cover image Blaze of Glory

Blaze of Glory

M. Garzon. Virtualbookworm.com Publishing, $14.99 trade paper (344p) ISBN 978-1-60264-810-4

Garzon flirts with controversy in this coming-of-age romance while delivering an entertaining, if unbalanced, mixture of drama and equine action. Seventeen-year-old Tea is a whiz with horses, skilled at training and show-jumping them. Tea's dream is to compete in the upcoming Royal Winter Fair, but her terrifyingly strict stepfather robs her of that opportunity, and her beloved horse, Blaze, is killed in a tragic accident. When Tea's adopted older cousin Jaden introduces her to polo, Tea discovers a new skill and a new passion. She also begins a quiet romance with Jaden, one that's complicated by their familial bonds, fear of societal disapproval, and the six-year age gap between them. Their undeniable chemistry and physical attraction win out over any reservations, though, and after numerous speed bumps, they dream of taking things to the next level. The two aspects of Garzon's story%E2%80%94quasi-illicit romance and horses%E2%80%94never quite blend seamlessly (Tea and Jaden's relationship ends up overshadowing the equestrian themes), making this feel like two strong stories awkwardly combined into a single package. Ages 14%E2%80%93up.