Night and Fae: Blackhaven Manor, Book 2 is now available at Amazon and free to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription! 

Colorful and eccentric, Leelan Rivers knows he’s a little too “extra” for some people. Since those people are exceedingly boring, he couldn’t care less about their opinion. Yet, when a night out leads him right into the arms of fate, he never expected the broody vampire to deny the connection between them.

Wealthy and powerful, Sebastian Delgado is used to people wanting things from him. He’s not even surprised at the lies they’ll tell to get them. So, when Leelan claims to be his mate, he’s skeptical to say the least. Leelan might be beautiful and enchanting, but Sebastian has been disappointed too many times in the past not to be suspicious.  
​
All it takes is one bite to reveal the truth but claiming Leelan as his own comes with its own set of problems. Especially when he realizes he’s not the only vampire at Blackhaven Manor interested in the faerie.

“No need to play hard to get. You know you want it, or you wouldn’t be dressed like that.”

While true Leelan had been hoping to attract someone to take back to his room for the evening, that didn’t mean he lacked standards or self-respect. “I really think you should leave.”

Too fast for his eyes to follow, the vampire reached across the table, grabbing Leelan’s wrist and squeezing it roughly. “I think you should be nicer—” 

“Now, now,” a smooth accented voice interrupted. “Is that any way to behave?”

Leelan’s eyes rounded as the most gorgeous specimen of male he’d ever seen stepped up behind his date and wrapped a hand around the back of the vampire’s neck. Dressed impeccably in a tailored black suit that molded to his broad, muscular frame, the stranger looked like he could have stepped right off of a runway. 

No visible tattoos marked his tawny skin. He had no piercings, wore no jewelry, not even a watch. His dark hair was cut short and styled in a conservative though stylish side part. While not really the type Leelan usually went for, he still somehow managed to embody every wet dream Leelan had ever had. 

But that wasn’t why he couldn’t stop staring.

“Get your fucking hands off me,” the vampire growled as he struggled against the hold on his nape. 
The new guy stroked the side of the male’s neck with his thumb. “Even a limited vocabulary doesn’t excuse poor manners.” As he spoke, his thumbnail grew, lengthening nearly two inches before ending in a sharp point. “Now, apologize.”

While he spoke calmly, danger practically radiated from his very being. The vampire must have felt it, too, because he subsided in his chair and lowered his head in obvious submission.

“I apologize,” he mumbled.

Leelan’s rescuer smiled then, revealing long, lethal-looking canines. “Not to me, fledgling.”

The guy seemed far less inclined to offer Leelan an apology, but he eventually lifted his head just enough to meet his gaze. “Sorry.” He winced when the sharp claw dug into his skin. “I’m sorry for being such a dick.”

The other vampire—Leelan was pretty sure the newcomer was a vampire as well—turned his dark, penetrating stare on him. “Well, it wasn’t very eloquent, but will that suffice?”

Leelan nodded numbly. 

“Very well.” Releasing the younger male’s neck, he grabbed the collar of his tank top instead and dragged him to his feet. “Off you go.”

The guy wasted no time getting the hell out of there, and honestly, Leelan really couldn’t blame him. That had been simultaneously the sexiest and most terrifying thing he’d ever witnessed.

“Thank you,” he blurted. “For, well—” He waved his hand vaguely toward the exit. “—you know.”

“Of course.” Lowering himself into the now vacated seat, he reached across the table with another of those oddly chilling smiles. “Sebastian Delgado.”

Leelan took the proffered hand and shivered as a jolt of electricity raced up his arm from the contact. Distracted by the sensation, as well as the misty haze of pure golden light that surrounded the vampire, he lost all train of thought. 

He knew he should say something, but by the fae, he couldn’t even remember his own name. Everything in his brain had been shunted to the side, allowing just one word to repeat on an endless loop.
​
Mine. ​

I hope everyone is staying safe and sane! I just wanted to update everyone with what's going on, and what to expect going forward.

When this year started, I doubt any of us thought our lives would be turned upside down. Even when the stay-at-home orders started being issued, I wasn't overly worried. I work from home. I have anxiety, so I don't leave my house much anyway. To be honest, I didn't expect things to change too much for me. 

I was wrong.

