Tag Archives: Blaze of Glory

Elina/Halo Boy by M. Garzon – Reviews

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Elina/Halo Boy by M. Garzon – Reviews

 

Halo BoyAmazon

Description:
How do you fix things when you’re failing at every part of your life? Don’t ask me. 
I did okay in high school. I had friends, dated, even made decent grades thanks to my brainy twin sister. But now high school’s over. It’s time to be a man… if only I knew how. 

I couldn’t live by my stepfather’s rules, so I flew the coop and landed at my genetic father’s, in Spain. A whole new country for me to screw up in. So of course, I did. After I’d burned through a second family, there was nowhere left for me to go. Maybe I was destined to wander the earth—me, the homebody. 

 

Review:

Halo Boy by M.Garzon spot lights Seth, Tea’s twin brother.  We met Seth in the Blaze of Glory trilogy and learned a little about him, but now it’s time for Seth to stretch his legs and tell his story. 

Halo Boy is about feeling lost, finding oneself and learning that it’s okay to screw up along the way as long as you don’t loose sight of the big picture and forget where you came from.  Seth is your typical teenager, sorta adrift with his life, and not knowing where he wants to go next, or what he really wants out of life.  He feels that by going to Spain and meeting his biological father he can find all this out.  However, it’s the exact opposite, he doesn’t want to be anything like his biological father, in fact he starts to realize that maybe Dec, his stepdad, is the father he truly wants to have in his life.  It’s through his friend Eli who he meets in Spain, and a family he winds up working for in Ireland on a horse breeding farm of all places, go figure eh Seth, back to the horses again, that he finally realizes just what he wants out of life and what direction he wants to go with his life.  He finally figures out what he wants to do once he’s done school.  Once Seth finally comes to this realization he decides it’s time to finally go home to the only real home he’s ever had, and wants to have back in Canada on the farm he loves dearly, and everyone he truly loves and holds dear lives.

Halo Boy is a sweet story about a teenage boy who feels like he’s failed at everything and is destined to be a screw-up the rest of his life.  I enjoyed watching Seth go through his journey and finally realize that he isn’t a screw-up, but only needed to find what he loves most and go for it.  Watching Seth ‘grow up’ and see that he can  do whatever he wants in life if he puts his mind to it and believes in himself was very satisfying for me because I always felt bad for him in the Blaze of Glory trilogy. I was hoping we’d get to see Seth’s side of things and see how he came to the realization he came to in the end of the Blaze series.  Ms. Garzon has knack for writing these coming of age stories and showing just what young people of today deal with in there every day lives.  Seth is a well written character that any teenage boy can relate to and connect with in reading Halo Boy.  Halo Boy is a well written story, with a solid cast of characters and plot development.  It’s a story that any young person can connect with, along with any parents who have teenagers today.  I feel another hit coming on for Ms. Garzon with Halo Boy.

Until next time happy reading everyone. 

 

Elina

  Amazon

Description:
A mother will always do what’s best for her children… even if it means giving up her own chance at happiness.

A decade ago, Elina’s life was derailed by a smooth-talking charmer. Since then she’s toiled endlessly to create a better life for her children, putting thoughts of romantic love aside. But when handsome, intimidating Declan wins her over with his timely help and old-fashioned notions of love, Elina has a decision to make. Her long-awaited financial success requires a move to Montreal, a city too far away to keep new love alive, and Declan runs his family’s equestrian business – he can’t move. How can Elina find happiness when her heart is pulling her one way and her children’s futures are pulling in another?

Discover the story behind the Blaze of Glory trilogy readers have come to love. You don’t know everything about a man until you know his history.


Review:

Well Ms. Garzon has done it again with Elina.  She’s written a story that reaches the  reader on a realistic level with real fleshed out characters who are facing very real everyday problems/issues.  This is Elina’s story, Tea and Seth’s mother, whom we learn a little about in the Blaze of Glory trilogy.  After learning what we do of Elina in the Blaze of Glory triology through her children and Declan, it was nice to finally read her story, and see how she and Declan met and fell in love.  As nice as it was to read Elina and  Declan’s story, it was somewhat sad for me as I knew what becomes of Elina in the Blaze of Glory trilogy.  So for me it was a little bittersweet when I got to the end of this story. 

As we meet and learn who Elina is in this one, we also get to meet a much younger version of Tea and Seth.  These two just steal the show with every scene they are in and watching the mother/child interactions is sweet and adorable.  We can see and feel the love that this little family has for each other and you can’t help but fall in love with them.  Seeing the determination and willingness Elina has, and will do whatever she has to for her children is very strongly written and empowering.  Elina is a very strong female protagonist that anyone can relate and connect with. 

