I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for AUTHOR’s TITLE! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.
BBNYA:
BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) 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.
Book Details:
Title: Lianna and the Hombit by Valinora Troy
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
Age Category: Middle Grade
Format: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Length: 255 pg.
Publication Date: January 29, 2026
About the Book:
A grieving girl in need of a friend. A magical creature with a secret task. Can they end the ancient curse threatening their new home?
When 13-year old Lianna, devastated by the loss of her father, is sent to the distant land of Nivram, she finds her new home and guardian every bit as horrible as she expected. When she meets a magical birdlike creature called a hombit, they strike an alliance: Lianna will help it complete its secret mission if it helps her get home.
But her plan goes awry and she accidentally awakens a creature that threatens both her and her new home. Lianna must uncover family secrets to avoid a terrible fate…
A heart-warming story of the healing power of friendship when all seems lost.
What is the opening line? It was late afternoon when the mail coach clattered through the town gate, rattled over cobbles and rumbled to a halt.
What’s a fun fact about the book? The hombit (a magical creature that looks like a small glass bird) has a secret mission – which it has forgotten
What food or drink pairs best with the book? Every kind!
Book Links:
Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Bookshop.org ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph
About the Author:
Valinora Troy is a children’s fantasy author from Ireland with an MA in Creative Writing, specialising in writing for Children & Young Adults. She is the author of four middle grade fantasy adventures, two writing guides for young writers and a collection of short stories for children. Short-listed for the Staróg Prize in 2023, her books have been long- and short-listed for various awards. She was selected as a panellist for the CYBILS (Children & Young Adult Bloggers Literary Award) in 2021. She regularly gives talks and holds writing workshops in schools and libraries, and has served as a Reading Ambassador for Louth Libraries in 2025 and 2026 for the #IrelandReads Campaign.
Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram ~ Twitter
My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.
