By Eliza Hampstead
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.
Pages: 542
Grab a copy HERE!
INTERVIEW
Writing Interview questions.
Why did you choose to write your book in this era?
I’ve always been fascinated by medieval England—the castles, the politics, the way people lived. It’s a time period that feels so far removed from modern life, yet the struggles, ambitions, and emotions of people back then aren’t so different from our own. Most time-travel romances focus on Scotland in the 18th century, but I wanted to do something fresh, something that truly captured the brutal yet intriguing reality of the 15th century.
Did you find researching this era particularly difficult? What was the hardest thing to find out, and did you come across anything particularly surprising?
Researching medieval England was both fascinating and overwhelming. I devoured countless books on medieval life, castle structures, warfare, and the daily duties of castle inhabitants. I may have enjoyed it too much—I initially packed the book with historical details, only to realise I had to cut many of them to keep the story flowing. Finding precise information about everyday life, especially for women, was tricky since history tends to focus on battles and nobility. One surprising discovery? Just how much of medieval life revolved around strict routines and social hierarchy—every action had its place, and breaking the rules could be dangerous.
Can you share something about the book that isn’t covered in the blurb?
The blurb focuses a lot on the romance and time travel, but one thing it doesn’t touch on is the emotional struggle of identity. Sophia isn’t just trying to survive—she’s torn between two lives. The longer she stays in the past, the harder it is to hold on to the idea of returning to the future. What if she belongs here?
If you had to describe your protagonist(s), in three words, what would those three words be and why?
Sophia: Determined, logical, lost. She’s incredibly smart and resourceful, but she’s also struggling to make sense of her new reality.
Ethan: Secretive, loyal, conflicted. He hides so much from Sophia, but everything he does is driven by a deeper sense of duty—and a growing love for her that he never expected.
What was the most challenging part about writing your book?
Balancing historical accuracy with storytelling. I wanted the world to feel immersive and real, but I also didn’t want to overwhelm the reader with too much detail. And, of course, the romance had to feel natural while keeping true to the time period’s expectations and restrictions.
Was there anything that you edited out of this book that would have drastically affected the story, should it be left in?
I originally had a subplot that gave Sophia more interactions with a particular historical figure, but it slowed the pacing too much. Cutting it meant streamlining the story, but it also removed a deeper layer of historical immersion. It was a tough call!
What are you currently working on?
The sequel! I can’t say too much, but let’s just say Sophia’s journey isn’t over, and the stakes are about to get even higher.
What would you tell an aspiring author who had some doubts about their writing abilities?
Write the story you want to read. It’s easy to doubt yourself, but the only way to grow as a writer is to keep writing. No one’s first draft is perfect—editing is where the magic happens. If you’re feeling uncertain, remember that every author started somewhere. I recommend books like The Emotion Thesaurus and Understanding Show, Don’t Tell by Janice Hardy. These resources helped me immensely in improving my writing and honing my craft. And remember, no step is too small—just keep going!
Personal Interview questions.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Reading (no surprise here!), visiting historical sites, and spending time with my family. I also love medieval fairs and anything related to sword fighting. And I love diving!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
An archaeologist! I wanted to be like Indiana Jones, uncovering lost history. That love for the past never went away, which is probably why I ended up writing historical fiction.
What’s for dinner tonight? What would you rather be eating?
We’ll go for dinner—probably pasta, as my son loves Italian food (and eats not much else).
What would be a perfect day?
A quiet morning with coffee and writing, an afternoon exploring a medieval castle, and an evening curled up with a book.
Or: Waking up in a beach house, enjoying breakfast with a view of the ocean, and going diving. In the evening, sitting with a cocktail and watching the waves roll by.
What is the best part of your day?
Curling up with a book in the evening.
Either or!
Tea or coffee: Morning: coffee, Afternoon: tea
Hot or cold: Hot
Movie or book: Book
Morning person or Night owl: Morning person
City or country: London or anywhere that is warm with a beach where I can go diving with turtles.
Social Media or book: Book
Paperback or ebook: I love both
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.
Goodreads • Amazon • Instagram • Pinterest • TikTok • Facebook • BookBub • Newsletter
Thank you so much for hosting today.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a good story.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteI really like the interview and the cover.
ReplyDeleteI’m thrilled the genre mix caught your eye! I wanted to write something that feels grounded in history but still full of passion, twists, and emotional stakes.
DeleteThank you!
ReplyDelete