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Elina
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?
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?
174 pages, Paperback
Published January 7, 2017
About the author
M. Garzon
29 books53 followersWhen she's not hiking up the sides of active volcanos in the company of stray dogs, M. Garzon likes to take time to appreciate the fierce beauty of the natural world around her. She used to ride horses for a living, which was fantastic, but now considers herself extremely lucky to be a writer. She shares her home with two kids and too many rescue animals.
Her website is www.mgarzon.ca
Her website is www.mgarzon.ca
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 2, 2017
I loved this book! I fell in love with the twins and their personalities! The trials that Ellie goes through seems so realistic and heartbreaking and empowering all in the same. But DECLAN... oh boy... it was like I could hear him while reading the words on the page, the strong authoritative voice. A true gentleman, great read!!!
August 15, 2018
I love the characters in this book, as someone raised by a single Mum I really felt for Elina, it's a tough thing to do, and with twins, I can't even imagine. I remember begging for riding lessons and getting them, it's only looking back that I realize how hard Mum worked to make that possible. Reading this book was like reading a variation on my Mum's story. Elina's struggles and her triumphs came alive on these pages, I loved hearing her story.
The other characters were also great, those beautiful twins made the story so much fun. As for Declan, who wouldn't want to read about a hot, sexy, and sweet cowboy?
I really enjoyed the balance of emotions in the book and the tension and drama that were involved. It made for a very enjoyable book.
The character voices are well done, and the delivery was smooth and well paced.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and/or narrator and/or publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
The other characters were also great, those beautiful twins made the story so much fun. As for Declan, who wouldn't want to read about a hot, sexy, and sweet cowboy?
I really enjoyed the balance of emotions in the book and the tension and drama that were involved. It made for a very enjoyable book.
The character voices are well done, and the delivery was smooth and well paced.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and/or narrator and/or publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
July 2, 2017
What an absolutely awesome book. The characters and story development were perfectly done. This book was extremely well written and has fast become of my favourite series of all time. I will definitely want to one click future releases from this author. This book was full of many twists and turns that will keep you guessing what is going to happen till the very end.I have the feeling that I am going to be seeing some special works coming from this author.
I could not wait to get to the end so I devoured it in one sitting. Incredible work!!
The storyline was done really well and was believable. It kept me gripped from the very start until the end, so much so I took the book everywhere with me in order to finish it. I adore this book and cannot wait to read other works from this amazing author. I will definitely be recommending this author to everyone I know.
I could not wait to get to the end so I devoured it in one sitting. Incredible work!!
The storyline was done really well and was believable. It kept me gripped from the very start until the end, so much so I took the book everywhere with me in order to finish it. I adore this book and cannot wait to read other works from this amazing author. I will definitely be recommending this author to everyone I know.
May 26, 2019
Audio book review
This is a prelude to what will happen for the second part. The author wrote this story full of many twists and turns that will keep you guessing what is going to happen till the very end. This series will grab you and keep you wanting to get the rest of the series. This is where everything starts the listen tells us of the meeting and relationship of Dec and Elina, the mother of Seth and Tealah. It shows love and devotion. You get a better understanding for how the children interacted .
The narrator was good. Her Swedish Accent was right . Her voice was strong, clear and strong
This is a prelude to what will happen for the second part. The author wrote this story full of many twists and turns that will keep you guessing what is going to happen till the very end. This series will grab you and keep you wanting to get the rest of the series. This is where everything starts the listen tells us of the meeting and relationship of Dec and Elina, the mother of Seth and Tealah. It shows love and devotion. You get a better understanding for how the children interacted .
The narrator was good. Her Swedish Accent was right . Her voice was strong, clear and strong
August 23, 2018
I listened to Blaze of Glory (#1) before listening to this, and really loved learning more about the story and characters. I think the writing for these books is amazing, it captures so much emotion, intensity and longing for both love and family. Loved learning more about Elina, and I'm definitely captivated by this entire series. I'll definitely continue reading more in the series, and think anyone would love these books! Definitely recommended :)
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
September 18, 2018
The forerunner of "The Blaze of Glory", this delightful tale tells us of the meeting and relationship of Dec and Elina, the mother of Seth and Tealah. This relationship is what the future books relate to, and gives the reader a better understanding of the love Declan had for his children's mother.
The narrator of this audio rendition, gives a very good impression of Elina's Swedish accent, and adds an interesting aspect to the story.
The narrator of this audio rendition, gives a very good impression of Elina's Swedish accent, and adds an interesting aspect to the story.
January 17, 2017
The story needs some more development regarding the job of Declan and the job Elina has applied for. The rest of the story is very well portrayed otherwise.
March 22, 2017
As a woman raised by a single mother I found myself reading this book from a very personal perspective; I was the child begging for riding lessons as soon as I was old enough to take them. It wasn't until I was older that I realized the sacrifices my mother must have made not only in getting me riding lessons but in simply keeping together for myself and my three siblings (two of whom are twins which made my connection to this story even more profound). Garzon's characters are fully fleshed out and dimensional, I found myself feeling for all of them and empathize get with all of them - not just her title character. I started reading this series because I will read anything if it has horses as central figures, while this prequel is not a horse story I was still excited to read it. I wanted to know more about where these characters came from and what their lives were like before the trilogy. A part of me feels that the romance with Declan was a bit too fast and furious - especially considering Elina had two young children to consider in all her life decisions. Upon reflection though, and knowing Declan's take charge personality from the trilogy, the timeline makes sense. Sometimes things in life happen and they're simply right at the time and it's better not to question, this is also a work of fiction and as such I view it as somewhat of a fantasy. And don't most of us wish for that kind of head over heels romance (even if we've convinced ourselves it isn't out there)? The author briefly touched on a very important feminist point, Elina did not feel comfortable identifying herself as a single woman when she was confronted by a very dominant man. I do not have children to think of but I am constantly feeling judged by society as a single woman in her thirties without a man to lean on. It any seem like a small plot point to many but it stuck with me and I appreciate that sentiment being included. Selfishly, I wished this was longer - it came to a close far too soon.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Reading a story from the point of view of a struggling mother was moving in a way I can't describe, especially knowing that there must have been nights my own mother lay in bed crying and anxiously worrying about how she would make ends meet (as a school teacher it was never easy for her). Knowing what happens after the close of this story made it all the more heartbreaking. To hear how much Elina wants to always be there for her children made this story beyond touching knowing that she only has a few more short years with them. It broke my heart to read this story knowing that her twins would be entrusted to a man who undisputedely loves them but is also so much stricter on them than their mother ever would have been and how much it would have hurt Elina to see her children disciplined in such a fashion. even with that, this was a very thoughtful and moving story and one I could not put down once I started.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Reading a story from the point of view of a struggling mother was moving in a way I can't describe, especially knowing that there must have been nights my own mother lay in bed crying and anxiously worrying about how she would make ends meet (as a school teacher it was never easy for her). Knowing what happens after the close of this story made it all the more heartbreaking. To hear how much Elina wants to always be there for her children made this story beyond touching knowing that she only has a few more short years with them. It broke my heart to read this story knowing that her twins would be entrusted to a man who undisputedely loves them but is also so much stricter on them than their mother ever would have been and how much it would have hurt Elina to see her children disciplined in such a fashion. even with that, this was a very thoughtful and moving story and one I could not put down once I started.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews