The Perils of Autumn

NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, and Amazon.co.uk

Barnes & Noble at barnesandnoble.com

Chapters – Coles – Indigo

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Officially released November 16th, 2022, the 5-star-awarded RETURN TO AUTUMN, part 1 of a 2-part sequel to The Perils of Autumn! 

Available in Paperback & Kindle at Amazon.com & Amazon.ca 

Watch for Return to Autumn’s own page, coming soon!

 

Return to Autumn has embarked on its first Winter Internet Book Tour! Be sure to check out its stops!

November 24,2022 – Awesome Gang – https://www.awesomegang.com

December 8, 2022 –  Pretty-Hot – https://www.pretty-hot.com

December 20, 2022 – Book Reader Magazine – https://bookreadermagazin.com 

January 10, 2023 – Discount Book Man – https://discountbookman.com

January 24, 2023 – Awesome Book Promotions – https://awesomebookpromotions.com

 

The 5-star-awarded Return to Autumn 2, the 2nd book in the 2-part sequel, is expected to release in late January, 2023. Do watch for it!!

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©2019 All Rights Reserved by Author

5star-shiny-web

 

“Award-Winning Finalist in the Romance category of the 2019 International Book Awards”

 

 

“Award-Winning Finalist in the Romance category of the 2019 American Book Fest – Best Book Awards”

 

Please enjoy the official trailer

 

From the author of the riveting romantic drama, Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary, and the celebrated 5-star award winning romantic fiction drama, Willows Walk, comes the intense romantic drama The Perils of Autumn.

This page turner, set primarily in the early 1970s, centers on a young Kentucky woman, Autumn Leeves, born in 1946 to Abigail Leeves, an unwed mother who struggles to make ends meet. By 1970, Autumn graduates nursing school and is sent on assignment by the local hospital to care for the terminally-ill wife of middle-age English equestrian master, Cyril Landon, owner of Landon Lawns Stables, a most successful Thoroughbred racing stable located just outside Lexington Kentucky in a posh community known as The Meadows.

Duff Taylor, world-renowned jockey who is tops in his field, lives full time above the tack room at Landon Lawns and enjoys the many benefits it brings, but he also has a dark secret surrounding an unsolved racing incident from his past that he will go to any lengths to protect.

Autumn arrives to Landon Manor in time to be thrown into the fray, and finds herself caught ongoing disruption that ensues.

What reviewers have said about The Perils of Autumn . . .

“I cannot say enough good things about the Perils of Autumn.”
“Please do not pass up The Perils of Autumn, you will not be sorry.”
“This book has it all and more.”
“A beautiful story.”


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EDITORIAL REVIEWS:

Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers’ Favorite – 5 stars 

I am a fan of romance and good writing. These two come together perfectly in Rusty Blackwood’s The Perils of Autumn. I hesitate to call it a romance novel because in my mind that term implies a formulaic book, written quickly, and meant to be read quickly before moving on to the next one, which will be just like it in style and structure. I will call The Perils of Autumn a novel of romance. The writing and the story come first. The romance just blossoms naturally, just as it does in real life. That is why I liked The Perils of Autumn. The writing took me away long before the romance had even blossomed. I had never read a story about an unwed mother in the 1940s. Popular culture would have you believe they didn’t
exist at that time. I have to say the writing was the strongest attraction for me as I read The Perils of Autumn. However, it is hard to say if that attraction would have been so strong without such great characters as Autumn and her mother, Abigail. I fell in love with Abigail as she made the very best of a very bad situation. A lot of people would have become bitter and unlikable. She went in the opposite
direction and became more lovable with each turn of the page. She raised her daughter in an environment of love, and that is an accomplishment any time. These two characters appealed to me very strongly and kept me engaged throughout the story. The plot was good too and became more complex as the story progressed. It was also fun to learn so much about this area of the country known for horses and racing.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers’ Favorite – 5 stars

In The Perils of Autumn by Rusty Blackwood, we meet Autumn and her mother, Abigail, learn of their early struggles through flashbacks, and then join them in their 1970 present life. Abigail owns a dress shop and Autumn has graduated and earned her nursing cap. One of her first assignments is to live at the Landon Lawn Stables in the prestigious Meadows of Lexington, Kentucky and care for the dying Alice Landon. She is welcomed by Cyril, the husband, and quickly blends right into the household, becoming close with Alice and a great support to Cyril. When Alice passes, Autumn is asked to remain and help with the transition of missing Alice. Autumn has always loved all kinds of animals and when Cyril offers to teach her to ride, she jumps at the chance. Cyril and Autumn soon find themselves in love against the strong protests of Abigail and Agnes, the housekeeper and Cyril’s childhood friend.

