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 Autumn Trilogy immerses readers into the equestrian world of professional racing, concealed secrets, and unfaltering love, demonstrating that determination and grit can turn uncertainty into triumph.
The story follows Cyril Landon, a young Englishman born into poverty in South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire. With little hope for success, his labor at a local farm opens a door to an unexpected future in horsemanship. The novel traces his difficult journey through England's war years, providing context for the grandeur that unfolds in the subsequent trilogy. As Blackwood stated, "Born into extreme poverty with little hope of survival, Cyril Landon's difficult beginnings... will better assist readers in understanding the difficult journey that precedes the grandeur awaiting them in The Perils of Autumn."
Critical reception has been positive. 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." Asher Syed added, "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, earned Blackwood finalist status in the Fiction Romance category at the 2019 International Book Awards and American Book Fest. That novel centers on Autumn Leeves, a young Kentucky woman who becomes entangled with Cyril Landon and jockey Duff Taylor, whose dark secret threatens their world. Reviewers have praised it as a compelling blend of romance and historical fiction.
Blackwood's other works include the 5-star rated Willow's Walk and Passions in Paris, the latter compared to Erich Segal's Love Story and Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook. All her books are available at Amazon and other retailers. For more information, visit her website at http://www.rusty-blackwood.com.