While not leaving my house hasn't really changed, so much else has. My anxiety is on overdrive all the time. Even something as simple as taking my dog for a walk around the neighborhood has become a study in how to actively avoid other people. The grocery stores are getting better, but there are still times when I find empty shelves, or my pick-up order is missing more than half its items, which then necessitates a trip to yet another store. 

The biggest change has been having both of my teenage boys home. I love them, but being surrounded by three men (including my husband) 24/7 with no break has been...challenging.

And, OMG, they eat so much!!!

Online Distance Learning with my kids takes up a huge portion of my day. Not just from helping/teaching them, but from learning the material myself. My Freshman is a special education student with Autism, so he needs a lot of extra help, especially in Algebra.

And I am terrible at math, guys! 

Every week, I spend hours at night watching YouTube videos and trying to figure out what the hell is going on so I can help him understand it. For whatever reason, my brain just doesn't seem to be programmed for math. It is demoralizing and soul-crushing. That may sound dramatic, but I barely passed this math the first time around! 

Now, I say all of this to explain that my days don't leave a lot of time for writing anymore. I'm still working on Night and Fae, but the progress is slow. It's coming. I promise. At this point, though, I just don't know when. I really hope to have it finished before the end of May, but right now, I can't promise that. 

Of course, that means that the rest of my schedule will have to be pushed back as well. The school year officially ends the last week of May, which should free up a lot more time for writing, but that's still a whole month away. Like everyone else around the world, all I can do right now is take it one day at a time and do the best I can. 

So, if you're struggling like me, know that there is nothing wrong with you. You haven't failed. We're all adjusting to this new "normal" and some days are easier than others. That was really hard for me to accept at first, but we're going to get through this.

So, stay safe. Wash your hands. Be kind to each other, and just as importantly, be kind to yourself! 

It's day five of the official lockdown in my city, day 20-something of #socialdistancing, and day... 9,000?? of my kids being home from school. We're also headed into week 3 of online distance learning, and let's just say I am not cut out to be a teacher.

But, otherwise, me and mine are safe, healthy, and doing our part to #flattenthecurve. 

Unfortunately, I wasn't expecting to have everyone in my family constantly in and out of my office for the past 3 weeks. I also wasn't expecting to have to homeschool two teenage boys.

Finding time to write (without interruptions, distractions, or crippling anxiety) has been a challenge. I was supposed to have Mr. Big Shot, the second book of the +One series, finished and off to my editor by now. Well, guys, that hasn't happened. I'm still working on it, but it's not the book that has been calling to the muse. After two weeks of trying to fight it, I finally had to accept that it wasn't the story I wanted to be writing. 

Honestly, I think I just needed a major break from reality, and what better way than vampires, shifters, werewolves, and faeries to accomplish that?

So, Night and Fae: Blackhaven Manor, Book 2 will be releasing in April instead.  I know it's not the book you were expecting for April, but I hope you'll enjoy it just as much.

As for Mr. Big Shot...it's coming. I'm hoping to have it out in May, but I might have to push it back to a June release. It's really a wait-and-see game at this point, and like everyone else, I'm taking it one day at a time. As soon as I have a clearer idea of when I can have it ready, I'll be sure to post an update. 

Until then, wash your hands, stay inside if you can, and be safe!

Purrfect Harmony is live early! Read it for free with your Kindle Unlimited subscription! 

Kol Livingston believes in the so-called fairy tales, the clichés—love at first sight, soul mates, and happily-ever-afters. He wants it all, but after a series of failed relationships, he’s beginning to think he’ll never meet Prince Charming. He loves his job at Blackhaven Manor, but with all the gorgeous paranormals strutting around the hotel, why would anyone choose him?

When cheetah shifter and infamous bad boy, Remington Raines, is asked to perform for the Heritage Festival at Blackhaven Manor, he can’t say no. Literally. Still, an all-expenses-paid vacation from tour buses and screaming fans might be just what he needs. Falling for the quirky concierge with big, brown eyes and a smile that melts him, however, wasn’t part of the plan.

He’s used to people—men, women, supernatural and human—throwing themselves at him, but Kol doesn’t care about his fame or his money. He’s been hurt, and he’s not about to give his heart to just anyone.
​
Image is everything, but if Remington wants to win over this jaded human, he’ll have to dig deep and show Kol the man behind the reputation.    

