When the South Wind Blows Tour & Giveaway
About the Book
Book: When the South Wind Blows
Author: Barbara A. Curtis
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: July 14, 2026
He’s spent his life chasing headlines—until the woman behind the story captures his heart.
Elizabeth Canton never planned to abandon her budding theater career, but after witnessing a crime, she has no choice but to disappear. When a family invitation offers refuge at the Double E Ranch, she seizes the chance to hide and finds unexpected purpose helping her young cousin rehearse for the stage, never expecting to be drawn to the local reporter who sees past her carefully kept secrets.
Ranch hand Logan Palmer has always dreamed of writing stories that matter, not livestock columns for the town paper. Elizabeth’s grace catches his eye. But it’s her patience and tenderness with her cousin that captures his heart, even as her mystery stirs his reporter’s instincts. The closer he grows to her, the more he questions whether some stories are better left untold.
As Elizabeth and Logan grow closer, danger follows her to Idaho. When her past catches up with her, she’ll have to choose between protecting her heart and trusting in love. And Logan must decide what matters more—the story that could launch his career, or the woman who’s stolen his heart.
Set against the rugged beauty of the American West, this touching historical romance explores the healing power of family, second chances, and learning that sometimes the greatest role we can play is simply being ourselves.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Barbara A. Curtis lives in Connecticut with her husband, and they have one grown son, a blessing to their hearts. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Novel Academy.
More from Barbara
Chocolate, Chocolate
What part does chocolate play in When the South Wind Blows? To little Susannah, it plays a big part, as Logan is going to help her frost her salvaged cake.
“Miss Lizzie?” Logan hadn’t moved from his spot next to the stove. “If it’s all right with you, may Susannah and I make the frosting for the cake?”
He knew how to make frosting? And again, he included the little girl.
“Thank you. Susannah, why don’t you pull out the cookbook for chocolate that your grandma and I like, and you and Logan will be in charge?”
“Oh yay! The Hershey’s Cookbook? They have the best frosting recipe.”
Yes, in 1934 Hershey’s had published a cookbook, so it would have been well loved and used in the Double E Ranch kitchen in 1950.
And Nestlé’s Toll House cookies weren’t far behind, as Nestlé acquired the rights to the original recipe in 1939. By World War II, the cookies were a staple included in packages sent to US servicemen overseas. Do you think they’d mind that Elizabeth called her version Victory cookies? Though they had nothing to do with the war but a little victory right at home.
Have you ever renamed a favorite recipe just for your family for fun?
I hope you enjoy When the South Wind Blows, the final book in the Blooms of the Bitterbrush series. Maybe with a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie to go along with it.
Blessings.
Barbara
MY REVIEW
A lovely story that illustrates that being ourselves is important. We need to feel good about who we are and not worry what others think. The author does a good job of using Elizabeth to explore how she can find happiness where God calls her to. I like how she took a big chance and left behind a life she loved in order to keep herself safe. Finding family she wasn’t familiar with opened her eyes to what she had been missing,
Elizabeth explored a more simple life where theater and fancy clothes were not important. I like how she stepped up to learn about the ranch and worked hard to help out. The family accepts Elizabeth with open arms. She is told, “ everyone that comes here is welcomed.” I love that Elizabeth is learning that the past does not define who you are now.
The setting is nice and I like going back to the 1950s where things were a bit simpler. The cars were big and bulky but they sure were nice to have instead of walking everywhere. They worked hard and family was very important to each other. There were some hard times but they seemed to find ways to overcome obstacles.
Logan has a big dream to be a famous journalist. If only he could get his big break. Not much happens around him to write about but he doesn’t give up. When Elizabeth shows up he is curious about her. I like how his instincts tell him there is a story there if he can only figure out what Elizabeth is hiding. Logan does think that he is not enough which causes him to lack self confidence. A great lesson is waiting for him to show that he is more than enough. His gifts are to be God’s hands and feet.
The character who stole my heart was Suzannah. She is a bright young girl who is so excited to get a part in a local theater. I love that even though she has scars that can be seen on her face, she has always been told that they don’t matter. God sees our scars and knows our heart. Suzannah’s heart is filled with unconditional love for others. Bringing Elizabeth along to rehearsal everyday brings joy to both of them. I couldn’t wait to see where the story would go. The foundation has been planted and now we get to see how God works.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 4
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 5
Simple Harvest Reads, August 6 (Guest Review from Marilyn)
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 7
Texas Book-aholic, August 8
Life on Chickadee Lane, August 9
lakesidelivingsite, August 10
Books Less Travelled, August 11 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, August 11
DevotedToHope, August 12
Connie’s History Classroom , August 13
Cover Lover Book Review, August 14
Sydney Schmied Books, August 15
History, Hope & Happily Ever After, August 16 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, August 17
Pause for Tales, August 17
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Barbara is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://gleam.io/oVpBV/when-the-south-wind-blows-celebration-tour-giveaway
Donna Wyland is an award-winning author, editor, and coach. Her picture book, Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts, won the 2024 Christian Indie Award, and ‘Twas the Night Before Jesus won the 2025 Illumination Book Award. Both Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts and ‘Twas the Night Before Jesus were Readers’ Choice Award Finalists. Her new nonfiction books, Last Best Year (2025 Golden Scroll Award) and A Guided Gratitude Journal are also available on Amazon. Donna resides with her husband in Southwest Florida.
Some deaths are designed.
S.F. Baumgartner crafts fast-paced Christian suspense thrillers, weaving tales of complex characters, secretive operatives, and relentless agents. Her gripping storytelling has earned acclaim, with Living Secrets and Forgotten Secret—Books 1 & 2 of her Mirror Estate series—named Top Picks in the thriller & suspense categories, respectively, at Killer Nashville, and Tangled Secrets—Book 3 of Mirror Estate series—won couple of awards in the Christian Indie Awards and the Incipere Awards. When she’s not plotting her next twist, she’s binge-watching crime TV shows, like NCIS or playing with her cats. Fans of James Patterson’s style, especially those who appreciate short, punchy chapters, will find much to love in her work.
After Jenna’s father dies, she travels to his cabin in the Texas Piney Woods to oversee the remodeling and ready the property for sale. She’s surprised when the contractor is a childhood crush – now a handsome man with a heart of gold.
Janis Jakes is an author of multiple contemporary and historical inspirational romances with an emphasis on courageous men, strong women, Texas sunsets, and happily ever after.