Award-winning author Cassie Sanchez writes fantasy stories whose characters wrestle with forgiveness and search for redemption. Her newest release, Battle Beyond the Veil: An Urban Fantasy Where Angels and Demons Collide (April 2026), draws readers into a “battle for humanity’s future—a story of loyalty, temptation, and the fragile line between light and shadow.” Look for Cassie on her website CassieSanchez.com, and on Facebook, Instagram, and her Amazon author store. Learn more about Cassie’s work in her 2022 and 2024 interviews for SouthWest Writers.
What is at the heart of the story you tell in Battle Beyond the Veil?
At the heart of my story is the battle between good and evil, darkness and light, where a spiritual war is unfolding all around us—a war our human eyes can’t see. Alongside that cosmic conflict, I explore the deeply human themes of forgiveness, acceptance, and love.
After writing a traditional medieval fantasy setting in The Darkness Trilogy, what kind of challenges did you face tackling an urban fantasy?
Switching from a medieval fantasy world to an urban fantasy was surprisingly refreshing. I didn’t have to worry about inventing systems for electricity, plumbing, or long‑distance communication. But writing about real places like Iraq, Boston, and Las Vegas meant I had to do more research to get the details right. Another unexpected challenge was language. In the trilogy, modern slang was off‑limits, but in an urban fantasy I had to strike a balance: using enough contemporary language to feel authentic without letting it overwhelm the tone of the story.
What was the process like to create a new set of characters? Who are Zahra and Kyden, and why will readers enjoy following them as the story unfolds?
Letting go of Jasce, Kenz, and Kord tugged at my heartstrings, but creating a new cast for Battle Beyond the Veil was genuinely fun. Zahra, an assistant museum curator addicted to Dum-Dums lollipops, shares a lot of my personality, which means she gets to say out loud the things I usually keep to myself. Kyden, on the other hand, is my brooding warrior angel who loves 80s rock and coffee — and yes, he has a few traits pulled from me as well. Readers will enjoy following them because they’re flawed, funny, stubborn, and deeply human, even in the middle of a spiritual war.
Tell us about the journey from inspiration to completed book for this first in a new series.
I like to blame my husband for the inspiration for this story, but in truth, I’ve always been fascinated with the spiritual realm. I wanted to write a book that reflected the truths of that world while still giving myself room for creative interpretation. From idea to finished book, the process took a little over a year. It’s a standalone, but I already have plans for future spin‑off stories.
As with all my books, the first draft is the hardest part. Once that’s done, the real magic begins in the editing and rewrites. When I’m comfortable with the story, I send it to my trusted beta readers, take in their feedback, and continue refining until it’s ready for my editor. While the manuscript is with her, I finally get to breathe and start brainstorming the next project. After the editing comes the cover design, interior formatting, and everything else involved in launching a new book.
What makes this novel unique in the urban fantasy genre?
A lot of urban fantasy stories that feature angels and demons tend to center on angel–human romance, or they flip the script and make demons the heroes. I knew from the beginning that I didn’t want to take either of those routes. I wanted to write a story that respected the spiritual realm and stayed grounded in certain Biblical truths, while still giving myself room to imagine and explore. That balance of reverent but creative, supernatural but not sensationalized, is what sets Battle Beyond the Veil apart in the genre.
When did you know you had taken the manuscript as far as it could go, that it was finished and ready for publishing?
I remember Jerry Jenkins once saying that, during editing, you have to recognize the difference between making changes that make the story better and changes that simply make it different. I knew I’d reached that point with Battle Beyond the Veil. The revisions I was making weren’t improving the story anymore, they were just shifting it sideways. That’s when I knew it was ready. Of course, it’s always scary releasing your book baby into the world and hoping you caught every typo, but eventually you have to trust the work and let it go.
How and why did you choose the title of the book?
The idea of a thin veil separating the human realm from the spiritual kept circling in my mind from the very beginning. Beyond the Veil was the first title I came up with, but one of my beta readers pointed out how common that title was. Adding Battle not only made it more distinctive, it perfectly captured the heart of the story — the unseen war happening just beyond what our human eyes can perceive.
Now that you have your first series behind you, is the pressure to “perform” as strong? Do you still suffer from imposter syndrome?
I think I’ll always struggle with imposter syndrome, especially when I’m drafting a new story. With Battle Beyond the Veil, I had to keep reminding myself that I’d already written three award‑winning books, I could do it again. And now I have fans, which is an incredible feeling, but it also means there are expectations. So yes, the pressure to perform and to meet readers’ hopes is still very real.
Do you think your writing style has changed since you wrote your first novel?
I do think my writing has improved since I first wrote Chasing the Darkness, though there’s still so much to learn. My grammar, especially commas, continues to be a work in progress, but that’s what my fabulous editor is for. I’m also pushing myself to strengthen my metaphors and weave a bit more mystery into my storytelling. Every book teaches me something new, and I love that the craft keeps evolving.
Do you prefer the creating or editing aspect of writing? How do you feel about research?
I love the editing and rewriting phase. Once the pressure is off to get the words on the page, then I feel free to let my creativity flourish. As for research? There’s a reason I don’t write historical fiction.
What writing projects are you working on now?
I’m currently working on Prince Nicolaus Jazari’s story. He appeared in the second and third books of The Darkness Trilogy and quickly became a fan favorite. I actually wrote his book back in 2024, but I disliked it so much I shelved it for an entire year. Now I’m back at it with a completely new twist — think fantasy rom‑com with teeth. It’s been refreshing to rebuild his arc from the ground up and let him step into a story that finally feels worthy of him.
Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
If you’d like to learn more about my books or what I’m working on next, please visit CassieSanchez.com. And come hang out with me on social media @cassiesanchezauthor. I love connecting with readers, sharing updates, and giving little peeks into my writing life.
KL Wagoner loves creating worlds of fantasy and science fiction. Her current work in progress is The Last Bonekeeper fantasy trilogy and short stories in the same universe. A member of SouthWest Writers since 2006, Kat has volunteered as the organization’s secretary, newsletter editor, website manager, and author interview coordinator. Kat is also a veteran, a martial art student, and a grandmother. Visit her at klwagoner.com.
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