Heidi EljarboReseñas

I really enjoyed this dual time line novel. Fabiola is supposed to be on vacation in Assisi, however she gets pulled into an art investigation she knows she must solve. Being shown a newly found painting, she is ecstatic to get to work on figuring out who painted it, who the portrait is of and about when it was done. When she returns to the basilica to get her hands on it, physically this time she finds that it is missing. It has been stolen, and someone was seriously injured during the robbery. Knowing time is of the essence before that painting could be lost forever, she decides to investigate on her own and has to do a deep dive into history to find who could have taken this painting and why. I loved this mystery, as well as the history of artists in Rome in the 1500's. I enjoy that these are shorter novels but still pack so much of a story, and the author always wraps it all up. Thank you to Just Read Tours for the invite. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I have recently awakened a hunger to find out more about my ancestry. There is a lot of mystery when it comes to where I come from and I want to shine a light on the past to find a deeper meaning within myself. Reading The Warmth of Snow reminded me that I can still be true to who I am without knowing the past, but that finding out the truth can lead to new life beyond my imagination.

Erica’s story is one of tragedy that gives serious Cinderella or Ever After vibes. She is an orphan that has been taken in by her evil aunt and uncle for nefarious reasons and subjected to verbal and emotional mistreatment, a fact that made my heart ache. Erica is such a sweet soul and does not deserve such treatment, and reading about the abuse is heartbreaking.

Austin is no stranger to heartbreak himself, having just returned from war with a debilitating disability, as he is no longer able to walk, and because of this he carries a heavy air of depression at his lot in life. A chance meeting puts him in the presence of Erica, who is a ray of sunshine in his darkness, and in one another they find what each other needs.

I loved this book so much! There is a sense of familiarity that surrounded my senses as I read this novel, like there was an invisible and instant connection between myself and this narrative, invoking something deep within me. There is something truly magical when you feel this kind of connection with a story, almost like it’s your own in some ways.

Heidi Eljarbo is one of my favorite authors as she has such a talent with connecting readers with her characters, making them almost become one as they traverse the characters unique journey together. I identified with both Austin and Erica in some form or fashion, further connecting me to their story, and I couldn’t get enough, so much so that I practically read this novel in one sitting.

This is a story of two souls that bring out the best in one another, showing that together you can overcome any adversity victoriously with love, and it is one I cannot recommend enough.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read through Kindle Unlimited with JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.

I really enjoyed this heartfelt historical romance novel. I loved that it was a shorter read but that there will still so much to the story and that everything was answered and wrapped up in the end. Erica was taken in by her aunt and uncle when she was orphaned and she has never really felt accepted and the questions about her parents are never answered. But following in her fathers love of art, she has made some cards that she is handing out to bring some joy to others. Having one card left, it is suggested she drop one by Castle Linborg. This one small act of kindness is about to change her life in the most unexpected way. This painted card is just what may get her the answers she has always sought and also be the saving grace for the count of Linborg. I would recommend this as a heartfelt holiday read! Really enjoyed this one. Thank you to JustRead Tours for the invite and to the author for the complementary novel. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

I am a huge fan of the Soli Hansen Mysteries series and was so excited to see that the author was doing a spinoff series featuring Soli’s daughter, Fabiola. Soli taught Fabiola everything she knew about art history and her daughter is not only following in her footsteps when it comes to vocation, but she is also keeping solving mysteries in the family as well.

It’s 1973 and Fabiola is in London admiring one of her favorite paintings and shocked when she realizes that the painting that she is looking at is actually a forgery. With the help of her detective friend Cary and best friend Piper, Fabiola embarks on a journey to find the missing art piece and catch the thief.

This novel is a dual timeline that gives the reader a glimpse into the past, telling the story behind the painting Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, the artist and his life, and the subjects that the painting was based off of. I was transported back to eras where I did not yet exist, yet the author did a masterful job of making these worlds come alive for me. The small details made the greatest imagery, allowing me to see a glimpse into the past. Even though we do not get to see Soli in this particular novel she is mentioned frequently, as she is now a legend in the art history field, a fact that put a smile on my face. It also makes me want to go back and finish that series!

This is a very well done spinoff that has the same heart and spirit as the original series, something that I appreciate and enjoyed. The characters feel fresh and the world building is phenomenal. The overall flow is perfection and I ate up every historical tidbit about Gainsborough and his painting, Mr. and Mrs. Andrews.

I loved that Fabiola, Cary, and Piper work as a tremendous trio, giving a lightness and sense of humor to the narrative while also working together as a team to solve a mystery. I know absolutely nothing about art, but after reading this novel my curiosity is piqued. The stories behind both the artist and the paintings themselves is utterly fascinating to me. I truly cannot wait to see what adventures this series is going to take us on.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.

