The Winds of Autumn: A Second Chance Historical Romance

5 Star Review

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Editorial Book Review:

By TJ Brown

The Winds of Autumn is unique in that it does not view history as scenery. Susan vividly depicts the American frontier, giving each decision a sense of urgency and each feeling a sense of merit. What makes the book noteworthy is her ability to center a woman's strength and vulnerability in a world shaped by danger, loss, and the tenuous hope of redemption. The message of the story is that love and survival are never simple.

Perusing this book is akin to entering a vast landscape where danger and beauty coexist. Susan's storytelling captivates you with tension that builds subtly before erupting in moments that will stick with you. You sense Mariah's sorrow, her bravery, her ambivalent loyalty, and the lust she makes a concerted effort to suppress. It's the kind of immersive, moving experience that keeps your heart near the page.

The themes stretch far beyond the era. Susan explores trauma, second chances, devotion, and the painful complexity of choosing between safety and the possibility of joy. These ideas resonate because they speak to anyone who has ever faced a crossroads between what feels secure and what feels true.

Her work is rich in emotion and vivid. The story is structured with a rhythm that reflects the unstable world her characters live in, and Susan's descriptions are both poetic and gritty. In one particularly striking scene, Mariah is shown watching the plains turn gold at dusk while feeling the weight of her past and the promise of a fresh start. During a confrontation, Julian's calm composure reveals more about his heart than any confession could. This is another powerful moment.

In the end, The Winds of Autumn lingers because it blends romance, hardship, and hope with rare sincerity. Readers searching for a love story with depth and unwavering heart will find something unforgettable here.

About the Author 

Susan Rounds

Susan Rounds has been fortunate to live in many different places. Her father’s career in the Air Force opened her eyes to a bigger world, as did listening to her mother’s stories of growing up in Europe in the romantic city of Breslau in Silesia, once part of the Kingdom of Prussia.

During her childhood, Susan lived in Germany, not once but twice. Her second move was to a small village along the beautiful Bodensee near the Alps where she experienced another culture and learned the language fluently. Exploring Bavaria’s fairytale castles sparked her imagination.

With her family always on the move, she changed schools every year or two. But her lifestyle taught her a love of adventure where she discovered the world of aviation, expanding her travels to Alaska and the South Pacific and Morocco. She didn’t realize she has only two more continents left to explore. Onward!

Susan worked as a Flight Service Manager on the Boeing 747, flying to Hawaii and Nagoya, Japan—the best job she ever had. Click here to read her inspiration for the epic “Queen of the Skies,” the most elegant, and dare say, majestic airplane to ever fly.

As an airline consultant, Susan developed training programs and authored an inflight operations manual which garnered certification from the Federal Aviation Administration. A later venture into destination marketing gave her a creative platform to publish travel articles.

Susan’s passion for historical romance draws on many of her life experiences, inspiring her to write about the enduring power of love. She and her husband have two sons they’re very proud of and call northern California home.