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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.  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. Don’t forget the marshmallows. EXCERPT Simon’s frown deepened. He didn’t think Archer looked frightening exactly. With the severe set of his mouth, and the tightening at the corners of his arctic blue eyes, he was projecting some serious fuck-off vibes, though. Only, it wasn’t real. He might look harsh and unapproachable, but on the inside, he was kind of a mess. Tilting his head, Simon studied him more closely. Wariness and unease seemed to be the driving emotions. There was anger there, too, but it didn’t really have a direction. It felt more like he was mad at the world. Simon tensed as the weight of that statement settled over him. While he could alter the emotional state of others to some degree, he wasn’t an empath. He couldn’t feel what those people felt. Instead, he had to rely on physical and verbal cues, the same as everyone else. But this time, he didn’t have to guess. He could sense the storm of emotions raging inside the male as clearly as if they were his own, and the realization left him confused and unnerved. With every step Archer took toward him, those strange and unsettling feelings only intensified, and Simon balled his fists at his side to stop his hands from shaking. His heart pounded inside his chest, making a valiant attempt to climb into his throat, and he swallowed hard, trying to force back where it belonged. When that did absolutely nothing, he hooked a finger into the collar of his dress shirt and tugged at the starched material. “Are you okay?” Gigi whispered, her brown eyes filled with concern as she looked him up and down. “You’re flushed.” “I’m fine.” He pulled more insistently at his collar. “Is it hot in here?” Her brow creased, and she shook her head. “No, it’s not.” The harder his heart beat, the more difficult it was to breathe. A low, steady hum started at the base of his skull, sending faint vibrations down his spine and making his ears ring. “Are you sure?” Sweat beaded across his brow and trickled down the back of his neck. “It feels hot in here.” As he spoke, he ripped open the top button of his shirt and fanned the collar. “You’re really sure?” Fuck, he didn’t even know what he was saying anymore. “I’m really sure.” Stepping in front of him, Gigi pressed her palm to the side of his face and frowned. “You feel clammy, hon. Maybe you should sit down. I’ll get you some water.” Simon shook his head. He couldn’t explain why or how he knew, but he was exactly where he was supposed to be. “I’m fi—ahh!” He slapped a hand over his mouth to muffle his groan as the gums around his canines exploded with pain. Then, he immediately gasped and jerked his hand away, licking his lip where a long, pointed fang had pierced the skin. “Simon?” Gigi grabbed his elbow and shook him roughly. “Simon, what’s happening?” But her words barely registered, and he couldn’t have answered her if he’d tried. Mostly because he didn’t know what the hell was happening to him. He wasn’t a werewolf or a shifter or a vampire. Hell, he was barely a demon. Never in his whole life had he casually sprouted fangs for no fucking reason. Doing his best to hold himself together, he stood rigidly, his lips clamped together to hide his new hardware, and waited for Cyrus and Archer to reach the café. By the time the pair stopped a few feet from him, Simon could barely breathe.  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!
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The 6th book of the Blackhaven Manor series is now live on Amazon and free to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription!  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. He’d go to hell and back for Fritz, but how is he supposed to fight something he can’t see?  EXCERPT Soft footsteps against the linoleum drew his attention, and he glanced up as a male who looked to be in his early twenties stumbled to a stop at the end of the counter.