Elina and Declan’s budding romance is rocky at first but slowly moves into a sweet, charming and loving relationship.  For Declan it’s practically love at first sight not only with Elina but her children as well.  You can see Declan’s love for not only Elina but her twins as well with his actions and words whenever they are in scenes together.  He knows they are a package that goes together and stays together and is willing to take them all on because he loves them that much.  When Declan admits all this to Elina it’s a scene that steals the story, and made me wish I didn’t know what was to come for Elina in the Blaze trilogy.  Elina and Declan are a wonderful well written and realistic couple who both have problems of their own, but together realize that they are stronger together then apart.

In my opinion Ms. Garzon has another hit on her hands.  Elina is a lovely, charming, heartwarming and well written pre-quel to the Blaze of Glory trilogy.  I enjoyed finally learning and reading about Elina, the younger versions of Tea and Seth and seeing how Elina and Declan met and came to be.  It’s a fast paced story that is hard to put down once you get going with it.  The events happen quickly and keep the reader interested every turn of the page to the very end.   For anyone who hasn’t had a chance to read these wonderful, heartwarming stories from Ms. Garzon, I say what are you waiting for. 

Until next time, happy reading everyone!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copies supplied for reviews

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Renaissance Man by M. Garzon

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Renaissance Man by M. Garzon

 

Renaissance ManLinks to order Renaissance Man:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo 

Description:
“And they lived happily ever after.”

In fairy tales, that’s always how things end. The prince and princess ride away on his white horse, and from then on all’s right with the world. But what if it wasn’t? What if the prince’s life didn’t suit the princess? What if she felt stifled by life inside the castle walls? Could she tell him? And if she loved him—really loved him—how could she ask him to give up his kingdom?

 

Review;

That little blurb from the back of the book is a very fitting way to describe the events that take place in M. Garzon’s 3rd and final installment, Renaissance Man, from her Blaze of Glory series featuring the budding relationship between Tea and Jaden.  I have had the pleasure of reading and reviewing her previous books; Blaze of Glory, and Look Twice, and it is safe to say that I was not disappointed with Renaissance Man. My only disappointment comes from knowing this wonderful series has come to an end. Over the course of these three novels I have come to learn about and love the characters Ms. Garzon has created and written about and feel like they are old friends.  So no wonder I’m sad to say goodbye to them. 

Throughout the first two novels we’ve seen Tea tackle many obstacles in her young life, and make some hard choices.  However, nothing that has previously happened comes close to the events in Renaissance Man.  In this novel we see just how much Tea has grown not only as a horse-jumper, but also as a woman.  She’s coming to terms with everything in her life and facing many challenging decisions that will affect not only her life, but Jaden’s too, who also happens to be the love of her life. 

Jaden and Tea’s relationship has blossomed and moved past that of young love, to a more mature, life altering love.  They are faced with many decisions that must be made in order for them to make a life together.  These decisions are not easy one’s, they are demanding on both of them, and at times looks like their lives/careers are pulling them in separate directions.  At one point in the story Ms. Garzon had  me worried about them and I wasn’t sure they would make it to their HEA.  Thankfully, after some well written drama, tough decisions, and serious thinking on Tea’s part, she comes to a conclusion that makes not only herself happy, but Jaden as well.  This decision also impacts her other family members; Dec(stepfather), Seth(brother), and her Gran.  When Tea comes to this very mature and well balanced decision to her problems, we see just how much she has grown and is ready to take on the rest of her life and career as a show jumper with Jaden by her side.

Tea and Jaden were meant to be together, they truly are the prince and princess and can now live their fairytale doing exactly what they love most, riding horses; Tea as a show jumper and Jaden as a polo player.  For me I enjoyed not only the love story and adventures of Tea and Jaden, but also the horse side of the book. I loved every scene with Tea jumping her prized horse Hades and watching her figure out just what it is that makes her horse Cal tick.  Tea has a very special relationship with horses and it shines through in every scene she’s in with them.  She knows just what is needed to get them over that next jump, or to help them settle down on a stormy night.  For anyone who loves horses like I do, Ms. Garzon’s writing about them makes you love them even more, and for those of you who maybe aren’t that fond of horses, trust me, you will be after reading this series. 

All I can say is M. Garzon has done it again and has another winner on her hands in Renaissance Man.  The story is expertly written with drama, plenty of emotion, coming of age in both Tea and Jaden’s characters, and learning to navigate through the ups and downs of life and love.  Once again we are swept away into the story and life that is Tea and Jaden and feel as though you are a part of their lives, a spectator on the sidelines watching everything unfold around you.  Ms. Garzon’s writing is smooth and free flowing and keeps you turning page after page, not wanting to put the book down. This was a marvelous ending to a well-crafted series and as happy as I am over the way she ended this series, I’m sad to say goodbye to it.  For anyone who has a teenage daughter and is looking for a remarkable coming of age series I highly recommend this series to you, and for those of you who don’t have any teenage daughters, I still highly recommend this series to you.  No matter your age you won’t be disappointed by this one. 

