✧ Book Review ✧ The Relic Keeper by Heidi Eljarbo

  

The Relic Keeper

By Heidi Eljarbo

Publication Date: 18th November 2025

Publisher:  Independently Published

Genre: Historical Fiction

Page Length: 162

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.

 ✧ Praise ✧

“The Relic Keeper” ultimately stands as a radiant celebration of hope, kindness, and the beauty that emerges when wounded souls dare to reach towards the light. It is a story to savour, reflect upon, and carry with you — an unforgettable addition to Eljarbo’s heartfelt repertoire of novels that bring history to life.

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✧ Review ✧ 

Some stories make their mark through spectacle; The Relic Keeper succeeds by paying close attention to the quiet moments where lives begin to shift. Rather than relying on grand gestures or constant drama, Heidi Eljarbo tells a deeply human story about survival, influence, and the power of choice.

At its heart is Angelo, an orphan shaped by hardship and necessity rather than cruelty. Living under the control of Tozzo — a manipulative and unsettling figure who thrives on fear and control — Angelo survives by stealing relics, constantly aware that one wrong move could cost him everything. Tozzo is a chilling presence, not because he is loud or theatrical, but because his power over Angelo feels frighteningly real.

The story takes a meaningful turn with the arrival of Padre Benedetto. Where Tozzo rules through threat and exploitation, Benedetto offers patience, consistency, and belief. He doesn’t try to change Angelo overnight; instead, he shows him what trust looks like. Their relationship forms the emotional backbone of the novel, and it’s impossible not to feel invested in Angelo’s slow, uncertain steps towards a different life.

A journey to Rome expands the story beautifully, opening Angelo’s eyes to a world beyond survival. His encounter with Gerrit van Honthorst’s Adoration of the Christ Child is a powerful moment — raw, emotional, and quietly transformative. I even found myself looking up the painting, wanting to see what had moved Angelo so deeply.

Eljarbo’s writing is measured and thoughtful, allowing tension and tenderness to exist side by side. The Relic Keeper doesn’t rush its message, and that restraint makes its themes of hope, kindness, and redemption all the more impactful.

This is a compelling, emotionally rich read that proves how one act of compassion can change everything. A strong five-star recommendation.

Buy Link:

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Heidi Eljarbo

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.

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✧ Book Review ✧ The Unquiet Spirit (Spirited Encounters Book 1) by Penny Hampson

She wasn’t home alone...

With her love life in tatters, Kate Wilson needs a fresh start, and where could be better than the old Cornish house that had belonged to her godmother?

There’s just one problem – it comes with a ghost as a sitting tenant.

Her grumpy new neighbour, the broodingly handsome Tom Carbis, is another fly in the ointment – he seems to turn up wherever Kate goes. His dog might be friendly, but he’s definitely not.

Then the discovery of a hidden diary points Kate to a romantic mystery with links to both Tom’s family and her house’s past – a mystery that might explain the reason for her spectral lodger.

The downside? Kate needs Tom’s help to solve it and has to convince him that she is not his foe.

But working with Tom to unravel long-buried secrets has unexpected consequences, and Kate discovers far more than she bargained for.

The Unquiet Spirit is a spooky, suspense-filled, enemies-to-lovers romance.

✧ Praise ✧

“The Unquiet Spirit” by Penny Hampson is an enthralling paranormal romance that weaves together elements of mystery and the supernatural. In this captivating tale, readers are drawn into a world where love transcends the boundaries of life and death, unveiling a profound connection between the living and the restless spirits that linger in the shadows.

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✧ Review ✧

From the moment I started The Unquiet Spirit, I had the feeling this was going to be one of those books that quietly settles in and stays with you. It isn’t loud or over-dramatic; instead, it draws you in gently, building atmosphere and emotion in a way that feels completely natural. The supernatural elements are handled with a light touch, creating an eerie mood without ever overwhelming the story.

Kate Wilson is at a crossroads in her life when she inherits The Beeches, an old house near the Cornish coast. Hoping for a fresh start, she finds herself instead surrounded by unanswered questions, unexplained happenings, and a house that clearly has a past. As Kate explores its hidden corners, uncovering old letters and long-buried secrets, the mystery deepens in a way that keeps you fully engaged.

