As Far As The West | Devoted Hope

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About the Book

Book: As Far As The West

Series: Blooms of the Bitterbrush, Book 2
Author: Barbara A. Curtis

Genre: Christian Historical Romance Fiction

Release Date: September 23, 2025

His only chance at happiness lies in the hands of a woman determined to expose his family’s darkest secrets.

Josiah Calloway lives in the shadow of two battles—the war that cost him his future and his leg, and the shame of his father’s betrayal. To restore his family’s honor, Josiah secretly repays the debts his father left behind, one by one. But the largest debt remains unpaid—to the Morgan family, his father’s sworn enemies.

Determined to save her family’s ranch, Lizzie Morgan takes a job at a Boise tailor shop, only to discover her employer is Benton Calloway, a man with a decades-old vendetta against her parents. Lizzie suspects he’s up to no good and plans to uncover proof of his schemes against her parents. The one bright spot in her dangerous game is Benton’s kind-hearted son who walks her home each evening, whose gentle ways and protective nature make her heart flutter.

As every evening walk draws them closer, Josiah finds himself falling for this determined seamstress with fire in her spirit and grace in her heart. When feelings deepen and Benton’s threats escalate, Josiah is given an ultimatum. But protecting Lizzie from his father might risk losing her trust and love forever. Can love overcome a legacy of betrayal or will the truth shatter everything they’ve built?

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

Have you ever felt like a kid in a candy store?

In As Far as the West, eleven-year-old Gideon Brighton has the joy of living out that saying as he works for his grandmother in her candy shop, with his pay being in candy. And as a young entrepreneur, he has big dreams for Brighton’s Candy Shop.

Can you picture yourself sticking a hand into a big glass jar and pulling out favorites like Tootsie Rolls and Mary Janes? And other favorites of the day—Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Kisses and Clark’s Teaberry and Wriggley’s Juicy Fruit gums. DeMet’s Turtles, Whitman’s Samplers, Cadbury’s, Life Savers, and Brach’s caramel squares. Necco wafers and butterscotch Reed’s Rolls. Yes, all available in 1920 and ready for Gideon to dig into. But his favorite of all? His Grandma Brighton’s homemade fudge.

Do you have a favorite “old-fashioned” candy that fills you with nostalgia? Or images of being a kid in a candy store yourself?

If you continue on with the next book in the series, Gathered from the North, you’ll get to meet Gideon once again—as an adult and owner of Brighton’s Candy Shop—and see if the young businessman fulfills his dream of adding an ice cream parlor to it.

I hope you enjoy As Far as the West—and maybe it’ll inspire you to make a visit to an old-fashioned candy shop yourself.

Blessings!

Barbara

Devoted to Hope's Review of As Far As The West

Some stories don’t invite you in … they carry you until your own heartbeat blends with the characters’. As Far as the West did
that to me.

Barbara A. Curtis writes with a faith-filled steadiness that points every story back to the heart of God … smooth, vivid, and honest. Her words breathe with sincerity, truth, conviction, grace, mercy, and love. I felt the sting of rejection, the relief of forgiveness, and the slow healing of hearts learning to trust. When I closed the final chapter, I just sat there, grateful and reflective.

This story leads to truth: forgiveness isn’t abstract … it’s blood-bought, costly, and complete as one line captures so perfectly: “Jesus, who owed no debt of sin but who took on our heavy load of debt Himself to pay.” That line is the Gospel in one breath, woven into every thread of the story.

The following reminders pressed on my heart motivating change long after I finished reading. Forgiven people live different. They notice need. They move toward it …

“Always keep an eye out for who you can help …”

“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.”

And then there’s the bitterbrush … blooming in the hard places, whispering hope:

“The beauty of the blossoms did seem to offer a promise of hope, of God’s provision, as Mama always said …
Something to remind her that God would go with her.”

That image lingers. Because the same God who made the bitterbrush bloom is still teaching His people to do the same: to trust His provision, to believe His goodness, to carry beauty everywhere.

Her storytelling feels both tender and timeless. Barbara A. Curtis writes as one who has walked with God through both dust and dawn, and her stories carry the fragrance of His faithfulness. As Far as the West is forgiveness embodied, faith tested and proven, and grace extended.

For readers who crave Christian fiction that feels alive with Scripture and anchored in Jesus—this one belongs on your shelf and in your soul.

I received a digital ARC from Celebrate Lit Publicity Group. Additionally, I purchased the audiobook! I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the great writing and the story’s wonderful content, ensuring transparency and reliability.