I loved reading The Perils of Autumn. This book has it all and more; love, family, the equestrian world and the racing that goes with it, but most of all the characters. I cannot say enough good things
about The Perils of Autumn and how much I enjoyed reading it. There is so much going on throughout the book that it is impossible to lose interest or want to stop reading. All of the pieces are
delightfully put together to make The Perils of Autumn a book that will make you smile, cry, laugh and treasure it. Rusty Blackwood must know her way around horse shows to write such an accurate
accounting and certainly knows how to create characters that quickly become alive and your next best friends. As I finished and was reading the words from Rusty Blackwood, I was thrilled to learn there will be a follow-up and I could continue my journey with Autumn and Cyril in Return to Autumn. Please do not pass up The Perils of Autumn – you will not be sorry.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers’ Favorite – 5 stars

The Perils of Autumn by Rusty Blackwood is literary fiction with an intriguing setting in Kentucky in the 1970’s, a dramatic tale of romance with interesting characters. Autumn Leeves has been raised by her single mom who succeeds in getting her through Lexington School of Nursing. Her first job is to take care of the dying wife of Cyril Landon, an English equestrian master. Cyril owns a thoroughbred racing stable, Landon Lawns Stables, which is very popular in Lexington. When his wife dies, he asks Autumn to stay a bit longer with him and get some horse riding classes. In spite of her mother’s misgivings, Autumn laughs it off — what can possibly happen between her and a man 35 years older. She couldn’t be
more wrong, for soon affection deepens and transforms into an attraction.

This is a beautiful story with strong plot points and great characters. The Perils of Autumn looks at a love affair between two people with a huge age gap. The pacing isn’t fast, but the writing is focused, which compels readers to read on. There is a lot of backstory which I think could have been written into the dialogues; however, it enriches the plot rather than becoming a distraction for readers. The characters are written with rich backgrounds and readers can follow their growth process alongside the build up of
the romance between Cyril and Autumn. Rusty Blackwood has what it takes to keep readers engaged — the realism that fills the story, the well-crafted scenes, the humanity of the characters which is
explored in depth.

K.C. Finn – 5 Stars
The Perils of Autumn is a work of dramatic fiction penned by author Rusty Blackwood, focusing on equestrian and country living in 1970’s Kentucky. We first meet title character Autumn when she is born into post war austerity in 1946, and watch her and her mother struggle until Autumn has achieved a job as a qualified nurse. When Autumn takes a job caring for the terminally ill wife of a wealthy racehorse stable owner, her life takes on a whole new twist. Cyril Landon is an older man who bonds with Autumn over the death of his wife, nurturing in her a love of the horses he’s worked all his life. What follows is their drama in running the stables together.

Rusty Blackwood does a great job in crafting powerful characters to anchor the story at its true heart. Though it seems an unlikely romance amid the tragedy of Cyril’s wife and the misgivings of those around them, I found Autumn’s growing fondness for Cyril and his country life really endearing and I was glad that they came together despite prejudices. The drama at the stables with the other, smaller characters made for some interesting twists as the plot went on, and the spark of horse racing at The Meadows was a real insight into an exciting world I’d never really thought about before. Overall, The Perils of Autumn is an excellent life drama novel full of heart, strife and enjoyment, with a relatable heroine that all readers are sure to warm to.

Divine Zape – 5 Stars
Abigail Leeves loses her fiancé in a car crash en route to their April wedding. She is pregnant and gives birth to a daughter, Autumn. She raises her daughter alone and works hard to give her a decent life. After graduating from Lexington School of Nursing, Autumn works in two hospitals for a brief period and then accepts an assignment to care for Alice Landon, the wife of English equestrian master Cyril Landon, who is terminally ill. The ties between Autumn and the patient grow stronger every day and she feels at home in Landon Manor. But Alice eventually dies, and instead of her leaving Landon Manor, Cyril asks Autumn to stay a little longer and take riding lessons. It is not long before Autumn begins to feel the stirrings in her heart, and while she reasons that she can’t fall for a man thirty-five years older than her, the reality is different. The Perils of Autumn by Rusty Blackwood explores the workings of the heart and a romance that will surprise readers.
Told in a deceptively simple voice, this novel has so much to warm the heart of the reader. The characters are elaborately developed and their backgrounds skillfully explored. The author explores three interesting characters — Abigail, Autumn, and Cyril — and moves on to demonstrate how familiarity and simple gestures can guide the heart towards love. It is interesting to follow Autumn and Cyril, especially after the death of Alice. Her emotional struggles, torn between what she feels and the fears of her mother, are deftly handled. The characters in this book are real and likable, the plot is unusual, and the phraseology unique. The Perils of Autumn is written in a descriptive style. But the strength of the narrative is in the author’s ability to explore the hearts of the characters and the skillful handling of a romance that feels real.