What really stood out to me was how well the emotional side of the story is handled. Kate feels believable and easy to sympathise with, and her reactions to both the strange events and her personal situation feel authentic. The paranormal storyline is beautifully balanced with themes of healing, loss, and new beginnings, making the book feel warm as well as intriguing.

The slow-burn relationship between Kate and her neighbour Tom develops at a pleasing, unforced pace. Their interactions are understated and realistic, built on small moments rather than grand gestures, which makes their growing connection all the more enjoyable to read.

The setting plays a strong role throughout the book. Cornwall is brought to life through its coastal atmosphere, quiet isolation, and sense of history, all of which add depth to the story and enhance its gentle haunting quality.

The Unquiet Spirit is a thoughtful, atmospheric read that blends mystery, romance, and the paranormal with ease. It’s the sort of book that encourages you to slow down and savour the story, and one that lingers in the mind long after you’ve finished reading.

A well-deserved five-star read.

✧ Buy Links ✧
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Penny Hampson

Penny Hampson writes mysteries, and because she has a passion for history, you’ll find her stories also reflect that. A Gentleman’s Promise, a traditional Regency romance, was Penny’s debut novel and the first of her Gentlemen Series. There are now four novels in the series, with the latest, An Adventurer’s Contract, released in November 2024. Penny also enjoys writing contemporary mysteries with a hint of the paranormal, because where do ghosts come from but the past? The Unquiet Spirit, a spooky mystery/romance set in Cornwall, is the first in the Spirited Encounters Series. Look out for A Plethora of Phantoms coming soon.

Penny lives with her family in Oxfordshire, and when she is not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, swimming, and the odd gin and tonic (not all at the same time).

If you’ve enjoyed any of Penny’s books please leave a review on Amazon, Bookbub, or Goodreads, and let other readers know!

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✧ Book in the Spotlight ✧ Rough Diamond - Rough Justice by Avien Gray #RoughDiamondRoughJustice #thriller #suspense #blogtour #YardeBookPromotions @aviengrayauthor @maryanneyarde

Rough Diamond - Rough Justice 

By Avien Gray

Publisher: Avien Gray

Page Length: 446

Genre: Political Thrillers & Suspense / Historical Fiction

After a first kill, MI5 Agent and erstwhile photographer Cain becomes an undercover, extra-judicial killer for a secret Bureau.

Recovering from injuries sustained protecting the Royal Family, Cain embracesa new life and romance in sun-drenched Australia, leaving his past life behind.

But when tragedy strikes, he is on the move again. This time to a new career in the world of diamond dealings in Florida.

Curiosity takes Cain to the diamond world in South Africa, where his past finally catches up with him, the criminal world allies against him and he becomes a killer again.

In Cain's action-packed escapades, a spectacular betrayal takes him into the rigours of a Chinese prison where the truth about his past begins to unravel.

Aided by a loyal band of friends from the shadowy world of intelligence, he delivers his own particular brand of rough justice.

However, with enemies closing in on all sides, will Cain prevail?

Triggers: Trigger warnings: violence, murder

 ✧ Praise ✧ 

“Rough Diamond, Rough Justice” by Avien Gray is a riveting spy thriller that seamlessly blends electrifying elements of espionage, adrenaline-charged action, and daring escapades.

 

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“A gripping high-stakes thriller, “Rough Diamond - Rough Justice” by Avien Gray is driven by the urgent question of whether one can ever truly escape a dark and violent past.”

The Coffee Pot Book Club

“Avien Gray’s Rough Diamond, Rough Justice is a gritty and cinematic thriller that follows Cain, a former professional photographer turned MI5 surveillance agent, as he navigates a world of espionage, betrayal, and violence.”

Literary Titan

✧ Purchase Link ✧

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✧ Avien Gray ✧ 

Avien Gray, the English author behind Rough Diamond – Rough Justice, brings a wealth of experience to his gripping debut novel. Born in the UK, Gray has led a dynamic, bachelor’s life marked by an impressive array of skills and global adventures. He has a driver’s license, motorbike license, and pilot’s license. His physical discipline extends to martial arts, where he earned a karate black belt, complemented by a lifelong passion for photography that captures the world through his discerning lens.

Gray’s rumoured travels paint the picture of a man unbound by borders. He is said to have spent many months in Saudi Arabia, Australia, the USA, South Africa, Europe and China. This rich tapestry of experiences infuses his writing with authenticity, lending a vivid, worldly edge to the thrilling narrative of his complex protagonist: a man called Cain.

