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. "My first by Sawyer, what rock was I hiding under, seriously. What a journey, what writing, what flair. I'm gobsmacked. I wasn't prepared at the depth of emotions & power of unbridled true love written so brilliantly. She turns a small town trope into a magical love saga spanning years and generations. I was hooked from chapter one, if you're into epic fairytale, this one is for you. It's gripping, hopeful, heartwarming smelling of fresh new love, as tender as clovers in rain." - Shabby—BookBistroBlog "This is one of my favorite books of the year and one of my best reads ever. This book took my breath away in all the best ways." - Alicia M , Goodreads "The vivid descriptions of the Irish countryside, the powerful emotions, and two incredible characters pulled me in and wouldn't let me go. Sawyer has shown family can be either a treasure or a curse, not only that, she has also shown that love has the possibility to conquer all." - Ria , Reading is Our Satisfaction "I love this series so much, but this book... it just made me feel all the emotions like I was living it right along with Fiona & Tommy. The heartache, the anger, the joy & happiness... *happy sigh*" - Denise , Goodreads "OMG y'all this book was soooo GOOD it is better than GOOD! Tommy and Fiona's story was everything and more!!!!" - Tanya Rae ~ TaSTy WordGasms "I love this series but I believe that Tommy and Fiona's story is my favorite. Their love was so strong that it transcended time, an overbearing father, and a family legacy, and they built their family legacy with Blackburn Farms." - Mary , Goodreads "If you loved the rest of the books in this series, you will fall in love even deeper with Tommy and Fi." - Kristina , Goodreads "Sawyer Bennett has given us what we crave. How Tommy and Fiona came to be, and so worth it." - Theresa , Goodreads "This story pulled me in and didn't let go; it was sweet and heartbreaking and loving and infuriating. I fell in love with these characters and this story." - Cal D , Goodreads "This story felt like a balm to the heart. Don't get me wrong, it's still sad. But I found it endearing and unbelievably romantic." - Dimaris , Goodreads