By Heidi Eljarbo
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I was drawn into The Relic Keeper by Heidi Eljarbo almost immediately. There’s something about the tone of this book that feels calm and reflective, yet emotionally engaging. I found myself slowing down as I read, really taking in the setting and the moments between the characters. It’s the kind of story that doesn’t rush you, and I appreciated that from the very start.
What stayed with me most were the characters and how real they felt. I cared about the main character right away, and watching his journey unfold was both heartbreaking and hopeful. The relationships in the story felt genuine, especially the way small acts of kindness and guidance can slowly change someone’s life. Nothing felt overdone — it all felt honest and believable.
I also loved how the historical setting was handled. It added depth and texture to the story without taking away from the emotional core. The details felt natural, helping me picture the world without ever feeling like I was being given a history lesson. The themes of faith, art, and second chances were woven in so smoothly that they just felt like part of life in that time.
By the time I finished the book, I realized how much it had stayed with me. The Relic Keeper is thoughtful, warm, and quietly powerful, and it left me feeling moved in the best way. I’d happily recommend this to anyone who enjoys character-driven historical fiction, and it’s an easy five-star read for me.
Italy, 1620.
Angelo is an orphan, lonely and forgotten. Having been passed on from one family to the next, he ends up as a common thief, subject to and under the thumb of a ruthless robber called Tozzo.
Angelo knows no other life and has lost hope that any chance of providence will ever replace his lonely, misfortunate existence. When he loses his master, his livelihood is shaken. Tozzo’s plunder is hidden in a safe place, but what will happen if someone comes after Angelo to get their hands on the stolen relics? More than that, he feels threatened by words he’s heard too many times; that he’ll always remain unforgiven and doomed.
One day, a priest invites Angelo to help with chores around the church and rectory and, in exchange, offers him room and board. Padre Benedetto’s kindness and respect are unfamiliar and confusing, but Angelo’s safety is still a grave concern. Two older robbers have heard rumors about the hidden treasures and will stop at nothing to attain them.
With literary depictions and imagery, Angelo’s story is a gripping and emotional journey of faint hope and truth in seventeenth-century Italy—an artistic and audacious tale that crosses paths with art collector Vincenzo Giustiniani and the powerful Medici family.
You can pick up your copy on Amazon. This novel is available on #KindleUnlimited
HEIDI ELJARBO grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.
After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history. Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter.
Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.
Thank you for hosting today and for your wonderful review of The Relic Keeper. Your five-star rating and thoughtful feedback are greatly appreciated, and I’m so grateful for your support.
ReplyDeleteLove this book, can't wait for my tour stop! Great review by the way!
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