Interview with fantasy romance author Eliza Hampstead

Fantasy author Eliza Hampstead chats with me today about her new romance, The Nephilim’s Fate.

During her virtual book tour, Eliza will be giving away a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn participant. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:
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.

Sign up for Eliza’s newsletter to get exclusive updates on new releases, behind-the-scenes author news, and exciting extras like character interviews, maps, playlists, and bonus chapters that bring the books even more to life!

Welcome, Eliza. Please tell us about your current release.
My current release is The Nephilim’s Fate, the first book in a four-part series that blends spicy fantasy romance with thrilling elements of magic and conflict. The story follows Alissia, a scientist who discovers her identity as a witch, and Nate, a mysterious Nephilim. Their connection is electric, but they face insurmountable challenges due to an ancient text that forbids their union. As Alissia navigates her newfound powers and the complexities of her feelings for Nate, she must confront both external threats and her own beliefs about love and destiny.

Set against the backdrop of London, the book introduces readers to a richly developed world filled with supernatural beings, intricate politics, and heartfelt emotions. Each character has their own journey, and while the series features interconnected stories, The Nephilim’s Fate can be enjoyed as a standalone. Readers can expect steamy scenes, dynamic character development, and a thrilling mix of romance and fantasy that will keep them eagerly turning the pages.

What inspired you to write this book?
I had been immersed in a plethora of spicy fantasy romances and was eager for a tale featuring Nephilim, rich world-building, and profound depth. Inspired by this desire, I decided to craft a story of my own. I was inspired to write The Nephilim’s Fate by the Shadowhunters series, as I wanted to explore more mature characters and incorporate a bit more spice into the story. My experiences from my D&D campaign also fueled my creativity, allowing me to blend fantasy elements with deep character arcs. Additionally, a variety of personal experiences and interests influenced my writing.

Excerpt from The Nephilim’s Fate:
Alissia and Nate meet for the first time

He placed his hands on my arms, leaned down, and brought his face close to mine. Our noses nearly touched, and my heart skipped a beat.

“Not here. Out,” he growled through his teeth.

Nate released me and headed towards the back door. Sighing, I watched him leave, knowing I could either follow him or go home. However, I wanted answers. I wanted to get to know this guy for real after seeing him forever in my dreams. I shrugged and gave the other guys an apologetic smile before leaving through the back door. Outside, the darkness enveloped me, and the distant thumping of bass from inside was only a faint echo. A lantern nearby cast a dim glow, barely illuminating his face. He leaned against the yellow-brown brick wall with the back of his head on the stone and his eyes closed, taking a deep breath. Then, when he sensed me, he opened his eyes, looked at me, and crossed his arms over his chest. Nate radiated strength, reassurance, and imperturbability. I was drawn to this man. He looked so seductive, even more so because he didn’t intend to. Pictures flashed through my mind. Him naked over me, our breaths mingling as he pushed into me. Thinking of my nights with him, I didn’t want to talk. I wanted to taste and feel him at last. I’d waited too long for this to happen. I craved his touch, his lips against mine.

I took a few steps towards him and stopped right before him, only centimetres separating us. On instinct, he touched my arms, slowly stroking my skin. My hands were on his waist, caressing over his stomach up to his chest muscles. It was all too familiar, exactly like in my dreams. Next, his hands would be on my hips, moving to my arse to squeeze my cheeks. I closed my eyes and stood on my tiptoes to reach for his kiss.

“Oh, Nate…” I breathed.

Kiss me, for God’s sake. We’ve done this so often. My breath quickened, and my pulse sped up. Would he kiss me? Did he want me as much as I wanted him? I waited for something to happen, but I felt no more arms around me, no kiss on my lips. Opening my eyes, I saw the battle going on in his mind. What was wrong? Raising my eyebrows, I looked at him. What was his next step? Would he make a move or just stand there for the rest of time? I bit my lower lip, and that triggered him somehow. The next second, I was pressed against the brick wall, his hands on my shoulders, and our bodies separated by his arm’s length.

“What are you doing, witch?” he hissed.

His question pissed me off. Why did he insult me? I wanted a kiss from him, not an organ. For seven agonising years, he had haunted my dreams, a constant reminder of what I could never have. And then, here he was, standing before me in all his glory, finally within my reach. My heart was racing, and my body was on fire with desire. I longed to feel his touch, to have his skin against mine, and to taste his lips on mine. The ache inside me grew stronger with every passing second that we were apart—a longing that consumed me entirely. It was a feeling of desperation, of needing him more than anything else in the world. And now that he was here, I couldn’t bear the thought of letting him go.

“What? Are you kidding me? What does it look like? Playing Scrabble? No, I want your hands on me and your lips on mine. Is that so hard to understand?”

“Are you trying to kill me?” He was peeved at me for some reason. His breathing sped up, and his eyes were fixed on my lips. He swallowed visibly. I could still see the battle going on in his eyes.

“You’re killing me here right now! Are you blind or what? I want you. And don’t give me this rubbish that you aren’t attracted to me!” I practically shouted.

He still had his hands on my shoulders, but I could move my arms and placed them on his chest again. With every other guy, I would have walked away already. I never exposed myself that much and almost begged them to touch me. Nate was different, though. I couldn’t leave that easily. He searched my eyes, and I could no longer conceal my vulnerability behind my aggressive behaviour. Why wouldn’t he kiss me? Did I imagine his attraction, and he had no interest? Would he leave me here for good, and I’d be alone for the rest of my life?

“You really don’t know, do you?” he asked softly as he laid his forehead against mine.

“Know what?”

What exciting project are you working on next?
I’m currently working on a time travel romance that I’ve had in mind for a while. It’s an exciting project that I’m pouring my heart into, and I plan to release it early in 2025. The setting is medieval England, and without revealing too much, it can be described as a blend of Outlander and Black Mirror.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I first considered myself a writer after I published my first book. It was a significant moment for me, as it marked the culmination of my hard work and passion for storytelling. Before that, I was just a dream.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I have a full-time day job, and I’m very good at managing my time. I prioritize writing over watching telly, which allows me to dedicate time to my craft. My workday is structured, so I often find moments throughout the week to write and develop my stories.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
One of my interesting writing quirks is that I often start my stories with a spicy scene filled with tension. I find that exploring the emotional and physical conflicts right from the beginning helps shape the characters’ journeys and drives the plot forward.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a child, I wanted to be an archaeologist because I loved movies like Indiana Jones. The adventure and discovery fascinated me. Later on, I also aspired to be an actor, drawn to the creativity and storytelling involved in performing.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I’d love to encourage readers to explore their own creativity, whether that’s through writing, art, or any other form of expression. I believe everyone has a story to tell, and pursuing those passions can lead to amazing discoveries about oneself and the world around us.

Links:
Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | BookBub

a Rafflecopter giveaway