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 book can be downloaded from Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rusty-Blackwood/author/B0092XLBRM. This prequel to the thrilling Autumn Trilogy immerses readers into the equestrian world of professional racing, concealed secrets, and an unfaltering love, demonstrating that determination and grit can turn uncertainty into triumph.
The significance of this free offer lies in its potential to broaden the readership of the series and provide crucial context for existing fans. By making the prequel available at no cost, Blackwood ensures that readers can fully understand the difficult journey that precedes the grandeur awaiting them in The Perils of Autumn. As 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."
Before The Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster introduces Cyril Landon, a deprived young Englishman from the village of South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire, England. Born into poverty, Cyril's road appeared hopeless, but his determination, grit, and endless drive to achieve better would not let him settle for less. A labourer's situation at a local farm opened a door to a possible future he had never considered, and little did he know how far his choice would take him. The novel explores themes of ambition, loyalty, and the simple, powerful moments of a man earning the trust of a stallion.
Reviewers have praised the book. Richard Prause of Readers Favorite said, "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 Autumn Trilogy has garnered significant accolades. The Perils Of Autumn, the first book, was named a finalist in the Fiction Romance category by the International Book Awards in 2019 and a finalist in the American Book Fest's 2019 awards program. It also received a 5-star rating from Reader's Favorite. The book, set primarily in the early 1970s, centers on Autumn Leeves, a young Kentucky woman who becomes entangled with Cyril Landon, an English equestrian master, and his racing stable, where a world-renowned jockey harbors a dark secret.
Blackwood's other works, including Willow's Walk and Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary, have also received critical acclaim and 5-star reviews. Information on all of Blackwood's work is available at her website, http://www.rusty-blackwood.com. All of her books are available in paperback and Kindle versions at Amazon sites worldwide, including Amazon.ca.
