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

Hello Darlings! Just dropping in with a quick update. 

For those who aren't aware, I tore my ACL back in February. Along with some other injuries like bone contusions and a MCL sprain. That's not even counting the genetic deformities of that knee that affect its mechanics (but that's a story for another time.) With the joint being unstable, I've re-injured it three times now, which is incredibly painful and makes my knee swell up like a grapefruit. Not fun.

ACL reconstruction surgery is scheduled for April 12th. I'm not worried or nervous or anything like that, but I'm not looking forward to the recovery, either. In the meantime, I've been doing "prehab" with a physical therapist to ensure that my muscles are in good condition before surgery so I can heal faster afterwards. I've also had a slew of doctor appointments, tests, and pre-op screenings. Then, of course, just the general life stuff that comes with being an adult. 

With all of this going on, it's been hard to find the time or energy to write, so I'm a little behind schedule. This means Walking a Tight Trope won't be releasing in March, but you won't have to wait too long for it. I would really like to get it released before my surgery, so sometime in the second week of April. 

As soon as I'm able, I'll be diving back into Beauty and Bad Blood to get that finished and released. I don't really know when that will be right now. From experience, painkillers and writing do not mix, so it's kind of a wait-and-see game. Hopefully, I won't need to take more than a week off, though. 

Everyone please send positive vibes, and I'll check in with you soon! 

Until Next Time, 
​XoXo Arden

Mr. Big Shot: +One, Book 3 is now available on Amazon, and as always, free to read with your KU subscription!

For Nicholas Coletti, escorting interesting people to business dinners and charity galas isn’t the worst way to spend his evenings, but it’s not exactly a fulfilling career, either. So, when one of those events leads to a job opportunity, he’ll do whatever it takes to land a position with one of the city’s biggest marketing firms.

Fully aware of his reputation for being cold and ruthless, Rhys Quinton didn’t get to where he is by worrying about what people think of him. It’s that no-nonsense attitude and his willingness to take risks that built RQ Creative Marketing into the corporate giant it is today. Well, that, and one simple rule.

Never mix business with pleasure. 
​
It’s a principle that has never failed him, and one he’s never considered breaking. Until now. Because all it takes is one look, and he knows he won’t be satisfied until Nicholas is his.

The elevator came to a stop, and I exited the cab, pausing just inside what appeared to be a waiting room when I realized Fletcher hadn’t followed. “Aren’t you coming?”

“Just you.” He smiled as the doors began to close again. “Good luck.”

Swallowing hard, I turned back to survey the room. A couple of leather sofas and matching armchairs comprised two separate seating areas along one wall. The opposite wall was occupied by a coffee bar and a U-shaped desk made of gleaming chestnut. 

A door next to the elevator accessed the stairwell, while a narrow corridor to the left led to a restroom, both labeled with large, bold signs. As far as I could tell, there were no other offices or meeting rooms on the floor.

Windows that stretched from the baseboards to the ceiling allowed an abundance of natural light to fill the space and offered spectacular views of the city. The back wall directly ahead of me, however, had no windows. Only a few pieces of framed art and a single black door with a gold lever-style handle. 

I stared at the door, my brain whirling with questions.

Was Mr. Quinton expecting me? Should I knock? Did I just take a seat and wait for him to come out of his office? Fletcher was still his assistant. Why wasn’t he there to…assist?

Before I could spiral too deeply into my panic, the door swung open, and an insanely attractive man stepped up to the threshold.

I had seen pictures of Rhys Quinton online, of course, but those photographs hadn’t done him justice. For starters, despite the veins of silver that ran through his dark hair at the temples, he appeared younger in person, especially for someone so well-known and respected in the industry. 

His broad shoulders and powerful frame obstructed most of the doorway, and even from the distance, I had to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. Eyes the most intense shade of steel gray stared back at me, and I fought the urge to squirm under the scrutiny. 

Mentally shaking myself, I surreptitiously blotted my palm on my slacks and crossed the room to offer my hand.

“Nicholas Coletti,” I said, pleased when my voice didn’t waver or crack. “It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Big Shot.”

The moment the words left my mouth, my head started to spin, and my vision blurred at the edges as I felt the blood drain from my face. While my conscious mind had been practicing what I would say, my subconscious had been thinking that “big shot” had been an appropriate description of my potential employer. Clearly, wires had gotten crossed, and the result had been nothing short of mortifying.
“Mr. Quinton,” I hurried to amend, hoping my face wasn’t as red as it felt.

I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d walked back into his office and closed the door in my face, but by some miracle, that didn’t happen. While his expression remained utterly impassive, he took my hand and gave it a firm squeeze. 

The handshake went on longer than social etiquette dictated, and when he finally let go, a small part of me felt disappointed at the loss of contact. Which was completely insane, but I chalked it up to nerves. 

He didn’t speak, didn’t step back or usher me inside his office. He just turned and retraced the path to his desk, where he settled into a padded office chair and waited. 

Caught off-guard, it took several seconds for my brain to catch up, and my feet to start moving. I didn’t know if I should close the door behind me or not. I looked to Rhys for some sort of indication, a clue as to what I should do next. He simply continued to stare at me with that infuriatingly blank expression.

I closed the door. 

From there, I hesitated, wondering if I should remain standing or choose one of the twin chairs in front of his desk. Still, Rhys didn’t speak. He didn’t move. He just sat there, his fingers linked together atop his desk, and watched me. 
​
Was this part of the interview? Was he testing me?