Anyone who has ever endured a health crises or supported a loved one through something scary and traumatic has probably asked themselves the same question. Is this Hell? Obviously, I have never been. I hear it's hot, and there's no room service or wi-fi. I kind of imagine this is what it feels like, though. 

In my last post, I told you about our recent health scare. To summarize, my husband passed out at the gym and had to be revived with a portable defibrillator. After a a brief hospital stay, multiple follow up visits, and lots of tests, he was eventually referred to a cardiologist in Dallas who ordered a cardiac catheterization. If you're unfamiliar with the procedure (I was), it's where they insert a tube through an artery in either your groin or wrist, then thread that to the heart where they inject dye. It's done to check for blocked arteries and for possible stent placement. 

My husband is only 41, has never smoked, and leads a pretty healthy lifestyle in terms of diet and exercise. However, he still has high cholesterol thanks to genetics. We were worried, of course, but we figured he'd have this test done, they might have to place a stent, and we'd be home by mid-afternoon.

Unfortunately, that's not even close to what happened.

We arrived at the heart clinic at 5:30 in the morning for him to have the procedure at 7:00. By noon, he had been admitted to the hospital and scheduled for cardiac bypass surgery 48 hours later. He had two blocked arteries, both too severe for a stent, and he already had some mild weakening of his heart. 

It has been a really long fucking week. The nine hours he was in surgery were probably the most stressful of my life. Seeing him hooked up to a myriad of wires and tubes afterwards, witnessing how much pain he was in, is something I will never forget. Then, of course, there are the practical things. I'm not allowed to stay overnight with him, and the hospital is 30 minutes away on the turnpike...and I HATE driving in traffic. I'm at the hospital 8 to 12 hours every day, while still fitting in errands and chores before and after. 

He's been an absolute rock star, though. The surgery went really well, and he's recovering quicker than even the doctors had expected. In fact, we're hopeful he'll be able to come home within the next 48 hours. 

It's not over, though. While he's moving much better, and the pain is manageable, it's still going to be several weeks before he's recovered. And once he's home, it's all on me. No more nurses or techs to take on some of the load. 

Of course, I love my husband, and I am more than willing to do this for him, but that does mean any writing is going to be spotty at best for the next couple of months. Moreover, if I do write, it's not going to be Beauty and Bad Blood. 

I'm so sorry. I know you have been waiting on this story for a long time, but I just have so many negative feelings around this book right now. Trying to finish it while in this headspace wouldn't be fair to the characters or to you. So, for now, Beauty and Bad Blood is temporarily on hold. I just need a little breathing room, some time to de-stress, and once things get back to some semblance of normal, I promise I'll wrap it up and get it released. 

In the meantime, I don't really know what I'll be writing, so I guess I'll be just as surprised as you, and that's kind of exciting! 

Until Next Time
XoXo ~ Arden

It's been a rocky couple of weeks. I've been dealing with a lot of pain, swelling, and stiffness in my left hip. It makes it hard to walk and do normal daily things, but it's also difficult to sit still in one position for too long...you know, like when I'm writing. I'm hoping to get into the doctor to have it checked out soon, but right now, it's kind of on hold.

Last week, my husband passed out at the gym after a pretty brutal workout and was rushed by ambulance to the nearest cardiac hospital. After a couple of days in the hospital and several tests, doctors couldn't find any indication that he'd had a heart attack, even though coaches at the gym had to do chest compressions until EMTs arrived.

Unfortunately, they also don't know what caused the episode. My husband is still pretty young, he eats well, is at a healthy weight, and he exercises regularly. So, the past week has been filled with visits to various doctors, and we still have more tests to schedule. 

As you can imagine, my stress level is through the roof. ​
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I'm still trying to fit in writing where I can, but it hasn't been easy. Sometimes, it feels like I'm never going to finish this book, but I'm getting there one word at a time. Hubby has more tests scheduled for next week, and I'm crossing my fingers that we are going to finally get some answers.

I was hoping to have a release date to share today, but that just didn't happen. Please know that I'm trying, but right now, the best I can do is take it day by day and just do the next right thing. 

You guys have been so patient, and I can't tell you how much that means to me. With any luck, my next update is going to be filled with much better news! 
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Just a quick update to let you guys know that I'm still working on Beauty and Bad Blood. Life has just been kind of a mess lately. Not only have I been extremely busy, but it feels like March and most of April was just one disaster after another.

