson.com. You can also connect with Jennifer on the following social media outlets: Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon Author Page, BookBub, Goodreads.

All comments are welcomed.