Given how much I'm into Christmas novellas and how amazing the book cover of this one is, it's kind of a wonder that it took me over a year to finally read this one I had on my Kindle.

As romantic as this story set in the '70s turns out to be, I personally wouldn't think of it as a romance novella. The heroine spends much of the time with just herself and her dog, reflecting on the family life she had as a child. It's an easily paced read with plenty of contemplative moments, and I'd say that family is the key focus.

Also, while I admittedly enjoy my share of holiday schmaltz, this isn't a corny or sappy story. The emotional quality here is real and relatable without being overdone. I mean, at least a time or two, the story sort of snuck up on me when it twinged my heart.

While grief is a prominent theme, the read is warm and inviting with its own kind of Christmas magic. Great for fans of wholesome holiday stories. I definitely plan on reading this author again.

Greed is a very ugly thing indeed, and will make people do things they never thought possible. I don’t know what it is about art, but people get straight up crazy about it, as is shown in Brushstrokes from the Past.

This novel is a dual timeline, the past being set in 1641, at the height of Rembrandt’s career, and the present being near the end of World War II. Both eras are intriguing to me and I can honestly say I’ve never read them both together before. I did get a little lost with the back and forth and all of the different names, but I blame not reading the rest of the series first. Not to say that you can’t read this as a standalone as I did, but I feel like I would’ve appreciated the conclusion more had I read the rest of the series first.

I loved this story as a whole, but have to say that I appreciated the 1641 timeline more than I did Soli’s time. It’s obvious the author did her research, and it gleams from the pages. I learned quite a bit about Rembrandt that I did not previously know, which I greatly appreciated, and always enjoy when reading historical fictions.

Soli’s timeline has a Nancy Drew flavor that I am so here for but I feel like I twas so squeaky clean, Soli and her friends being a little too perfect, that I did struggle to connect as deeply as I liked, but maybe that is also something that comes when you read the series as a whole. The author does a great job of filling in the gaps of the past novels, which made me want to read more of Soli’s other adventures. This was such an insane time in history, especially in Europe, the entire time blanketed in uncertainty, but then you layer even more mystery, and the tension is taut and palpable.

It’s amazing how the beauty of a painting can transcend through the times, and through the pages into words. I could see that Rembrandt painting in my mind the entire time I was reading, and it was exquisite. If you like clean historical fiction then this is absolutely perfect for you. It has a wonderful flow and a delicious flavor that I truly enjoyed.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.

Brushstrokes from the Past is set in Norway during the seventeenth century and last year of WWII. It not only focuses on art and art styles during that time but is a work of art in itself—the history and descriptions of art pieces, the meanings behind the characters’ names, and the motivation of the resistance group.

This book captured my attention quickly. I feel as if I now know Soli. It is easy to connect with her and like her. It was just as easy to dislike the Colonel. And the emphasis on Nazi thievery and the art history is surprisingly (to me) and increasingly stimulating.

I love dual timeline stories. And I love how these stories, which take place during the mid 1600s and the mid 1900s, are wonderfully knitted together. This is the only book I’ve read in the series, but I’m pleased it doesn’t pose a problem. It works well as a standalone.

Disclosure: #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.

Lilly Larsen, upon hearing that her great-aunt Agatha Strand has died, travels with her grouchy father and money hungry family to hear her will be read. In a great turn of events, Agatha has left her vast fortune, grand home, and thriving business to Lilly. Shocked and confused, Lilly has to rely on Agatha's friends and mysterious letters to figure out why she has been left this all this wealth. It isn't surprising that threats against Lilly have been made in order to get the fortune from her. Will she find the inner strength to press forward and find the truth?

Heidi Eljarbo writes a fun mystery novel about a young lady finding her place in a man's world. Lilly tries to stay true to who she is and what she believes in during the chaos of her newfound home/fortune. She meets new friends along the way, who help her in her hunt to find out who her great-aunt really was, and who she really is, too. This is a quick read that sets up and upcoming series titled "Mysteries of the Modern Ladies' Society." I would have liked to see more suspense and intrigue, but this was an entertaining novel. I hope to see more character development and details in the upcoming series. I think there will be a fantastic sequel!

Secrets of Rosenli Manor was a great read! With vivid descriptions and the language used the reader gets a wonderful picture of the time period and the settings! Heidi Eljarbo is a great storyteller! Lilly was a great main character. She faces a few struggles but her determination and courage and the bonds that were created amongst the other characters is what made me enjoy her character! I enjoyed the surprises and twists the author added and the touch of romance as well! Overall I found this book to be realistic, entertaining and fascinating!

