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, exclusively at Amazon. This prequel to the thrilling Autumn Trilogy offers readers a chance to explore the origins of the series' equestrian world, filled with professional racing, concealed secrets, and an unfaltering love that demonstrates how determination and grit can turn uncertainty into triumph.
The novel delves into the life of Cyril Landon, a deprived young Englishman born into poverty in the village of South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire, England. With few opportunities available to him, Cyril's future appears bleak. However, his unwavering determination and endless drive to achieve a better life lead him to a labourer's position at a local farm, which opens doors he never imagined. This choice sets him on a path that ultimately leads to the grandeur of the Autumn Trilogy. As Blackwood explains, "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."
Reviewers have praised the book for its character-driven narrative. 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." Asher Syed added that it is "a boon for readers who are already fans of the series, and a brilliant introduction to fans-in-waiting."
The Autumn Trilogy began with The Perils of Autumn, which was a finalist in the Fiction Romance category at the 2019 International Book Awards and the American Book Fest's 2019 awards program, and received a 5-star rating from Reader's Favorite. Set primarily in the early 1970s, it follows Autumn Leeves, a young Kentucky woman born to an unwed mother. After graduating nursing school in 1970, Autumn is assigned to care for the terminally ill wife of English equestrian master Cyril Landon, owner of Landon Lawns Stables near Lexington, Kentucky. The stable is also home to world-renowned jockey Duff Taylor, who harbors a dark secret from an unsolved racing incident. Cyril and Autumn's ensuing romance faces numerous obstacles, but they overcome them and marry. However, peril strikes again when Autumn's mother dies, leaving a pregnant Autumn to fight for her baby's life.
Blackwood's other works include the 5-star rated romantic fiction novel Willow's Walk, set in Ottawa, Canada, in 2003, which follows a woman determined to prevail despite overwhelming challenges. Her first romantic fiction novel, Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary, has been compared to Erich Segal's Love Story and Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook. Both books have received rave reviews from professional reviewers.
The free ebook promotion of Before The Grandeur is significant because it allows new readers to enter the series at no cost, potentially expanding Blackwood's readership. It also provides existing fans with the backstory they may have longed for, deepening their understanding of Cyril Landon's journey. By making the prequel available for free, Blackwood underscores her commitment to making her work accessible and building a community of readers invested in the Autumn Trilogy. The promotion runs for two days only, so interested readers should take advantage of this opportunity. The ebook is available at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rusty-Blackwood/author/B0092XLBRM. More information about the author and her work can be found at her website, http://www.rusty-blackwood.com.
