Award-winning novelist Rusty Blackwood has announced that the hardcover version of her latest novel, Before The Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster, is now available. The book is the prequel to the thrilling Autumn Trilogy, a series that immerses readers in the equestrian world of professional racing, concealed secrets, and an unfaltering love, demonstrating that determination and grit can turn uncertainty into triumph.
The release of the hardcover edition is significant for collectors and fans of the series. "I am extremely pleased to offer, Before the Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster, in hardback edition," Blackwood stated. "As the prequel to my multi-award-winning Autumn Trilogy of books that are each available in hardback, having Grandeur join that select group finishes the collection perfectly, especially for the consummate collector, as well as all readers who prefer this choice of format." The new hardcover is available for purchase at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rusty-Blackwood/author/B0092XLBRM.
Set in the village of South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire, England, the novel explores the origins of Cyril Landon, a deprived young Englishman born into poverty. Despite a seemingly hopeless road ahead, Cyril is filled with determination, grit, and an endless drive to achieve much better than his station in life. A labourer's situation at a local farm provides a window into a possible future he had never considered, and his choice sets him on a path that will open many more doors. The story illustrates that every legacy begins with a choice—before the grandeur came the master.
Critics have praised the novel 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, 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."
For a limited time, Blackwood is offering the book at no charge. "I am pleased to offer, Before the Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster, at no charge during this timeframe," she said. "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 has garnered significant acclaim. 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 by the American Book Fest in the same year. It also received a 5-star rating from Reader's Favorite. The series begins with Autumn Leeves, a young Kentucky woman born in 1946 to an unwed mother, who later becomes a nurse caring for the terminally ill wife of English equestrian master Cyril Landon. Their romance is plagued by interference, and peril again knocks at the door when Abigail suddenly dies, leaving a pregnant Autumn to mourn her loss while fighting to not miscarry her baby.
Blackwood's previous works include the 5-star rated romantic fiction novel Willow's Walk and Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary. Information on all of Blackwood's work is available at her website, http://www.rusty-blackwood.com. The hardcover edition of Before The Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster is a welcome addition for collectors and fans, and its availability at no charge provides an opportunity for new readers to discover the origins of this compelling series.
