A Code of Knights and Deception by Eliza Hampstead 💕 Fun Facts, New Release Tour, Freebie Offer and $10 Gift Card Giveaway 💕 (Time-Travel Dark Fantasy Romance)

This blog post contains affiliate links. Click Here for details.

As steel clashes and their connection deepens, forbidden desire ignites.

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.

Thanks for having me! I’d like to talk about some fun facts and behind-the-scenes tidbits from the making of A Code of Knights and Deception.

Sword Fighting Came First:

I started this book 12 years ago, and the idea was sparked when I began learning sword fighting. That’s right—I actually learned how to wield a sword before diving into writing battle scenes! I was fascinated by the whole world of medieval combat, and those lessons made it way easier to describe the fights with authenticity.

Sophia’s Family is Actually My Own:

Here’s a fun little secret—Sophia’s family is based on mine. Her ex-husband resembles mine, and her son is based on my own son when he was younger. The joke about her son’s metabolism only working when he talks? Totally lifted from my life. So, if you think Sophia’s family feels real, that’s because part of them is!

Warwick Castle Research:

A huge chunk of the book takes place in Warwick Castle, which means I had to get every detail just right. So, I did what any good writer would do—I visited the castle multiple times! I even got a private tour where the staff showed me hidden parts of the castle that most visitors never see.

I Cut Over 50,000 Words:

The research was so intense that I ended up writing over 50,000 extra words! That’s about 200 pages of historical details, descriptions, and facts. But, as much as I wanted to include everything I learned, I had to make the tough decision to cut a lot of it to keep the story moving. So, for those of you who love historical tidbits, just know there’s a treasure trove of extra history buried in my files that never made it into the book!

Sophia’s Struggles Are My Own:

When I wrote Sophia’s character, I was going through my own challenges, including a divorce. Sophia is really a reflection of past me. Writing the book helped me process a lot of that pain and eventually close the chapter on a tough time in my life. She found new love, a new family, and her purpose in the past—and I did too.

I hope these little behind-the-scenes facts gave you a bit more insight into the heart of the book and my writing process. Thanks again for having me—stay tuned for more secrets, adventure, and romance to come!

Then, with a sudden crash, I was yanked back into reality. My eyes blinked open to find myself lying on beaten earth, small stones scattered around me like the remnants of some forgotten battle. I attempted to reach for them, but my fingers refused to obey my command. Were those dark pellets in the corner rat droppings? The thought made me want to retch, but I had no air to spare.

Before me appeared the bluest eyes I had ever seen. They fixed intently on my face, twin beacons of azure that seemed to anchor me against the encroaching tide of despair. I stared into them, unable to pull my gaze away from their hypnotic depths. They were like the water in the Mediterranean—inviting, warm, and mysterious all at once. Just as I longed to dive into those azure waves and sink into them on a hot summer day, I wanted to immerse myself in the comforting embrace of those mesmerising eyes.

Strong hands grasped my shoulders, shaking me back into reality with a jolt. I tore my gaze from those captivating eyes and looked downward, my vision fixing on sensually shaped lips surrounded by a dark beard. The man's mouth moved vigorously, but I couldn't make out the words he was saying. My ears were filled with a persistent ringing, drowning out the world around me.

"…breathe," I finally heard him say, his voice taking on an urgent tone. "Can you hear me? You must draw breath!" He shook me again, his grip firm yet gentle, grounding me in the present moment. "Breathe! Quickly now, do not falter!"

💕 Click here to learn more 💕

Read on ANY device, or try a Kindle eReader

(4 colors to choose from!)

💕 Click here to learn more 💕

Swords of Time Duology, #2

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.