Award-winning novelist Rusty Blackwood has announced that the ebook version of her latest novel, Before The Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster, will be available at no charge on July 30 and 31, 2026, at Amazon. This prequel to her Autumn Trilogy immerses readers in the equestrian world of professional racing, concealed secrets, and an unfaltering love, demonstrating that determination and grit can turn uncertainty into triumph.
Every legacy begins with a choice. The novel follows Cyril Landon, a deprived young Englishman born into poverty in the village of South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire. His chance for success appeared far removed from his grasp, but he was filled with determination and an endless drive to achieve much better than his station offered. A laborer's situation at a local farm provided a window into a possible future, leading him through doors that would open many more. Little did he know how far his choice would take him.
"I am pleased to offer Before the Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster at no charge during this timeframe," Blackwood stated. "Born into extreme poverty with little hope of survival, Cyril Landon's difficult beginnings throughout England's horrific war years will better assist readers in understanding the difficult journey that precedes the grandeur awaiting them in The Perils of Autumn. For fans of Historical Fiction, this page-turner is a must read."
Reviewers have praised the prequel. Richard Prause of Readers Favorite noted, "It doesn't depend on manufactured plot twists to drive the story. Instead, it focuses on the simple, powerful moments of a man earning the trust of a stallion. It's a perceptive exploration of ambition and loyalty. If you appreciate character-driven historical fiction, this novel is well worth your time." Another reviewer, Asher Syed, stated, "Overall, this will be a boon for readers who are already fans of the series, and a brilliant introduction to fans-in-waiting."
The first book in the series, The Perils Of Autumn, set primarily in the early 1970s, centers on Autumn Leeves, a young Kentucky woman born in 1946 to an unwed mother. Shunned by society, mother and daughter find themselves in peril until a kind old shopkeeper takes them in. By 1970, Autumn graduates nursing school and is sent to care for the terminally ill wife of middle-aged English equestrian master Cyril Landon, owner of Landon Lawns Stables, a successful Thoroughbred racing stable. Duff Taylor, a world-renowned jockey, lives full-time at Landon Lawns and harbors a dark secret surrounding an unsolved racing incident. Autumn arrives at Landon Manor and finds herself caught in ongoing disruption. Cyril and Autumn are attracted to each other, but their romance is plagued by those trying to stop it. They rise above and marry, but peril again knocks when Autumn's mother dies, leaving a pregnant Autumn to mourn while fighting to not miscarry.
For The Perils Of Autumn, Blackwood was named a finalist in the Fiction Romance category by International Book Awards in 2019 and also in American Book Fest's 2019 awards program. The book received a 5-star rating from Reader's Favorite. Reviewers have lavished praise on it. Ray Simmons said, "Romance and good writing come together perfectly in Rusty Blackwood's 'The Perils of Autumn'. A great read." Trudi LoPreto said, "This book has it all and more. Please do not pass up 'The Perils of Autumn' - you will not be sorry."
Blackwood's previous 5-star rated romantic fiction novel, Willow's Walk, set in Ottawa, Canada in 2003, tells a gripping tale of a woman determined to prevail at all costs. It also received numerous 5-star reviews. Her first romantic fiction novel, Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary, has been compared to Erich Segal's Love Story and Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook.
The new book is available at Amazon. Information on all of Blackwood's work is available at her website.
