Lana sits down for a question-and-answer session with dru’s book musings so that we, the readers, can get to know her better.

What is your full name?
Lana Lewis

How old are you?
Early thirties — I try not to give too much concrete information online. Identity theft and all that (according to my boyfriend, who is a police chief).

What is your profession?
Barista and occasional journalist

Do you have a significant other?
It feels weird to say since I got divorced a couple of years ago, but yes, I have a new boyfriend.

What is his name and profession?
Noah Garcia, police chief of Devil’s Beach, Florida

Do you have any children?
No

Do you have any siblings?
No

Are your parents nearby?
Yes, my father also lives on the island of Devil’s Beach. My mother passed away several years ago.

Who is your best friend?
Erica Penmark. She’s also a barista and she lives on a sailboat at the marina here on Devil’s Beach.

Do you have any pets?
Yes! My heart dog, Stanley. He’s a tan Shih Tzu.

What town do you live in and is it small or big?
I live on the island of Devil’s Beach, Florida. It’s a laid-back, touristy paradise in the Gulf of Mexico, a couple hours south of the Tampa-St. Petersburg area.

What type of dwelling do you own or rent?
I live in my parents’ old home, a bungalow not far from downtown Devil’s Beach.

What is your favorite spot in your home?
My porch, which is surrounded by the tropical foliage planted by my mother — there are a ton of Birds of Paradise flowers everywhere, along with bromeliads and a couple of palm trees.

What is your favorite meal and dessert?
My favorite meal is called ropa vieja — it’s a Cuban dish and my boyfriend makes it often. The name is translated to “old clothes” but it’s a delicious dish of shredded beef in a tomato sauce with bell peppers, onion and spices. My favorite dessert is tiramisu, because I love anything with a coffee flavor.

Do you have any hobbies?
I have recently re-learned to roller skate, and I love rolling along the beach sidewalk in town. I also paddleboard.

What is your favorite vacation spot?
South Beach in Miami, because it’s an island that’s a whole lot more exciting and different than my own.

What is your idea of a really fun time?
Paddleboarding with my boyfriend, then coming home to a BBQ cooked by my father, and sitting around with my friends, neighbors and dogs talking — ending the day with a strong espresso, of course! (I’m one of those people who can sleep after drinking coffee).

If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
The Busy Bean

Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
I’m an amateur sleuth, mostly because murders keep happening on Devil’s Beach and because I’m a nosy former journalist. But my busybody father and my curious best friend also like to push me into sleuthing. My boyfriend, the police chief, isn’t as enthusiastic about my investigative activities.

What is a typical day in your life like in general and when you are on a case?
Usually my life is pretty chill, running my coffee shop called Perkatory. I spend a lot of time there, and when I’m not in the café, I’m with my dog Stanley and my boyfriend Noah. My father and best friend come to my house often, especially when we’re investigating a case — that’s when we get out a whiteboard, brainstorm clues, and decide who is going to gather what information. When I’m sleuthing, I use my former reporter skills to ask questions. There are no stupid questions!

Live and Let Grind, A Coffee Lover’s Mystery #3
Genre: Cozy
Release: October 2022
Purchase Link

Devil’s Beach is percolating with a hot murder case, and reporter-turned-barista Lana Lewis could be the next to get beaned in Tara Lush’s third Coffee Lover’s mystery, perfect for fans of Cleo Coyle and Lucy Burdette.

Laid-off journalist Lana Lewis is thriving as the proprietor of Perkatory, a coffee shop on quirky Devil’s Beach island, Florida. She’s juggling a relationship with police chief Noah Garcia, enjoying the company of her best friend, Erica, and relishing the companionship of her golden Shih Tzu, Stanley. Only problem is her neighbor, Gus, who incessantly uses his leaf blower, disturbing everyone in the neighborhood. Lana has learned to tune it out, but Erica’s rage boils over and she confronts Gus.

Then Gus is found dead, killed when his leaf blower explodes. Erica immediately becomes suspect number one. But there are plenty of other candidates as well: Gus’s soon-to-be ex-wife, Honey Bailey, who thinks she’ll be written out of his will; Mickey Dotson and Doug Beck, who were scalded financially after purchasing a pirate-themed tourist cruise business from Gus; and plenty of angry neighbors who’ve had run-ins with him.

As the clock ticks down will Lana get someone to spill the beans on the killer so she can clear her friend’s name, or will Erica go to jail for a crime she didn’t commit?

About the author
Tara Lush is a Florida-based author and journalist. She’s an RWA Rita finalist, an Amtrak writing fellow and the winner of the George C. Polk award for environmental journalism. She was a reporter with The Associated Press in Florida, covering crime, alligators, natural disasters and politics. She also writes contemporary romance set in tropical locations under the name Tamara Lush.

Tara is a fan of vintage pulp fiction book covers, Sinatra-era jazz, 1980s fashion, tropical chill, kombucha, gin, tonic, seashells, iPhones, Art Deco, telenovelas, street art, coconut anything, strong coffee and newspapers. She lives on the Gulf coast with her husband and dog.

Her debut mystery series is published by Crooked Lane Books.

All comments are welcomed.