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 the thrilling Autumn Trilogy, immersing readers in the equestrian world of professional racing, concealed secrets, and an unfaltering love. It demonstrates that determination and grit can turn uncertainty into triumph. The story follows Cyril Landon, a young Englishman born into poverty in the village of South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire, who finds hope and a new path through a labourer's job at a local farm.
"I am pleased to offer 'Before the Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster' at no charge during this timeframe," stated Blackwood. "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."
Reviewers have praised the novel. 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." Asher Syed added, "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 series, was named a finalist in the Fiction Romance category by International Book Awards in 2019 and also received a 5-star rating from Reader's Favorite. Set primarily in the early 1970s, it centers on a young Kentucky woman, Autumn Leeves, and her perilous journey alongside equestrian master Cyril Landon.
Blackwood's other works include the 5-star rated 'Willow's Walk' and 'Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary,' which have drawn comparisons to classics like Erich Segal's 'Love Story' and Nicholas Sparks' 'The Notebook.'
Information on all of Blackwood's work is available at her website. Readers can download paperback and Kindle versions of her books at Amazon sites worldwide.
