Review: The Time In Between

I've been (im)patiently waiting to review this wonderful book. I started reading it the moment it graced my doorstep several months ago but I've held off on writing the review until close to it's release. Because I didn't want to torture you by telling you how good it is and then you not being able to go out and buy it.

Well, the wait is over.

The Time In Between by Maria Duenas takes you back to an earlier era, one fraught with growing political tension and everyday lives of complicated people. The story is set in Mardid, Tetouan, and Lisbon before the Spanish Civil War and continues through the Second World War. The book takes you into the life of Sira Quiroga, a seamstress born into a poor life in Madrid-after being abandoned by her lover in Tangiers-she forges a new identity and becomes the most sought-after coutuiere in North Africa, catering to the idle rich and the wealthy wives of high ranking officials.

Sira dreams only of paying off her debts and rescuing her mother from war-torn Madrid, but soon finds herself embroiled in a world of spies and counterspies. Her profession puts her in a perfect position to garner classified intelligence...and then pass it along to the British Secret Service through a secret code embedded in the patterns of her haute couture designs.

What this book did was sweep me along with Sira as she meets the challenges of demanding clients, and gets captured in a world of intrigue and hidden motives. I couldn't put it down. It is beautifully written, the reader easily gets lost in the world Sira inhabits, standing alongside her as she faces down the police, and those who would kill her if they ever found out who she really was.

The Time In Between by Maria Duenas is available for pre-order now and available everywhere starting November 8th. Pick up a copy. You won't be disappointed!

I was provided with a copy of The Time In Between to complete my review. However, the opinions expressed are solely my own.

Review: Jungle Speed

A package recently arrived on my doorstep, which is always exciting around here, and when I opened it up I found a game. It turns out it's not just any game though. It's called Jungle Speed and apparently it's the latest craze in Europe. Just how good could it be?

As it turns out, really good. And complicated. And I'm challenging 9 year old Thor to a rematch until I win this game. Even if it takes centuries. It's no fun losing out to your own kid. Every. Single. Time.

Here's how you play. If you've ever played Spoons you'll know a little bit about this game already. In the center of the playing area is the totem. This is the holy grail in the game of Jungle Speed. The deck of cards, with different symbols and colors, is evenly distributed to each player. Then you flip one card all at the same time facing your opponents. If the cards symbols match, you try to grab for the totem. The person who loses inherits the other players stack of turned-over cards. Sounds easy right?

But you haven't seen the symbols on the cards. They look a lot alike and there are special cards that make it so you are matching the color and not the symbol and it can change back again with the flip of a card. The first player to get rid of all their cards, wins.

Needless to say, I lost, a bit lacking in grace, to Thor. The game requires quick recognition and lightening reflexes. This is a fun, fast paced game that is entertaining to play. Jungle Speed is available online and in stores.

*I was provided with the game Jungle Speed for free in exchange for my review. The opinion expressed is solely my own.