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about the book
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.
publisher: independently published
release date: november 18, 2025
excerpt
His destination, a church at the crest of the hill, was an impressive edifice with a bell tower, thick walls, and stained-glass windows along the sides. Angelo had been inside many times—not to worship, but to peruse the building for valuables small and light enough for him to carry. When he reached the entrance, he pulled the handle and pushed the door open, cringing as the hinges squeaked. His shoulders tightened. Cautious by nature, he turned his head to make certain no one was around. The sight of a boy entering the holy house in the middle of the night would surely raise suspicion. Satisfied he was alone, he stepped inside, his boots thudding lightly on the stone floor of the narthex. He closed the door behind him and paused.
Strange how the priest did not lock the doors. Angelo had spied on the old man but had never seen him use the keys that hung from the chain attached to his belt.Angelo had heard stories about the spirits of angry saints and otherworldly beings that floated around the church at night looking for someone to prey on. Did such tales worry him? Si, a little. He could not brush aside the thought that there were many things between Heaven and Earth that he did not understand. What was goodness, and what qualified as bad? How was it possible for divinity to connect with man? Could a thief like himself ever find forgiveness?
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.
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.
tour schedule
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