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

Kol backpedaled when Remington took a step toward him. “Yes, of course,” he said, inching around the other side of the sofa as he did up the buttons on his shirt. He frowned when the shifter followed. “What are you doing?” 

He wasn’t afraid, and he had no reason to think the guy would hurt him. That didn’t stop his pulse from racing or his hands from shaking, though. Damn it, nobody had any right to look that good, especially when Kol was dripping wet and about nine shades of embarrassed.

“I just wanted to make sure that you—” 

“I said I’m fine,” Kol snapped, then instantly regretted it. Taking a deep breath, he held it for a count of three before releasing it slowly. “Thank you for your concern, but I assure you, I’m not hurt. I should be getting back to my duties. If there is anything else you need to make your stay more enjoyable, just ring the front desk and ask for Kol.” 

“Kol.” Remington bobbed his head as he said it, his smooth, deep voice wrapping around it like a caress. “It suits you.”

Since Kol had no idea what to say to that, he just dipped his head and moved closer to the exit.

“Actually,” Remington said, stopping him before he could make his exit, “could you do something about the candles and roses?”

Pausing with his hand on the frame of the open door, Kol glanced around the room, his brow furrowed, and his lips tugging down at the corners. “Would you prefer something different?”

“I’d prefer it if they were gone.” The shifter tucked two knuckles under his nose and sniffed. “It’s a little overwhelming.”

Wet, cold, and confused, Kol’s patience had reached its limit. “Then why did you request them?”

Remington arched an eyebrow at him. “I didn’t.”

“Yes, you did.” Great, now he sounded like a fucking toddler. He cleared his throat and tried to explain in a politer, more mature tone. “I was informed that the guests for the Orion Suite had several requests, including a precise number of vanilla-scented candles and exactly sixty-three white roses.”

Remington’s eyebrow quirked even higher, disappearing into his side-swept fringe. “I don’t know who told you that, but I assure you I didn’t request any of this.”

Great. Just freaking great. He’d nearly set himself—along with the entire room—on fire for nothing. “I apologize for the mix-up, and I’ll see that they’re removed right away.” He tried to rein in his temper and smile, but really, it felt more like a baring of teeth than anything remotely friendly.
“Will there be anything else?”

“Dinner?”

Breathing a sigh of relief, Kol nodded once. “The hotel has several excellent restaurants. Do you have a preference?”

“Nope.” Shoving his hands deep into the pockets of his faded, ripped jeans, Remington shrugged. “Whatever you think I’ll like best.”

He would want somewhere private, probably with low lighting so he wouldn’t be recognized. Cheetah shifter, so probably not a vegan, but fastidious about cleanliness and order. 

“Will seven o’clock at Matchstick work?” He smiled a little more naturally when Remington indicated that it would. “Someone will call to confirm your reservation. I’m assuming a table for two?”

The guest list indicated the suite held a double occupancy for the duration of the stay. Kol didn’t know Ruger Raines, but if he went by context clues, he had to guess the man was related to Remington in some way. Maybe a brother. Possibly a cousin. 

The shifter arched an eyebrow and gave him a disarming smile. “I guess that depends.”

“On?” He clenched the doorframe more tightly and tried to ignore the way that lopsided grin made his stomach do cartwheels. 
​
Remington took another step toward him, his lips parting wider to reveal dazzling white teeth with extended canines. “What time do you get off work?”

In celebration of the release of One Good Thing, I'm giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card and an advanced copy of my upcoming release, Purrfect Harmony. 

Use the form below to enter. Contest ends February 28th at midnight CST.

When Greyson Forrester receives an invitation to his cousin’s wedding, he knows he can’t refuse—even if the groom is his ex-fiancé. If he doesn’t go, people might think he still cares, which he doesn’t, thank you very much. Showing up alone isn’t any better, but he has neither the time nor the inclination to jump back into the dating scene. So, what’s a guy to do? Hire a fake boyfriend, of course!

