If you received my newsletter at the beginning of the month, you'll know that I was supposed to release a new Blackhaven Manor book last week. And if you read my previous post, you'll know I'm a hot mess. LOL! For real, though, my back issues flared up again last week, and the meds I take to manage the pain make me a zombie.

​Dewitched: Blackahven Manor, Book 12 will be out this week, though. I'll have it uploaded to Amazon by Friday, but it just depends on how quickly the review process takes. Could be a few hours, could be a few days. 

I should still have Curses and Casualties uploaded by Halloween. Same deal, though. It just depends on how quickly Amazon decides to publish it.

As I mentioned in my newsletter, it really feels like Hunters Hollow is cursed. 

When I was writing the first book, there was a death in the family. Then I started writing the second book, and my husband had a heart attack, almost died, and needed open heart surgery. With this third book, my sweet little doggo, Luna, passed away rather unexpectedly. 

My dysfunctional brain holds onto those traumas and associates them with other things going on in my life at the time. AKA, the book I'm writing. So, working on the book makes me think of the painful thing that happened, and then, of course, I just want to get distance from it. Which is why every single book in the series was delayed by several months. In the case of Beauty and Bad Blood, it was close to a year. 

This time around, I had the crappy association, but I also had some other things going on in my life. Again, check out my last post for more detailed information. 

It's not an excuse. I hate it. I wish I wasn't like this. I just wanted to give an explanation for why I miss deadlines more often than not. Especially when it comes to Hunters Hollow.

After Curses and Casualties, I'm going to take a break from the Blackhaven Manor world for a bit so I can work on a brand new series. 

Tentatively, I'm calling it Twisted Fate, but that could change before release. It's my paranormal, m/m, twisted take on fairy tales and fables. The series will take place in a port town, but not one by the water. It's not a tourist destination. It's a town located in a kind of nowhere place that controls all the portals to other realms. It also happens to be where a lot of fairytale characters live. 

The first book will focus on the fairy godparent responsible for screwing up all your favorite classics. As punishment, he is fired from his position and forced to work at the Portal Authority office. Think of it like a magical DMV. Eventually, he'll get a second chance to fix his mistakes, and he'll appear in the background of the rest of the series as he tries to rewrite history. 

Stay tuned for more details, but look for After Midnight to release in November.

I don't typically like to talk about my struggles. Mainly, because I don't want them to sound like excuses. I'll mention the big things. Or I'll tell you same vague stuff about how I've been "struggling." 

Here's the deal, though. I'm a hot mess. The last few years, I've been a full on dumpster fire. And it wasn't until just a couple of months ago that I finally started figuring it out. 

When I post updates about when a book is coming out, I fully intend to keep that promise. But remember, I'm a mess. Physically, I have spinal arthritis and two bulging discs in my lumbar that flare up and cause a lot of pain. I've had two surgeries on my left knee, and I just turned 40 this year. 

Mental health wise, I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Medication and therapy has helped, but it's always there. I also have ADHD. Apparently, the two go together like peanut butter and jelly. Fun times. Basically, that means I worry about everything, get distracted easily, and hyper focus on all the wrong things. 

I've never really suffered with depression until about 4 years ago, though.

That's when I started taking prescription medication for my allergies. (Oh yeah, I'm basically allergic to everything, too.) This was around the same time that I had some pretty traumatic things happening in my life, and so when I started feeling down, I contributed it to that. As time passed, however, it progressively got worse. I was eventually prescribed another antidepressant along with my SSRI for anxiety. 

I don't take ADHD medication, but the antidepressant made my ADHD symptoms so much worse. Still, I wasn't getting better. It wasn't until a few months ago that I came across a black label warning from the FDA for the allergy medication I was taking. Namely:

Mood changes.
New or worsening depression.
Suicidal thoughts.

I immediately stopped taking it, and within a couple of weeks, I felt so much more like myself. A month later, I stopped taking my antidepressant. ADHD is still a struggle, but I'm able to focus a little better. (I still struggle with motivation and distractions.)

Without the allergy medication, though, which also helps treat asthma, I was really suffering. At that point, I started taking an inhaled steroid for asthma, which I hated, and it made me really sick. So, I ditched that and just use a rescue inhaler when I need it, which isn't often. 

I started taking immunotherapy injections for my allergies. Which also made me really sick and exhausted for a long time. Thankfully, I'm over the worst of it. Now, I only feel awful for about 24 hours after the injections, (I get 4 every appointment) instead of a whole week. 

​While I was trying to get myself fixed, my sweet boy got really sick. He'll be 10 in May, and as a Great Pyrenees mix, that makes him a pretty senior boy. The good news is that he's okay, but he does have to take his own medication twice a day for the rest of his life. For a while there, though, he needed a lot of my care and attention, and honestly, I didn't have the energy to worry about anything except him.

