Maggie Blackbird

Today, award-winning author Eliza Hampstead is guesting. She’s talking about her latest release A Code of Knights and Deception, book one in the Swords of Time duology, a time travel, historical romance. Don’t forget to enter the Raflecopter giveaway.

****

Thanks for having me! Today, I’d love to talk about what draws me to writing time travel romance.

Time travel romance has always fascinated me because it blends two of my favorite things—history and deep, emotional storytelling. There’s something so compelling about throwing a modern character into the past, stripping them of everything they know, and watching them fight to survive, adapt, and love in a world that wasn’t made for them.

I think a big part of my love for this genre comes from the what if? questions that naturally arise. What if you were suddenly transported to a time where everything—from the way you speak to what you wear—could get you in trouble? What if you fell in love with someone in that era, knowing you might never return to your own time? Would you stay or go? These are the dilemmas that make time travel romance so compelling to me.

For A Code of Knights and Deception, I didn’t want to rely on magic to send Sophia back in time. I’m a scientist at heart, and I wanted something that felt plausible—let me surprise you with what I came up with. Instead of spells or ancient relics, I explored a concept that could theoretically happen, something rooted in science rather than fantasy.

I also have a deep love for medieval England, especially the 15th century, and I wanted to write something fresh instead of yet another time travel romance set in Scotland during the 18th century. Don’t get me wrong—I love a good Scottish Highlander romance—but there’s so much rich history outside of that well-worn setting. Castles, knights, political intrigue, and a society on the cusp of great change—medieval England has it all.

And then there’s the romance. Time travel adds a unique layer of conflict—lovers from different eras with different values and expectations. A modern woman like Sophia sees medieval England through a vastly different lens than someone born into it. The cultural clashes, the danger of discovery, the tension of being an outsider—it all adds to the emotional stakes. And when love grows in the middle of all that? It feels truly earned.

On a personal level, writing this story was also about exploring change and personal transformation. When I first started the book 12 years ago, I was going through my own life changes, questioning my path, and in a way, I think I wrote Sophia as a reflection of that. She, too, is forced to reevaluate everything she thought she knew.

Time travel romance allows me to explore history in a way that feels immersive and emotional. It’s not just about battles and castles (though I love those too!); it’s about the people, their choices, and the sacrifices they make for love. And that’s what keeps me coming back to this genre—those timeless, deeply human stories.

Thanks for letting me share a little about my love for time travel romance! If you enjoy stories where history and passion collide, I think you’ll love A Code of Knights and Deception.

****

Title: A Code of Knights and Deception
Series: Swords of Time, book one
Author: Eliza Hampstead
Genre: Time Travel, Historical Romance
Length: 542 pages
Release Date: April 14, 2025

Outlander meets Black Mirror in this sizzling dark time travel romance.

She thought it was real. She was wrong.

Blurb: 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.

Note: The book is the first in a duology and ends with a cliffhanger.

Add to Gooreads

Available at:

Amazon | Universal Link

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.

****

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.

Follow Eliza: Link Tree | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Tik-Tok | Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon | Newsletter Sign-Up

****

Enter for a chance to win a $10.00 Amazon or B&N Gift Card.
a Rafflecopter giveaway