Lightning hit our house and destroyed a lot of electronics, including a brand new television. It also damaged some of the wiring, so we didn't have electricity to two rooms or our smoke detectors for a bit. Someone wrecked into our car in the parking lot and just drove off. The garage door stopped working. Two of our irrigation lines started leaking. Someone stole my credit card number AND my email address??? I could go on, but you get the idea. 

Things are still pretty hectic, but I'm carving out time to make some real progress on this book. My goal (plan? hope?) is to have Beauty and Bad Blood released by the end of May. This story is looking to be between 70-75k, so we'll see if I can make it happen, Cap'n. I'm also not sure if I will put this one on preorder or not. It'll largely depend on my editor's schedule, but I should know more in a couple of weeks. 

Until then, here's the cover and blurb! 

All That Glitters: A Nocturne Bay Story is now available at Amazon and free to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription! 

EXCERPT

Well…fuck. 

Yeah, yeah, it was supposed to be the happiest moment of his life. Rainbows and unicorns mixed with raging hormones and non-stop sex. Blah, blah, yada, yada. And okay, dude was stupid hot, but Skyler Hastings was shitting bricks.

Metaphorically, of course, because…ouch. 

Sure, there might have been a time when he’d dreamed of finding the missing part of his soul. He’d spent lonely nights imagining what it would be like to meet that one person who was meant just for him, the one being in the whole universe who would complete him. 

Or whatever other clichéd bullshit people liked to wax poetic about. 

Yep, he’d bought into it all, right up until his life had taken a sudden and drastic turn. Now, he had baggage, lots of it, like bus depot levels, and this was not a good time for him to run off into the sunset with some insanely sexy shifter. 

Which meant he had a decision to make. 

Walking away wasn’t an option. For a shifter, being refused by their mate was basically a death sentence, and he didn’t want that. Hell, he wouldn’t wish that on his worst enemy. 

He could complete their bond, allow the guy to claim him, then disappear. That was probably the right thing to do. It would ensure Rafe’s safety in more ways than one, even if it condemned them both to a life of loneliness.

At least Rafe would have a life, though. 

But this was his mate. He’d been given a gift from fate, and frankly, it seemed in poor taste to turn up his nose at such a rare treasure. There would be no second chances, no do-overs. He only got one shot at this, and yeah, it made him a selfish bastard, but damn it, he wanted this. He wanted Rafe. At the very least, he wanted the opportunity to prove he deserved him. 

Which brought him full circle because to deserve his mate, he had to do right by him, and in this case, that meant letting him go.  

Sighing, he wiped the water from his face and tilted his head to the side to indicate the porch. “We should talk.”

I feel like it's been forever since I've been able to say this, but this week was amazeballs! 

As many of you know, my oldest moved out (and all the way to freaking Florida) last summer. This week was the first time I've gotten to see him since August! We had awesome adventures at the Museum of Illusions and the Dallas World Aquarium (which has a surprising lack of aquatic animals.) I cooked all of his favorite foods. We had game nights and talked about life.

All that glitters is not gold. 

It’s a lesson Skyler Hastings learned the hard way, and one he’s still paying the price for. Indebted to a vicious vampire who would rather see him dead than let him go, he’s not looking for love. The last thing he wants is to drag someone else into his mess. So, when he encounters his mate outside of the local nightclub, he’s not sure if fate has a morbid sense of humor or just comically bad timing. 

Cursed to a life of emotional numbness, it has been millennia since Rafe Valladolid has experienced even a passing connection with another person. Sure, he can fake social niceties, but things like love, joy, anger, and grief are all lost to him. That is until he meets a feisty raven shifter who sends him spiraling out of control. So what if the guy is a thief? Or has a mouth that won’t stop? After three thousand years of nothingness, Skyler makes him feel. 

It’s not all candy hearts and rainbow sprinkles, though. While a flood of confusing emotions threatens to pull Rafe under, something sinister stalks his mate, and both seem hellbent on destroying them. Yet, Rafe isn’t worried. He might look like a tame pussycat, but he’s still an ancient warrior who cut his teeth on the bloodiest of battlefields. 
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He’s survived wars, plagues, and famine. How much trouble can one baby bloodsucker be?

So...I lied. I mean, I didn't do it on purpose, but I will not "definitely" have All That Glitters ready for release by the end of January. 

My editor has Covid. She's going to be okay, but she's certainly not in a place to be working right now. Having been there myself, I wouldn't let her, even if she offered.

We've spoken, and right now, we're tentatively thinking a release the week of Valentine's Day. Partly to give her time to recover, but also because I have family coming next week, and it's unlikely I will get much work done during that time anyway. 

