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Yep, it's time for another update! As we head into fall here in Texas, I just want to say that I hope everyone had an amazing summer! Mine was, in a word, chaotic, but I'm so glad I got to spend some quality time with my family. Especially since my oldest just moved halfway across the country to start his grownup life. I miss him like crazy, and the house is so quiet without him, but I'm also excited for him to start this new adventure! So, once upon a time, I said that Prince Orrin Nightstar would be getting his book next in the Blackhaven Manor series. Well, that was true...until this clumsy, neurotic mess stumbled into my head and demanded a book of his own. Right. Freaking. Now. Meet Frederick. He prefers to be called Fritz. Not Fred. Not Freddy. Just Fritz, and it's pretty fitting since his brain always seems to be on the fritz. He worries a lot. He can barely walk and breathe at the same time. And he has a pretty big secret. One that his mate, Sheriff Vander Hale, doesn't quiet know what to do with.  Dead Over Heels will be releasing soon. Right now, I'm tentatively shooting for October 7th, but I'll be sure to post again if that changes. After that, I have something really fun planned for Halloween!! It's kind of a secret at the moment, but look for more information coming very soon! A lot of you have asked about the next Hunters Hollow book. Braeden's best friend, Dylan, is up next in Beauty and Bad Blood. I don't have a release date for you yet, but I'm shooting for the end of November. I have a couple of other projects that I hope to fit in before the end of the year, but I think this is enough to be getting on with, so I'll save that for the next update!
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IT'S ALLLLIIIIVE! Angels and Anarchy: Hunters Hollow, Book One is finally live on Amazon and free to read with your Kindle Unlimited Subscription! Slinging drinks in New Orleans' French Quarter isn’t the most glamorous job, but Braeden Burke loves the lights, the music, and the excitement. As a long-time believer—even before Otherlings had waltzed out of the paranormal closet—spending his nights flirting with gorgeous werewolves and smooth-talking vampires isn’t exactly a chore. His life is easy, colorful, and for the most part, free of drama. Until fate throws him a curveball. It was supposed to be his day off. Instead, Zarrik Cox is called in to investigate the murder of a high-ranking member of the Ministry of Otherling Affairs. Tracking down the only witness to the crime is easy. Discovering the vulnerable human is his mate is a complication he wasn’t expecting. He might be a nephilim, but he’s no angel, and he’s damn sure no one’s savior. But with a killer on the loose, and Braeden caught in the crosshairs, there's no limit to how far he'll go to keep his new mate safe.  EXCERPTGods, he was in rough shape, but despite the bruising and swelling, he was even lovelier up close. The smattering of freckles across his nose and cheeks made him look incredibly innocent, as did the way his bottom lip protruded into an adorable pout, even in sleep. The initial radiance that surrounded him had faded, but it was no less alluring in its subtlety. Instead, it settled around him now, soft and pale, lustrous like starlight. “Oh, tarro.” He sighed, wanting nothing more at that moment than to wrap Braeden in his arms and protect him from the whole damn world. “It’s going to be okay.” Easing down on the edge of the mattress, he brushed Braeden’s hair back from his brow, then cradled his mate’s face gently between his palms. Calling forth the power he usually tried to bury, he let it wash over him, through him, until it filled every inch of his being. His pulse doubled. His canines lengthened again. The skin between his shoulder blades tightened, the muscles knotted and aching. Bright, golden light rippled through his veins as the magic surged and built to a crescendo. When it crested, he refocused and redirected, sending the energy flowing out through his fingertips and into his mate. Like thin rays of healing sunshine, the light flooded into Braeden’s cheeks, then traveled down his neck, dispersing as it searched out his injuries to mend them one by one. After several minutes that felt like a lifetime, his power began to ebb, and the light that coursed between them dimmed and faded. Dizzy and exhausted from the strain that kind of magic put on his body, he brushed his thumbs over Braeden’s cheeks before reluctantly pulling his hands away. It wasn’t dramatic like the movies. Braeden’s eyes didn’t pop open immediately. He didn’t suddenly jerk upright and gasp for breath. Instead, he came awake gradually, and at first, the only indication that anything had changed was the steady strengthening of his pulse on the monitor. Then, he started to move. Little things at first, like his fingers and his lips. As the minutes ticked past, he became more restless, sawing his legs together and rolling his head from side to side on the pillow. Eventually, his eyelids began to flutter more rapidly, and when they finally opened, Zarrik found himself lost in a pair of dazzling hazel eyes. “Hi,” Braeden said, his voice low and raspy. He looked a little dazed, and he wore the sappiest smile on his lips. Zarrik grinned in return. “Hello, Braeden.” “You’re really pretty.” Huffing out a surprised