Title: A CODE OF KNIGHTS AND DECEPTION (Swords of
Time #1)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 weeks pass, Sophia finds 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 the knight 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.
Outlander meets Black Mirror in this sizzling dark time travel romance.
*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.
Absolutely! A Code of Knights and Deception is my love letter to history, adventure, and the eternal question—what is real? The story follows Sophia, a modern scientist who suddenly wakes up in a medieval castle. No warning, no explanation, and most importantly—no modern amenities. She’s stranded in 15th-century England, where women’s rights are... let’s say nonexistent, personal hygiene is a luxury, and knights are both deadly and dangerously attractive.
Enter Henry—a knight with secrets of his own. He’s honourable, brooding, and has a knack for making Sophia’s heart race. The problem? She has a husband and son waiting for her in the real world. If she can even get back.
It’s a story filled with sword fights, forbidden romance, a dash of deception, and a heroine determined to survive in a world that does not cater to independent women.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m working on the sequel, because Sophia’s journey is far from over—writing, tweaking, and making sure no historical inaccuracies slip through.
Were any of the characters in the book inspired by people from your real life?
Oh, absolutely. Sophia? She’s very much like me—minus the whole getting-trapped-in-medieval-England part (though I wouldn’t mind a knight showing up in my life). Her curiosity, sarcasm, and survival instincts come straight from my own "what would I do?" approach.
Her husband, Steffen, however, was inspired by my ex-husband—controlling, always finding faults, never quite satisfied. Writing their relationship was… cathartic, to say the least. Let’s just say, if you find yourself yelling at Steffen while reading, I understand.
Then there’s Richard, who was inspired by my best friend. He’s warm, kind, and the kind of person you just feel safe with—someone who, no matter what chaos is happening around you, makes you feel grounded. I poured all of that into Richard’s character, and I love the dynamic he has with Sophia.
And then there are the little details. The midwife who constantly mixes up names? That was my late grandmother, who did it all the time—much to our entertainment. Honestly, slipping in real-life quirks like that makes the world feel even more real to me.
Who was your favorite character to write? What about your least favorite?
Henry was my favorite to write because, well… tall, dark, and medieval. But also, he has layers. He’s more than just a knight—he’s torn between duty and desire, strength and vulnerability. And let’s be honest, writing all that slow-burn tension was so much fun.
Least favorite? Father Johannes, the priest. Writing him felt like voluntarily sitting through an hour-long lecture from the world’s most judgmental relative.
What is your favorite passage/scene in your book?
Oh, hands down—the fight scene where Sophia defends the castle.
Up until that moment, she’s been struggling to find her place in this world, constantly underestimated because she’s a woman (and, you know, not actually from the 15th century). But when the castle is under attack, she doesn’t hesitate. She grabs a weapon, pushes past her fear, and fights.
It’s raw, chaotic, and exhilarating. The clash of swords, the smell of blood and sweat, the adrenaline coursing through her veins—it’s the moment where she stops being just a lost modern woman trying to survive and becomes a warrior in her own right.
What kind of research did you have to do for the story?
Oh, so much research. I read countless books on medieval England—daily life, warfare, social structures, the works. I went down so many rabbit holes, I could probably survive in the 15th century (for at least a week, maybe).
I also studied sword fighting—yes, I’ve actually taken broadsword lessons (which is both cool and a great workout). So when Henry corrects Sophia’s grip in a fight scene? That’s me, channeling my inner warrior.
Lightning Round Questions
What are you reading right now? Or what do you have on your TBR that you’re dying to read? I have over 400 books on my TBR list, including a significant number of Fantasy Romances and Time Travel Romances!
Favorite social media site? Tiktok
Favorite Superhero or Villain? Loki
Favorite TV show? The Tudors
Sweet or Salty? Sweet
Any Phobias? Spiders and Snakes
Song you can’t get enough of right now? Delicate - Taylor Swift
2025 Movie you’re most looking forward to? Hard to say! So many remakes and sequels lately—I just hope we get something new and exciting this year!
Do you play video games? If so what are some of your favorites? Roleplay games. I loved Baldur's Gate 3, Divinity Original Sin 2, Witcher 3!
About Eliza Hampstead:
Award-winning
author Eliza Hampstead is a scientist by training but a storyteller at heart.
When she’s not lost in writing (or researching obscure medieval facts she
swears are relevant to the plot), she’s fully embracing her geeky side—whether
that’s strategising over a board game, getting emotionally invested in an RPG,
or conquering virtual worlds.
A lifelong
fantasy lover, she’s always dreaming up her next adventure—both on the page and
in real life. If time travel were possible, she’d already be in medieval
England, probably getting into trouble with a sword. Until then, she’ll settle
for writing stories filled with forbidden love, surprising twists, and just the
right amount of spice.
Sign up for Eliza’s
newsletter!
https://linktr.ee/elizahampstead
Giveaway Details:
1 winner
will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card, International.
Ends April 30th, midnight EST.
Participating Bloggers & Influencers:
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment