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 Autumn Trilogy immerses readers in the equestrian world of professional racing, concealed secrets, and unwavering love, demonstrating that determination and grit can turn uncertainty into triumph.
The story follows Cyril Landon, a young man born into poverty in the village of South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire, England. With little hope for a better future, Landon’s life takes a turn when he secures a laborer’s position at a local farm, opening doors to a world he never imagined. The novel explores his difficult beginnings amid England’s war years, providing context for the grandeur that unfolds 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 said. “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.”
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. 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.”
Blackwood’s The Perils of Autumn, the first book in the trilogy, was named a finalist in the Fiction Romance category by the International Book Awards in 2019 and also earned a 5-star rating from Reader’s Favorite. The novel centers on Autumn Leeves, a young Kentucky woman born in 1946 to an unwed mother. After graduating nursing school in 1970, she is assigned to care for the terminally ill wife of English equestrian master Cyril Landon, owner of Landon Lawns Stables. The story weaves romance and peril as Autumn and Cyril navigate their relationship amid secrets and tragedy.
Blackwood’s other works include the 5-star rated Willow’s Walk, 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. Information on all of Blackwood’s work is available at her website, and readers can download paperback and Kindle versions of her books at Amazon sites worldwide, including Amazon.ca.