laugh, Zarrik shook his head. The poor guy was going to be a little punch-drunk until the effects of the healing wore off, but he had to admit, it was cute as hell. “Am I dead?” “Oh, no, tarro.” He took the hand not attached to the IV and cradled it between both of his own. “You are very much alive.” “Mm,” Braeden hummed. “That’s good. Being dead sounds like kind of a bummer. I’d much rather be here with you.” Zarrik stifled another chuckle. “My name is Zarrik Cox. I’m—” “I know who you are,” Braeden interrupted confidently. “You do?” “Mm hmm,” he hummed, his eyelids drooping again. “I know these things.” “Is that right?” He wasn’t making any sense, of course, but Zarrik humored him anyway. “What kind of things do you know?” “I know all ’bout you.” He cracked one eye open and giggled. “I know who you are,” he repeated. “You’re my guardian angel.”  I just wanted to drop in with anther quick update. Unfortunately, I'm still a little behind. I really thought I would be finished with Angels and Anarchy by now, but this book ended up being much longer than I had originally anticipated. On the bright side, a longer book means more story! Yay! The bad news is that the book won't be releasing on the 15th (today, I guess) like I had said in my previous post. I really am sorry about that. The good news is that I'm currently working on edits, so it's not a huge delay. Another week at most, and I promise I'll post the Amazon link the second I have it. Until Next Time XoXo ~ Arden  Hey everyone, I just wanted to drop a quick update. It's been a rough month for me. Life has been a bit chaotic, and my mental health hasn't been the best. I'm feeling much better now, but I had to take some time away from writing, so of course, I'm a little behind. Don't worry. We're not talking months or anything. Just a couple of weeks. Angel and Anarchy, the first book in the new spin-off to the Blackhaven Manor series, will now release on or around June 15th. (Just depends on how long Amazon takes to review it.) While the Hunters Hollow series does share the same world as Blackhaven Manor, and some previous characters from that series will make an appearance, you can read these series completely independently of each other. There will be no crossover storylines. No plots that start in one series and pick up in another. So, I think that's it for now, but more updates coming soon! Until Next Time, XoXo - Arden Coming June 10th Slinging drinks in New Orleans' French Quarter isn’t the most glamorous job, but Braeden Burke loves the lights, the music, and the excitement. As a long-time believer—even before Otherlings had waltzed out of the paranormal closet—spending his nights flirting with gorgeous werewolves and smooth-talking vampires isn’t exactly a chore. His life is easy, colorful, and for the most part, free of drama.
Until fate throws him a curveball. It was supposed to be his day off. Instead, Zarrik Cox is called in to investigate the murder of a high-ranking member of the Ministry of Otherling Affairs. Tracking down the only witness to the crime is easy. Discovering the vulnerable human is his mate is a complication he wasn’t expecting. He might be a nephilim, but he’s no angel, and he’s damn sure no one’s savior. But with a killer on the loose, and Braeden caught in the crosshairs, there's no limit to how far he'll go to keep his new mate safe. The 5th Blackhaven Manor book is now available on Amazon and free to read with your KU subscription! I've loved Emrys since he was first introduced in Purrfect Harmony, and Cyrus is the perfect mate for him. Fair warning: this hellhound is growly, sexy, and he says fuck A. LOT. I tried to rein him in, I really did, but he's impossible. ;-) PIXIE LITTLE LIAR: BLACKHAVEN MANOR, BOOK 5There’s a heaviness to the air, the kind that makes the hairs on the back of Emrys Whitehill’s neck stand on end. Something is going to happen. Something big. Something that will change him forever. Despite his powers of precognition, however, a hellhound walking into the hotel to arrest him for a crime he didn’t commit is the one scenario he never saw coming. As a seasoned bounty hunter, Cyrus Rathborne thought he had experienced it all, but realizing his most recent target is his mate throws him completely off his game. While he can’t deny the connection, Emrys is wanted for the murder of a royal, and he won’t let those big innocent eyes deter him from doing what is right. Yet, the more he gets to know the sweet pixie, the harder it is to shake the feeling that the guy might actually be telling the truth. He should have trusted his instincts. It soon becomes clear that someone is determined to make Emrys disappear—permanently—and the only thing standing in their way is him. Transforming from hunter to protector, Cyrus will risk everything to keep his mate safe, because what started as just another job is now the one mission he can’t afford to fail.  EXCERPT“Enough.” Emrys didn’t speak loudly, but everyone present turned to stare at him. Once he had their attention, he pushed his chin-length hair back from his face and nodded a couple of times. “I appreciate that you want to protect me, but let’s be real for a second. Nothing you say is going to change anything.” His gaze flickered to Cyrus, his resolve manifesting piece by visual piece. “I’m assuming there’s evidence against me, and you didn’t just pull my name out of a hat.”
