Award-winning novelist Rusty Blackwood has announced the release of Before The Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster, a prequel to her popular Autumn series of books. The novel, now available on Amazon, delves into the early life of Cyril Landon, the horsemaster who becomes a central figure in the series.
The story follows Cyril Landon, born into poverty in the village of South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire, England. Despite a hopeless start, Landon's determination and grit lead him to a labourer's job at a local farm, which opens the door to a future he never imagined. The novel traces his journey from that humble beginning to becoming the celebrated horsemaster introduced in The Perils of Autumn.
According to Blackwood, the prequel was written to give readers a deeper understanding of Landon's character. "A prequel usually precedes a story that is told over a series of books instead of following, but I felt the need to give the readers, and supporters of the well-received Autumn Trilogy, a detailed account into a character that provides the successful life that the entire Autumn cast cherishes," she said. "It is my hope you will enjoy the experience you will have and applaud this character that has come to mean so very much to me, his author."
Reviewers 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." Another reviewer, Asher Syed, stated that the book 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, which was named a finalist in the Fiction Romance category by International Book Awards in 2019 and also received a 5-star rating from Reader's Favorite. The novel is set in the early 1970s and centers on Autumn Leeves, a young Kentucky woman born in 1946 to an unwed mother. After a difficult childhood, Autumn graduates nursing school and is assigned to care for the terminally ill wife of Cyril Landon, owner of Landon Lawns Stables, a successful Thoroughbred racing stable. The story weaves romance and peril as Autumn and Cyril navigate their attraction amid obstacles, including a dark secret from the past involving world-renowned jockey Duff Taylor.
Blackwood's previous works include Willow's Walk and Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary, both of which have received critical acclaim. Willow's Walk was praised for its gripping tale of a woman's determination, while Passions in Paris has been compared to classics like Erich Segal's Love Story and Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook.
For readers and industry observers, the release of Before The Grandeur fills in the backstory of a beloved character and enriches the existing series. It offers a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs that shaped Cyril Landon, potentially increasing engagement with the Autumn trilogy. The novel is available in paperback and Kindle editions at Amazon sites worldwide, including Amazon.ca. More information about Blackwood's work can be found on her website.
