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. The prequel to the thrilling 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 novel follows Cyril Landon, a young Englishman born into extreme poverty in the village of South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire, during England's horrific war years. With little hope for survival, Cyril's chance for success appears far removed from his grasp. However, a labourer's job at a local farm provides a window into a possible future, leading him through an opened door that opens many more. The story explores the difficult journey that precedes the grandeur awaiting readers in 'The Perils of Autumn.'
'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.'
Richard Prause of Readers Favorite praised the novel, 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, 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, born in 1946 to an unwed mother. Shunned by society, mother and daughter find peril until a kind 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 in Kentucky. Autumn and Cyril find themselves attracted, but their romance is plagued by those trying to stop it. They marry, but peril again knocks when Autumn's mother dies, leaving a pregnant Autumn to fight for her baby's survival. 'The Perils of Autumn' was a finalist in the Fiction Romance category at the 2019 International Book Awards and received a 5-star rating from Reader's Favorite.
Blackwood's previous works include 'Willow's Walk,' a gripping tale set in Ottawa, Canada, and 'Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary,' which has been compared to Erich Segal's 'Love Story' and Nicholas Sparks' 'The Notebook.' Readers can download the free ebook at Amazon. More information on all of Blackwood's work is available at her website http://www.rusty-blackwood.com.