Fuck, Cyrus hated this, but his mate was right. Nothing anyone said would change the facts. “There is evidence.” Emrys regarded him for another moment, then nodded again. “I’ll go with you.” “What?” Kol shouted. “Em, that’s a really bad idea.” “You didn’t do anything wrong,” the other male—Simon—added. “You don’t have to go,” Skye said, still calm and collected. Emrys gave her a sad smile. “Thanks, but I think I do. I know I didn’t kill anyone, and the best way to prove that is to just cooperate.” With only the smallest amount of hesitancy, he strode around the counter, coming to a stop mere inches from Cyrus. “Besides, my mate won’t let anything happen to me.” It was naïve, far too trusting, and also absolutely fucking correct. No one would lay a hand on his mate, except for maybe him. Preferably both hands. Without any barriers between them like those preppy white chinos that hugged Emrys’ ass like a second skin. Cyrus bit back a groan. Gods, he was so screwed. “Okay.” Emrys bobbed his head a couple of times, then pushed his wrists together before offering his hands up to him. “Do you, uh, need to restrain me or something?” That really shouldn’t have been as sexy as it was, but his cock apparently hadn’t gotten the message. Down boy. “No, I’m not going to restrain you.” Gently, he curled his fingers around Emrys’ wrists and pushed his hands back down to his sides. “Oh, okay.” An adorable frown pulled at his lips. “Sorry. I’ve never been a suspect before. I don’t really know how this works.” He held his hands up again. “Are you sure you don’t want to tie me up?” Fuuuck. Cyrus bit back another groan when his dick jerked against his zipper. Gods, it was going to be a long drive back to New Orleans. 7 M/M Paranormal Romance books featuring Bunny Shifters! Did I mention they're all FREE??  HEART, BUNNY, AND SOULM/M Paranormal Romance Approximately 15k Words **This is a short story that I have no plans to expand or publish. It will always remain a free read.**  When Nate Reed dropped by the new bookstore in town, he’d been hoping to find an escape in the form of a paperback. He never thought that the love story he craved would end up being his own, but from the moment he locks eyes with the sexy owner, he can’t deny the fire that burns between them.