Avien and his best friend shared a flat and went out with various female friends together. They had a great time. As it says in the book when Cain is talking with his best friend: a Royal Protection Officer.

 ‘We will have to write that book when we retire,’ Cain said.

 They looked at each other with knowing smiles – for a long few seconds.

 ‘All those secrets,’ said Jerry. ‘Perhaps we will.’

 And time moved on.

But in real life, his best friend tragically died – leaving Avien to write their book alone.

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✧ Book Review ✧ Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

 BOOK REVIEW

Spells for Forgetting: A Novel 

By Adrienne Young

Emery Blackwood’s life changed forever the night her best friend was found dead and the love of her life, August Salt, was accused of murdering her. Years later, she is doing what her teenage self swore she never would: living a quiet existence on the misty, remote shores of Saoirse Island and running the family’s business, Blackwood’s Tea Shoppe Herbal Tonics & Tea Leaf Readings. But when the island, rooted in folklore and magic, begins to show signs of strange happenings, Emery knows that something is coming. The morning she wakes to find that every single tree on Saoirse has turned color in a single night, August returns for the first time in fourteen years and unearths the past that the town has tried desperately to forget.

August knows he is not welcome on Saiorse, not after the night everything changed. As a fire raged on at the Salt family orchard, Lily Morgan was found dead in the dark woods, shaking the bedrock of their tight-knit community and branding August a murderer. When he returns to bury his mother’s ashes, he must confront the people who turned their backs on him and face the one wound from his past that has never healed—Emery. But the town has more than one reason to want August gone, and the emergence of deep betrayals and hidden promises spanning generations threaten to reveal the truth behind Lily’s mysterious death once and for all.

REVIEW

FIVE STARS 

I genuinely didn’t want this book to end.

From the very first chapter, Spells for Forgetting completely drew me in. Adrienne Young’s writing is atmospheric, lyrical, and deeply emotive — the kind of storytelling that makes you slow down and savour every word. Saoirse Island feels vividly real: the sea mist rolling in, the quiet weight of old legends, and the sense that the past is never quite done with you.

What stayed with me most were the characters. They are beautifully flawed and feel entirely human, which made their struggles and growth all the more affecting. Emery and August’s story is shaped by grief, memory, and unfinished love, and their connection feels raw, tender, and painfully authentic. I found myself fully invested in their journey, turning pages late into the night because I simply had to know how it would unfold.

The magic in this novel is subtle and understated, woven seamlessly into the setting and the emotional core of the story rather than dominating it. It enhances the themes of loss, forgiveness, and family legacy in a way that feels natural and deeply moving.

This is one of those books that lingers long after you’ve finished reading. If you enjoy character-driven novels with a strong sense of place and a gentle touch of magic, Spells for Forgetting is an absolute must-read. I couldn’t recommend it more.

Buy Links:

Amazon

Adrienne Young 

Adrienne Young is the New York Times, USA Today, and Indie list bestselling author of the Fable duology and the Sky in the Deep duology. She is a foodie with a deep love of history and travel and a shameless addiction to coffee. When she’s not writing, you can find her on her yoga mat, sipping wine over long dinners or disappearing into her favorite art museums. She lives with her documentary filmmaker husband and their four little wildlings in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

 

BOOK REVIEW: Raleigh: Tudor Adventurer (The Elizabethan Series, Book 3) by Tony Riches

BOOK REVIEW

Raleigh: Tudor Adventurer
(The Elizabethan Series, Book 3) 
By Tony Riches

Tudor adventurer, courtier, explorer and poet, Sir Walter Raleigh has been called the last true Elizabethan.

He didn’t dance or joust, didn’t come from a noble family, or marry into one. So how did an impoverished law student become a favourite of the queen, and Captain of the Guard?

The story which began with the Tudor trilogy follows Walter Raleigh from his first days at the Elizabethan Court to the end of the Tudor dynasty.

REVIEW

FIVE STARS 

I love everything Tudor, but most books out there are based on the main players —the kings and queens of the era. I have never seen writing solely from the perspective of Sir Walter Raleigh before, so I was really looking forward to reading this book.

