Book Review: The Relic Keeper by Heidi Eljarbo : #HistoricalFiction #blogtour #YardeBookPromotions @HeidiEljarbo @maryanneyarde

 

The Relic Keeper
By Heidi Eljarbo

Publication Date: 18th November 2025

Publisher: Independently Published

Page Length: 162

Genre: Historical Fiction

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.

Book Rating:

📚📚📚📚📚⭐ = A book in a million

📚📚📚📚📚 = I could not put this book down. I Highly Recommend it.

📚📚📚📚 = A really great read.

📚📚📚 = It was enjoyable.

📚📚 = It was okay.

📚 = Um...! 😕

My Review

The Relic Keeper 

📚📚📚📚📚 - I Highly Recommend it.

The story opens with Angelo, a young orphan trying to survive under the control of Tozzo, a cruel man who uses him to steal relics from churches. Life has been harsh and unforgiving for Angelo, and he has learned to trust very few people. His world changes when he meets Padre Benedetto, a kind and patient priest who offers guidance, shelter, and a chance to see that there might be more to life than mere survival. From there, Angelo’s journey takes him to Rome, where he encounters new experiences and the world of art, including a breathtaking painting that leaves him awestruck and forces him to confront emotions he has long kept buried.

What really works in this novel is the emotional depth and focus on character. Angelo’s growth feels natural, and Padre Benedetto’s quiet wisdom and compassion create a strong emotional anchor throughout the story. The way Eljarbo portrays the priest’s influence makes it easy to see why small acts of kindness can have such a lasting impact. At the same time, Angelo’s experiences in Rome add a sense of wonder and discovery, giving the story both heart and a touch of beauty that contrasts with the boy’s hard early life.

The book isn’t perfect. Some moments move more slowly than others, and the historical details occasionally require careful attention to follow, but they also enrich the story and make Angelo’s journey feel grounded and authentic. Even though the plot is mostly driven by character rather than action, it stays engaging because Angelo’s personal struggles and small victories are compelling to follow.

The Relic Keeper is a heartfelt and immersive read. It balances emotion, moral growth, and moments of awe, giving readers a story that is both moving and inspiring. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with strong characters, hope, and a quietly uplifting message.

You can pick up your copy of this book on Amazon. If you subscribe to #KindleUnlimited you can read this novel for free.

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 @penny_hampson @maryanneyarde

 

The Unquiet Spirit 
(Spirited Encounters Book 1) 
By Penny Hampson

Publication Date: 17th October 2025

Publisher: PP&M Publishing

Page Length: 245

Genre: Paranormal Ghost Romance

Triggers: emotional abuse by partner

“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. — Yarde Book Promotion

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.

Book Rating:

📚📚📚📚📚⭐ = A book in a million

📚📚📚📚📚 = I could not put this book down. I Highly Recommend it.

📚📚📚📚 = A really great read.

📚📚📚 = It was enjoyable.

📚📚 = It was okay.

📚 = Um...! 😕

My Review

The Unquite Spirit

📚📚📚📚📚⭐ = A book in a million

From the very first chapter of The Unquiet Spirit, it’s clear this isn’t just another ghost tale — it’s a carefully woven story about history, healing, and the quiet ways the past refuses to be forgotten. When Kate returns to Cornwall and steps into the house she’s unexpectedly inherited, Penny Hampson surrounds her, and us, with an evocative blend of unease and tenderness. The house doesn’t just creak with ghosts — it carries memories, regrets, and whispers of unfinished stories.

What truly sets this book apart is the emotional warmth beating beneath the mystery. Kate isn’t simply confronting restless spirits; she’s slowly reclaiming her confidence after life has worn her down. What could have been a straightforward haunting becomes something far more meaningful as Hampson infuses the narrative with empathy and depth. Kate’s slowly deepening friendship — and the spark of something more — with Tom Carbis brings a wonderful human balance to the supernatural tension. Their connection feels authentic: hesitant, endearing, and quietly hopeful.