I've posted some phots and videos of him lately, and if you noticed a big knot of his shoulder, please don't worry. It's just a lipoma. It's benign, and it doesn't hurt him. We are going to have it removed, but we have to make sure he's healthy enough for surgery first. 

With that said, I do apologize for disappearing for a while. I think we can all agree that social media can be pretty toxic sometimes, and I really needed to step back from it. What I discovered, however, is that I'm actually a lot happier without it. Going forward, I will continue to post updates to both Instagram and Facebook, but that's about it. It's really easy for me to fall down the rabbit hole, so I won't be closely monitoring comments and things like that. So, if it takes me a while to respond, please don't be offended. It's not personal. I'm not ignoring you. If you want/need an answer quickly, the best option is to email me or use the contact form here on my site.

I really struggled about writing this post. But I thought it was important to give a little insight to why I can be so flighty sometimes and am constantly missing deadlines.

So, stay safe, be kind, and I'll be back soon!

In statistics, regression toward the mean is a phenomenon where extreme highs and lows return closer to the mean when measured a second time.

In psychology, it's pretty much the same. It just means that things can't be all good or all bad, and eventually will return to average or "normal." The last couple of months have been...bad. But it can't stay that way forever. Eventually, things will get better, and I think I'm finally starting to see that turnaround. 

A few weeks ago, I injured my back, courtesy of my 115-pound polar bear dog and a ballsy rabbit. Bunny ran out in front of us, less than a foot away, and my dog did what dogs do and gave chase. Unfortunately, I was still holding his leash, which resulted in a snap, crackle, pop in my neck and lumbar. 

The pain was pretty debilitating for a while, and the meds I was given basically turned me into a zombie. 

I am feeling better now and finally coming off the meds. Being unable to write has put me super behind, but I'm doing my best to get things back on track. There will be a new Blackhaven Manor releasing in May, and Curses and Casualties will now be coming in June.

And that's about as far ahead as I've planned for now, but I'll post again once I have a revised plan for 2024. 

If you received an email from Amazon notifying you that your pre-order of Curses and Casualties has been cancelled, I deeply apologize. 

After the death of my pup, I needed more time, so I went into my account to change the release date. I'm not sure if there was a glitch in Amazon's system or what, but the new release date was never approved, and instead, they cancelled my pre-order. 

When I contacted them about it, the gist of their response was, "Not our problem." So, that's great.

Please know that Curses and Casualties is still coming soon. I'm hoping to release it before the end of the month. With that said, it will also depend on how quickly Amazon reviews and approves it.

​I'll keep you updated. 

It is said that death is not the end, but the beginning of a new adventure. Only, it doesn't feel that way to those of us left behind. 

Over the weekend, I had to say goodbye to my sweet girl, Luna. It happened so suddenly and unexpectedly. On Wednesday, we went for our walk around the neighborhood. She sniffed a lot of stuff. Peed on EVERY mailbox. Barked at a squirrel. It was a good day. 

Thursday morning marked the beginning of the end, and by Saturday afternoon, she had crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by everyone and everything she loved. I would like to tell you that I take some small comfort in that knowledge, but it would be a lie. 

For 14 years, she was my constant companion. We have lived in 2 states, 3 cities, and 3 different houses together. I brought her home at 8 weeks old in 2010. I started writing my very first book only a couple of months later. She has been by my side through every book since.

In the end, she had far more white hair than brown. She couldn't hear. She had cataracts, arthritis, and only a dozen teeth. None of it slowed her down, though. She was stubborn, feisty, and full of sass. She was definitely the queen bee of the house. 

She was smart and maybe a little manipulative. She always knew exactly how to get her way. Above all, she was fiercely loyal. I miss her every single day. Sometimes, I even think I hear her little feet padding down the hallway, only to be struck with grief all over again when I realize that's a sound I'll never hear again. 

I won't lie. I'm struggling. Nothing feels the same without her, especially writing. So, please understand if I have to push back the release date on Curses and Casualties one more time. I promise I don't make the decision lightly, but happily-ever-after feels a little beyond my capabilities at the moment. 

Hug your babies tight and give them extra snuggles and treats tonight. I know Luna would approve.

No matter how you celebrate, I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! 

2023 was a bit of a rollercoaster with high, lows, and even a few twists. I had surgery. I survived physical therapy. I wrote a lot of words. And I went on a ton of amazing adventures. 

December was pretty lackluster. I spent every day of the month up until Christmas Eve sick. First, it was the flu. I had just started to get over that when I caught RSV. I seriously felt like I was drowning in my own mucus. That developed into bronchitis, and it was just a super miserable 3.5 weeks. I still have a stuffy nose and a bit of fatigue, but overall, I'm feeling much better now! 