“Oh,” the guy breathed. “Um, hi.” He lifted his hand in a stiff wave. Dressed in a red vest with a matching tie over a white button-down, he looked ridiculously out of place in the grungy station. He wore his dark hair a little longer on top and spiked with probably half a gallon of styling gel, but the look suited him, and it highlighted big, wide-set eyes the color of fresh cinnamon. Eyes that could drown a man, that could pull him under so that he never wanted to surface. Vander turned to Hardy and nodded. Okay, he’d give the deputy this one. Fritz was absolutely stunning. Bringing his attention back to the newcomer, he softened his smile. “Hello, I’m Sheriff Vander Hale.” “I’m—oh, I almost forgot!” He rushed over to the waiting area, which consisted of four folding chairs and two tiny, square tables. Grabbing a familiar-looking paper cup, he held it up like an offering. “I brought you coffee.” Pleasantly surprised by the gift, Vander grinned. “I appreciate that.” “Americano.” Fritz stared at the cup with a furrowed brow. “I think it’s black. I don’t know. Emrys made it.” So, the little pixie was in on this scheme as well. Fritz must have made quite the impression for so many people to be pushing for Vander to give him a job. At that point, he half expected to start receiving calls from every person the guy had even briefly interacted with in town. “I’m sure it’s fine.” In the eight years since he’d been going to the hotel café, Emrys had yet to make him a bad cup of coffee. “Thank you.” “Right.” The guy ducked his head as his cheeks flushed an alluring shade of pink. “Well, here you go.” Still staring at the floor, he stretched his arm out as far as he could reach to offer the cup again. Vander barely managed to choke back his laughter. Damn, the kid was a fucking mess, but in a sweet, endearing sort of way. He was beginning to see what all the fuss was about. Stepping forward to take the drink, he didn’t anticipate that Fritz would decide to bring it to him instead. They collided in the middle of the waiting area, crushing the flimsy cup between them. Coffee exploded from the top like a geyser, spraying directly into Vander’s face and sloshing down the front of his uniform. “Oh. My. God.” The blood drained from Fritz’s face, leaving him deathly pale, and he took several steps away on trembling legs. “I’m sorry. Shit, I am so sorry.” If possible, his eyes grew even bigger. “Shit, I didn’t mean to say shit.” Then, he dropped his head and whimpered. “Just shoot me now.” 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!     Excerpt from Catnip by Arden SteeleOn 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. “Not what you were expecting?” Andre asked, his lips curved into a crooked grin. “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.”  Recently, an author friend found out that I do not have a reader group on Facebook. To say she was appalled would be an understatement. I just kind of laughed her off and went about my day. Then, I had a reader contact me asking if I had a group. Then another. And another. Why don't I have a reader group? It's not laziness. It's not a lack of knowhow. It's not that I don't want to connect with readers, because that's one of my favorite things about being an author! I just honestly didn't think that anyone would want to join. So, is that something anyone would be interested in? If you could please take a moment to fill out the survey, my little Type A heart would really appreciate it! As promised, here is the pre-order info for the Nocturne Bay series!! M/M Paranormal Romance 30k-40k Words Release Date: November 14th **NOTE: The books in the series are standalone and can be read in any order. Enjoy! Catnip by Arden Steele Ryo Castle’s only goal in life is to be invisible. He’s spent years perfecting the art, never doing anything to draw attention to himself, and he’s grown quite content with being alone. So, he’s not entirely sure how he let himself be talked into attending a masquerade party for the opening of the new nightclub in town. It’ll probably be fine, though. After all, what’s the worst that can happen? With more than three hundred years to amass a considerable fortune, Andre Vasso lives a life of luxury and indulgence. Yet he’s always felt that something was missing, some vital piece that would make his world complete. He just didn’t know what that was until a gorgeous mouse shifter with big green eyes literally falls at his feet. Ryo comes with more baggage than an airport carousel, but Andre doesn’t mind. No matter how long and winding the road, he’s determined to give his mate the life he deserves. But first, he’ll have to convince Ryo that the only thing standing in the way of their happily-ever-after is his own insecurities. A task that might prove easier said than done. Prince Charming NOT! by Aja Foxx Prince Charming he was not, even if his name was Chester Charming. As a fainting rabbit, he was cursed with fainting in his human form when startled or afraid. Finding three vampires being attacked by a group of wolves should have had him flat out on the ground, but the overwhelming need to save one of those vampires kept him on his feet and rushing to the rescue. Little did Chester know that his idiotic choice to run into danger would lead him to his mate. Prince Alaric