Award-winning novelist Rusty Blackwood has announced the release of Before The Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster, a prequel to her Autumn series of books. The novel delves into the early life of Cyril Landon, the Horsemaster who plays a pivotal role in the trilogy. Set in the impoverished village of South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire, England, the story follows Landon from birth through a difficult, poverty-stricken existence to his rise as an acclaimed horsemaster.
Blackwood stated, "It gives me great pleasure to bring you, Before the Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster. This trip down memory lane was 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." She explained that the prequel provides readers with a detailed account of a character who provides the successful life that the entire Autumn cast cherishes.
In a review, 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. If you appreciate character-driven historical fiction, this novel is well worth your time." 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 new book is available at Amazon. Blackwood's earlier work, The Perils Of Autumn, the first book in the series, was named a finalist in the Fiction Romance category by the International Book Awards in 2019 and received a 5-star rating from Reader's Favorite. The novel is set primarily in the early 1970s and centers on Autumn Leeves, a young Kentucky woman who becomes a nurse and cares for the terminally ill wife of Cyril Landon. The story explores her romance with Landon and the challenges they face.
Blackwood has also received praise for her other novels, including Willow's Walk and Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary. Willow's Walk is a gripping tale set in Ottawa, Canada, about a woman determined to prevail. Passions in Paris is a sweeping saga that has been compared to Erich Segal's Love Story and Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook. Information on all of Blackwood's work is available at her website, and readers can download paperback and Kindle versions of her books at Amazon sites worldwide.
