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 in the equestrian world of professional racing, concealed secrets, and unfaltering love, demonstrating that determination can turn uncertainty into triumph.
The story follows Cyril Landon, a young Englishman born into poverty in the village of South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire. With little hope for success, Landon's life takes a turn when he takes a labourer's position at a local farm, opening doors to a future he never imagined. 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."
Reviewers have praised the novel. 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, "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 honors in the Fiction Romance category at the 2019 International Book Awards and American Book Fest. Set primarily in the early 1970s, it centers on Autumn Leeves, a young Kentucky woman who becomes entangled with Cyril Landon, owner of Landon Lawns Stables, and jockey Duff Taylor, who harbors a dark secret. The novel received a 5-star rating from Reader's Favorite, with reviewer Ray Simmons calling it "a great read" where "romance and good writing come together perfectly."
Blackwood's other works include Willow's Walk, a gripping tale set in Ottawa, and Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary, a sweeping saga compared to Erich Segal's Love Story and Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook. Both titles have received multiple 5-star reviews. Information on all of Blackwood's work is available at her website.
