Award-winning novelist Rusty Blackwood has announced the release of her new novel, Before the Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster, a prequel to her Autumn series. The book delves into the early life of Cyril Landon, the horsemaster central to the series, tracing his journey from poverty in Gloucestershire, England, to becoming a celebrated equestrian figure.
Set in the village of South Wood Chester, the story follows Cyril Landon, born into a world of poverty and limited opportunity. A chance laborer's job on a local farm opens a door to a future he never imagined, setting him on a path that would define his legacy. Blackwood described the prequel as "a journey thoroughly enjoyed on my behalf, as it opened a well-defined observation into Cyril Landon's early life, from birth, through a difficult, poverty-stricken existence, to the acclaimed, celebrated Horsemaster you meet in The Perils of Autumn."
The novel has received praise from reviewers. 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." 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 series began with The Perils of Autumn, set primarily in the early 1970s. That novel centers on Autumn Leeves, born in 1946 to an unwed mother. After graduating nursing school in 1970, Autumn is assigned to care for the terminally ill wife of Cyril Landon, a middle-aged English equestrian master and owner of Landon Lawns Stables in Kentucky. The story follows her romance with Cyril amid challenges from those who oppose their relationship. The Perils of Autumn earned Blackwood finalist status in the Fiction Romance category of the International Book Awards and the American Book Fest's 2019 awards program, and received a 5-star rating from Readers' Favorite.
Blackwood is also known for her other romantic fiction novels, including Willow's Walk and Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary. Willow's Walk, set in Ottawa, Canada, in 2003, received multiple 5-star reviews, with one reader calling it "brutally honest" and noting the "bittersweet conclusion." Passions in Paris has been compared to Erich Segal's Love Story and Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook.
The new book is available at Amazon. More information about Blackwood's work can be found on her website.
