Maria Duenas is a Spanish author known for her engaging novels that often blend historical fiction with elements of romance and adventure. She gained widespread recognition with her debut novel, The Time in Between (original title: La templanza), which tells the story of a young seamstress during the tumultuous times of the Spanish Civil War. Duenas has a background in philology and has worked as a university professor. Her writing often reflects her deep understanding of history and culture, making her stories rich and immersive. In addition to her novels, she has also written essays and articles, contributing to various literary discussions.