Book Spotlight: Child of Vanris by Nikki McCormack

Today I'm part of a virtual book tour organised by The Write Reads for Child of Vanris by Nikki McCormack. The tour for ‘Child of Vanris' will run from 25th - 31st May 2026.

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About BBNYA

The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) is celebrating the books that made it to the semi-finals with a mini spotlight blitz tour for each title.

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 (17 in 2025) finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.

Child of Vanris by Nikki McCormack tour banner

Length: 402 Pages

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

Age Category: YA

Date Published: 13 January 2024

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Book synopsis for Child of Vanris by Nikki McCormack

Child of Vanris by Nikki McCormack book cover

At five years old, Kasiel was found with the pointed ends of his ears cut off. Despite that brutal start, he’s lived twelve peaceful years with the man who took him in. Keeping his hair long over his mutilated ears helps him hide the fact that he is Vanrian, a child of the enemy.

Everything changes when mercenaries arrive hunting for Kasiel. The last people he expects to come to his rescue are Vanrian soldiers, one of whom claims to be his spirit brother, whatever that means. They plan to take him across the war zone to deliver him to his real father, a man whose name strikes terror in his enemies.

With his secret exposed, Kasiel can’t return to his old home. This is his chance to find out who he was supposed to be. It means traveling to a foreign land where they have unusual psychic abilities he may share. It also means leaving behind everything he’s ever cared about. If he is to survive, he will need to learn their language and culture and earn his place in their society.

Meanwhile, the man who cut Kasiel’s ears will do anything to keep him out of his true father’s hands, even if it means killing him.

Where to find Child of Vanris by Nikki McCormack online:

Get the book: Child of Vanris Amazon affiliate link

Add to your shelf: Child of Vanris Goodreads

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About the author

Outside of her career as an author, Nikki is a professional technical and creative writer, spider wrangler, animal lover, and devoted cat mom. Writing fantasy and science fiction stories has been a lifelong passion for her. She loves to draw on her myriad life experiences, doing everything from wild cave exploration and competitive horseback endurance riding to practicing iaido and archery. She invites you to join her on some fantastic adventures. Learn more at https://www.elysiumpalace.com/, or connect on https://www.instagram.com/nikkimccormackwriter/ and https://bsky.app/profile/authornikki.bsky.social.

2025 Finalist (4th place overall) in the Book Blogger Novel of the Year Awards (BBNYA) for Child of Vanris.

2025 Finalist for the Ozma Fantasy Fiction Award for Child of Vanris.

2018 Finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards for The Keeper

2016 Finalist for the Cygnus Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction Award for Dissident

2015 Grand Prize Winner of the Dante Rossetti Award for Young Adult Fiction for The Girl and the Clockwork Cat

2009 Writers of the Future finalist with the short story In Silence Waiting.

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Product Review: Cien Eye Contour Cream Aloe Vera-Bio

I’ve long been a fan of the Cien range from Lidl. It is one of those rare brands that manages to be super cheap while maintaining surprisingly good quality. I recently picked up the Cien Eye Contour Cream Aloe Vera-Bio, and after using it for a few weeks, I’m ready to share my thoughts.

Photo of Cien Eye Contour Cream Aloe Vera- Bio (box and tube)

You might also like: The Ultimate Guide to Sheet Masking: My Top Picks for Glowing Skin

Product details

100% natural certified cosmetics
100% natural fragrances
Dermatologically and ophthalmologically tested
Formulation without microplastics

The delicate eye contour cream with Aloe Vera from organic agriculture was formulated for the delicate skin in the eye area and cares for your skin gently. The formula with organic shea butter penetrates fast into the skin and helps reduce signs of ageing.

Directions for use: Apply morning and evening after cleansing. Dab a small amount around the eye area and pat in. Also suitable for people who use contact lenses.

INGREDIENTS: Aqua, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate.

You might also like: Product Review: Cien Soft Moisturising Cream

Review

I paid just €1,89 for this tube! I do have the Lidl Plus card, which gave me a bit of a discount, but even at full price, it is an absolute steal for an eye cream.

While it comes in a small tube, this is standard for eye products. Because you only need a very tiny amount for each application, the tube actually lasts quite a long time. It’s excellent value for money. In fact, the product is good for 12 months after you first open it. Since you only need a tiny bit, it’s good to know you have a full year to finish the tube!

This really does the trick for hydration. It’s got such a cooling effect that it leaves my eye area feeling super fresh and way less tired.

Most importantly, I’ve actually noticed a difference in my skin. Since I started using this a few weeks ago, the fine lines near my eyes appear much more subtle.

It's also an excellent choice for those looking for cruelty-free and plant-based beauty products as it's 100% vegan.

If you are looking for an affordable skincare routine that actually works, I highly recommend checking out Lidl's beauty aisle. I will definitely be trying more products from the Cien range in the future.

Product Review Cien Eye Contour Cream Aloe Vera-Bio

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Books: First Lines Fridays 22nd May 2026

It's that time of the week again... Ready for another First Lines Friday? It's not about the book cover or even the book blurb. Instead we will be judging it's ability to hook us from the opening lines. Let's see if this week's pick will have you adding it to your TBR list or not.

I'm participating in First Lines Fridays as I think it's a great way to highlight more of the books that are on my bookshelves.

What is First Lines Fridays?

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
Finally… reveal the book!

My Pick For This Week

The first lines of the book:

“This isn’t a social visit. I’m just back to pick up my boxes from the attic.” The young woman standing on the doorstep glowered at Marie from under a long fringe of dyed black hair that hung over her pale face. Her eyes were lined with dark kohl, highlighting her menacing scowl, and her lips and nose were pierced with so many metal studs that Marie couldn’t help thinking of the nail-bombing victims she’d just heard about on the news.

Do you know which book this is from? Scroll down to find out!

And the book is...

Book cover of Shrink Wrap by Victoria Williamson

Book synopsis Shrink Wrap by Victoria Williamson

Marie’s new family is everything her old family wasn’t. Her husband, Ryan, is caring, hard-working and supportive, and her two young children are polite, well-behaved and full of joy. Now, she has everything she’s ever wanted – a loving home, and a picture-perfect life.

But when her daughter from her previous failed marriage turns up at her door demanding attention and dredging up the dysfunction of the past, Marie’s anxiety starts to spiral. Can she find a way to preserve her precious family and protect them from the rot that threatens to eat away at their perfect life?

Shrink Wrap is the first sinister short story in the Truly, Madly, Weirdly collection, written by award-winning author Victoria Williamson and available to purchase as an anthology.