Dani Raschel grew up in Freer, Texas, a small town west of Corpus Christi and east of Laredo.  Although offering staples that she was too young to haunt, like bars and dance halls, Freer was still perfect for hours of imaginative escapism, and for that she'll forever be grateful.

She spent her early years meandering throughout the South Texas monte and listening to her grandmother tell stories about growing up in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico.  When she wasn't with her grandmother, she was writing, and when she wasn't writing, she was reading.

Dani left Freer in 2002 to attend Texas A & M International University in Laredo on a Presidential Scholarship. She received her BA in urban studies and minored in English. However, she still wrote every chance she had and after graduation began working on her first novel, which she referred to as "Lulu." This would become the draft for Virgin in Running Shoes.

Dani now works for the City of Laredo as a planner, but she writes during her lunch breaks and in the evenings.

Favorite Authors:

Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Julio Cervantes, Martin Espada, Haruki Murakami and J.K. Rowling.

Tattoos

Many ask what her tattoos mean.  Although she's keeping mum on that, she will tell you what she has.

Dragonfly
Dolphin
Leo Symbol
Gil Elvroy Pin-Up Girl