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.
Before the Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster is the prequel to the thrilling Autumn Trilogy, set to immerse readers into the equestrian world of professional racing, concealed secrets, and an unfaltering love. The story follows Cyril Landon, a young Englishman born into poverty in South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire, who discovers a path to success through determination and grit. His journey begins with a laborer's job at a local farm, opening doors he never imagined.
Blackwood expressed her pleasure in offering the book for free during this timeframe, stating that understanding Cyril Landon's difficult beginnings during England's war years helps readers appreciate the grandeur awaiting them in The Perils of Autumn. The novel has garnered praise from reviewers, including Richard Prause of Readers Favorite, who noted its focus on simple, powerful moments and character-driven historical fiction. Asher Syed added that it serves as both a boon for existing fans and a brilliant introduction for new readers.
Blackwood's first book in the series, The Perils of Autumn, set in the early 1970s, centers on Autumn Leeves, a young Kentucky woman born to an unwed mother. After nursing school, Autumn is assigned to care for the terminally ill wife of equestrian master Cyril Landon, leading to a romance plagued by obstacles. The book earned Blackwood a finalist position in the Fiction Romance category at the International Book Awards and American Book Fest's 2019 awards program, and received a 5-star rating from Reader's Favorite.
Blackwood's other works include Willow's Walk, a romantic fiction novel set in Ottawa, Canada, and Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary, a sweeping saga compared to classics like Love Story and The Notebook. Both have received numerous 5-star reviews.
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, including Amazon.ca.
