Danita Minnis

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

Author Interview: Eliza Hampstead

1. How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?

Fantasy romance was always it for me. I crave that blend of epic stakes and emotional depth. This book, A Code of Knights and Deception, started with a single spicy scene in my head—when the characters finally gave in to their tension. From there, I asked: Why couldn’t they be together? What were the stakes? And the whole world unfolded around that one question.

2. Writers write what they know, and must observe the world. Are you a first born, middle or last child and how does this shape your view of the world?

I’m an only child, which probably explains my planner-brain, overachiever tendencies, and that need to “fix” everything. It definitely shows in my protagonists—they’re not ones to wait for someone else to solve the problem. They get up and do the hard thing, even when it costs them.

3. Where is your favorite place to write?

Anywhere with a bit of quiet and a view of green. But I’ve written some of my best scenes curled up on the sofa with tea, or in my garden surrounded by plants and bees.

4. How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?

It hurts—like ripping off a bandage on a sunburn. But I’ve learned to be ruthless in edits. For this book, I deleted 53,000 words. Yep, that’s not a typo. I do have a “Deleted Scenes” document that’s now about 20,000 words strong. They’re not bad scenes—in fact, I love them. They just didn’t drive the plot forward. But they give deeper insight into the characters and their world, so I didn’t write them in vain. My newsletter subscribers get one of those scenes each month, like little behind-the-scenes extras from a film. It’s my way of sharing the lost gems.

5. You are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?

V.E. Schwab. I’d probably fangirl awkwardly for too long, but then I’d ask how she balances darkness and beauty in her characters without ever losing the reader’s trust.

6. Inquiring minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows.

I once dreamed of being an actress. It’s probably why I’m so drawn to vivid, emotionally intense scenes—and why I love writing dialogue.

7. You are stranded on a deserted island with only a back pack for company. What three items are in your survival pack?

A solar-powered e-reader loaded with books (obviously), a massive water filter, and a sword (because practicality). I’d survive—and I’d finally catch up on my TBR.

8. If you could have one super power in your existence, what would it be?

Teleportation. Imagine popping to Italy for lunch or escaping a boring meeting instantly. That’s the dream.

9. Favorite snack?

Cheesecake. Does that count as a snack? If not, then ice cream with caramel. But honestly, I’m not much of a snacker—especially not in front of the TV. We don’t keep snacks at home so we don’t get tempted. It’s a conscious choice… but if there’s cheesecake around, all bets are off.

10. Indy 500 – Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed limit?

I always know where I’m going. But whether I follow the rules? Let’s say I prefer the scenic route—fast enough to thrill, slow enough to soak it in.

A CODE OF KNIGHTS AND DECEPTION

Eliza Hampstead

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GENRE:  Historical Time Travel Romance

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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:

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!”

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Eliza Hampstead Bio and Links:

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.

https://linktr.ee/elizahampstead

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214547589-a-code-of-knights-and-deception

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22627172.Eliza_Hampstead

https://www.instagram.com/authorelizahampstead/

@elizahampstead

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorElizaHampstead

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/eliza-hampstead

 

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Purchase Links:

 

Universal link: relinks.me/B0D6VGNQ41

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