Amy of Locks, Hooks and Books – 5 Stars

The Perils of Autumn is my first introduction to Rusty Blackwood’s writing. Within the first few pages, I knew she had gained a new fan. This is a great read, with relatable characters and situations. I felt connected to Autumn right from the start.

The Perils of Autumn is getting a well deserved five stars from me. I can not wait to read more by this author in the future. I have added her other works on my wish list.

Highly recommended!

I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Romance – Contemporary

The Perils of Autumn

Category:Romance – Contemporary

Author:Rusty Blackwood

  • Publisher: Tellwell Talent
  • Publication Date: January 17, 2019
  • Number of Pages: 462
  • ISBN-10: 0228808243
  • ISBN-13: ‎ 978-0228808244
  • ASIN: B07MWJ7S4Q

Autumn Leeves is born to a single mother who struggles to raise her. When she graduates from nursing school in 1970, she gets her first job as a caregiver to the wife of Cyril Landon, a terminally ill woman. Cyril owns the Landon Lawns Stables, one of the most successful thoroughbred racing stables, located in Lexington, Kentucky. Duff Taylor lives above the track rooms at Landon Lawns, a world-renowned jockey with a very dark secret. He will stop at nothing to keep his secret hidden. As secrets start getting revealed, Autumn finds herself caught in the strong tide. Can she find a foothold in a world falling apart?

The Perils of Autumn by Rusty Blackwood has an irresistible appeal to readers who enjoy well-plotted historical fiction with characters that are vividly drawn. The author brings to life the world the female protagonist evolves through in the 1970s, writing deftly about the equestrian culture and creating a conflict that melts existential realities with the challenges of interpersonal relationships to create a page-turning reading experience for readers. The opening pages immediately present the circumstances in which poor Autumn was born. Her mother, struggled alone, having lost her fiancé on a way to their April wedding. Her mother was three-month pregnant with Autumn. Readers are immediately moved to sympathize with a proud mother who was determined to live a decent life and create a better future for her daughter. The relationship between Autumn and Cyril is cleverly crafted and it drives the suspense in this spellbinding tale, exploring the emotional tension while brilliantly capturing the climates of the hearts of the characters. Rusty Blackwood has the uncanny ability to capture subtle emotions in the characters and the author writes about a world that readers can easily imagine. The characters are placed in situations that are realistic and conditions that inspire pathos. This is an ingeniously plotted novel that is brimming with family drama and realism; it is written in gorgeous prose and punctuated with dialogues that feel real.

Reviewed By: Bertin Drizller

Reviewed Date: November 21, 2022

5 stars

READER REVIEWS:

Catherine Lyon – 5 stars

LOVE …Be careful what you wish for …

Be ready to delve into a beautiful world of horse country and Famous State that holds the yearly Kentucky Derby in this exceptionally written romance suspense drama. Rusty pulled out all the stops for this fantastic story, and I can easily see it played out on The Big Screen!

Rusty writes in a way that connects you to her vibrant characters of Autumn, Duff an amazing horse jockey, and many others that make up the cast of characters to bring the story to life. With just the right amount of intensity, and dynamics of how love and relations unfold, and play out between people when there are dark secrets and deceptions past, and present when after Autumn graduates from nursing school, and is sent to her employment as she arrives at the beautiful estate of Landon Lawn Stables, and The Meadows.

Then Pandora’s box opens as the drama and story take off. What a ride! You won’t believe the twists and turns or how it all ends, but I can tell readers this new romance suspense by Rusty is well worth the read! It truly deserves the 5-stars I am happy to give it! It is one of those reads you’ll want to read more than once and “Highly Suggest this one”!

Marg Stilson – 5 stars

Thank you for another beautiful written book. The Perils of Autumn is truly a 5 star Winning Novel.  My thanks to Rusty Blackwood for creating a wonderful story for her readers.  This is a great book very well written. Thanks again.

Maggie Moore – 5 stars

The Perils of Autumn is a compelling story of romance, drama, and suspense. Miss Autumn is a loving, compassionate, strong willed young nurse. She falls in love with a much older widower, who owns a well-known riding stable. In the late 1960’s era, this is a challenge. Rusty’s creative writing keeps the reader’s interest. Very enjoyable read. Look forward to the conclusion in the follow up, “Return to Autumn.” I highly recommend this novel.


