The Whispering Bookworm: On Tour With Yarde Book Promotions: The Relic Keeper by Heidi Eljarbo

The Relic Keeper
By Heidi Eljarbo

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.

Publication Date: 18th November 2025

Publisher: Independently Published

Page Length: 162

Genre: Historical Fiction

An interview with Heidi Eljarbo

What inspired you to start writing?

I was a bookish child. My parents had a bookshelf that covered a whole wall in our living room, and I also went to the library to borrow more. Being a person who sees feelings in pictures and who has countless stories pop up in my head, I desired to write these down. I liked the challenge of being able to write something others could read and enjoy. But it took me a long time. I talked myself down, and it wasn’t until later in life that I (encouraged by my husband) started writing professionally. First as a journalist for magazines and newspapers, and then as an author of a full-length novel. I am so happy when I’m writing, and I enjoy the hours of research, plotting a story, and developing the characters.

What was the hardest part about writing this book?

Sometimes, I let the characters run freely—I let them make decisions, talk, and do things on their own, and I feel as if I’m tagging along trying to get to know them. The main characters in The Relic Keeper are so strong that I hoped to describe them in a way that the reader could share the heartwarming feeling I had when writing about them.

Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?

Angelo is the kind of boy you want to take into your home and adopt. He is far better than he understands, and he makes good choices to change his ways. But I really enjoyed Padre Benedetto’s personality. The more I wrote, the more his influence and wisdom dominated the pages. As a writer, it was an interesting journey to get to know him.

What do you hope your readers take away from this book?

The story about Angelo and Padre Benedetto was a joy to write. I cried during the last read-through before sending the manuscript off because the story deeply touched my heart. I hope my readers will feel the tender message of hope, forgiveness, and love.

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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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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