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 for free on September 10 and 11, 2026, via Amazon. This prequel to the thrilling Autumn Trilogy offers readers a deeper understanding of the equestrian world of professional racing, concealed secrets, and unfaltering love that defines the series, demonstrating that determination and grit can turn uncertainty into triumph.
Every legacy begins with a choice - Before the grandeur came the master. The novel introduces Cyril Landon, a deprived young Englishman born into poverty in the village of South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire, England. With few opportunities and a seemingly hopeless future, Cyril's life takes a transformative turn when a labourer's position at a local farm opens a door to a world he never imagined. His journey is one of determination, grit, and an endless drive to achieve more than his station in life would suggest, setting the stage for the grandeur that awaits in The Perils of Autumn.
In his review, Richard Prause of Readers Favorite praised the book, saying, "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, noted, "Overall, this will be a boon for readers who are already fans of the series, and a brilliant introduction to fans-in-waiting."
Blackwood expressed her enthusiasm for the promotion: "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." The new book is available at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rusty-Blackwood/author/B0092XLBRM.
The Autumn Trilogy has garnered significant acclaim. The Perils Of Autumn, the first book in the series, was named a finalist in the Fiction Romance category by the International Book Awards in 2019 and by the American Book Fest in the same year. It also received a 5-star rating from Reader's Favorite. Set primarily in the early 1970s, the novel centers on Autumn Leeves, a young Kentucky woman born to an unwed mother, Abigail. Their lives change when a kind shopkeeper takes them in. By 1970, Autumn, now a nursing school graduate, is assigned to care for the terminally ill wife of middle-aged English equestrian master Cyril Landon, owner of Landon Lawns Stables in Lexington, Kentucky. There, she becomes entangled with jockey Duff Taylor, who harbors a dark secret from an unsolved racing incident. Despite obstacles, Cyril and Autumn marry, but peril strikes again when Abigail dies, leaving a pregnant Autumn fighting to save her baby.
Reviewers have lavished praise on the series. Ray Simmons said, "Romance and good writing come together perfectly in Rusty Blackwood's 'The Perils of Autumn'. A great read." Trudi LoPreto added, "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, including the 5-star rated Willow's Walk and Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary, have also received rave reviews. Willow's Walk, set in Ottawa, Canada, in 2003, is a gripping tale of a woman determined to prevail, while Passions in Paris has been compared to classics like Erich Segal's Love Story and Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook.
Information on all of Blackwood's work is available at her website. Readers can download paperback and Kindle versions of her books at Amazon sites worldwide, including Amazon.ca. 'Rusty Blackwood, A 3 Part Retrospect' is available at her website and on YouTube. Rusty Blackwood is available for interview in the Toronto and Niagara areas and can be reached by email at writerrusty@hotmail.ca. More information is available at her website at http://www.rusty-blackwood.com. All of her books are available at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rusty-Blackwood/author/B0092XLBRM.
Rusty Blackwood is a prolific Indie author of romantic fiction, short story comedies, contemporary and traditional poetry, and children's books. Her first love is romantic fiction, but she crosses genres with ease.