Tony Riches has a wonderful way with words, and I thoroughly enjoyed her previous series, The Tudor Trilogy, so I knew this book would be good, and boy, was it! The history of the era seems to leap off the page; such attention to detail brought the era to life. I also adored the depiction of Raleigh, and I found myself thoroughly invested in his story. I certainly learnt a lot about Raleigh's life from reading this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. This is a book that deserves to be read in one sitting and that was exactly what I did - a day reading is never a day wasted!

If you love the Tudors like I do, then this book is a must-read.

Buy Links:

Amazon

Tony Riches

Tony Riches is a full-time UK author of best-selling historical fiction. He lives in Pembrokeshire, West Wales and is a specialist in the lives of the Tudors. He also runs the popular ‘Stories of the Tudors’ podcast, and posts book reviews, author interviews and guest posts at his blog, 'The Writing Desk'.

✧ Book in the Spotlight ✧ Unspoken ( The Dust Series, Book #1) by Jann Alexander

Unspoken

(The Dust Series, Book #1)

by Jann Alexander

A farm devastated. A dream destroyed. A family scattered.

And one Texas girl determined to salvage the wreckage.

Ruby Lee Becker can't breathe. It's 1935 in the heart of the Dust Bowl, and the Becker family has clung to its Texas Panhandle farm through six years of drought, dying crops, and dust storms. On Black Sunday, the biggest blackest storm of them all threatens ten-year-old Ruby with deadly dust pneumonia and requires a drastic choice —one her mother, Willa Mae, will forever regret.

To survive, Ruby is forced to leave the only place she's ever known. Far from home in Waco, and worried her mother has abandoned her, she's determined to get back.

Even after twelve years, Willa Mae still clings to memories of her daughter. Unable to reunite with Ruby, she's broken by their separation.

Through rollicking adventures and harrowing setbacks, the tenacious Ruby Lee embarks on her perilous quest for home —and faces her one unspoken fear.

Heart-wrenching and inspiring, the tale of Ruby Lee's dogged perseverance and Willa Mae's endless love for her daughter shines a light on women driven apart by disaster who bravely lean on one another, find comfort in remade families, and redefine what home means.

Praise for Unspoken:

"Reminds me, in tone, of Texas classics like The Time it Never Rained and Giant. I loved it. Alexander is a great new talent in the genre of Texana."
~ W.F. Strong, author, Stories From Texas

Buy Links:

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Jann Alexander

Jann Alexander writes characters who face down their fears. Her novels are as close-to-true as fiction can get.

Jann is the author of the historical novel, Unspoken, set in the Texas Panhandle during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression eras, and her first book in The Dust Series. 

Jann writes on all things creative in her weekly blog, Pairings. She's a 20-year resident of central Texas and creator of the Vanishing Austin photography series. As a former art director for ad agencies and magazines in the D.C. area, and a painter, photographer, and art gallery owner, creativity is her practice and passion.

Jann's  lifelong storytelling habit and her more recent zeal for Texas history merged to become the historical Dust Series. When she is not reading, writing, or creating, she bikes, hikes, skis, and kayaks. She lives in central Texas with her own personal Texan (and biggest fan), Karl, and their Texas mutt, Ruby.

Jann always brakes for historical markers.

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✧ Book in the Spotlight ✧ A Prodigy in Auschwitz: A Holocaust Story, Book One: Simon by Fred Raymond Goldman

 

A Prodigy in Auschwitz: 

A Holocaust Story, Book One: Simon

By Fred Raymond Goldman

Publication Date: April 29th, 2025
Publisher: Historium Press
Pages: 368

Genre: Historical Fiction / World War II Fiction

When Nazi Germany troops enter Krakow, Poland on September 2, 1939, fourteen-year-old Simon Baron learns two truths that have been hidden from him.

One, the people who have raised him are not his biological parents. Two, his birth mother was Jewish. In the eyes of the Germans, although he has been raised Catholic, this makes Simon Jewish. Simon's dreams of becoming a concert violinist and composer are dashed when his school is forced to expel him, and he is no longer eligible to represent it at its annual Poland Independence Day Concert. There, he had hoped to draw the attention of representatives of a prestigious contest who might have helped him fulfill his dreams.

Simon vows to never forgive his birth father for abandoning him, an act resulting in unspeakable tragedies for his family and in his being forced to live the indignities of the ghetto and the horrors of Auschwitz and Sachsenhausen concentration camps.

