Tell us about your latest book, who are the main character’s and
what can we expect when we pick it up?
A Code of Knights and Deception is a time-travel romance that follows Sophia, a modern
scientist who suddenly finds herself in 15th-century England. She’s
intelligent, independent, and absolutely unprepared for medieval life. The main
male character, Ethan, is a knight with secrets of his own—secrets that could
change everything. The story blends adventure, romance, and mystery, with a
strong historical backbone and a twist that will keep readers guessing.
Do you come up with the hook first, or do you
create characters first and then dig through until you find a hook?
The
hook comes first. I love starting with a “what if” question—like, What if a modern woman suddenly woke up in a
medieval castle?—and then I build my characters around that. But once the
characters take shape, they often change the story in ways I didn’t expect!
Which of your own
characters would you like to have lunch with?
Richard de Beauchamp, without a doubt. He’s Sophia’s best
friend in A Code of Knights and Deception,
but he was also a real historical figure—one of the most powerful noblemen of
his time. As the 13th Earl of Warwick, he was a celebrated knight, a diplomat,
and even a mentor to King Henry VI. He fought in France during the Hundred
Years’ War, played a key role in English politics, and was known for his
chivalry and military prowess. Lunch with him would be fascinating—imagine the
stories he could tell!
Tell us about what you are reading at the moment or anticipate reading in the future? Any favorite authors you enjoy reading in your spare time?
My TBR pile is endlessly growing—seriously, I think it
might have a life of its own at this point! But one book I’m especially looking
forward to is the new release from V.E. Schwab. She’s my absolute favourite
author! I love her storytelling, the way she builds such rich, atmospheric
worlds, and how her characters always stay with you long after you’ve finished
the book. Whenever she announces something new, it becomes an automatic
purchase!
Which of your own books
would you like to live in?
Definitely A Code of
Knights and Deception. Medieval England, seeing knights in action, and
experiencing the more simple, grounded way of life sounds amazing. Of course,
I’d prefer to be a noble rather than a peasant—let’s be honest, I like my
comforts! But there’s something romantic and adventurous about that era,
despite its hardships. Plus, I’d love to witness a real medieval feast and
watch skilled knights train firsthand!
What do you do when you
have free time?
Free time? What’s that? (laughs) Between writing, my
family, and everything else, I don’t get much of it. But when I do, I love
historical research, fencing, and attending medieval fairs. Oh, and a good cup
of tea with a book is always a win.
How do you approach
character development in your stories? Do you have any specific techniques or
methods that you find particularly effective?
I always start with their internal conflict—what drives
them, what they fear, what they want most. Understanding their motivations
helps me make them feel real. And, of course, I let them surprise me—I might
plan a scene, but sometimes a character reacts differently than I expect!
What do you believe sets
your writing apart from others in your genre, and why should readers choose to
read your books?
I love blending immersive worldbuilding with emotional
depth. My stories aren’t just about romance—they explore identity, fate, and
choice. I also focus on realism, especially in historical settings. While many
time-travel romances take place in Scotland, I wanted to do something fresh
with medieval England. If you love a mix of history, intrigue, and forbidden
love romance, my books are for you!
Can you discuss any
upcoming projects or books that you're currently working on? What can readers
expect from your future works?
Right now, I’m working on book two of A Code of Knights and Deception. Without spoiling anything, it
dives deeper into the mystery of Sophia’s time travel, Ethan’s secrets, and the
choices Sophia must make. I’m also planning another fantasy romance with a
whole new world, but that’s still in the early stages. Stay tuned!
A CODE OF KNIGHTS AND DECEPTION
Eliza Hampstead
GENRE: Historical Time Travel Romance
Purchase Links:
Universal
link: relinks.me/B0D6VGNQ41
Outlander
meets Black Mirror in this sizzling dark time travel romance.
She
thought it was real. She was wrong.
When
Sophia wakes up in 15th-century England, she expects hardship—but nothing
prepares her for this brutal, unforgiving world. Lost, alone, and desperate to
return to her husband and son, she vows to find a way home. But as the days
turn into months, Sophia begins to build a new life, finding unexpected kinship
and purpose in this strange land.
After
a violent attack, she takes fate into her own hands, disguising herself as a
man to train under Henry, the castle’s enigmatic master-at-arms. As steel
clashes and their connection deepens, forbidden desire ignites.
Yet
Henry is not who he claims to be. His real name is Ethan, and this is the least
of the lies he tells her. Falling for Sophia was never part of the plan—but the
closer they become, the more he realises how wrong it is to keep her in the
dark.
As
danger closes in and the lines between reality and deception blur, Sophia must
uncover the truth about Henry—and herself—before she runs out of time.
*Warning:
strong language, steamy scenes, and graphic violence inside.
Mention/Description of, but not limited to, abduction, blood, death,
amputation, childbirth, death, sexual assault, suicide, violence against
children, rape, and torture.*
The
book is the first in a duology and ends with a cliffhanger.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt One:
I had the strangest dream. Nothing unusual for me, but this
one lingered in vivid detail, as if I’d truly been there—in a medieval castle,
smoke and burning wood perfuming the air, stone walls looming around me. Azure
blue eyes. I smiled at the memory, then made the mistake of swallowing and
winced at the sharp, scratchy sensation in my throat. I reached for my phone on
the nightstand, seeking comfort in the familiar routine of checking the time,
but my hand met only empty space.
Confused, I squinted into the darkness. My surroundings
looked much as it had last night: thick red bed curtains drawn nearly shut,
letting in only a small beam. I shifted under the heavy covers, my feet
touching the icy stone floor and sending shivers up my legs as I sat up in my
underdress. A faint shaft of light crept in from a small window, softly hinting
at dawn. It might have been around six.
Breathing out a small cloud, I rubbed my arms to coax some
warmth back into them and took in the room's strangeness, feeling how truly
alien this place was.
"Good mornin', my lady! How be ye feelin' today?"
she chirped, her voice motherly and comforting in my panic. Her plain brown
dress rustled as she moved about the room, efficient and unfazed.
"Toilet?" I croaked, my voice strained and hoarse
from my sore throat.
Polly looked at me in confusion, observing me standing there
with legs crossed.
"Ah, a privy ye seek." She nodded thoughtfully,
then produced a chamber pot from under the bed, holding it out to me.
I reached for it, mortified. What was I supposed to do now?
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Award-winning author Eliza Hampstead, a scientist by training, lives with her family in the UK. When she's not writing, she spends her time as a geek. Playing all sorts of games (board games, video games, RPGs) and being a big fan of medieval history are only a few of the many hobbies she has. Passionate about fantasy, she’s always planning her next adventure.
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4 comments:
Thank you so much for featuring Eliza Hampstead and A CODE FOR KNIGHTS AND DECEPTION today.
The blurb sounds great.
I love the cover and think the book sounds good.
Thank you!
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