D.R. (Diane Renée) Ransdell is a writer and musician. Originally from Springfield, Illinois, she started playing the violin at the age of ten. After majoring in Spanish, she spent five years in Mexico teaching English and learning folk music. After she moved to Tucson, she joined a mariachi group and has played Mexican music ever since. She writes a murder mystery series about mariachi bandleader Andy Veracruz and travel novels about mariachi violinist Rachel Campanello. She teaches writing at the University of Arizona, where she specializes in second-language writing. She spends free time at the swimming pool or chasing after a couple of cats. www.dr-ransdell.com.