And then there’s the haunting itself — beautifully layered and utterly compelling. Forgotten letters, echoes of old lives, and secrets hidden beneath time gradually emerge, drawing you deeper with every chapter. The ghostly presence at the heart of the story isn’t simply there to frighten; it’s achingly tragic, filled with heartbreak, loss, and a yearning that lingers long after the truth is revealed. Hampson blends the paranormal with history so seamlessly that the past feels vividly alive, breathing alongside the present rather than buried beneath it.

Despite its eerie moments, the story never feels heavy or bleak. Instead, it carries a gently haunting sadness balanced with warmth and hope, creating an atmosphere that enchants rather than overwhelms. Hampson strikes a lovely balance between suspense and compassion, weaving in humour, humanity, and genuine emotional depth that makes every character and every secret feel real.

In the end, The Unquiet Spirit is more than a spooky mystery; it’s a story about courage, connection, grief, and the healing power of facing what haunts us — both literally and emotionally. Immersive, heartfelt, and beautifully atmospheric, it’s an easy five-star read that lingers long after the last page — this is a book in a million.

You can pick up your copy of this book on Amazon. If you subscribe to #KindleUnlimited you can read this novel for free.

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 Review: Rough Diamond - Rough Justice by Avien Gray @aviengrayauthor @maryanneyarde

Rough Diamond - Rough Justice 

By Avien Gray

Publisher: Avien Gray. Page Length: 466. 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?

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.

Yarde Book Reviews & Book Promotion

“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

“Aiven 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

Book Rating:

📚📚📚📚📚⭐ = A book in a million

📚📚📚📚📚 = I could not put this book down. I Highly Recommend it.

📚📚📚📚 = A really great read.

📚📚📚 = It was enjoyable.

📚📚 = It was okay.

📚 = Um...! 😕

My Review

Rough Diamond - Rough Justice

📚📚📚📚📚

This book is the kind of thriller that grabs you by the collar from the opening chapter and refuses to loosen its grip. Avien Gray drops you straight into a world of covert operations, moral compromise, and emotional scars, following Cain — a former MI5 operative who can’t seem to outrun the life he thought he’d left behind.

Cain is a brilliant protagonist: capable, stubborn, and deeply human. He’s not a cardboard action hero; he’s a man shaped by trauma, loyalty, regret, and the constant tug-of-war between justice and survival. What makes the story compelling is how Gray balances explosive action with quieter, more reflective moments. You never forget Cain is dangerous — but you also never forget he’s wounded.

The novel moves confidently across continents, and each location feels atmospheric rather than decorative. The sense of place is strong, whether the story is steeped in heat, danger, or emotional tension. The stakes always feel personal, even when the plot spirals into wider conspiracies and darker corners of the diamond world.

This isn’t just a thriller filled with shootouts and betrayals; it’s about resilience, consequence, and the cost of living a life built on secrets. At times the story throws a lot at you, but the relentless pace suits the life Cain leads — chaotic, unpredictable, and never really safe.

By the time you reach the final pages, you feel like you’ve lived every hit, heartbreak and hard decision right alongside Cain. Rough Diamond – Rough Justice isn’t just exciting — it has heart, grit, and a raw honesty that sticks with you after you put it down. If you like thrillers that make you feel something as well as keep you on edge, this one’s definitely worth reading.

You can pick up your copy of this book on Amazon.

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.

Social Media Links:
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Read my book review of The Irish Midwife by Seána Tinley

 

The Irish Midwife

By Seána Tinley

Can she finally put herself first, in order to find love?

Peggy Cassidy is a milly, working in the Belfast linen mills to just about get by. But Peggy also has another job - a secret one. She works as a handywoman - an illegal midwife, tending to the women of her community in their time of need.

When Peggy is offered the chance to leave Belfast to receive formal midwifery training in Dublin, it sets off a chain of events that will change her life forever.

But amongst her middle-class colleagues, Peggy must keep the truth about her past secret at all times. If the realities of her life in Belfast are revealed, she could lose everything she has worked for.

