I know it took forever. There was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears (so many tears) poured into this book, but Curses and Casualties is now live on Amazon! 

Fame is a curse. 

At least, that’s the way Elliot Church feels. A powerful mage with a gift for necromancy, he’s made a name for himself as a successful private investigator. And he fails to see how smiling in front of a camera or answering the same banal questions has any bearing on his performance. 

It’s nothing more than a distraction, and one he doesn’t need, especially when strange things start happening in New Orleans. 

There are dead Otherlings in the Quarter, their bodies mummified and their souls fragmented. A Reaper stands on every corner, and more are pouring into the city daily, which can only mean one thing. Mass casualties. 

When his search for answers leads him to Hunters Hollow, the last thing he expects to find in the backwater town is his mate. Incubus and retired bounty hunter for the Ministry, Lysander Tennison—Tenn to the locals—is everything he never knew he wanted, but the timing couldn’t be more wrong. Yet, he can no more turn his back on the demon than he can ignore what’s going on in the city.  
​
Even when every road in front of him leads straight to hell.

​Stay tuned for updates on my latest project, The Fairy Fail Chronicles. I'm so excited about this new series, and I can't wait to share it with you! 

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.

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. 

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! 

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

The past four-ish months have been...interesting. There were a lot of good things that happened. A trip to Orlando. A trip to Puerto Rico. A beautiful and extravagant wedding in Houston.

​(Not mine. I got married in a tiny church 20 years ago with less than a dozen people present. The entire thing, including my dress and the rings, cost less than $150.)

 
There was also some not so great stuff that happened. Depression, made worse by Seasonal Affective Disorder. A slipped lumbar disc. A torn LCL (that's the ligament on the outside of your knee.) And can we just talk about the price of eggs for a second?! I wanted to make an angel food cake, but I didn't want to take out a second mortgage. 

Beauty and Bad Blood is still coming. I will finish it. Just not yet. I know I said it would "definitely" be out in November, but well, here we are. Shortly after my last update, I just hit a wall. Ran smack into it like Wile E. Coyote.

This would be around the time I was having what my therapist likes to call a "Major Depressive Episode." 

At her suggestion, I did something I've never done before. I agreed to show myself the same grace and kindness I'd offer to any of my friends who are struggling. I also decided to try an experiment and just write whatever popped into my head. No matter what story, what series, whatever, I would just...write.

​A novel concept, I know. 

This resulted in 7 new story ideas, 4 new WIPs, one completed novella, and another that is almost finished. 

I am currently working on cleaning up Mr. Big Shot, Book 3 of the +One series, and it will be headed to my editor soon. I don't have an exact release date yet, but probably sometime within the next two weeks.

Then, I'll be wrapping up Walking a Tight Trope, the next book in the Blackhaven Manor series. More details on this later, but you can anticipate its release in March. (She says, knowing her track record with deadlines is shit.)

After that, I will be diving back into Beauty and Bad Blood with new enthusiasm. Now that the brain fog is lifting, I know exactly where I went wrong and what I need to do to move forward. I do not know when this book will release. I'm not even going to give an estimate. I feel like I jinx myself every time I do. 

I'm also not going to promise regular updates because, let's be honest, I suck at it. I will, however, definitely post once the books go live. You can also get a notification right to your inbox by subscribing to my newsletter. I'm lazy, and I only send out newsletters when I have a release or an event, so you will never be inundated with emails from me.

Until Next Time!
XoXo - Arden

It's here! It's finally here!! Pain in the Ice is now live on Amazon, and as always, free to read with your KU subscription!
​

​Thade Maddock would literally rather die than spend four weeks aboard a cruise ship with nine hundred strangers in the middle of the Pacific. When it happens to be his best friend’s dying request, however, he can’t exactly refuse the invitation. On the bright side, the ship’s pool does offer some stunning views. Like the human male with fiery red hair and a smile to rival the sun. 

Although he wouldn’t consider himself naïve, Micah Francis has led a rather insulated life. Having had limited contact with Otherlings and little knowledge about the paranormal world in general, meeting a dragon shifter his first day on the ship is nothing less than magical. Tall and brooding with a body made for sin, Thade is everything he had imagined a dragon would be. He didn’t, however, expect to feel so obsessively drawn to the guy after just one conversation. 

But falling in love is the easy part. When Thade’s friend begins to deteriorate quicker than anticipated, the demon’s illness places the entire ship in danger. As pandemonium ensues and a multitude of dark emotions infects the passengers, happily-ever-after feels a long way off. 
​
Because unless they can find a way to bring order to the madness, no one is making it out alive.

As a general rule, Thade didn’t stick his nose into other people’s business. He did what was necessary to enforce the guidelines at Blackhaven Manor, and he would never allow guests to mistreat his staff, but he didn’t go out of his way to play the hero. 

Every once in a while, however, he encountered a situation that required him to act, to be the protector he tried so hard to avoid. 

With his gaze hidden behind his dark sunglasses, he’d been watching the human male from the moment he’d stepped onto the deck. Beyond his vivid red hair, nothing about him made him stand out from the other guests, but Thade hadn’t been able to look away. 

His complexion went beyond fair and could only be described as pale, but with a smattering of freckles across his nose and cheeks. Despite the considerable distance that separated them, and the way the newcomer squinted against the sun, Thade had no trouble discerning the stunning lime green of his irises. 

He had wondered why the guy didn’t just use the sunglasses perched atop his head. Then he realized he wasn’t the only one staring. Mr. Lean, Fair, and Freckled was checking him out, too, and judging by his increased heart rate, he liked what he saw. Thade wasn’t looking for love, but he wouldn’t mind passing a night or two with the beautiful stranger.

He had still been deciding on his next move when the guy’s attention had been drawn away by the female who had accompanied him onto the deck. Like a puff of smoke on the breeze, whatever connection that had passed between them vanished. That should have been the end of it, but Thade couldn’t resist the temptation to let his gaze linger a little longer.

With his eyes still hidden, he watched both humans, studying the way they interacted as he tried to ascertain the depth of their relationship.
​
It shouldn’t have mattered. He definitely shouldn’t have felt relief when he heard them mention the female’s fiancé. Yet he hadn’t been able to relax until he’d been satisfied that nothing romantic existed between them. He didn’t have a name for the feeling that had coursed through him in the lead-up to the revelation, but it had been foreign, uncomfortable, and he hoped to never experience it again.