Sometimes the best way to know a person is by asking questions, so let’s meet Lana.
What is your name?
Lana Lee.
How old are you?
27.
What is your profession?
Right now, I’m working as a server at my parents’ Chinese restaurant, Ho-Lee Noodle House. . .but it’s temporary. They don’t know it, but I’ve been searching for other jobs. I’m looking for something with less. . .sweet and sour sauce.
Do you have a significant other?
Sort of.
What is his name and profession?
I’ve been dating this detective from the Fairview Park Police Department, Adam Trudeau. We haven’t had much time to dive in, so I don’t know if I can consider him “significant” yet or not. (Fingers crossed though!)
Any children?
Nope.
Do you have any sibling(s)?
Yes. One older sister, Anna May.
Cats, dogs or other pets?
One dog. A black pug named Kikkoman. But, I call her Kikko for short.
What town do you live in?
North Olmsted. It’s about 15-20 minutes outside of downtown Cleveland, Ohio.
House or building complex? Own or Rent?
I rent a two-bedroom, garden-style apartment with my best friend, Megan.
What is your favorite spot in your house?
The couch. It feels like the center of the house to me. I do most of my reading there, spend time lounging with Kikko, and it’s where me and Megan have a lot of our more serious conversations.
Who is your best friend?
Megan Riley. We’ve been inseparable since college.
Amateur sleuth or professional?
I am far from a professional.
Whom do you work with when sleuthing?
Megan has got my back all the way. I know I can trust her with all my secrets and she won’t let me down. And, I think she might be more into the sleuthing than I am sometimes.
Favorite meal?
Anything that involves noodles!
Favorite dessert?
I’ll take a good doughnut over cake or pie any day. My absolute favorite is Boston crème.
Favorite hobby?
Is shopping considered a hobby? If so, sign me up! Aside from that, I’m a huge reader. Nothing’s better than curling up on the couch with a good book during a rainstorm.
Favorite vacation spot?
Any place that involves sand, sun and drinks in coconuts.
Favorite color?
My closet would have you think it was black, but it’s actually red.
Favorite author?
I can never pick just one! But if I had to, I would say Janet Evanovich. Stephanie Plum is a character I can definitely identify with!
Favorite sports team?
I’m not much of a sports person, but I gladly root for any Cleveland team.
Movies or Broadway?
I prefer a good horror movie with some pizza and popcorn.
Are you a morning or a night person?
I’d rather be a night person, but my job forces me into the early morning hours.
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
Lately my life hasn’t been very typical. But, the few days that have been usually involve me working. I open up the restaurant for the day, greet customers and keep them fed and happy. Every now and then I’ll help my mom with some of the paperwork. When I’m not working, you can find me either hanging out somewhere at Asia Village shopping or loitering at Megan’s place of employment, a local bar called The Zodiac.
Giveaway: What is your favorite Chinese dish? Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Dim Sum of All Fears. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends August 29, 2018. Good luck everyone!
You can read about Lana in Dim Sum of All Fears, the second book in the “Noodle Shop” mystery series. The first book in the series is Death by Dumpling.
Welcome back to Ho-Lee Noodle House, where you can get fantastic take-out. . .unless you get taken out first.
Lana Lee is a dutiful daughter, waiting tables at her family’s Chinese restaurant even though she’d rather be doing just about anything else. Then, just when she has a chance for a “real” job, her parents take off to Taiwan, leaving Lana in charge. Surprising everyone—including herself—she turns out to be quite capable of running the place. Unfortunately, the newlyweds who just opened the souvenir store next door to Ho-Lee have turned up dead. . .and soon Lana finds herself in the midst of an Asia Village mystery.
Between running the Ho-Lee and trying to figure out whether the rock-solid Detective Adam Trudeau is actually her boyfriend, Lana knows she shouldn’t pry into the case. But the more she learns about the dead husband, his ex-wives, and all the murky details of the couple’s past, the more Lana thinks that this so-called murder/suicide is a straight-up order of murder. . .
Purchase Link
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About the author
Vivien Chien first started writing simple stories about adventures with her classmates when she was in elementary school. As she grew up, her love of books and the written word increased, leading to the attempt of her first novel at age 16. After many struggled beginnings and several different genres, she found her passion in the mystery world.
When she’s not writing, she can be found frolicking in the bookstore or searching for her next bowl of noodles. She has a soft spot for doughnuts, a healthy love for coffee, and an extreme need to participate in random acts of crafting.
She currently lives in Cleveland where she is hard at work on the third book in her Noodle Shop series and writes side-by-side with her toy fox terrier.
Visit her at vivienchien.com, on Instagram, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
All comments are welcomed.
homemade dumplings
My favorite Chinese dish is Combination Fried Rice. I am really looking forward the further adventures of Lana Lee.
Coconut shrimp followed by hot and sour soup.
My favorite Chinese dish is Kung Pao Chicken. Yum! Thanks for the chance to win!
My favorite dish is Almond Chicken but it has to be from the place down the street because nobody else makes it as good as they do. Add a side of Crab Rangoon and you’ve got a perfect meal. Thanks for the contest.
Soup dumplings! I can’t manage to eat them without making some mess, but I do love them. I hadn’t heard of this series before–I’m ordering the first one now!
Doing this on my phone. My all time favorite is probably ‘Happy Family’.
General Tso’s chicken and a side of crab rangoons! I’m looking forward to reading this book. I really enjoyed the first book.
My favorite is orange beef
Looking forward to reading the second book in this series! I have three favorite Chinese dishes, but Honey Sesame Chicken is my current #1 choice!
Shanghai noodles
I love Dan Dan Noodles with chicken and vegetables – YUM! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
My favorite Chinese dish is the Szechuan beef. My husband loves the chicken fried rice.
I like sweet and sour chicken, which isn’t too exciting, I know! But I love a lot of the app type things, like really good egg rolls or chicken wings.
This was a great interview with Lana! I love the title, love the cover- congratulations on the release!
I suppose my favorite Chinese dish would be Mu Shu Pork.
favorite chinese dish? the noodles with beef and broccoli and of course crab ragoons! yummy!
Hard for me to choose but for today will go with, Peking Duck.
I love sweet & sour pork.
My favorite is Mongolian Beef. This sounds like an awesome series, looking forward to reading.
I am a fan of garlic chicken and chow mein!!
I enjoy Beef and Broccoli with brown rice. Also, I like fried brown rice with pork. Depends if I need to lose weight or not which dish I will order.
Enjoyed the first book in the series. I am looking forward to reading the second in the series.
Lo mein and crab rangoon. Just had some yesterday, yum!
I like chicken and fried rice and many other dishes.
Love General Tso Chicken and also Sweet and Sour Chicken.
I love vegetable fried rice. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of the book.
I’ve never met a dumpling I didn’t love.
I like shrimp fried rice and shrimp egg rolls
**** WINNER ****
Dim Sum of All Fears is Carol Knudtson
Congratulations!