Leaving the city for the small coastal town of Fate Harbor, Zach Thompson hadn’t expected much. In fact, he’d actively hoped for a quiet life free of complications. Then, a gorgeous man with a smile like the sun walks into his shop, and all those well-constructed plans go right out the window. While he knows the sweet bunny deserves better than some damaged werewolf with emotional baggage, he just can’t seem to let him go. Because the only thing that scares him more than commitment is the idea of losing Nate forever. Grin and Bear It: Blackhaven Manor, Book 4 is live a little early on Amazon! As always, it's available to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription. Happy Reading!  Thorne McIver is no ordinary bear shifter. He’s the monster whispered about in the dark, the beast feared in battles, and for hundreds of years, he’s used his formidable gifts to protect the royal families of the paranormal world. So, when he’s tasked with escorting the elven prince to a council meeting at Blackhaven Manor, he figures it’s just another assignment. Until he meets a stunning human who fills in all the pieces he didn’t know were missing. When he’d first started working at the hotel, Wren Covey had been a mess. He’d known almost nothing about Otherlings, their culture or rules, and everything had terrified him. Barely a year later, there’s not much he hasn’t seen, and hardly anything fazes him. Or so he thought, because nothing could have prepared him for being the mate to a genuine living legend. When an attack on the hotel tests his already divided loyalties, Thorne finds himself torn between love and duty. Though honor-bound to protect the prince, his instincts will always be to put his mate first. Now, he’ll have to find middle ground and figure out how to do both, or his happy ending will be over before it even begins. ExcerptTired from the journey, annoyed about his argument with Orrin, and frustrated over the situation with Wren, he grunted when he heard the knock at the door. Shutting off the water, he exited the shower, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around his waist as he stomped out of the bathroom. Ten feet from the door, his steps slowed, and his anger at being disturbed abated when a bright, earthy scent hit him like a wrecking ball. It reminded him of rain in early spring, when the days were still slightly chilled, and the winds gusted, sweeping away the last remnants of winter. There was only one being on earth who carried such an alluring fragrance, and he was the last person Thorne expected to be standing outside his room. He took a deep breath, groaning quietly as the scent invaded his nose and made his head swim. Then, he arranged his expression into a mask of indifference before opening the door. “Can I help you?” Wren stared up at him, his mouth slightly open, and his eyes so big they dominated his round face. The tip of his tongue darted out to wet his lips, and he looked down, only to jerk his head back up to meet Thorne’s gaze again. Though it looked like he might several times, he didn’t speak, but his shoulders rose and fell with every shallow breath. His heart pounded frantically, the sound loud enough that Thorne probably could have heard it even without supernatural senses. A thin sheen of perspiration coated his brow, and the scent of anxiety soured his natural scent until it was the only thing Thorne could smell. Putting it all together, he mentally sighed. His mate was absolutely terrified of him. Abandoning all hope of remaining neutral, he softened his expression and let his lips curl into a subtle grin. “Wren, right?” He spoke quietly, trying to be as unintimidating as he possibly knew how. “What can I do for you?” “I, uh…” He swallowed hard, his gaze raking over Thorne’s bare chest, all the way to his hips before snapping back to his face. “I’m…supposed to…” When he trailed off and made the same trek with his eyes again, Thorne had to fight back a chuckle. “Would you like to come in?” “No!” Wren practically shouted at him. Once he realized what he’d done, his eyes grew impossibly bigger, and the look of abject horror on his face was borderline comical. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I—” “So, you do want to come in?” “Yes.” He shook his head. “I mean, no.” He stopped again, frowning. “Can you please put some clothes on?” Thorne couldn’t stop himself that time. He laughed. “All the indecent parts are covered.” It was an interesting development. While his mate still wreaked of nervousness, Thorne also detected subtle notes of desire. “Please, come in, then you can tell me whatever you were sent here to tell me.” When Wren didn’t move, he reached out, keeping his movements slow and unthreatening. Placing his palm against the back of his mate’s shoulder, he applied a gentle pressure, encouraging rather than forcing him across the threshold. “There,” he said, closing the door to prying eyes, “that’s better, right?” Wren huffed. “Not really.” Ex-Boyfriend Material: +One, Book 2It was a long time coming, but the second +One book is here. If you missed the first one, no worries. The books in this series can be read as standalones. Ex-Boyfriend Material is a light, sweet, friends-to-lovers romance. Patrick and Evan were so much fun to write, and I hope you enjoy getting to know them!  