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 the thrilling Autumn Trilogy immerses readers into the equestrian world of professional racing, concealed secrets, and an unfaltering love, demonstrating that determination and grit can turn uncertainty into triumph.
Set in the village of South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire, England, the story follows Cyril Landon, a young Englishman born into poverty with little hope of survival. His chance for success appears remote, but his determination, grit, and endless drive propel him toward a better life. A laborer's position at a local farm opens a window into a possible future he had never considered, leading to a series of opportunities that transform his life. The new book is available at Amazon.
Blackwood stated, "I am pleased to offer Before the Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster at no charge during this timeframe. 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."
In his review, Richard Prause of Readers Favorite said, "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, indeed. 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 face peril until a kind old shopkeeper takes them in. By 1970, Autumn graduates nursing school and is assigned to care for the terminally ill wife of middle-aged English equestrian master Cyril Landon. Duff Taylor, a world-renowned jockey living at Landon's stable, harbors a dark secret about an unsolved racing incident. Autumn and Cyril find themselves attracted, but their romance is plagued by those trying to stop it. They marry, but peril strikes 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 by American Book Fest in the same category. The book received a 5-star rating from Reader's Favorite. Reviewers have praised the novel; 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 works include the 5-star rated romantic fiction novel Willow's Walk, set in Ottawa, Canada in 2003, and Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary, a sweeping saga compared to Erich Segal's Love Story and Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook. Information on all of Blackwood's work is available at her website. All of her books are available at Amazon.