3.5 Stars

In Secrets of Rosenli Manor, Heidi Eljarbo sets up her new series with a death, an inheritance and lots of questions surrounding the home and the town.

I liked Lilly. She’s intelligent and determined to forge her way in a business world dominated by men. She seeks to remain true to herself and willing to give others a second chance when they maybe don’t make the best decision.

The actual secrets the title refers to were, for me, underwhelming. I like having to dig in and solve the clues to the mysteries presented, but this book contained more of Lilly reacting than hints at who was behind everything.

That said, I am interested in finding out where the author plans to take this series next and whether we’ll see Lilly and the other’s we’ve met in book solve more mysteries or make their mark on their small town.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

What an exhilarating read! It’s been awhile since I’ve read a good mystery, so when the Secrets of Rosenli Manor began I knew I was in for a treat. The overall tone is set from the beginning, with the division of assets for great-aunt Agatha. Everyone knows that the green-eyed monster tends to come out when someone passes away, and for Agatha’s estranged family it is even more so, as the woman was incredibly wealthy. Reading the interaction of the family brought back a distant memory of my own when my great-grandfather passed away. I’ve never understood why people are like this when it comes to wealth that belongs to someone else, and I don’t think I ever will. It tears families apart and for what?

Rather than a mystery, Secrets of Rosenli Manor feels more like a scavenger hunt, going with Lily, the heroine and heir of the estate, from clue to clue, unlocking each piece of the puzzle. You get to know more about Aunt Agatha right along with Lily, revealing the untold secrets that Agatha wants Lilly to know through those that knew and loved her, creating the aura of revelation, almost making the reader feel like she is speaking her truth beyond the grave. Such a wonderful way to tell her story!

As the truths are revealed each slimy family member continues to show their true colors, as well as a few other unsavory characters that I did not care for at all. You know the writing is good when you find yourself audibly growling at the pages! The chauvinism is astounding, and sadly goes right along with the times, but that didn’t make it any less thwarting.

The ending was satisfying and sweet, and there was one particular scene that made me inquisitive. I can’t help but wonder if there will be more to the mystery that has already been revealed, and seeing that this is the first book in a series, I am even more excited to see if this particular question will be answered in future books.

I adored the overall tone, the unique scavenger hunt feel, and the characters are simply divine. This was truly a fun read and I can’t wait to read more in the series!

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.

After Lilly Larsen surprisingly inherits her Aunt Agatha's estate, she has a lot of decisions to consider. Lilly is already an accomplished woman in 1898 Norway with an advanced degree and job in accounting but is unsure that she can take on the entirety of her Aunt's household and business. With the entire rest of the family feeling like they have been cheated out of a substantial inheritance, Lilly must follow the advice of her Aunt's letters, her new friends at Rosenli and most importantly, her heart.

Secrets of Rosenli Manor is an exciting, fast paced and heartfelt mystery with plenty of adventure. Lilly's character is intelligent, caring and open minded for her new opportunity. I really enjoyed the letters that Aunt Agatha left for Lilly. The letters were compelling and helped Lilly dive into her adventure as well as lead her to solving the many mysteries surrounding Rosenli Manor, Aunt Agatha's life and her own. The town of Glass Cove seemed charming and idyllic, I do wish there were more descriptions of the countryside and architecture so I could get a better sense of place. If the description hadn't said it was set in Norway, it could have been anywhere in Europe. Overall, Secrets of Rosenli Manor is a dramatic quest with great characters and a wonderful focus on expanding women's rights. I'll definitely want to read more of the Mysteries of the Modern Ladies' Society series.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

This was a quick, fun read and I am excited to see what happens next in Lilly's life with Rosenli Manor. The Great-Aunt Agatha has died and everyone in the family thinks they are getting their hands on her riches and they can live like the elite and wealthy with plans in place for upgrades to the mansion and selling off her lumber company. But Great-Aunt Agatha has the last say in the end, even from six feet under. As greed often does- it brings out the worse between the family members and they all have their anger and scorn out for one person.

Lilly having her life drastically change, is taking all things in stride and one day at a time but it becomes apparent that many are not happy with the outcomes of things, and will do anything to get what they feel is rightfully theirs. A few going so far as hatching murder plans and bringing about a long buried family secret that makes Lilly question things and herself. Is what this person claims true and why does everyone feel she is incompetent because she is a woman. Thankfully Lilly finds a few honest friends among this new community and they are willing to help her get on her feet and things running again.