That's going to push subsequent releases back as well. So, the next Hunters Hollow will now be a March release instead of February, and so on and so forth. Barring any further unforeseen circumstances, that should only shuffle things around by a couple of weeks, though. 

And that's really all I have to share right now, but check back at the end of next week for a cover reveal and hopefully a pre-order link for All That Glitters!

Until Next Time,
XoXo Arden

First, I want to say that no matter what or how you celebrated, I hope you had an amazing holiday! I also want to apologize for my late well wishes. 

2021 didn't so much go out with a bang for me as it sort of just popped and fizzled. I think my favorite Christmas gift this year was the sloth piggy bank my husband bought me. He always knows what to get me to make my weird little heart happy. 

Sadly, he also gave me my least favorite gift...Covid. So, I spent Christmas Day and much of the following week huddled under blankets with a fever, headache, lots of sinus drainage, and next level fatigue. I never developed a cough but toward the end I did get the sneezes. I was sneezing every few minutes and I went through an entire box of tissues in two days. It was kind of insane. 

We were tested for Covid-19, but not a specific variant. I'm pretty sure we had Omicron, though, since that's the strain that is running rampant through Texas right now. While it was no picnic, we were fortunate that it was pretty mild comparatively speaking. Kind of like a really bad cold or a moderate flu. 

I'm feeling much better now. Still some lingering brain fog and fatigue, but I'm mostly functional. Unfortunately, though, I really didn't feel up to writing for a while, which puts me a couple of weeks behind in my writing schedule. 

Nothing is ever set in stone for me until I actually finish a book. At any given time, my muse can be a bit finicky. In the past, I've had only a handful of chapters left to finish a book when my muse has pulled me in a different direction. I learned a long time ago that it's best to just let him have his way. 

With that said, however, I'm feeling pretty confident about the first quarter of 2022. 

All That Glitters: A Nocturne Bay story is first up on the schedule. This will be Rafe's story, the bored-looking lion shifter who mans the door of The Underground. I'm behind, yes, but I will definitely have it out before the end of January. I'm shooting for the 28th, but hoping I can have it finished and released before then. 

After that, Dylan will finally get his story in Beauty and Bad Blood, the second book of the Hunters Hollow series. I've been looking forward to this book for a long time, but I wanted to be sure I had the time and focus to do it justice. My son and his girlfriend are coming to visit the first week of February, and I anticipate that I won't get much work done during that time. But I'm still aiming to have Beauty and Bad Blood released before the end of February. 

A new Blackhaven Manor book is coming in March...maybe two. Prince Orrin Nightstar is up first in Royally Flocked. This is one of those stories where I started, then got pulled in a different direction. He's been on my mind lately, though, and it's time to give him his happily ever after.

I'm also hoping to release Pain in the Ice in March, but that largely depends on if I can get caught up and back on schedule. You've probably guessed from the title that this will be Thade Maddock's book. It's definitely time to shake up the grumpy dragon shifter a little. 

And that's where my certainty in my schedule ends. I know I want to finish up the Friction trilogy this year, so you can look for Fearless to release at some point. I also have ideas for at least two new series, though I'm not sure if I'll start both this year.

Both are MM paranormal romances. One is completely separate from anything else I've written, while the other is loosely connected to Blackhaven Manor and Hunters Hollow. I say loosely because while it shares the same world "rules," it takes place in the Shade...aka the Underworld. 


So, here's to hoping that 2022 will be less of a dumpster fire than the past two years. If there is any particular book you're looking forward to, or something you're wondering about that I haven't mentioned, drop me a comment below! 

Until Next Time,
​XoXo Arden

Silent Knight is here! Check out this special holiday addition to the Blackhaven Manor series. It's a fun, light romance with all of the feels and none of the angst.

​And as always, it's free to read with your KU subscription. 
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Being part siren isn’t exactly a secret, but it’s not something Simon Russel likes to advertise, either. He’s not ashamed of who he is or anything so dramatic as that. But people tend to treat him differently once they realize he can manipulate their emotions. Just once, he wishes someone could see him and not the demon within.

Enter Archer Knight, a former Enforcer, and the newest guard at Blackhaven Manor.

Forced into retirement after a poorly executed mission leaves him damaged and disfigured, Archer figures he has a right to be a little bitter. With his scarred face and surly attitude, he’s not going to win any popularity contests, which suits him just fine, or so he tells himself.

Until he meets Simon.

