Since joining Secret Cravings Publishing, I’ve become a member of a wonderful family with tremendous support and a brilliant group of authors. It is a pleasure to introduce a fellow SCP author, Angelique Voisen. Angelique writes sizzling romances with blades, kinky magic, and epic battles with supernatural nasties.
Q&A Session with Angelique Voisen
Q: Why should I pick up a copy of Steel and Shadow?
Its set in a unique fantasy world, has battles with the supernatural, and has an unlikely love triangle. At its core, Steel and Shadow is a traditional fantasy novel with a romantic twist. In fact, romance will play an important part in the next two books of the trilogy.
Steel and Shadow is also a sort of coming-of-age story of a misfit, Charlie, a half-blood huntress, who is suddenly forced to confront a number of struggles along the way. This includes a city on the verge of chaos and confronting the old ghosts of her past and her loved ones.
Q: What was the hardest part of writing Steel and Shadow?
I didn’t outline when I wrote the first draft of Steel and Shadow. I wrote as I went along the story because I’ve always been a panster when it came to my writing. Eventually, I realized that the plot needed fixing or correcting later on. It especially became frustrating when it came to the little details. I began to outline so the plot can maintain a clear and logical flow.
Q: One interesting fun fact about Steel and Shadow?
I wrote Steel and Shadow during a period I was feeling burned out from writing a dark fantasy serial for my other writing persona. Steel and Shadow was a fun challenge and my first experiment in writing romance.
Q: Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in Singapore, which in itself probably explains why I’ve always had an interest in writing erotic romances. When I was growing up, I had this impression that all Singaporean and Asian writers write is mainstream fiction or Asian fiction. I wanted to write something that was considered deviant and unique. Something that doesn’t just transport a reader to exotic and fictional worlds, but also manages to make their pulse leap out of their skin.
Q: What does your protagonist think about you? Would he or she want to hang out with you, the author, his/her creator?
They’ll probably think I’m a stiff and grumpy companion. I get a little snarky after coming home from my day job, and get into what my friends and family call my little non-verbal unsociable phase. My characters would probably get bored waiting for me and just decide to ditch me.
Q: Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?
Microwave cooking. I’ve never had an aptitude for cooking, and I avoided using stoves and ovens for as long as possible. A combination of being broke, hungry, and lazy prompted me to start nuking my own food. Over the years, I’ve refined my talent and graduated from microwave instant noodles to one-minute muffins and quiches. Due to a change in my diet, I’m currently learning how to use a real oven.
Q: When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?
I divide my free time among my multiple personalities. For my geek persona, I sink my time on video games and catch up on my favorite books and TV series. For my other persona, I like to work out and spend time with my loved ones.
Q: When are the rest of the books in the trilogy coming out?
The second book, Descent and Desire, is scheduled for release this December and the yet-to-be named third book is scheduled for a release in June next year.
Steel and Shadow (The Gifted, #1)
By Angelique Voisen
Blurb: Charlene Ixeria is a half-blood born to a family of supernatural hunters tasked with protecting a city plagued by The Veil, a shadow that twists and corrupts anything it touches. Aside from the constant need to prove that she’s as capable as the rest of her pure-blooded kin, she’s also torn between two choices.
Charlie can’t deny her growing feelings towards Marcus, her arrogant hunting captain who’s haunted by demons of his own. She’s also confused by her conflicting attraction to Gabrielle, a hauntingly mysterious creature who only holds questions and no answers.
Despite her personal problems, her starving city is on the verge of chaos and everything around her is dying- including the woods the hunters rely on for the city’s food supplies. All the answers may lie in The Veil. But which is more harrowing, the journey there or the secrets kept by those she love?
Buy Links:
Sweet Cravings Publishing: http://store.sweetcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=23&products_id=224
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Steel-Shadow-Gifted-Series-Book-ebook/dp/B00KVT8T3U
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-steelandshadow-1546860-153.html
About Angelique Voisen
Angelique Voisen writes fantasy and paranormal romance. Stories with blades, bows, kinky magic and epic battles with supernatural nasties. In the day world, Angel writes for a trade magazine. She is a recovering red bull addict, an alt rock fan, a keto advocate and currently lives in Singapore. Angel loves receiving feedback and comments, you can contact her at: angelvoisen@yahoo.com or visit her blog at: www.angelvoisen.blogspot.com.
love & kisses,
Mika Jolie
Angelique Voisen says
Hi Mika,
Thanks for hosting me on your blog!
mikajolie says
Stop by anytime. It was fun.