Canadian born Blackwood, whose brand is ‘images in word that will leave you breathless’, chose her plume de nom by combining both the colour of her russet hair with her estranged husbands’ great, great Scottish grandmother’s maiden name, grew up on her paternal grandfather’s farm in southwestern Ontario, Canada where she developed her love of writing while still in grade school, entering numerous competitions and writing exhibitions throughout her area, and attributes her love of writing to her late father James, and to the late Gladys Carroll, her elementary teacher. Although unprofessionally trained in the field, Rusty has always had an affinity for the written word, a gift to express it, and has demonstrated this talent many times since becoming a serious writer in 2001.
Miss Blackwood is a bronze medalist winner in the 2006 Annual International Library of Poetry, sponsored through PoetryPoem.com for her 2005 poem, “Desire”.
She has written an eclectic array of contemporary and traditional poetry, publishing her first collection in October of 2009, entitled, “Feelings: A Rhythmic Journey in Thought,” which was later re-released in a second collection with additional content in 2011 under the title, “Impressions: A Poetic Rhythm in Emotion”. Feelings was followed in April of 2010 by a collection of assorted short stories for children, as well as the young at heart, entitled, “Young Minds,” which was later re-released as a second collection with additional content in 2012 under the title, “Through the Eyes of Innocence.”
In March of 2012 Rusty released the short-story comedy, “The Misadventures of Derwood Tugbottom”.
Following a previously hard fought, misguided, and misleading publishing road into the competitive world of main-stream fiction with her first two-part romance drama, “Passion in Paris” – Connections to the Past’ and Directions of the Heart’ respectively – Rusty was finally given the chance to accomplish what she had originally set out to do, and this exciting reprieve can be found within the pages of her grand scale, 4-star, heart-touching romance drama, “Passions In Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary,” which she released in 2013.
“Passions in Paris” is followed by the official release of the riveting 5-star award-winning romantic fiction drama, “Willow’s Walk”. This page turner has been given a 5 star rating by Readers’ Favorite while still in pre-release, so be sure to check it out.
In July 2017, Miss Blackwood released her second installment in the Derwood Tugbottom comedy series, titled, “Derwood Returns”, and currently released the third installment in the series, entitled, “Derwood Goes Caribbean”, on January 27, 2019. Do watch for the fourth installment in the ongoing series, “Derwood Comes Home”, expected in early 2020.
Rusty’s third novel, “The Perils of Autumn”, is a 5-star award-winning romantic fiction drama set in the early 1970’s at Landon Lawns Stables, a fictional thoroughbred racing stable in the posh community known as The Meadows located just outside Lexington Kentucky. This enthralling story centers around heroine Autumn Leeves, a twenty four year old newly graduated RN, who is sent on assignment to Landon Lawns to care for the terminally ill wife of English equestrian master, Cyril Landon. However, once there, Autumn encounters a world filled with intrigue, wonderment, and a well kept secret. The Perils of Autumn was released on January 17, 2019 and is available in paperback, hardback, and Kindle editions at all Amazons, and in Kobo at Chapters. Paperback, and Hardback editions may also be ordered at all Chapters, Coles and Indigo. “The Perils of Autumn” is now a 2019 FINALIST in both the International Book Awards, and American Book Fest Best Book Awards. Rusty is currently writing the follow-up novel to the 5-star awarded “The Perils of Autumn”, entitled, “Return to Autumn”, and is expected to release in the late spring of 2020.
The 5’1″(154.94 cm) spunky redhead is often asked how much of herself is found in her heroines, and she has been noted to say a fair amount, adding that most writers inspiration comes from many different aspects of life experience and reaping from them all that one can to use to one’s best advantage, so in that respect she would have to say that many sides, aspects, and flavours of her heroines derive from her own personality and life.
Rusty has always loved the Arts in their many unique forms and this is demonstrated in the two Interior Decorating and Design diplomas she holds, as well as her many years spent on the south-western Ontario stage performing with her family’s country music band, The Midnight Ramblers, and the country – rock – blues band, MIRAGE respectively as an accomplished vocalist, bassist, and rhythm guitarist.
Rusty firmly believes in going after what she wants, doing whatever is required to make it happen, and turning a deaf ear to anyone who says it cannot be done. She has faced many challenges throughout her life, emerging more determined with each, but make no mistake about her methods, for she is a firm believer in Karma and the adage that whatever you put out in life revisits you, so be sure your intentions are proper.
Miss Blackwood is also a 3-time Nominee in The Author Show’s Top Female Author for the years 2017, 2018, and 2019.
