Award-winning novelist Rusty Blackwood has announced the release of her latest novel, "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, a character central to the series, tracing his journey from a poverty-stricken childhood in Gloucestershire, England, to becoming the celebrated horsemaster featured in "The Perils Of Autumn."
According to Blackwood, the prequel offers readers a detailed account of Landon's formative years. "It gives me great pleasure to bring you 'Before the Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster,'" she stated. "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.'" Blackwood emphasized the importance of the prequel in providing context for the character whose success underpins the entire Autumn series.
The novel has already garnered praise. In a review on Readers' Favorite, Richard Prause 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." Asher Syed added, "Overall, this will be a boon for readers who are already fans of the series, and a brilliant introduction to fans-in-waiting."
The Autumn series began with "The Perils Of Autumn," set primarily in the early 1970s, which earned Blackwood finalist honors in the Fiction Romance category at the 2019 International Book Awards and the American Book Fest's 2019 awards program. The novel received a 5-star rating from Readers' Favorite. That story follows Autumn Leeves, a young Kentucky woman born in 1946 to an unwed mother. After graduating nursing school, she is assigned to care for the terminally ill wife of Cyril Landon, a middle-aged English equestrian master. The ensuing romance between Autumn and Cyril faces numerous obstacles, including secrets from the past and personal tragedies.
Blackwood's previous works include the 5-star rated "Willow's Walk," a gripping tale set in Ottawa, Canada, and "Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary," which has been compared to classics like "Love Story" and "The Notebook." Both have received critical acclaim.
The new book is available at Amazon. More information about Blackwood's work can be found on her website. All of her books are available at Amazon sites worldwide.