Mix one not-so-chance encounter, a heap of holiday cheer, and a dash of misguided but well-meaning intentions in this recipe for Christmas magic. Season with love and serve with a side of awkward family get-togethers. 
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Don’t forget the marshmallows.
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And now for the update. You may have seen that I had another holiday story planned for the end of the month called A Merry Little Deja Vu. I don't really want to get into why, but this story isn't happening, at least not this year. Maybe next Christmas. 

Instead, a new Nocturne Bay book is up next. Since this was kind of a sudden change, I don't have a lot of details right now. I'm hoping to release it at the end of the month or the beginning of January, but I haven't settled on a firm release date, and obviously, no pre-order. This will be a solo release. To my knowledge, my co-authors don't have any books planned right at this moment. 

I'll post another update just as soon as I have a better handle on my schedule. 

Until then, I wish you all Happy Holidays! 

The 6th book of the Blackhaven Manor series is now live on Amazon and free to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription! 
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It’s been twelve years since the Awakening. Otherlings are out of the paranormal closet. The whole world knows that creatures like vampires, werewolves, and witches exist. So, seeing dead people barely even rates on the freaky scale. Right?

Wrong.

Fritz Tolliver figures he must have done something terrible in a previous life to be afflicted with such a curse. In fact, every bad thing that has ever happened to him can be traced back to his unwanted ability. So, when a stupidly hot werewolf who’s way out of his league claims to be his mate, he should be thrilled. And he probably would have been if he hadn’t gone and gotten himself haunted by a nasty spirit on the same day.   

When a gorgeous male strolls into the station asking for a job—and promptly spills an entire Americano on him—Sheriff Vander Hale has a feeling it’s going to be a bad day. Then, the door opens, the wind shifts, and suddenly, his whole world changes. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for his mate, no battle he wouldn’t wage, even if his enemy is technically already dead. Unfortunately, there’s just one problem with his plan.
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He’d go to hell and back for Fritz, but how is he supposed to fight something he can’t see?  
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The Nocturne Bay books are now live and available to read on Amazon!! 

Just a reminder that these books may start in the same place, but they are all standalone and can be read in any order. So, pick one and enjoy! 

You may also notice that some books are available to read with Kindle Unlimited and some aren't. This was solely the choice of the authors and what works best for them.

Links are below and keep scrolling for an excerpt from Catnip! 

On the other hand, if he didn’t walk through those doors, he might never see his mate again. Fate wasn’t exactly generous, rarely offering first, let alone second chances.
 
Oh, what did it even matter? The guy wore fancy suits and expensive shoes. He spoke with an air of class and sophistication that Ryo could never hope to match. They obviously came from two completely different worlds.

His mate hadn’t commented on his skimpy dress or elaborate makeup, but it was a party after all. The likelihood that he would find it acceptable on a regular Tuesday was pretty slim.

Not that Ryo gave in to those desires often, but in the privacy of his home, away from prying eyes and mocking tongues, he should be free to be himself. He shouldn’t have to worry that his mate might freak out over a pair of silk panties. 

“Ryo!”

Startled out of his musings, Ryo jerked his head up, his brow furrowed as he watched his mate jogging toward him down the sidewalk. The male had pulled on a pair of tailored slacks before exiting the club, but apparently, he couldn’t be bothered with shoes or a shirt.

Then again, Ryo wasn’t even wearing pants, so it wasn’t like he had room to talk.

With all that smooth, gorgeously tanned skin stretched across hard, defined muscles, he was certainly garnering a good bit of attention from those waiting in line. Loud whistles and catcalls followed his approach, and one bold little imp actually stepped forward to block his path.

A sharp growl from Ryo’s mate sent the little pixie scurrying back into the queue.

“There you are,” he said as he marched right into Ryo’s personal space and cupped his cheek. “Are you okay? Do you need a ride home?”

“Yes…I’m…” Gods, his hand was so warm. Losing his train of thought, Ryo closed his eyes and leaned into the touch. “I don’t even know your name.”

“Andre.” He brushed his thumb over Ryo’s cheek, just below his eye. “Andre Vasso.”

Ryo’s eyes flew open, and he jerked his head up, searching the demon’s face for any signs of deception. He found none, not in his expression or his scent. This really was the owner of The Underground.
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“Not what you were expecting?” Andre asked, his lips curved into a crooked grin.
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“I’m just a little surprised, that’s all.” Honestly, he was doing his best not to completely lose his shit. It didn’t seem logical or realistic that fate would pair him with one of the most eligible bachelors in Nocturne Bay. “You’re a hot topic around here.”