Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Relic Keeper by Heidi Eljarbo, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: The Relic Keeper
Author: Heidi Eljarbo
Publisher: independently published
Release Date: November 18, 2025
Genre: Christian Inspirational Historical Fiction
Once a thief, always a thief?
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. The boy knows no other life and has lost hope that any chance of providence will ever replace his lonely, misfortunate existence.
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 Tozzo’s 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. Using invisible threads, Heidi Eljarbo weaves together her fictional stories with historical figures and real events.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub
My review of The Relic Keeper
Having just finished reading this novella, I can honestly say I am in total awe of The Relic Keeper by Heidi Eljarbo. This is not something that I would normally pick up to read, so I am very grateful that once I saw that it was novella length, I felt like I could squeeze it into my reading schedule. I could have easily read it in one sitting, but like I always do, I started it close to bed time! It is an absolute page-turner.
Set in the 1600s, the story follows a young teenaged orphan boy named Angelo who has been stealing for his “master” for almost his entire life. They specialize in relics from the Catholic churches, mostly in and around Rome. While in a small village, his master is arrested, but Angelo is not. He finds his way to the church he’s recently robbed when he has no food and no place to go. The priest, Padre Benedetto, hires Angelo to help around the church in exchange for food and a room. To say that I loved these two would be a huge understatement. Padre Benedetto is so kind and has a heart for the poor and less fortunate. He sees the good in Angelo even when Angelo cannot see it in himself.
Circumstances arise that send Angelo and Padre Benedetto on two separate journeys. Angelo’s leads him to the palatial home of a man Padre Benedetto once knew. Angelo is introduced to beautiful art, including The Adoration of the Child painted by Gerard van Honthorst. I really enjoyed this part of the story because of how much it affected Angelo. It’s the decisive moment in which Angelo’s faith journey really begins. The author’s ability to describe the art and how it affected Angelo really moved me as did her descriptive writing throughout the book. I can’t even begin to describe how completely immersed I was in the various settings just due to her immense talent! After reading this, I will definitely be looking for her other books. Take a chance on genres you don’t normally read! I’m glad I did.
I highly recommend The Relic Keeper! This captivating story shows how faith and hope can change a person. We, like Angelo, are more than our circumstances. These magnificent characters will stick with me a long time.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Also Available
About the Author
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.
Connect with Heidi by visiting heidieljarbo.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.
Tour Giveaway
(2) winners will each receive a paperback copy of The Relic Keeper and a $20 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 9, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 16, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Im looking forward to checking this book out. Thanks for sharing.
I would like to read this.
Sounds terrific
This sounds like a really cool book!
Sounds like a great book.
Like the bold cover. Sounds interesting.
what a gorgeous & heartfelt review! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Christy 🙂
Thank you!
I sure love going back in time let’s back to the 1600s
Beautiful book cover.