Blaze of Glory

Publisher's Summary

What if you had to choose between the life that you loved and the love of your life?

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...

©2011 M. Garzon (P)2018 M. Garzon

Great Story, Great Narration!

I was first attracted to this book by the cover. I love horses, and this cover pulled me in. Next was the story blurb, it intrigued me. The audio sample was good too. Typically I do not listen to coming of age books as I am much older than that. This book by M Garzon really kept my interest. The book is much more than a girl and her horse and first love book. The author wrote great characters and had them mature, but life was not with rose colored glasses. Tea has tragedy and heartbreak, hope, love and redemption. I really thought this was one of the better coming of age books that I have listened to. Kai Hollowell did a great performance with her distinguished character voices. I appreciate it when a narrator can perform multiple ages and accents well. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Absolutely Loved It!

I absolutely loved this story. This story was very sweet and wholesome. The plot was good! The narration gives that extra flair to the books. This author gives you great detail with her character builds. A job well done! This was my first book by this author but definitely will not be my last. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Oh Wow!

This book was awesome!!

I loved the characters, the plot was easy to follow and Kasi Hollowell really knew how to bring the characters to life.

I laughed, I gasped and I cried through out this book. But I the love between Tea and Jaden has got to be the one for the history books.
What would you do if you found yourself falling in love with a man you thought you should never have?? Tea asks herself this question more then once, thinking everyone would be up in arms if there love was found out. However the ending of this book proves something entirely different then she thought.

I can’t wait to start book two in the series, and I would highly recommend the series to my friends.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Good young adult read with interesting family dynamics!

Hi, received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I am new to M. Garzon’s books but enjoyed delving into this story about Tea and her complicated, evolving relationship with Jaden that had me rooting for them. I liked that though Tea was a junior, she worked hard with her horses and students and was driven to meet her goals. She wasn’t a pushover. She had some rough months facing consequences for being reckless only to be followed by tragedy but she emerged and came out on the other side. I was excited to see her grow into a more forthright and honest young woman when it would have been easier to be vague or lie, showing her personal growth as well. There is teen romance that faces its own challenges due to family dynamics. I liked the pace of the story and development of their young love. I liked the emphasis on communication at key points when trying to work though issues they were facing. Great twist near end with her birthday gift! Jaden and Tea have made it this far, hope the days ahead now that their relationship is out in the open get easier and they find support for their future.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Loved this Book!

What a fantastic coming of age story! It's a long listen, but it honestly didn't feel like it! Even though I left my teenage years behind a long time ago, this book is so well written that it brought it all back like it was yesterday. The uncertainty of your first real love, the pressure of living up to the expectations placed on you, the agony of loss... I just couldn't stop listening! So happy I received a free copy of this book that I'm leaving this honest review in the hope that you'll read it too! The story is great, the narration was fantastic... you just can't go wrong with it!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Loved It

I got this story via audiobook boom and this is my voluntary review. When I first started listening to this I thought I was getting another one of those stories where the stepfather likes the boy but not the girl. But as the story progressed it got clearer that there was so much more going on. I enjoyed the HEA as well as the many plot twists involved in the story. I am sorry about the horse but glad that the stepdad did love the stepdaughter and gave her the brother of the horse she loved so much and lost. I am sure that there is more to the story but it did not end in a cliffhanger. The narrator did so much to make the story come to life.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Blaze of Glory

The trials and tribulations of growing up. Téa is coming of age, and experiences all that comes with that. Love, loss, family drama... this book has it all.

This story was so well written. It was very easy to connect with the characters and situations.

Kasi Hollowell did a wonderful job with the narration. She really brought the characters to life.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Not for the younger horse mad reader

I write this review after listening to the audio rendition of this book. I admire the way the narrator enhanced the story, by the straight forward reading of the book.
I grew up with a crush on horses. My family situation was such that we could not have a horse, but when I was older, I had a chance to purchase and live in a property where horses could be part of my life and my children's lives.
I think I read every horse story available, but this unlike any horse tale I have read previously.
The difference is that not only is the horse elements in this story, but the ache of a teenager, coming of age, so to speak, of boyfriends and the complications inherit. It also deals with other problems, such as step parents and corporal punishment.
I recommend this book for young adults, due to some of the content. It may help in the understanding of some situations, that people face today.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Amazing!

Loved this story! It's a great "coming of age" story. Sometimes you need to make hard choices, and this is a beautifully written and narrated story about Tea and Jaden, and their complicated relationship. It's full of love and heartbreak, and wonderful lessons. This may be a book about young adults, but I'm 50 (uhhh I mean 38! lol) and I loved it just as much as a younger person would. I think people of all ages can feel great about this story, I very much enjoyed it and will be happy to listen to move by this author and narrator. Loved it!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great coming of Age

An excellent coming of age novel that really brought the feels to me. Garzon is a great author and I would read more by them in the future. The characters are full of life and feel like real people to me, going through realistic tragedies.

The narration is excellent as well! Hollowell did a wonderful job of making each character feel distinct from the other. I recommend the audio version!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful