Above: Author in Orvieto, Italy, teaching for the University of Arizona Summer Study Abroad Program
Biography
D.R. (Diane Renée) writes from Tucson, Arizona. She grew up in Illinois, but she decided that twenty Midwestern winters were more than enough! Now she visits her hometown of Springfield, Illinois during the summers, when it's safe(r). Why the initials? Another childhood friend was named Diane, and that became way too confusing. In Mexico, however, initials were too confusing, so she became Diana. And in Italy, it's Daiana!
D.R. has always been a mystery fan. Her reading habit coupled with twenty-five years in a mariachi band naturally led her to create mariachi violinist Andy Veracruz, who first hit the scene with Mariachi Meddler, where his curiosity gets the better of him. His second adventure, Island Casualty, takes him to a remote Greek island for a "vacation," but he doesn't get much chance to relax. In Dizzy in Durango, Andy chases Rachel to Mexico, but when he tries to locate a missing elementary school teacher, he gets stuck with two small children instead. In his latest outing, Substitute Soloist, Andy wants to please his new boss, but when Maestro Morais asks Andy to pose as a soloist, he asks for more than Andy bargained for! But then things got worse! In Brotherly Love, he has to teach high school students. Ouch!
When she has a chance, D.R. hits the road. One of her favorite mottoes is “When it comes to travel, no excuse is too small.” Thailand is a favorite destination because of the friendly people, fascinating temples, and wonderful beaches. Her experiences there led to Thai Twist, a travel romance about two sisters chasing around the country to deliver a package to a long-lost relative. In Carillon Chase, however, she celebrates two of her "home" states. After she's hired by a travel company, Gina has to complete a road trip between the capitals of Arizona and Illinois!
Other favorite destinations include Venice, Italy, and Paris, France. She's currently working on novels featuring both of those destinations. Meanwhile, she borrowed her cousins' small town in Northern Italy to create the perfect setting for Party Wine.
Need music? A longtime music lover, D.R. often performs with Mariachi Alegre, led by Jorge Bejarano, or Mariachi Mixteca led by Tony Ruiz. If you'd like to set up a gig, let us know here. If you'd like to know about her on-the-job training for mariachi, check out Secrets of a Mariachi Violinist. (But have no fear--the names were changed to protect the guilty.)
During the school year, D.R. performs with Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra, led by the feisty Linus Lerner. She loves classical music because it's such a challenge, but do those 32nd notes really have to be so fast?
A confirmed cat lover, D.R. shares her home with several felines. The furry darlings get into plenty of trouble, but at least they don't talk back!
Biography
D.R. (Diane Renée) writes from Tucson, Arizona. She grew up in Illinois, but she decided that twenty Midwestern winters were more than enough! Now she visits her hometown of Springfield, Illinois during the summers, when it's safe(r). Why the initials? Another childhood friend was named Diane, and that became way too confusing. In Mexico, however, initials were too confusing, so she became Diana. And in Italy, it's Daiana!
D.R. has always been a mystery fan. Her reading habit coupled with twenty-five years in a mariachi band naturally led her to create mariachi violinist Andy Veracruz, who first hit the scene with Mariachi Meddler, where his curiosity gets the better of him. His second adventure, Island Casualty, takes him to a remote Greek island for a "vacation," but he doesn't get much chance to relax. In Dizzy in Durango, Andy chases Rachel to Mexico, but when he tries to locate a missing elementary school teacher, he gets stuck with two small children instead. In his latest outing, Substitute Soloist, Andy wants to please his new boss, but when Maestro Morais asks Andy to pose as a soloist, he asks for more than Andy bargained for! But then things got worse! In Brotherly Love, he has to teach high school students. Ouch!
When she has a chance, D.R. hits the road. One of her favorite mottoes is “When it comes to travel, no excuse is too small.” Thailand is a favorite destination because of the friendly people, fascinating temples, and wonderful beaches. Her experiences there led to Thai Twist, a travel romance about two sisters chasing around the country to deliver a package to a long-lost relative. In Carillon Chase, however, she celebrates two of her "home" states. After she's hired by a travel company, Gina has to complete a road trip between the capitals of Arizona and Illinois!
Other favorite destinations include Venice, Italy, and Paris, France. She's currently working on novels featuring both of those destinations. Meanwhile, she borrowed her cousins' small town in Northern Italy to create the perfect setting for Party Wine.
Need music? A longtime music lover, D.R. often performs with Mariachi Alegre, led by Jorge Bejarano, or Mariachi Mixteca led by Tony Ruiz. If you'd like to set up a gig, let us know here. If you'd like to know about her on-the-job training for mariachi, check out Secrets of a Mariachi Violinist. (But have no fear--the names were changed to protect the guilty.)
During the school year, D.R. performs with Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra, led by the feisty Linus Lerner. She loves classical music because it's such a challenge, but do those 32nd notes really have to be so fast?
A confirmed cat lover, D.R. shares her home with several felines. The furry darlings get into plenty of trouble, but at least they don't talk back!