Unfortunately, being down for that long means no new book for this month. Not going to lie. I'm pretty disappointed about that, but there's a lot to look forward to in the upcoming year. 

I'm going to be kicking off 2024 with a new Hunters Hollow book. The story came to me in a fever/NyQuil-induced dream, and I'm pretty excited about it. It's going to be another long one, so I'm not entirely sure when it will release. Once I'm a littler farther into it and more confident, I'll announce a release date and pre-order.

I'm not 100% sure about the title right now, but I can tell you that this will be Elliot Church's book. 

Elliot is a necromancer from the Blackhaven Manor series. He was introduced in Dead Over Heels, and he made a cameo in Walking a Tight Trope. If you haven't read either of those books, don't worry. He'll get a full introduction with backstory, so you won't be missing anything. 

I have at least one new Blackhaven Manor book planned for the first quarter, as well as the first book of the new Hexed and Vexed series. I don't like to plan too far ahead, so we'll see where the road leads after that. 

Until next time, here's to a new year and new opportunities! I wish you all the very best! 

To all of my American friends, I hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving filled with love and joy! 

After a month of non-stop go, go, go, I'm taking the day to recoup and recharge my social battery. Since we don't have family close by, we rarely do anything elaborate for Thanksgiving. This year, my husband took our youngest to Houston to spend the holiday with his side of the family.

To be clear, I am 100% okay with this. My dog is too old and too sick to travel or be kenneled. I also don't have anyone available to watch her, so I made the decision to stay behind.

After a bit of a scheduling conflict with another project, Royally Flocked is now live on Amazon! As always, it's available to read with your KU subscription

I mentioned in my last post that my schedule for December could change. Well, I'm confirming it now. The next Blackhaven Manor will be pushed back to January.

I had anticipated the Hexed and Vexed series to be about the same length as Blackhaven Manor, but these books are looking to be closer to the 60k - 70k range. As such, I'm not going to have time to finish both before the end of the year. On the bright side...longer books! 

Blurbs really are the bane of my existence, but once I have one written, you can expect Hell's Bells: Hexed and Vexed, Book 1 to be up for pre-order on Amazon with a release date of December 28th. 

That's about it for now. Be sure to check back next month for a tentative list of projects for 2024! 

First off, it's release day for Bad Habits! Yay! As always, you can find it on Amazon, and it is available to read with Kindle Unlimited. 

Everyone at +One has a specialty. For Gage Ramsey, it’s less about the role or the venue, and all about the client. So, when he gets the call that a politician’s son needs help overhauling his image, he figures it’s just another day at the office.

​​​​​​​But this isn’t any ordinary case.

From the moment Nathan Fairfax walks through the door—an hour late—Gage instantly dislikes him. Arrogant, entitled, and antagonistic, the guy tests his patience at every turn. As the days turn to weeks, however, he begins to see another side of Nathan, a part of him that could actually be worth saving.
​
Whatever the outcome, one thing is clear. Gage might have a reputation for putting difficult clients in their place, but this time, he has more than met his match.

My schedule for the rest of the year is a bit up in the air right now. I re-injured my knee a few weeks ago, and after conservative treatments failed, the doctor ordered another MRI last week. I won't know the results for a few more days, but there is a chance that I'll be headed back into the operating room. 

I'm not nervous or worried. Been there, done that, right? I'm a little uncertain of what the rest of the year is going to look like in terms of releases, though.

​Hopefully, everything is fine, and life will go on exactly as it has been. 

With that being said, here's what my schedule looks like right now, barring any disruptions.

Next up is Royally Flocked, the 10th book of the Blackhaven Manor series.

Prince Orrin Nightstar will finally be getting his story. I'm pretty excited about this one, and I can't wait to share it with everyone. Release date is set for mid November, and preorder will be available soon. 

After that, another Blackhaven Manor book, Loose Lips Sink Ships. 

This will be King's story. We met him only briefly in Walking a Tight Trope, but he left an impression on me. Look for it to release in early December.

My last book of the year will be Hell's Bells: Hexed and Vexed, Book 1. 

I've been talking about this spinoff for months, and I'm so excited to finally be introducing everyone to PRIMA - the Paranormal Recovery Institute for the Magically Afflicted. Otherwise known as Hell Hall.  

Release is set for the end of December. More information to follow. 

AGGHHH!!! I'm so excited!! Beauty and Bad Blood is available on Amazon, and as always, you can read it with your KU subscription! 

There were a lot of stops and starts. Times when I felt like I would never finish it. For a while there, I swore this book was jinxed. Every time I would start working on it, something terrible would happen in my life, and I'd have to put it aside...again. 

Over 87k words later, I have slayed the monsters, defeated the gods, and given the middle finger to the universe. And it's finally here!! 