+One isn’t a dating agency. Fine. He’s not looking to make a love connection, just survive one week with even a shred of dignity intact. Then, Jace Harkin walks through the door, and Greyson knows he’s in trouble. Jace is the total package—successful, witty, gorgeous—but falling for him wasn’t supposed to happen. Yet, every smile, every touch, every whispered endearment pulls him in a little deeper until the line between reality and fantasy begins to blur. 
​
Too bad it can’t last. After all, it’s just make-believe, right?

Without waiting for a response, Jace Harkins strolled into the office with an easy, self-assured gait. “You summoned me?”

Sweet baby Jesus, his voice could melt the panties off a nun. Deep and smooth with just a hint of a southern drawl, it pierced right through me, and I kind of forgot how to breathe for a second. 

While his tone radiated sarcasm, the smile on his face when he looked at his sister belied his irritation. I’d thought he had a great smile from his photograph, but it was nothing compared to the real thing. Damn, that picture really hadn’t done him justice. 

“You’re late.” From behind the desk, Anna grinned back. “But since you brought coffee, I’m willing to forgive you.”

Too busy staring at the way his black T-shirt stretched around his bulging biceps, I hadn’t even noticed the drink carrier in his hands. Coming forward, he took one of the plastic cups and placed it on the desk with an unopened straw as he rattled off some complicated name that sounded like it was made of sugar and glitter. 

After thanking him, Anna reached for the drink with one hand while motioning toward me with the other. “Jace, I’d like you to meet Greyson Forrester. Mr. Forrester, this is Jace Harkin.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Forrester.” Instead of offering his hand, he nodded at the remaining drinks in the carrier. “I wasn’t sure what your poison was, but you’ve got some options. There’s plain black, an iced caramel macchiato, and a vanilla cold brew.”

I didn’t normally drink coffee, but his gesture was sweet, and I found myself not wanting to disappoint him. “Uh, whichever one tastes the least like coffee.” 

His laugh made my stomach flutter and my pulse skip, and I nearly melted into the floor when he winked at me. “Ah, not a big coffee fan, huh? No worries.” He took one of the plastic cups from the carrier and passed it to me. “Try the macchiato. I think you’ll like it.”

I thanked him as I opened the straw and stabbed it into the lid. Since he was still watching me, I bent my head and took a polite sip. He was right. I did like it. I could practically feel my glucose levels rising, but it was just the right blend of coffee, milk, and sugar. 

“Not bad,” I declared with a smile. “It’s actually pretty good. Thanks.”

Jace nodded as he eased his hip down on the corner of the desk. “So, Mr. Forrester, what is it you do?”

“Please, call me Greyson.” My nerves had mostly settled, making it easier to speak to him without hyperventilating. I couldn’t put my finger on exactly what had changed, but there was just something about him that felt…calming. “I own a shop in Wakefield. The Apothecary.”

He leaned back a little and folded his arms across his chest. “Like a pharmacy?”

I tilted my head from side to side and flopped my hand around in the universal symbol for “kind of, but not really.” I did sell remedies out of my shop, but they were homeopathic and made with organic ingredients. 

“I carry a lot of things in my store. Natural remedies. Organic bath products. Lotions. Lip balms. Things like that.”

As I spoke, I raked my gaze over the numerous tattoos that inked his arms. Part of me wondered how much they’d hurt. Another part of me—namely the part behind the zipper of my jeans—just found them sexy as hell. I’d expected skulls and flames, and while those things were represented in the art, there were also flowers, dragonflies, and an adorable pixie with dark hair and tattered wings. 

They weren’t random. That much I could tell. Some of his tattoos were dark and eerie, others surreal, and some just cute, but they all flowed together like parts of a story, like pieces of his life.

“That’s amazing,” he answered, forcing me to pry my gaze away from the ink. “I’d love to see it sometime.”

His smile was warm, his tone genuine, and I preened a little, surprised by how much this stranger’s approval meant to me. “I’d like that.” I leaned to the side to look at Anna. “Your sister said you’re a business owner as well.”

He glanced over his shoulder, then shook his head as he turned back to me. “Yeah, something like that.” 

He didn’t elaborate, so I let the subject drop and floundered for something else to say. Eventually, I settled on honesty. “I’m guessing this is the part where you’re trying to decide if you’ll take the job or not. So, what else would you like to know?”

