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 September 10 and 11, 2026. The promotion aims to introduce new readers to the origins of her popular Autumn Trilogy, a series that has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated following.
Before The Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster serves as a prequel to the Autumn Trilogy, which includes The Perils of Autumn. The novel delves into the early life of Cyril Landon, a young Englishman born into poverty in the village of South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire. Despite his dire circumstances, Cyril’s determination and grit lead him to a laborer’s job at a local farm, where he discovers a passion for horses that will ultimately shape his destiny. The story explores themes of ambition, loyalty, and the transformative power of seizing opportunity.
The book has received positive reviews from critics. Richard Prause of Readers Favorite praised it as “a perceptive exploration of ambition and loyalty,” noting that it “doesn’t depend on manufactured plot twists to drive the story.” Another reviewer, Asher Syed, called it “a brilliant introduction to fans-in-waiting” and “a boon for readers who are already fans of the series.”
Blackwood expressed her enthusiasm for the free promotion, stating, “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 Autumn Trilogy has earned significant recognition. 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. The novel is set in the early 1970s and follows Autumn Leeves, a young Kentucky woman who becomes entangled with Cyril Landon, a middle-aged English equestrian master, and his Thoroughbred racing stable near Lexington, Kentucky. Their romance unfolds amidst secrets and peril, including a dark secret harbored by world-renowned jockey Duff Taylor.
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. Her books are available in paperback and Kindle formats at Amazon sites worldwide. The free ebook promotion of Before The Grandeur can be accessed at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rusty-Blackwood/author/B0092XLBRM. More information about the author and her work is available at her website, http://www.rusty-blackwood.com.
This promotion offers readers a chance to explore the backstory of a beloved series at no cost, potentially expanding Blackwood’s readership and highlighting the enduring appeal of character-driven historical fiction.