Evan Lewis doesn’t get people. It’s like everyone is talking in riddles, and no one ever says what they really mean. He’s tired of being alone but navigating the nuances of the dating scene is nothing more than an exercise in frustration. Luckily, he knows just the person to turn to for help. The first time Evan walked through the door of his café, Patrick Donovan should have staked his claim then and there. At the time, though, the guy had needed a friend a lot more than he’d needed a date. He never regretted the decision, at least, not until Evan asks for his help in pursing someone else. Now, it’s time to put up or shut up. There’s just one problem. He’s good at temporary, but he has no idea how to be in a committed relationship. Worse, he has one week to figure it out if he wants to prove to Evan that he can be more than just ex-boyfriend material. Excerpt~ PATRICK ~ I’d just started three fresh pots of coffee when the front door opened, ushering in a gust of wind…and my favorite customer. “Hey, Evan.” The rain had slowed to a drizzle, but water droplets still clung to his ebony hair and darkened the shoulders of his gray polo. “What can I get you?” “Hey,” he echoed, his smile making his eyes sparkle. “I’d like a chicken club panini and a mango green tea, please.” I grabbed one of the to-go cups and scribbled his name across it. “You got it. Anything else?” “That’s it.” He settled quietly onto his usual barstool at the counter and folded his hands together in his lap. It had been more than a year since Evan Lewis had moved to our little community, but I could still remember the first time he’d walked into my shop. It had been raining then, too, and he’d been soaked from crown to sole when he’d stepped through the door. He’d apologized profusely for tracking water across the floor, even though every other customer had done the same all day. I’d given him a towel, a cup of coffee on the house, and we had talked until closing. From the moment I’d seen him, I’d been enamored. Tall and lean with big, green eyes framed by thick lashes and set into an angelic face, he was breathtaking. Sure, he was a little strange, and so literal it hurt sometimes, but I’d quickly and easily learned to navigate his idiosyncrasies. In fact, I found the way he just blurted out whatever he was thinking kind of charming. I’d had every intention of asking him out that first night, especially after I had learned that he liked men. The more we had talked, though, the more obvious it had become that what he had really needed was a friend. Thus, I had checked my libido and taken a step back, letting his actions guide my own. He’d been so shy back then, so reserved, it had taken months to really get to know him, but not once had I ever regretted my decision. “So,” Evan said, “I met this guy today.” Until now.  Dragon it OUt: Blackhaven Manor, Book 3As some of the last remaining dragon shifters in the world, Uriah Maddock and his siblings are regarded as something akin to royalty in the paranormal community. It’s one of the main reasons their hotel has become such a coveted destination for Otherlings. All he wants, though, is to be left alone. He’s not looking for love or romance. In fact, he actively avoids relationships and all their damning consequences. Too bad his meddling sister didn’t get the memo. Kit Meyers is pretty sure he’s hit rock bottom when his car breaks down in the small, mountain town of Echo Falls. He has no money, no place to live, and no prospects. When a not-so-chance encounter leads him to the infamous Blackhaven Manor, he figures he’ll stay for a few weeks, earn some cash, then head back to the safety of the road. But all that changes when he meets a surly dragon shifter with wounded eyes and even more baggage than himself. Uriah can’t commit to a houseplant, let alone to being someone’s mate. Convinced that Kit is better off without him, he’s prepared to leave everything behind if that means the skittish human will be safe and happy. Yet, as the days pass, he keeps finding new excuses to stay, until he’s finally forced to admit that he’s not going anywhere. Especially when he realizes he’s not the only dangerous person in Kit’s life.  Read it Free with Kindle Unlimited! ExcerptUriah resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he returned to his desk. He didn’t like conducting interviews, and he certainly didn’t have the knack for it that Skye did. However, he wasn’t completely useless. Besides, as much as it pained him to admit it, if he did decide to take over the new hotel, his sister had a point. Hiring a new staff would be one of his first duties, so he might as well get used to it. He took a moment to straighten his black T-shirt and smooth any wrinkles from his dark-wash jeans. Then, he tidied up his desk as best he could without disrupting the work he’d been doing. On the bright side, if he did the interviews, maybe he could talk Skye into finishing the inventory. A soft knock sounded at his office door just as he settled down in his desk chair. A young woman with a pixie cut in a startling shade of bubblegum pink entered the room when he waved her in. She approached his desk cautiously, her hand shaking when she passed him what he assumed was her application and resume. He skimmed it quickly, asked her a few appropriate questions, then hired her on the spot—pending a background