And when she meets a well-to-do doctor down in Dublin, she must make a decision: should she protect her family and her history? Or can she let herself fall in love?

Book Rating:

📚📚📚📚📚⭐ = A book in a million

📚📚📚📚📚 = I could not put this book down. I Highly Recommend it.

📚📚📚📚 = A really great read.

📚📚📚 = It was enjoyable.

📚📚 = It was okay.

📚 = Um...! 😕

My Review

The Irish Midwife

📚📚📚📚📚⭐ = A book in a million

The Irish Midwife by Seána Tinley had been sitting patiently on my reading list for a little while, quietly waiting its turn while I caught up with other books and reviews. But it was always there, calling to me. I had a feeling that once I started it, I would be completely drawn in – and I was absolutely right.

What can I say but WOW! This is one of those novels that doesn’t just pull you in, it claims you. From the very first pages, I found myself utterly immersed in the story, the setting, and the lives of the characters. Compelling doesn’t quite cover it – this book is completely addictive. I found myself thinking about it when I wasn’t reading and sneaking in “just one more chapter” whenever I could.

Tinley’s ability to bring the past vividly to life is remarkable. The sense of time and place is so authentic that I felt as though I had stepped straight into the heart of the story. The characters are richly drawn, deeply human, and impossible not to care about. At the centre of it all is a protagonist whose quiet strength, compassion, and resilience shine through every page. Her journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring, and I was emotionally invested from beginning to end.

What I particularly loved was the way Tinley highlights the often-overlooked role of women and the immense emotional labour they carried. There is no melodrama here – just beautifully observed moments, honest emotion, and a deep respect for the lives being portrayed. The writing is lyrical yet accessible, and every detail feels purposeful.

This novel is a real gem. For anyone who enjoys well-researched historical fiction with strong female characters and an emotionally resonant story, The Irish Midwife is an absolute must-read. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

You can pick up your copy on Amazon.

Seána Tinley

Seána Tinley is an Irish author of saga historical romance. She also writes regency romance as Catherine Tinley.

After a career encompassing speech & language therapy, Sure Start, being President of a charity, and managing a maternity service, she now works as NI Country Director for a leading UK charity.

Seána was appointed as chair of the Romantic Novelists' Association in August 2024.

She lives in Ireland with her husband, children, and dog. 

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Book Review: The Alpine Fortress by Rowena Kinread @RowenaKinread @maryanneyarde

 

The Alpine Fortress 
By Rowena Kinread

Publication Date: 12th September 2025

Publisher: Goldcrest Books

Page Length: 311

Genre: Thriller

In the shadow of the Bavarian Alps, a forgotten map leads to an unsolved mystery buried for decades. When Ivanna discovers the sketch among her late grandfather’s belongings, she stumbles upon a secret that connects her family’s harrowing past to the Nazi regime's stolen treasures.

What begins as a curious family discovery quickly escalates into a perilous adventure, drawing the attention of law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and dangerous criminals.

The Alpine Fortress is a thrilling tale of survival, betrayal, and redemption. From the chilling depths of Nazi conspiracies to the breathtaking heights of the Alps, this story will keep you on the edge of your seat as the past and present collide in an unforgettable race against time.

Will Ivanna uncover the truth—or will the secrets of the fortress remain buried forever?

Book Rating:

📚📚📚📚📚⭐ = A book in a million

📚📚📚📚📚 = I could not put this book down. I Highly Recommend it.

📚📚📚📚 = A really great read.

📚📚📚 = It was enjoyable.

📚📚 = It was okay.

📚 = Um...! 😕

My Review

The Alpine Fortress 

📚📚📚📚 

The story kicks off when Ivanna, sorting through her late grandparents’ attic, finds an old map hinting at hidden Nazi treasure somewhere in the mountains. Naturally, chaos follows. At the same time, a dangerous Argentinian drug lord known as “the Lizard” is hunting for the same treasure, and he will stop at nothing to get his hands on it.

