WILMINGTON, NC – 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 novel serves as a prequel to her thrilling Autumn Trilogy, immersing readers into the equestrian world of professional racing, concealed secrets, and unfaltering love.
'Before the Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster' tells the story of Cyril Landon, a young Englishman born into extreme poverty in the village of South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire, England. Set against the backdrop of England's war years, the narrative follows Landon's journey from hopelessness to success through determination and grit. A labourer's position at a local farm opens a door to an unexpected future in the equestrian world, setting the stage for the events in the trilogy's first book, 'The Perils of Autumn.'
Blackwood expressed her enthusiasm for the free download offer, stating, '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.'
The novel has garnered positive reviews. 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.' Another reviewer, Asher Syed, commented, 'Overall, this will be a boon for readers who are already fans of the series, and a brilliant introduction to fans-in-waiting.'
'The Perils of Autumn,' the first book in the series, earned Blackwood recognition as a finalist in the Fiction Romance category by International Book Awards in 2019 and also in the American Book Fest's 2019 awards program. The book received a 5-star rating from Reader's Favorite. Set primarily in the early 1970s, it centers on Autumn Leeves, a young Kentucky woman born in 1946 to an unwed mother. After graduating nursing school, Autumn is assigned to care for the terminally ill wife of Cyril Landon, an English equestrian master and owner of Landon Lawns Stables near Lexington, Kentucky. The story weaves romance with peril as Autumn and Cyril navigate their attraction amidst obstacles, including a dark secret held by jockey Duff Taylor.
Blackwood's previous works include 'Willow's Walk,' a 5-star rated romantic fiction novel 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.' 'Passions in Paris' received praise for its twists of intrigue and mystery. Information on all of Blackwood's work is available at her website, and her books are available at Amazon sites worldwide.
This free download offers readers an opportunity to delve into the backstory of a compelling character and experience Blackwood's character-driven historical fiction. The impact for readers is a deeper understanding of the Autumn Trilogy's origins, while the industry sees continued recognition of indie authors who craft immersive, multi-layered narratives.
