J.F. Riordan was born in New Jersey and first moved to Michigan, then Wisconsin as a child. At the age of 14 she decided to become an opera singer, and at 16 went to the University of New Mexico to study voice. She continued her music studies in Chicago and Milwaukee, and ultimately became a professional singer. Homesick after years of travel, she came home to the Midwest, finished her college degree, and became certified to teach high school. Riordan currently lives in exile from Washington Island with her husband and two dogs. North of the Tension Line is her first novel. You can visit her at northofthetensionline.net.