His gaze raked over me slowly, intimately, and I fought the urge to squirm under his scrutiny. “Tell me in three sentences or less why you’re here.”

I could do that. No rambling. No apologizing. 

“My ex and my cousin are getting married. I can’t get out of going to the wedding, and I don’t want everyone thinking I’m pathetic. I need someone to pretend to enjoy my company so I can get through it with even a shred of dignity intact.”
​
There, I’d said it. Now, all I could do was wait and hope it would be enough to convince him.

Only one more week before One Good Thing is released! I hope you're as excited as I am. Until then, here's a little peek at Greyson and Jace's story. :) 

“What about beer?”

He wrinkled his nose.

“Wine?”

Head shake. 

“Pizza?”

Shrug. “White sauce pizza is okay.”

The guy was killing me. “Bacon?”

He made a face and shook his head. 

I was beginning to think he was some kind of pod person sent to impersonate sentient beings. “Peanut butter?”

“I prefer almond or pecan butter, but peanut will do in a pinch.”

He was killing me. “Hot dogs?”

“Gross.”

“Cornbread.”

“Edible.”

“Biscuits and gravy?”

He rocked his head from side to side in a gesture I took to mean “sort of.” 

I thought back to the breakfast we’d shared. “Do you even like pancakes?”

His face split into a wide grin. “I love pancakes.” 

I was more of a waffle kind of guy myself, but I didn’t hate pancakes. It was a start anyway. “What about donuts?”

“I like the plain glazed ones.”

Finally! “Same here.”

“Is this practice for the wedding? Because the menu has already been decided. You have a choice between chicken, salmon, or vegetarian.”

I could lie and tell him my mini interrogation was absolutely related to the wedding that I had already forgotten we were attending. It would be the easiest explanation and maintain our professional boundaries. 

“Just getting to know you. Nothing wrong with that, is there?” 

“No.” Settling back in his chair, he crossed his ankles and folded his hands across his stomach. “Of course not, but I feel like it’s a little unbalanced. When do I get to ask questions?”

It was the most relaxed I’d ever seen him, and I found myself smiling as I finished off the cookie. “What do you want to know?”

“What’s your favorite color?”

I stared at him blankly as I processed the question. From him, I had expected something deeper, something more personal. If his smile was any indication, he knew that, too.

“Green.” What? No. For as long as I could remember, my favorite color had been purple. Those flecks of green in his eyes, though. Damn. So, instead of recanting, I doubled down. “Kelly green.”

Greyson nodded. “Silver or gold?”

Normally, I would have said silver, but that gold tie he was wearing had me feeling some kind of way. “Uh, gold?”

“Are you sure about that?” He smirked. Well, he tried, but he kind of ruined the effect by blushing clear the tips of his ears. 
​
Greyson was actually flirting with me. It was awkward and a bit clumsy, but it was definitely flirting. I grinned. I could work with this.

I had really hoped to get Fallout released before the end of Summer, but it looks like I'm going to miss that deadline by a couple of weeks. The book went a little longer than I had anticipated, and there have been a few setbacks since school started, but it will be off to my editor very soon! 

I should have a firm release date (in early October) for everyone by the end of next week! 

In other news, I'm feeling SO MUCH better these days, and I have several more books planned for the end of this year. Look for more details about those in coming posts! Again, I'm so sorry for the wait, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate everyone's understanding and patience while I was sick. 

Twisting around on the sofa, Luke tucked his socked feet under him and grinned like a Cheshire cat. “I want that one.”

Cameron snorted as Luke salivated over the security guy who had just entered the den. Not that he blamed him. Dressed in a black suit that molded to every muscled inch of him, the bodyguard was strikingly handsome. 

His dark hair was cut conservatively in a high fade that emphasized his square jaw and high cheekbones. Cameron couldn’t tell what color eyes he had, but there was an unmistakable intensity to them he could practically feel from across the room.

Craning his neck, Nico turned to follow Luke’s gaze. “Dude,” he said with a snort of laughter. “It’s not a takeout menu.”

Still sandwiched between them, Cameron sank back into the cushions with a stifled yawn. “And he’s straight.”

Of course, he had no way of knowing that. He just liked fucking with Luke.