Xavier D'aureville had lived more than seven hundred years. He'd met different species from all over the world, rubbed elbows with royalty and the dregs of society, and seen history pass him by. He never expected to find his beloved in a sexy rabbit shifter right in his own hometown. Once he claimed him, though, he wasn't going to let anyone take Chester away from him, not even some idiot intent on taking all of his money any way he could. Prince Charming belonged to him. Party Nuts by Dani Gray Sammy Love was the owner of a lingerie store called Oh Là Là Chéri, a store geared mainly towards men. He was a squirrel shifter from a large family and loved life with his three best friends. He loved being able to dress people up and make them feel their absolute best. He felt it was his calling in life to show people how to be true to themselves, no matter what others told them they had to be. Quentin Everett was a cougar shifter who’d been kicked out of his home at a young age by an uncaring mother. He had been raised by an older brother, until that brother was kicked out, then he became the oldest, raising his younger sibling until it was his turn to be banished. He never knew his father, just like the rest of his siblings. When he got older, he managed to put himself through school on scholarships and became a park ranger. He loved the freedom it gave his cougar and himself. Getting tickets to the event of the year at The Underground, a costume party was something that everyone wanted. Sammy was dressed as a bandit, and even though he’d helped his besties with their costumes (much to their annoyance) everyone was dressed fabulous, when some skanky fairy came along and tried to steal his booty of nuts! Mayhem ensued as Sammy tried to collect his lost booty of nuts from the floor, as chaos with mates began. I SHould've Stayed Home by Lisa Oliver Hedgehog shifter, Irwin Chance was not the type to go out to parties, of any kind. A self-confessed introvert with anxiety disorders, he was happy to stay at home, work on his YouTube channel and counsel people from the safety of his home. But Irwin had friends, three of them to be exact, and one of them had gotten him a ticket to the biggest party of the year. Irwin told himself it would be okay - he could livestream the event for his viewers and give them tips along the way. But then Sammy said he'd arrange Irwin's costume... things went downhill from there.
Kolton with a K, was a tiger shifter who totally understood the only way to get anyone to respect him was to show he was powerful at all times. Going to the biggest party of the year was expected of him, although it would've helped if he could remember the name of his date. But when he catches a hint of the most amazing scent in the entire world, his tiger sprung to life and Kolton knew his mate was near. Or so he thought. Too bad, Kolton got the wrong guy. Insults fly, some introspection is required, and when a tiger mom gets in on the act, Kolton's the one wishing he'd stayed home. But the Fates don't like being ignored, and now all Kolton has to do is work out how to make things right with a certain hedgehog shifter... it would help if he'd stop putting his foot in his mouth. Whew! It's been a wild ride, and I'm so excited to announce that the Nocturne Bay Series, co-authored with Aja Foxx, Dani Gray, and Lisa Oliver will be releasing November 14th!!   Ryo Castle’s only goal in life is to be invisible. He’s spent years perfecting the art, never doing anything to draw attention to himself, and he’s grown quite content with being alone. So, he’s not entirely sure how he let himself be talked into attending a masquerade party for the opening of the new nightclub in town. It’ll probably be fine, though. After all, what’s the worst that can happen? With more than three hundred years to amass a considerable fortune, Andre Vasso lives a life of luxury and indulgence. Yet, he’s always felt that something was missing, some vital piece that would make his world complete. He just didn’t know what that was until a gorgeous mouse shifter with big green eyes literally falls at his feet. Ryo comes with more baggage than an airport carousel, but Andre doesn’t mind. No matter how long and winding the road, he’s determined to give his mate the life he deserves. But first, he’ll have to convince Ryo that the only thing standing in the way of their happily-ever-after is his own insecurities. A task that might prove easier said than done. I'm also ridiculously pleased to tell you that Dead Over Heels, the 6th book in the Blackhaven Manor series will be releasing on November 26th!  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 human 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. He’d go to hell and back for Fritz, but how is he supposed to fight something he can’t see? Beauty and Bad Blood: Hunters Hollow, Book 2, will be up after that. I'm not 100% sure when that will release yet, but I'm tentatively shooting for mid-December. Finally, I'll be finishing up the year with a new Christmas story. A Merry Little Deja Vu will release on December 23rd and I'm pretty excited about this one!  And lastly, I hope everyone had a fabulous Halloween! We didn't get as many trick-or-treaters as usual this year, but we still had fun dressing up and taking silly pictures!