Throughout his ordeals, Simon wavers between his intense anger toward his birth father and his dreams of being reunited with him. Through his relationships with Rabbi Rosenschtein and the rabbi's daughter, Rachel, Simon comes to appreciate his Jewish heritage and find purpose in his life. Driven by devotion to family and friends and his passion for music, Simon holds on to hope. But can he survive the atrocities of the Nazi regime?

How do you reconcile a decision you made in the past when the world erupts in war, threatening the life of someone you love and believe you were protecting?

✧ Excerpt ✧

Simon was one of the first to notice the disturbance among the starlings roosting in the sycamore trees bordering the east and west sides of the square. He heard their pitched chorus and the flapping of their wings seconds before hundreds of them flocked to the sky, creating two formations before joining into one large configuration. They moved swiftly, twisting, turning, changing shapes, and creating an astonishing spectacle to those watching below. 

As the progression of movements among the birds increased, Lena and the other young girls with whom she was playing ran to the benches where those caring for them were sitting. Lena pressed closely against Simon, her older brother. “What is it?” she whispered.

Simon put an arm around Lena’s shoulder. “Don’t be scared,” he said. “I saw this in a movie. Watch, it will be spectacular. You’ll have something special to tell the others at lunch.”

She pulled closer to him when the birds formed a spiral-like circle that temporarily blocked out the sun and caused a brief darkening over the square. Two worshipers wearing prayer shawls came out of the front doors of Beth David Congregation, a square-shaped, flat-roofed building on the west side of the square. Its congregants were comprised of Jews who followed the rules and practices of Halakhah, the strict observances of Jewish laws. They looked up into the partially blackened sky, stared at each other, and shrugged before returning inside their house of worship. 

“This is unusual,” an observer sitting near Simon said. “Starlings take flight at dusk.”

An elderly woman occupying the same bench shook her head. “It’s a bad omen. Something terrible is going to happen.” 

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Fred Raymond Goldman

Fred Raymond Goldman graduated from Western Maryland College in Westminster, MD (now named McDaniel College) in June 1962 with a BA in psychology. Two years later, in 1964, he earned an MSW degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Most of Fred's career was spent in Jewish Communal Service. He served as the administrator of Northwest Drug Alert, a methadone maintenance program at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. In this role, he also acted as a community resource, guiding individuals struggling with addiction toward Jewish services that supported abstinence, counseling, and job placement. Following that, Fred was hired as the Assistant to the Director of Jewish Family Services in Baltimore.

His final professional role was with Har Sinai Congregation, a Jewish Reform Synagogue in Baltimore, where he served as Executive Director for 23 years, retiring in October 2005.

In retirement, Fred pursued his love of hiking with The Maryland Hiking Club and spent time volunteering at The Irvine Nature Center. There, he led schoolchildren on nature hikes and assisted in the center’s nature store.

Writing had always been a passion for Fred, dating back to childhood, but it wasn't until retirement that he began to take it seriously. He started writing children's books and became a member of the Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Association.

Among the titles he wrote are: Vera and the Blue Bear Go to the Zoo, Never Bite an Elephant (And Other Bits of Wisdom), The Day the School Bus Drivers Went on Strike, If You Count, and The Day the School Devices Went on Strike.

Though none of these books has been published, Fred remains hopeful that if the CONCERTO books gain recognition, opportunities for the earlier works may follow.

Fred’s journey of writing the CONCERTO companion books began when he saw a note on a local library bulletin board about a new writer's group led by a local author. He joined and, along with nine other participants, learned the fundamentals of writing: staying in the protagonist’s point of view, building narrative tension, developing distinctive and flawed characters, and the process of writing and rewriting.

Over the course of more than four years, Fred dedicated time to writing, researching, rewriting, and submitting the manuscript. What began as a single book titled The Auschwitz Concerto was eventually split into two volumes and self-published. For a time, the manuscript was also titled The Box.

The encouragement from the group’s teacher and fellow members played a key role in shaping the novels, and Fred hopes his feedback was equally helpful to others in the group.

In the 'Author’s Notes' of the CONCERTO books, Fred outlines the goals behind sharing these stories. Prior to writing them, he had only a general understanding of the Holocaust—knowing that nine million lives were lost and that it was a horrific chapter in history. Through the writing process, he gained deeper insights into both historical events and human suffering, fostering a greater sensitivity to contemporary issues. He firmly believes that what affects one group can quickly impact everyone, and that such awareness is critical today.

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