A Code of Knights and Deception
by Eliza Hampstead
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GENRE: Historical Time Travel Romance
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BOOK BLURB:
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.
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EXCERPT THREE:
I tensed up, unsure of what would happen next. Would they really go through with it? Beating someone up for a believable story was one thing, but they wouldn't kill an actor, would they? No, they wouldn't go that far; I was sure of it.
Before I could process the thought, two soldiers brought forth a rope, swinging it over the tall branch of an oak in the square. They couldn't possibly stage this, could they? Hanging someone without harm wasn't possible. Using the fake hand and stage blood was one thing, but hanging someone? That could go wrong very quickly! Surely, any moment now, a rider would burst through the crowd, interrupting the execution. But no such intervention came. The dreadful scene continued.
Helpless and sick, my stomach churned as the farmer was led to the tree, and the noose was placed around his neck. A priest stepped forward, reciting a brief Latin prayer, his voice audible amidst the oppressive silence. Was this really happening? They couldn't just sentence him one minute and hang him the next! There had to be some sort of protocol or waiting period, right?
As time ticked by and nothing happened, it became clear that this was not a show or a performance. This was a real execution, taking place right before our eyes in a matter of minutes.
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GUEST POST:
Thank you so much for having me! Today, I’d love to talk about one of my favourite parts of writing—world-building.
For me, world-building isn’t just about geography or politics—it’s about creating a world that feels alive. A place that readers can disappear into. A world they can smell, taste, fear, and fall in love in. It’s the backbone of every story I write, and I’m a firm believer that the more grounded and textured the world is, the deeper the emotional stakes become.
When writing A Code of Knights and Deception, my biggest inspiration was real history—specifically medieval England. I’ve always been fascinated by that period, especially the 15th century. There’s something deeply romantic and brutal about the era: the clashing of swords, the stark roles of women, the cold stone castles, the politics veiled behind chivalry. I wanted to explore all of that—but from the perspective of a modern woman suddenly dropped into that world.
My research took me deep into nonfiction books about castle life, medieval warfare, women’s roles, and everyday customs.
I became particularly obsessed with Warwick Castle and the real family that lived there. That’s where I found Richard de Beauchamp, the Earl of Warwick, a historical figure in my book. He was young, powerful, and a notable warrior, yet little is known about his youth—only that he became Earl at 19. This lack of information allowed me to creatively shape his character, though I often wonder if I’ve portrayed him accurately. It’s both the beauty and challenge of blending fiction with real history.
Outside of textbooks, my imagination was also fuelled by films and shows like Outlander, and even Black Mirror. I know that last one sounds like an odd fit, but it’s part of what sparked the story behind A Code of Knights and Deception. I didn’t want the time travel element to be magical—I wanted something rooted in science.
Sword fighting was another real-life influence. Years ago, I took up fencing, then trained with longswords in a historical school. I still remember the weight of the blade in my hand—and that visceral feeling of power and precision. It made its way onto every page.
In the end, world-building is about emotion. You build a world not just to show off your knowledge—but to make your characters bleed, love, and grow within it. And that’s what I hope I’ve done.
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AUTHOR BIO:
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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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