Thank you to the author for the free book and to HFVBT for the invite. I am excited to see where the next few novels in this goes. I feel there are many characters and storylines that can be written about.

Catching a Witch starts strong, with a vivid prologue featuring a woman who is a healer in 1600s Norway, a dangerous practice for women during a time when healing with herbs was often considered witchery.

From there, we shift gears to a slower pace, with the healer’s childhood friend, who is the main character, returning from Asia. We spend a lot of time with her readjusting to life in the small village, meeting with the people there, and getting to know them as adults.

We don’t get back to the witch theme until about midway through the book. The witch hunter and witch trials come late in the book, and pacing feels somewhat rushed and light on detail, especially compared with the meandering pace of the first half.

For me, this story is much more about the strength and bond of female friendship, with the persecution of witches as a catalyst forcing them to band together.

*I received a review copy from TCK Publishing.*

Under cover of teaching children to read, Minister’s daughter Clara Dahl is following witch hunter Angus Hill to Berg, South Eastern Norway. She intends to stop his activity of hunting down and declaring innocent women witches, to have them burned. In her work to keep others safe, Clara gets an ally in local nobleman Christian Ivershall.

Trailing the Hunter by Heidi Eljarbo is continuing the theme from book 1, Catching a Witch. The story is set in South Eastern Norway 1661 and is about minister’s daughter Clara Dahl as she travels from her home town to settle in small village Berg (modern day Halden). Under the cover of teaching children to read, Clara is on a mission to save the lives of innocent women. English witch-finder Angus Hill is in town eager to blame village women for anything from too much knowledge of herbs to unattractive moles. He starts with convincing town councilmen to support the witch hunts, and with their approval the hunts begin again…

Main character minister’s daughter Clara Dahl is philanthropically minded and extremely well educated for a woman of the 1600s. She seems quite independent and has a mindset resembling a woman of today. I find it impressive how she manages to gather a group of trusted friends to help her cause.

Supporting character Christian Ivershall is an ex-soldier who has been born into privilege and is Lord of the Manor Ivershall. He seems to have a lot of local influence and filters every decision through what is best for the village and its people. He is as impressive as he is kind, which is why he is my favorite of this story.

I find the writing of this story to be both descriptive and vivid. I particularly enjoyed descriptions of village environments of 1661 Berg. Some extensive research of lifestyle and conditions in South Eastern Norway and area around Fredrikstad at the time must have gone into writing this story. The descriptions and character building of the women knowledgeable about herbs, healing and midwifery was a particular favorite. The story is told from different characters’ perspectives which I enjoyed a lot and I feel added depth to the plot. The story reads like a standalone but includes hints to characters and events in Catching a Witch.

My favorite part of the story was the vivid descriptions of Clara’s luxurious and abundant dinner at Ivershall, while the worst part was description of the chase of a pregnant woman through the woods. I appreciated the dramatic effect and it probably was a good element in a story from 1661. I very much enjoyed the author’s research notes at the back.

Conclusion: This is the captivating story of a strong, capable and caring woman who fights against a witch hunter for the lives of innocent women in 1661 South Eastern Norway.

Anyone who like historical fiction genre would enjoy Trailing the Hunter with its descriptions of life in the 1600s.
Similar authors to explore might be Catherine Taylor and Anne Easter Smith
Thank you to author Heidi Eljarbo for gifting me this book in return for my honest review.

Rating: 4 stars / 5

Soli Hansen's life changed when the German troops invaded Norway in 1940. For four years Soli has seen the consequences of the occupation; however, she was still able to go to art school and find work at a small art shop in town. One day on her way to work, Soli finds that the shop helper, Mrs. Gunderson has died right outside the shop in a terrible accident. Inspector Nikolai Lange brings Soli in for questioning and leads her to believe that Mrs. Gunderson's death was a murder related to the artwork in her shop. Soli is intrigued and continues to help Inspector Lange. Soli is brought into the Norwegian resistance as she discovers the Nazi's plan to confiscate all of the valuable artwork from Jewish homes. When Soli and the underground discover a priceless Baroque piece, Soli is willing to risk everything to keep the artwork safe and out of Nazi hands.

