I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the A CODE OF KNIGHTS AND DECEPTION by Eliza Hampstead Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About The Book:
Title: A CODE OF KNIGHTS AND DECEPTION (Swords of Time #1)
Author: Eliza Hampstead
Pub. Date: April 14, 2025
Publisher: Eliza Hampstead
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 542
Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/A-CODE-OF-KNIGHTS-AND-DECEPTION
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.
EXCERPT
Sophia wakes up in medieval England
I had the strangest dream. Nothing unusual for me, but this one lingered in vivid detail, as if I’d truly been there—in a medieval castle, smoke and burning wood perfuming the air, stone walls looming around me. Azure blue eyes. I smiled at the memory, then made the mistake of swallowing and winced at the sharp, scratchy sensation in my throat. I reached for my phone on the nightstand, seeking comfort in the familiar routine of checking the time, but my hand met only empty space.
Confused, I squinted into the darkness. My surroundings looked much as it had last night: thick red bed curtains drawn nearly shut, letting in only a small beam. I shifted under the heavy covers, my feet touching the icy stone floor and sending shivers up my legs as I sat up in my underdress. A faint shaft of light crept in from a small window, softly hinting at dawn. It might have been around six.
Breathing out a small cloud, I rubbed my arms to coax some warmth back into them and took in the room’s strangeness, feeling how truly alien this place was.
“Good mornin’, my lady! How be ye feelin’ today?” she chirped, her voice motherly and comforting in my panic. Her plain brown dress rustled as she moved about the room, efficient and unfazed.
“Toilet?” I croaked, my voice strained and hoarse from my sore throat.
Polly looked at me in confusion, observing me standing there with legs crossed.
“Ah, a privy ye seek.” She nodded thoughtfully, then produced a chamber pot from under the bed, holding it out to me.
I reached for it, mortified. What was I supposed to do now?
Sophia and Henry meet for the first time
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!”
The Execution Scene – Sophia realises she is really in medieval England
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.
A Moment of Vulnerability with Henry
My heart soared at his confession, hope blooming within me like the flowers that surrounded us. Perhaps there was still a chance for us, a possibility that he might feel the same way I did. I pressed on, desperate to know the truth.
“I have recently come to a revelation.” I hoped my statement would pique his interest.
“Truly?” His curiosity flickered to life. “And what is it you’ve discovered?”
Taking a steadying breath, I replied, “That life is more than duty or obligation,” I began, glancing at him sideways. “At times, we must heed the call of our hearts and seek that which brings true joy. We must embrace risks rather than the safety of caution and cast aside fear.”
“A wise sentiment,” he said, though his voice held a note of caution.
A cool breeze tugged at my hair as I turned towards Henry, my heart pounding in my chest. The shadows played tricks on my eyes, the moon casting an eerie glow over the castle gardens. I felt so vulnerable, exposed by the intensity of my emotions.
“Henry, your betrothed,” I began hesitantly, my voice laying bare my feelings for him to see, “is she… is she truly the one you desire, the one you love?”
His azure-blue eyes locked onto mine, a storm of emotion swirling within their depths. I was an open book, as he could easily read the hope, hurt, and insecurity reflected on my face. For a moment, he hesitated, as though searching for the right words.
He stepped closer and reached for my hands, “I swear upon the stars, Sophia, there is none for me but you.”
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.
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Giveaway Details:
1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card, International.
Ends April 30th, midnight EST.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21914/?
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