“Don’t say that,” Nico mumbled, covering his mouth to hide his own yawn. “You’ll just encourage him.”

“Hey!” Luke huffed indignantly, paused, then lifted one shoulder in a half-hearted shrug. “Yeah, okay, that’s fair.”

Everyone laughed.

“What’s fair?” Long fingers threaded through Cameron’s hair from behind, gently urging his head back. “Hey,” Asher murmured as he leaned over the sofa to steal a kiss.

“Hey,” Cameron echoed with a sappy grin. “Luke was just deciding which guy from Oz’s security team he wants to take home with him.” 

The fingers in his hair tightened briefly before releasing him, but otherwise, Asher didn’t react to the news. No eye roll. No hint of a smirk. He didn’t even glance in Luke’s direction. Cameron’s smile instantly dissolved as he pushed upright and shifted around to look at him directly. 

“Is everything okay?” 

Shoving his hands into the front pocket of his jeans, Asher took a couple of steps back and tilted his head to the side. “Let’s get out of here for a bit.”

Frowning, Cameron pushed himself up from the thick, leather cushions and took a few cautious steps. “Yeah, okay.”  Asher definitely looked like he could use a breather. “Did something else happen?” As he rounded the sofa, he slowed, his footsteps heavy and measured. “What about that guy from the—?”
​
“Cameron.” Asher held his hand out and stared pointedly until Cameron took it. “Just come with me. Please.”

It's been a long time. So long in fact, I'm sure many of you thought I would never write again. Sadly, I was beginning to feel that way as well. 

I posted around this time last year, and I was having a lot of personal things happening in my life. I was sick, and when I first went to the doctor, he thought it was just stress. So, I took it easy, but it only helped a little, and after a while, things steadily became worse. 

The long of the short of it is that I was sick. Really sick. It wasn't until I found a doctor willing to listen and run the right tests that I discovered just how sick I was. Add an undiagnosed anxiety disorder into the mix, and 2018 was basically a blur. Seriously, I remember some highlights, and I have some vague sense of doing "things" but otherwise, it's just a big blank. For most of last year, I was a zombie, and it took an extraordinary amount of effort just to function on the most basic level. 

But, I'm on the right medications now. I'm following the keto diet, which is freaking hard, but it's helping.

I kind of wonder if this is what bears feel like after hibernating all winter. 

So, what does all this mean for Fallout? I'm working on it, and it should be ready for release during the summer.

In conclusion, I just want to say that I'm so sorry that you've had to wait this long. I'm sorry that the book wasn't ready when it was supposed to be. Thank you so much for those who have expressed support, understanding, and encouragement. 

Please be patient just a little longer. I'm getting better. One day at a time.

If you're reading this, you're probably wondering where the hell "Fallout" is. Amiright? 

2018 was supposed to be THE year. You know the one. The year where everything goes right, I finally get my shit together, and well-laid plans fall perfectly into place. 

A death in the family, two emergency room visits, a sinus infection and two weeks of being down with a particularly nasty strain of the flu, and 2018 has been a freakin' hot mess. 

Several weeks after supposedly "getting over" the flu, I should have been recovered, but I still didn't feel right. I couldn't focus. I felt like I was in a constant fog. My memory was shit. 

Then my hair and eyebrows started to fall out, and my skin became so dry it cracked and bled. I couldn't sleep, but despite being awake, I couldn't seem to concentrate on even the most basic tasks. 

I was miserable.

Worse, my doctor couldn't find anything medically wrong with me, and eventually settled on a diagnosis of excessive stress. Considering everything that had been going on in my life since the beginning of the year, I was inclined to agree.

I can't tell you how disappointed I was to have to postpone the release of "Fallout." I'd promised it would release in March, and I really hate breaking promises. Physically and mentally, though, I just couldn't do it. 

I'm learning to rest when I need it and stop obsessing over the little things. I still have days where the brain fog gives me the attention span of a caffeinated squirrel, but mostly, I feel like me again. My eyebrows are even starting to grow back. Bonus!

With all that said, I know you're still waiting for the next part of Asher and Cameron's story, and I've been working hard to get it to you. 

​Again, I'm so sorry for the extended wait, and I appreciate everyone's patience and understanding. 

Until Next Time,
Arden

​