Of Darkness and Light is an intriguing and inspiring murder mystery set in World War II Norway. I don't think that I have ever read about the German Occupation of Norway, so I was very interested in reading about the effects on the country. I did know of the Nazi's collection of artwork, but did not know that it extended into Norway or of the resistance dedicated to protect it. Through Soli, I was able to see the deep appreciation and beauty of the artwork that she fought for. The point of view also briefly switched to the artist, Caravaggio in 1607. Caravaggio's story was equally fascinating and I enjoyed learning about the chiaroscuro technique that he made prominent. I was constantly amazed by Soli's persistence, bravery and dedication to the cause. The mystery was well created and complex with a murder, hidden artwork and unknown intentions. Soli and the underground resistance members are definitely characters that I want to visit again.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

When art shop cleaner Mrs Gundersen is found dead in center of Oslo 1944, art historian Soli Hansen finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation of a person who was not who she seemed. Soli goes on a mission to prevent priceless Norwegian art from ending up in the hands of Hitler. With the Germans on her tail, she goes on a secret trip out of Oslo.

When asked by author Heidi Eljarbo to review Of Darkness and Light, the first installment in A Soli Hansen Mystery series, I was absolutely thrilled for the opportunity. She is a new to me author and Of Darkness and Light seemed seriously interesting to me as well as right up my alley. Of Darkness and Light is about art historian Solveig, Soli, Hansen who experiences a murder in the art shop where she works. Investigations show the murder is connected to the arrests and deportations of Jews out of Oslo. The Germans are in the process of stealing valuable pieces of art from their homes and taking them back to Germany. To prevent this Soli puts herself in danger to keep a priceless painting hidden from Hitler’s representatives in Oslo.

Main character Solveig, Soli, Hansen, has managed to earn an art history degree, which I find impressive for a woman in Norway in the 1940s. It was nice to see she became more mature as the story progressed. She was easily my favorite as she could be both assertive and bold when called for.

Secondary character Lieutenant Colonel Heinz Walter is searching for valuable Norwegian art on behalf of Hitler. He is a cold and hard character who doesn't shy away from the occasional murder when trying to steal the best pieces of art for Hitler. He is my least favorite character as he is both ruthless and very dangerous.

Without revealing anything about the plot, I really appreciated how the dual timeline element added a deeper dimension to the story. The part from the 1600s Valetta was a favorite of mine, as I felt it was particularly well written. The research was excellent, which made me feel I learned more Norwegian wartime history. It was easy to feel pulled into the story as the writing was so vivid including descriptions of food rationing, German uniforms and weather conditions of autumn in Oslo among lots of other things.

Of Darkness and Light (A Soli Hansen Mystery #1) by Heidi Eljarbo is the excellently researched, exiting and interesting dual timeline story from WWII Oslo and 1600s Valetta. I enjoyed Of Darkness and Light so much and will be on the lookout for the next installment.

Readers of historical fiction would love this work. Those of you who like WWII fiction will particularly enjoy Of Darkness and Light. Fans of Heidi Eljarbo’s previous books are sure to love this one. Similar books to explore might be Kate Morton’s and Lucinda Riley’s works.

Thank you to author Heidi Eljarbo for this eARC, which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review of Of Darkness and Light. All opinions are completely my own.
My rating: 5 stars / 5
Main reasons: excellent plot and great research

A witch hunter is on his way to the small town of Berg, Norway in 1661. Clara Dahl is already a few steps ahead of him. Clara has seen the destruction and murder that Angus Hill imposes on a town after he decided that several of Clara friends are witches and burned them at the stake. On her way into Berg, Clara notices a young and heavily pregnant woman escape from imprisonment. Clara follows her into the woods offering help. She can't find the woman, but does find Christian of Ivershall, the Lord of Berg. Christian helps Clara and Clara finds a friend in Christian and his mother Dorthea. Once Clara is set up in town as a teacher, she sets on her mission to educated the women of the town of Angus Hill's true nature. With help from Dorthea, Clara is able to reach a few women in town. However, some women have their own motives and will use the witch hunter for their own gain.
Trailing the Hunter is a historical fiction novel that shows the impact and destruction that one person with their own agenda and air of authority can inflict on a town. I had no idea that this book was a continuation of Clara's story from Catching a Witch, which I haven't read. I had no problem getting a sense of Clara's past experiences with the witch hunter and the Clara's motivation for following him. I loved Clara's character from the very beginning, she was determined, motivated in her cause and had a well thought out plan for how to help. Her compassion allowed Clara to connect with and care for the young women that Angus typically accused and give them the skills to stay out of his grasp. Angus Hill's character showed just how easy it is for one person to infiltrate and poison the minds of people against one another just by using confidence and authority, something that still happens today. Through the writing I was also able to get a sense of life in 17th century Norway, the towns, dress, politics and religions were all part of the intriguing plot. The suspense of the witch hunt along with a bit of romance made Trailing the Hunter an intriguing historical fiction read.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.