Award-winning novelist Rusty Blackwood has announced the release of the hardcover edition of her latest novel, Before The Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster. The book is now available for purchase at Amazon via https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rusty-Blackwood/author/B0092XLBRM. This prequel to Blackwood's multi-award-winning Autumn Trilogy explores the origins of Cyril Landon, the English equestrian master whose legacy is central to the series.
The release of the hardcover edition holds significance for collectors and fans who prefer durable formats, as it completes the hardcover collection of the Autumn Trilogy. Blackwood stated, "I am extremely pleased to offer, Before the Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster, in hardback edition. As the prequel to my multi-award-winning Autumn Trilogy of books that are each available in hardback, having Grandeur join that select group finishes the collection perfectly, especially for the consummate collector, as well as all readers who prefer this choice of format." This move ensures that readers can now own the entire saga in a consistent, high-quality format.
Set in the village of South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire, England, the novel follows Cyril Landon, a young man born into poverty whose determination and grit drive him to seek a better life. A labourer's position at a local farm opens unexpected doors, setting him on a path toward becoming a horsemaster. The story delves into themes of ambition, loyalty, and the choices that shape a legacy, offering a character-driven narrative that reviewers have praised. 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, indeed."
The prequel serves as an introduction to the Autumn Trilogy, which begins with The Perils of Autumn. That first book, set in the early 1970s, centers on Autumn Leeves, a young Kentucky woman who becomes entangled with Cyril Landon and his racing stable. The trilogy has received accolades, including a finalist designation for The Perils of Autumn in the Fiction Romance category at the 2019 International Book Awards and a 5-star rating from Reader's Favorite. Another reviewer, Asher Syed, commented on the prequel, "Overall, this will be a boon for readers who are already fans of the series, and a brilliant introduction to fans-in-waiting."
Blackwood is also offering the book at no charge during this timeframe, stating, "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." This promotional effort aims to broaden the series' readership and provide context for the events of the trilogy.
For more information on Blackwood's work, readers can visit her website at http://www.rusty-blackwood.com.
