Debra RilleyDebra grew up in a loving family in the Midwest. Her dad worked in sales, so they moved several times. She lived in Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, and then again in Minnesota. She attended kindergarten in Decorah, Iowa, where she and her frend decided they would attend Luther College when they grew up. Her parents kept her and her siblings very busy to keep them out of trouble. They were involved with Scouts, a youth group at church, school activities, and 4-H. Much of their summer vacations were spent preparing projects for the Blue Earth County Fair. They performed a couple of their "Share the Fun" acts at the Minnesota State Fair.During high school, Debra was a synchronized swimmer, a pom-pom girl, a dancer in Alouettes, a flute player in the school marching band, and a singer in the choir! While attending Luther College, she sang in the choir, was a member of the Tau Delta Gamma sorority, and studied very hard to become a teacher. School was never easy, and thankfully, her mother taught her how to use mnemonic devices to help her remember.Her teaching career began at a private school in California. It was the perfect place to start with other new teachers from the Midwest. Debra also taught in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Arizona. In 2023, she retired after 42 years of helping kindergarten through fifth-grade students learn and discover the world around them. Debra earned her Master's Degree in Education from St. Mary's University while living in Minnesota.She and her husband, Tim, met on a blind date at the Minnesota Orchestra's New Year's Eve event. Best New Year's ever! Debra became a "bonus mom" and now loves being grandma to their very special grandchildren. They enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends living throughout the United States. At home in Arizona, both of them love being with friends, entertaining, reading, exploring, going to concerts, the theater, and sporting events. Now that they're both published authors, Debra and Tim look forward to relaxing and celebrating their writing adventures! Read More Read Less