The Past

A Blackburn Novel (Bluegrass Empires, Book 4)

By: Sawyer Bennett

Narrated by: Sean Masters, Kit Swann

Before ascending the throne of the Blackburn Empire in Kentucky horse country, they were just Tommy and Fiona, two teenagers from opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Young love bloomed during an Irish summer set amidst the rolling green hills and lush pastures of Tipperary County.

Fiona Conlan grew up sheltered by her overbearing parents and vibrating with the need for something more. In the summer of 1978, she found exactly what she needed. Ready to test the boundaries set for her, Fiona trained in the exhilarating and dangerous sport of steeplechase, and in an even more rebellious move, started secretly dating a young and brash American she knew her parents would never approve of.

Too much partying and not enough studying during his sophomore year of college had Tommy Blackburn’s parents desperate to get the future heir of the family business to take life a little more seriously. What better way to do that than to send him to Ireland to work at Glenhaven, a massive thoroughbred and breeding operation run by a family friend. But Tommy’s wild ways followed him across the pond and he couldn’t help but pursue the beautiful redhead with fire in her eyes and a wild spirit just waiting to break free.

Tommy and Fiona fell hard and fast, a secret love built from stolen moments. Rife with drama and disapproval, they overcame it all to set the stage for a new generation of Blackburns to run their American Empire. Their epically romantic journey was anything but easy, but you can’t get to the present without The Past.

The Past: A Blackburn Novel is an opposites attract, long distance love story within the Bluegrass Empires series. All books in the series can be enjoyed as standalones.

©2025 Sawyer Bennett (P)2025 Sawyer Bennett

WOW!!!

What a wonderfully written book to wrap up the series. I wish it didn't have to end, I would love to know what happens as Sylvie gets older!

Epic Love Story

I always wondered about the parents who started this series about the Blackburns. Tommy and Fiona have always shown their love. Now Fiona tells her granddaughter their story from the first time they see each other. This tells how they meet in Ireland and how Fiona ends up in Kentucky. I shed some tears but the story was worth it. Sean Masters and Kit Swann really brought the story to life.