check—to replace one of the missing housekeepers. Sadly, the next three interviews didn’t go nearly as well. One guy had spent the entire interview flirting with him. Another young lady had been so terrified she had actually burst into tears and ran from the room. The other male had been decent, but unfortunately, Uriah had no choice but to send him away when he realized the kid was only sixteen. An hour later, he had conducted eleven interviews and only managed to find one more member for the housekeeping staff and one porter. He didn’t even know if they needed another bellhop, but the girl had been sweet, and she’d clearly needed the job. For all his bravado, by the time he reached the last name on the list—according to the two-word text Skye had sent him—he was starting to remember why he didn’t do interviews. Tentative, muffled footsteps reached his ears first, followed by a nervous cough and a long, shuddering sigh. Goddess, he could smell the anxiety wafting in the air, and the guy hadn’t even reached the office door yet. Taking pity on the poor soul, Uriah arranged his features to appear as non-threatening as possible. As the footsteps crept closer, however, the scent began to change, gradually deconstructing all of his careful preparation. The nervousness was still there, still the most prominent fragrance, but it was now tinged with something sweet and almost earthy. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, couldn’t place the scent, but it was the most intoxicating thing he’d ever smelled. It called to him, beckoned him closer. As if lassoed by some invisible line, he found himself halfway out of his seat by the time the newcomer reached the threshold of the doorway. That close, the scent hit him like a battering ram, nearly knocking him off his feet. If that wasn’t bad enough, it emanated from the most gorgeous man he’d ever seen. Thick, wheat-colored curls haloed a round, youthful face with soft lips, a petite nose, and big, mesmerizing eyes the color of cinnamon. A baggy shirt and loose-fitting khakis flared around a slender, narrow frame, and the little bit of exposed skin on display looked too pale, too delicate. Mine. That single word boomed inside his head, finally shaking him free of his hypnotic state. His mood plummeted, his emotions spinning from elation to fury in the span of seconds. And to think he’d actually believed his lying, conniving, meddling sister. “Practice my ass,” he grumbled under his breath. “Umm…Mr. Maddock?” The young man came forward a couple of steps. “I’m—” “Sit,” Uriah barked, cutting him off and pointing at the armchair in front of the desk. “Oh. Right. Okay.” He hurried to do what had been asked of him. Sparing him only a passing glance, Uriah stalked past him and marched toward the door. “Stay there,” he commanded. “I’ll be back.” “Is there a problem?” Even in his anger, his instincts wouldn’t let him leave the room without offering some type of comfort to his mate. “You didn’t do anything wrong.” He still couldn’t bring himself to look at the guy. Instead, he stared through the open doorway and growled. “I just have to go murder my sister.” Back in November, I promised more updates. It took a little longer than anticipated, but here we go! In my last post, I had mentioned that I was working to release a book by the end of 2020. Obviously, that didn't happen. Just a couple of days after I wrote that, I ended up in the ER with severe stomach pains. A couple of days after that, I was at the surgery center having my gallbladder removed. Recovery didn't quite go as quickly or smoothly as I had hoped, either. The holidays were a study in chaos. Then, shortly after Christmas, my oldest son came home from work with muscle pains and a cough. I'm sure you already know where this is headed. He tested positive for Covid-19, and of course, that meant everyone else in the house contracted it as well. We were fortunate that our symptoms were fairly mild. In fact, my youngest had no symptoms at all. For me, it felt like a really bad cold with a lot of fatigue. The cold symptoms passed in about a week, but I'm still struggling with feeling exhausted all the time. Now, I could have a pity party. Especially when you add in our leaking roof (that is only 5 years old), a broken toilet, a sick dog, and what I worry is the beginning stages of early arthritis. When I look at it all, it does sometimes feel like I just can't catch a break. But, such is life. So, I'm going to be optimistic. I'm going to believe that the bad times will fade, and good things will be waiting just around the corner. Coming Soon! As for new books, I'm feeling better every day, but writing is still going pretty slowly at this point. For now, I can tell you that the next release will be the third book in the Blackhaven Manor series, and it will be a bit longer than the first two. I'm hoping to release it the first week of February, but it really depends on just how long it ends up being. As soon as I'm confident of a release date, though, I'll announce it.
Beyond that, I'm just taking it one day at a time. I do have plans for 2021, though. More books, a new series, a couple of joint projects, and another group giveaway with a brand new FREE story. All of which I'll provide more information for as I know it. |
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