Author Guest Post with Eliza Hampstead: A Code of Knights and Deception

Outlander meets Black Mirror in this sizzling dark time travel romance. She thought it was real. She was wrong.

Welcome to the April 16th stop on the blog tour for A Code of Knights and Deception by Eliza Hampstead with Goddess Fish Promotions. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for spotlights, reviews, more guest posts, and a giveaway! More on that at the end of this post.

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Author Guest Post

Did you have a minor character who insisted on playing a larger role in the story. If so, please tell us about it. And if not, please tell me how you get the characters in your head to behave.

Thanks for having me! I’d like to share a little behind-the-scenes story about a minor character who insisted on playing a larger role in A Code of Knights and Deception.

That character is Aelfric, the little three-year-old boy who managed to steal not only Sophia’s heart but also mine. When I first introduced Aelfric into the story, he was intended to be a minor character—someone who would be mentioned in just two or three chapters, a child who would briefly appear in Sophia’s life. He was supposed to be a fleeting presence, just a small part of the grander picture.

But Aelfric had other plans. As I began writing, I noticed how naturally he fit into Sophia’s world. She began to feel protective of him in a way that was almost instinctual. I realised that, in many ways, Aelfric was becoming a replacement for Sophia’s own son, Emil, who she left behind in the modern world. While she couldn’t physically be with her real son, Aelfric represented a chance for her to express the motherly love and instincts that had been left behind.

Sophia’s bond with him grew stronger and more poignant as the story progressed. I couldn’t ignore how much she began to care for him, and I soon found myself writing more scenes with him, exploring his relationship with Sophia and the other characters.

I won’t spoil too much about Aelfric’s future, but I can tell you that he’s not going anywhere. In fact, he’ll be playing an even more important role in the second book, which I’m really excited about. The journey he takes with Sophia is far from over, and his presence will continue to impact her story in ways I didn’t expect when I first introduced him.

It’s always fascinating when a minor character becomes something much more than I had originally planned. Aelfric certainly surprised me, and I can’t wait for readers to see more of him as the series continues!

About the Book

A Code of Knights and Deception
Swords of Time Book One
by Eliza Hampstead

Published 14 April 2025

Genre: Historical Time Travel Romance
Page Count: 542
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!

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.

Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK

Excerpt

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!”

About the Author

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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Giveaway Alert!

Eliza Hampstead will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

April 14: The Avid Reader & Romance Novel Giveaways
April 15: Sandra’s Book Club
April 16: Westveil Publishing
April 17: Always Reading & Deal Sharing Aunt
April 18: Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews
April 21: Maggie Blackbird
April 22: Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!
April 23: Candlelight Reading
April 24: Frugal Freelancer
April 25: Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
April 28: Long and Short Reviews
April 29: The Key of Love
April 30: Dawn’s Reading Nook
May 1: Fabulous and Brunette
May 2: Aubrey Wynne: Timeless Love
May 5: Beyond Romance
May 6: The Pen and Muse Book Reviews
May 7: Straight From the Library
May 8: Ellwyn’s Blog

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