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 acclaimed Autumn series. The book delves into the early life of Cyril Landon, a character central to the trilogy, tracing his journey from a poverty-stricken childhood in Gloucestershire, England, to his emergence as a master horseman.
The story begins in the village of South Wood Chester, where Cyril Landon is born into a world of hardship and limited opportunity. Despite the odds, his determination and grit lead him to a laborer's job at a local farm, which opens a door to a future he never imagined. The novel follows his path as he earns the trust of a stallion and builds a legacy that later shapes the lives of the characters in The Perils of Autumn and its sequels.
In a statement, Blackwood expressed her enthusiasm for the project: "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 added that the prequel provides readers with a detailed account of a character who is fundamental to the Autumn series.
Early reviews 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, called it "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 previous work, The Perils of Autumn, was named a finalist in the Fiction Romance category by the International Book Awards in 2019 and received a 5-star rating from Readers Favorite. That novel, set primarily in the early 1970s, centers on Autumn Leeves, a young Kentucky woman who becomes entangled with Cyril Landon and his world of thoroughbred racing.
Blackwood's other novels include Willow's Walk, a gripping tale set in Ottawa, Canada, and Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary, a romantic fiction saga compared to works by Nicholas Sparks and Erich Segal. Both have received multiple 5-star reviews. For more information about Blackwood and her works, visit her website.