Lindsey Kramer/ Shakespeare’s Wench Book Blog 4 stars
June 10, 2019 Format: Kindle Edition

June 15, 2019

Format: Kindle Edition

Rusty Blackwood’s narrative style is engaging, with well-paced storytelling that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. While the book primarily revolves around romance, the intricate plot also offers elements of mystery and intrigue, making it a multifaceted and thoroughly enjoyable read.

“The Perils of Autumn” is an organic and emotionally-charged novel that blends romance and mystery seamlessly. Rusty Blackwood’s masterful storytelling transports readers to a bygone era, immersing them in a world of love, secrets, and the thrilling world of horse racing. This book is a must-read for those seeking an engrossing and heartfelt journey into the complexities of the human heart.

Review By Walk With A Book.

Rating: 5 stars

walkwitha_book

Title: The Perils Of Autumn
Genre: Romance

Review:

“The Perils of Autumn” by Rusty Blackwood is a poignant and emotionally charged novel that delves into themes of love, loss, and second chances.

Set against the backdrop of picturesque landscapes, the story follows the complex journey of young Kentucky woman, Autumn Leeves, born in 1946 to Abigail Leeves, an unwed mother who struggles to make ends meet. Her life turns upside down when she is sent to take care of an ill lady after graduating from a nursing school. I loved the bond of Duff and Autumn. Read your copy to discover their story.

Blackwood’s descriptive prose vividly paints the scenes, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the story’s settings. The author skillfully captures the essence of the changing seasons, using them as metaphors for the various stages of Autumn’s life. The book also explores the importance of family bonds and friendships, as Autumn finds solace and support in unexpected places.

One of the novel’s strengths lies in its character development. The supporting cast, including charming love interests and quirky friends, adds depth and dimension to the story, creating a sense of community that readers can easily connect with.

The narrative is both introspective and engaging, allowing readers to reflect on their own lives while being swept up in Autumn’s personal journey. Blackwood tackles heavy subjects such as grief, regret, and self-discovery with a deft touch, maintaining a balance between emotional depth and narrative progression.

While this book shines in its exploration of human emotions and relationships, some readers might find the pacing to be slower, particularly in the initial chapters. Additionally, certain plot twists and resolutions might come across as predictable to those well-versed in the romance genre.

In conclusion, Rusty Blackwood’s “The Perils of Autumn” is a thought-provoking novel that beautifully captures the intricacies of love, healing, and growth. With its evocative prose and relatable characters, the book is likely to resonate with readers who enjoy emotionally charged stories set in picturesque landscapes.

🌟🌟BOOK REVIEW:(The Perils of Autumn)
🌟🌟 AUTHOR:Rusty Blackwood

@royal.books.in

📌Rusty Blackwood’s intriguing novel “The Perils of Autumn” transports readers through a story of love, sorrow, and chance encounters. The plot follows Autumn Leeves, a young lady who becomes involved in a string of events that change her life, against a backdrop of personal struggles and progress. Autumn is introduced in the book, and the challenges of her unmarried mother and the horrific tragedy that took her father’s life define her existence. When Autumn is asked to care for the terminally sick Alice Landon, her journey takes an unexpected turn as she develops into an adult and graduates from nursing school. From Autumn’s first interaction with the Landon family through her subsequent adventures, Blackwood deftly captures the emotional landscape of her story.

📌Rusty Blackwood’s “The Perils of Autumn” is a gripping and powerful romantic drama that takes readers on a trip through the dangers and complexity of love, secrets, and personal development. Autumn Leeves, a young and tenacious Kentucky woman who finds herself thrown into the world of Landon Lawns Stables, a prominent thoroughbred racing stable owned by Cyril Landon, serves as the protagonist of the novel, which is mostly set in the early 1970s.The writing style of Blackwood is captivating, fusing real emotions and vivid imagery in a seamless manner. The tale deftly weaves the underlying theme of love-whether it be the bond between a mother and daughter, the friendship between friends, or the unanticipated chemistry that develops between two people-throughout. The examination of these subjects gives the narrative depth and resonates with readers on a variety of levels.

📌In conclusion, Rusty Blackwood’s “The Perils of Autumn” is a must-read for everyone who likes emotionally charged tales with real characters and surprising connections. This book offers an enjoyable and gratifying reading experience with its compelling writing style and mix of happy moments and personal struggles. It is without a doubt a work that deserves consideration and ought to be immediately added to your reading collection.

🌟🌟My RATING 5/5