When a young woman turns up dead on the banks of the river with half her blood missing, vampires are the obvious suspects. Rogue Masters, however, doesn’t think the case is all that open and shut. As a special agent for the MOA Intelligence Division, it’s his job to find the truth. To do that, the last thing he needs is distractions.

So, of course, the most tempting distraction he’s ever seen strolls through the door of the local bakery, not just flipping the script, but rewriting it completely.

Stuck in a rut and drowning in his own insignificance, Dylan Murray needs a change. For starters, he needs to make a clean break from his selfish and demanding mother. It’s also probably a good time to swear off men, at least until he can get his life back on track. Spending some time in Hunters Hollow with his best friend is exactly what he needs to turn things around. The small town is quiet, a little boring, and completely free of the drama that plagued him in the city.

Now, if he can just stop thinking about a certain sexy vampire with penetrating eyes and a devilish smile, everything would be perfect.
​
Navigating the ups and downs of any new relationship is challenging. Doing so while searching for a killer will test more than just their commitment. When the worst happens, and Dylan joins the list of humans to mysteriously vanish from the French Quarter, Rogue will do whatever it takes to get his new mate back safely.
Even if that means becoming the very monster he’s meant to be hunting.

I'm going to be taking a break from vampires and werewolves for the month of September to work on the next +One book. Look for the blurb and preorder to be posted soon. 

After that, I have at least 3 more Blackhaven Manor books on my calendar for this year, as well as the first book of a new series. More information on those coming soon! 

So, knee surgery went well. It did, however, take me a bit more time to get back into the swing of writing than I had anticipated. But I'm back now, and I have a lot of books planned for the rest of the year. 

Let's dive right in! 

If you missed it, Walking a Tight Trope is now available at Amazon and KU. This story wasn't necessarily supposed to happen-yet-but I had a lot of fun writing it! 
​

​In love with the idea of love, Oliver McKenzie has made a career out of crafting swoon-worthy romances. He doesn’t need to work at the café in Blackhaven Manor, but the daily interactions fuel his muse and provide him with an unlimited supply of inspiration. He just never imagined he would find his own happily-ever-after within the hotel walls.

Contracted to build a gazebo for the upcoming royal wedding, Jarrett Crawford assumes it’s a job like any other. He’ll find out the details, order the supplies, and finish with time to spare. It doesn’t occur to him that the meddlesome dragon who owns the place is setting him up for the hardest fall of his life. But that’s exactly what happens when he meets Oliver. 

When his new mate comes under psychic attack, Jarrett, of course, takes it personally. While he might be ill-equipped to fight a battle of the mind, he’ll risk everything to protect his elf. 
Even his own life.

Next up is Beauty and Bad Blood. I finally finished the second Hunters Hollow book! It will release August 31st, and is now available for preorder. 


​When a young woman turns up dead on the banks of the river with half her blood missing, vampires are the obvious suspects. Rogue Masters, however, doesn’t think the case is all that open and shut. As a special agent for the MOA Intelligence Division, it’s his job to find the truth. To do that, the last thing he needs is distractions.

So, of course, the most tempting distraction he’s ever seen strolls through the door of the local bakery, not just flipping the script, but rewriting it completely.

Stuck in a rut and drowning in his own insignificance, Dylan Murray needs a change. For starters, he needs to make a clean break from his selfish and demanding mother. It’s also probably a good time to swear off men, at least until he can get his life back on track. Spending some time in Hunters Hollow with his best friend is exactly what he needs to turn things around. The small town is quiet, a little boring, and completely free of the drama that plagued him in the city.

Now, if he can just stop thinking about a certain sexy vampire with penetrating eyes and a devilish smile, everything would be perfect.

Navigating the ups and downs of any new relationship is challenging. Doing so while searching for a killer will test more than just their commitment. When the worst happens, and Dylan joins the list of humans to mysteriously vanish from the French Quarter, Rogue will do whatever it takes to get his new mate back safely.
​
Even if that means becoming the very monster he’s meant to be hunting.

Loose Lips Sink Ships: Blackhaven Manor, Book 10 is coming late September/early October. I know I just introduced King, but he is incredibly loud and demanding. This will be another lighter book without too much drama or angst.

I'm saving all of that for Orrin's books.

Yes, Prince Nightstar will finally be getting his story, and it's a doozy. Look for Royally Flocked to release at the end of November. 

In between the Blackhaven Manor books, I will be releasing the first book of a new series, Hexed and Vexed. This series will take place at the Scottish castle Thade and Micah have transformed into a residential hospital for Otherlings. I'm so excited for this one, and I can't wait for you to read the first book.

​Hell's Bells will be releasing in early November. 

So, I am finally on Instagram. I have no idea what I'm doing there, but I'm working on it. If you feel so inclined, please follow me. 

And I think that's about it. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments or feel free to email/message me. :) 

Until Next Time
XoXo
​Arden