When a group of detectives heads into the Alps for a training mission, it becomes clear that not everyone on the mountain is who they claim to be.

What really works in the novel is the atmosphere. The mountains feel harsh, beautiful, and unforgiving, and they shape the story’s mood from start to finish. The historical element adds another layer, giving the treasure hunt an emotional weight through Ivanna’s family history. The characters, especially the main trio — Ivanna, Matteo, and the Lizard — are distinct enough to keep the narrative engaging, even when the plot becomes crowded with detectives and side players.

The book isn’t perfect. At times, there are simply too many characters to track comfortably, and a few of them feel like they exist mainly to serve the plot rather than leave a strong impression. The “Nazi treasure” premise has been used before, but the Alpine setting and the combination of personal and historical stakes keep it from feeling stale.

Overall, The Alpine Fortress is a gripping and atmospheric read that balances action, mystery, and emotional depth. It delivers strong tension, memorable scenes in the snowbound mountains, and just enough twists to stay exciting without becoming confusing. I’d call it a solid, enjoyable thriller — especially if you like stories where danger, history, and landscape all collide.

You can pick up your copy of this book on Amazon. If you subscribe to #KindleUnlimited you can read this novel for free.

Rowena Kinread grew up in Ripon, Yorkshire with her large family and a horde of pets. Keen on travelling, her first job was with Lufthansa in Germany.

She began writing in the nineties. Her special area of interest is history, after researching her ancestry and finding family roots in Ireland with the Dalriada clan, particularly this era. Her debut fiction novel titled “The Missionary” is a historical novel about the dramatic life of St. Patrick. It was published by Pegasus Publishers on April 29th, 2021 and has been highly appraised by The Scotsman, The Yorkshire Post and the Irish Times.

Her second novel “The Scots of Dalriada” centres around Fergus Mór, the founder father of Scotland and takes place in 5th century Ireland and Scotland, and is published by Pegasus Publishers.

The author lives with her husband in Bodman-Ludwigshafen, Lake Constance, Germany. They have three children and six grandchildren.

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Look who is in the SPOTLIGHT!!! Paoletta: An Eye for an Eye by J.R. Powell

Paoletta: An Eye for an Eye

By J.R. Powell

Publication Date: November 28th, 2024

Publisher: independently published

Pages: 421

Genre: Historical Thriller

Exiled to a Caribbean island, Paoletta Cadoville and her family cling to the hope of one day returning to their Parisian home. But in a single, devastating moment, that dream is shattered. Alone and horrifically scarred, Paoletta embarks on a perilous quest to uncover the truth behind her family’s tragic fate, only to become entangled in a web of political intrigue, secret societies, and dangerous alliances.

In a Paris overshadowed by the guillotine, Paoletta must decide how much of her humanity she’s willing to sacrifice in pursuit of vengeance. Will she achieve justice for her family or lose herself to the darkness that threatens to consume her?

Paoletta – An Eye for an Eye is a gripping historical thriller set during the French Revolution and a stark reminder that in times of upheaval, innocence is the first to fall, and revenge demands a price paid in blood.

Praise for Paoletta – an Eye for an Eye:

"A haunting tale of vengeance, survival and revolution - Powell's heroine grips you by the throat and never lets go"

~ Chris Riches, Daily Express

"Vivid, visceral, unforgettable. Powell's masterful storytelling plunges us into the heart of revolutionary Paris"

~ Will Barker, The Sun

Pick up your copy at your favourite online bookstore Universal Buy Link

J.R. Powell

Originally from the UK, J.R. Powell lives in Germany, where he works as a translator and editor. His debut novel was published in 2024, marking the first instalment of a new historical thriller series.

Paoletta – an Eye for an Eye follows Paoletta Cadoville, a young woman driven by vengeance after the murder of her family during the French Revolution. Drawing inspiration from his time living in Paris, Powell immersed himself in the city’s rich and brutal history to craft a story that brings a lesser-explored period to life with the momentum and intensity of a gritty, modern thriller.

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Amazon Author Page • Goodreads