Until next time, Happy Reading

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Author

 

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Blaze of Glory by M. Garzon – a Review

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Blaze of Glory by M. Garzon – a Review

From Book Cover:
Last year, I had it all. Two jumpers on the show circuit, a lot of wins, and a lot of attention – the good kind. But now I have nothing. My life is circling the drain. The only spark of light that exists for me is my new, forbidden passion. If my stepfather finds out, he will kill me. My twin brother, my only blood relative in the world, has already begged me not to. But I can’t help myself. If it can’t be horses, it has to be this.

Review:

If that little book synopsis doesn’t have you wanting more, then maybe I can help, here’s what I thought of this wonderful book. 

I have to start off by saying Blaze of Glory by M. Garzon is one of the best YA books I’ve read thus far.  I can see why it’s touted to be a successful TV drama.  The story Garzon has created is a heartfelt, emotional one that had me riding my emotional roller coaster once again.  I was drawn into Garzon’s story from the very beginning, and it’s not just because I love horses.  The horses, show jumping, and polo in the story were just added bonuses for me.  Garzon drew me in from the get go with her writing, and characters.  One of the highlights for me was how real Garzon’s writing is.  It was as if I was part of the story, sitting on the ranch watching the events unfold.  I could feel the emotion of her characters pouring off the pages.  This is a powerful story that follows a teenage girl’s life(Tea) through an emotional journey that finds her navigating the waters between that of a teenager and becoming an adult. Through her journey Tea not only finds who she is as a show jumper, but also realizes that when it comes to what she truly wants(Jaden’s love), she isn’t afraid to go and get it, no matter what others may think. 

As I mentioned Blaze of Glory is about Tea Everson a seven-teen year old teenager.  She and her twin brother Seth have had their share of tragedies in their short life.  After their mom passes away, their stepfather Dec took over raising them.  Even though he’s strict with them, he does the best he can and what he thinks is right for them.  However, Tea has other ideas.  She’s a very independent, headstrong girl who acts first and thinks later.  Many times this part of her personality would get her into hot water with her step dad.  I really liked Tea as a character and found that the more I read the more I wanted to know about her.  Tea’s relationship with her brother is very real, loving, and emotional. They’re not just siblings but also the best of friends who are always there for one another.  That’s why when Tea starts to show feelings for their ‘cousin’ Jaden, Seth begins to worry that it could be more problematic and harmful to Tea then good.  With everything that has happened to Tea of late, Jaden is the only source of light in her life and she can’t help but be continually drawn to him. 

Jaden Foster is the nephew to Dec Everson and also a world class polo player.  He recently returns back to Canada and the ranch after spending a number of years abroad playing polo. He, Tea and Seth grew up like cousins thanks to Dec marrying Tea and Seth’s mom.  Having grown up together as family, one can see why Jaden could be seen as a forbidden passion for Tea.  Not only did they grow up as family, but Jaden is also older then Tea, 6 years older as he’s 23.  Even though Jaden is older then Tea he never treats her like a kid, yes he’s protective of her, but he understands her and also shares Tea’s love of horses.  It’s through this love of horses and understanding of Tea that Jaden is seeing Tea in a new light.  Knowing this could be a problem for their families Jaden tries to put distance between him and Tea, making them both miserable.  No matter how much he tries, he can’t seem to stay away from Tea, nor she from him.  In the end, it’s a useless battle and love wins out in the end.

The romance between Tea and Jaden is well written.  It’s a wonder to watch the two of them blossom as a couple and go from friends to romantic interests.  The way Ms. Garzon handles their romance is tastefully written and makes the reader root for Jaden and Tea.  With each turn of the page I wondered what sort of obstacle would surface next and would they finally confront each other, be honest about their feelings and put themselves out of their misery.  When Jaden and Tea finally come clean about their feelings for each other I couldn’t help but give a little cheer for them.  They are two characters who are meant to be and I can’t wait to read the next installment of their story.

As I said above, Blaze of Glory is excellently written, with well developed characters and storylines.  The story of Tea and Jaden is a beautifully emotional story to read and watch unfold on the canvas.  I enjoyed every moment of it and look forward to the next installment.  I want to see where Tea and Jaden are headed, will their family welcome their relationship or cause more heartache for our couple, will Jaden and Tea continue on in their respective horse riding sports.  The questions are endless and if Blaze of Glory is any indication to the type of stories and writing Ms. Garzon can deliver, then we are in for a treat with her next book.

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by author.

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