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 for free on September 10 and 11, 2026, at Amazon. This prequel to the thrilling Autumn Trilogy offers readers a deeper understanding of the series' protagonist, Cyril Landon, and his rise from poverty to becoming a respected horsemaster.
Set in the village of South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire, England, Before The Grandeur introduces Cyril Landon, a young Englishman born into extreme poverty. Despite his bleak circumstances, Cyril possesses determination, grit, and an unyielding drive to achieve a better life. A laborer's job at a local farm opens a door to a future he never imagined, setting him on a path that will lead to greatness. The novel explores themes of ambition, loyalty, and the transformative power of choices, as Cyril earns the trust of a stallion and begins his journey toward becoming a master horseman.
Richard Prause of Readers Favorite praised the book, saying, "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, noted that the book "will be a boon for readers who are already fans of the series, and a brilliant introduction to fans-in-waiting."
Blackwood expressed her enthusiasm for the free promotion: "I am pleased to offer, Before the Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster, at no charge during this timeframe. 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."
The Autumn Trilogy began with The Perils of Autumn, which was named a finalist in the Fiction Romance category by the International Book Awards in 2019 and also a finalist 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 who becomes a nurse and is assigned to care for the terminally ill wife of Cyril Landon, the owner of Landon Lawns Stables, a successful Thoroughbred racing stable near Lexington, Kentucky. The novel weaves romance, suspense, and equestrian drama, as Autumn and Cyril's relationship faces numerous challenges, including a dark secret harbored by world-renowned jockey Duff Taylor.
Blackwood's other works include the 5-star rated romantic fiction novels Willow's Walk and Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary. Willow's Walk, set in Ottawa, Canada, in 2003, tells the story of a woman determined to overcome adversity. Passions in Paris is a sweeping saga compared to Erich Segal's Love Story and Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook.
All of Blackwood's books are available at Amazon, including the free promotion of Before The Grandeur on September 10 and 11, 2026. For more information, visit her website at http://www.rusty-blackwood.com. The ebook can be downloaded at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rusty-Blackwood/author/B0092XLBRM.