Now, on to Thanksgiving! I've been waiting until I have something concrete to share before posting another update, but unfortunately, I'm still kind of in limbo right now. By this point, a lot of you have probably heard about the Nocturne Bay series I'm writing with Aja Foxx, Lisa Oliver, and Dani Gray. I had planned to make my "official" announcement today, but I think the word has kind of spread by now. LOL!  We don't have a release date yet, but I can tell you that all books in the series will release on the same day and they will be coming very soon! As for Dead Over Heels...I fucked up. That's all I really know to say at this point. The muse just stopped talking to me for a while. It happens, and it's frustrating. Then, I had to put it aside to work on some other stuff, which was fun and exciting, but not conducive to getting Dead Over Heels finished. Once I got my groove back, the characters kind of hijacked the story, and this book is definitely going to be longer than I had planned.  So, where does that leave us? Late. That's where. I'm stupidly behind, and I'm sorry. I promise I'm working as hard as I can, though, and I'm hoping to have Dead Over Heels out within the next couple of weeks. The next book in the Hunters Hollow series is still coming, but obviously, it's going to have to be pushed back a little. I'm thinking closer to middle of December rather than end of November. With any luck, I will have some definitive news and dates to share by the end of the week. Fingers crossed. Until then, I hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween, and remember, calories from Halloween candy don't count. :-P  Yep, it's time for another update! As we head into fall here in Texas, I just want to say that I hope everyone had an amazing summer! Mine was, in a word, chaotic, but I'm so glad I got to spend some quality time with my family. Especially since my oldest just moved halfway across the country to start his grownup life. I miss him like crazy, and the house is so quiet without him, but I'm also excited for him to start this new adventure! So, once upon a time, I said that Prince Orrin Nightstar would be getting his book next in the Blackhaven Manor series. Well, that was true...until this clumsy, neurotic mess stumbled into my head and demanded a book of his own. Right. Freaking. Now. Meet Frederick. He prefers to be called Fritz. Not Fred. Not Freddy. Just Fritz, and it's pretty fitting since his brain always seems to be on the fritz. He worries a lot. He can barely walk and breathe at the same time. And he has a pretty big secret. One that his mate, Sheriff Vander Hale, doesn't quiet know what to do with. Dead Over Heels will be releasing soon. Right now, I'm tentatively shooting for October 7th, but I'll be sure to post again if that changes. After that, I have something really fun planned for Halloween!! It's kind of a secret at the moment, but look for more information coming very soon! A lot of you have asked about the next Hunters Hollow book. Braeden's best friend, Dylan, is up next in Beauty and Bad Blood. I don't have a release date for you yet, but I'm shooting for the end of November. I have a couple of other projects that I hope to fit in before the end of the year, but I think this is enough to be getting on with, so I'll save that for the next update! IT'S ALLLLIIIIVE! Angels and Anarchy: Hunters Hollow, Book One is finally live on Amazon and free to read with your Kindle Unlimited Subscription! Slinging drinks in New Orleans' French Quarter isn’t the most glamorous job, but Braeden Burke loves the lights, the music, and the excitement. As a long-time believer—even before Otherlings had waltzed out of the paranormal closet—spending his nights flirting with gorgeous werewolves and smooth-talking vampires isn’t exactly a chore. His life is easy, colorful, and for the most part, free of drama. Until fate throws him a curveball. It was supposed to be his day off. Instead, Zarrik Cox is called in to investigate the murder of a high-ranking member of the Ministry of Otherling Affairs. Tracking down the only witness to the crime is easy. Discovering the vulnerable human is his mate is a complication he wasn’t expecting. He might be a nephilim, but he’s no angel, and he’s damn sure no one’s savior. But with a killer on the loose, and Braeden caught in the crosshairs, there's no limit to how far he'll go to keep his new mate safe.  EXCERPTGods, he was in rough shape, but despite the bruising and swelling, he was even lovelier up close. The smattering of freckles across his nose and cheeks made him look incredibly innocent, as did the way his bottom lip protruded into an adorable pout, even in sleep. The initial radiance that surrounded him had faded, but it was no less alluring in its subtlety. Instead, it settled around him now, soft and pale, lustrous like starlight. “Oh, tarro.” He sighed, wanting nothing more at that moment than to wrap Braeden in his arms and protect him from the whole damn world. “It’s going to be okay.” Easing down on the edge of the mattress, he brushed Braeden’s hair back from his brow, then cradled his mate’s face gently between his palms. Calling forth the power he usually tried to bury, he let it wash over him, through him, until it filled every inch of his being. His pulse doubled. His canines lengthened again. The skin between his shoulder blades tightened, the muscles knotted and aching. Bright, golden light rippled through his veins as the magic surged and built to a crescendo. When it crested, he refocused and redirected, sending the energy flowing out through his fingertips and into his mate. Like thin rays of healing sunshine, the light flooded into Braeden’s cheeks, then traveled down his neck, dispersing as it searched out his injuries to mend them one by one. After several minutes that felt like a lifetime, his power began to ebb, and the light that coursed between them dimmed and faded. Dizzy and exhausted from the strain that kind of magic put on his body, he brushed his thumbs over Braeden’s cheeks before reluctantly pulling his hands away. It wasn’t dramatic like the movies. Braeden’s eyes didn’t pop open immediately. He didn’t suddenly jerk upright and gasp for breath. Instead, he came awake gradually, and at first, the only indication that anything had changed was the steady strengthening of his pulse on the monitor. Then, he started to move. Little things at first, like his fingers and his lips. As the minutes ticked past, he became more restless, sawing his legs together and rolling his head from side to side on the pillow. Eventually, his eyelids began to flutter more rapidly, and when they finally opened, Zarrik found himself lost in a pair of dazzling hazel eyes. “Hi,” Braeden said, his voice low and raspy. He looked a little dazed, and he wore the sappiest smile on his lips. Zarrik grinned in return. “Hello, Braeden.” “You’re really pretty.” Huffing out a surprised laugh, Zarrik shook his head. The poor guy was going to be a little punch-drunk until the effects of the healing wore off, but he had to admit, it was cute as hell. “Am I dead?” “Oh, no, tarro.” He took the hand not attached to the IV and cradled it between both of his own. “You are very much alive.” “Mm,” Braeden hummed. “That’s good. Being dead sounds like kind of a bummer. I’d much rather be here with you.” Zarrik stifled another chuckle. “My name is Zarrik Cox. I’m—” “I know who you are,” Braeden interrupted confidently. “You do?” “Mm hmm,” he hummed, his eyelids drooping again. “I know these things.” “Is that right?” He wasn’t making any sense, of course, but Zarrik humored him anyway. “What kind of things do you know?” “I know all ’bout you.” He cracked one eye open and giggled. “I know who you are,” he repeated. “You’re my guardian angel.”  I just wanted to drop in with anther quick update. Unfortunately, I'm still a little behind. I really thought I would be finished with Angels and Anarchy by now, but this book ended up being much longer than I had originally anticipated. On the bright side, a longer book means more story! Yay! The bad news is that the book won't be releasing on the 15th (today, I guess) like I had said in my previous post. I really am sorry about that. The good news is that I'm currently working on edits, so it's not a huge delay. Another week at most, and I promise I'll post the Amazon link the second I have it. Until Next Time XoXo ~ Arden  |
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