 NEIGHBOR DEAREST (A standalone) Release date: 8/15/2016 A Contemporary Romance Novel New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Penelope Ward  NEIGHBOR DEAREST CHAPTER ONESUPERSONIC HEARING Copyright © 2016 by Penelope Ward My little sister is such a drama queen. Literally. Jade is an actress on Broadway. She clapped her hands together, applauding the students who’d just bravely put themselves out there to try out for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. “You all did such a great job today! Tomorrow we cast the roles and start our first rehearsal. This is gonna be epic!” Jade had come out to the Bay Area to visit our family for the week and offered to volunteer at the youth center where I worked. Since there wasn’t enough time to produce an entire play, Jade decided to direct the kids in one key scene from the musical that would be performed later in the week. I loved my job as director of the arts at the Mission Youth Center. It was just about the only thing going right in my life. The only downside was the fact that these walls were haunted by memories of my ex, Elec, who used to be a youth counselor here. That was how we met. He’d loved his job, too, until he quit so that he could move to New York after we broke up. He moved to be with her. I shook my head to shoo away thoughts of him and Greta. Jade grabbed her purse. “I need to go back to your place to use the bathroom and have a quick bite.” I’d just moved into a new apartment that was only a few blocks away from my job. The lease had finally run out on the place I’d been renting with Elec across town. Even though my ex sent me his half of the rent for the remainder of our lease after he’d moved out, I couldn’t wait to vacate that place; every corner of it reminded me of him and of the miserable months that followed our break up. My place was right in the south central section of the Mission District. I loved the culture in my new neighborhood. Produce bins and a variety of cafes lined the streets. It was also a mecca for Latin culture, which was great, except for the fact that it reminded me of Elec, who was half Ecuadorian. Little reminders of the guy who broke my heart were everywhere. Jade and I strolled down the sidewalk, stopping at a fruit stand so that she could buy some papayas for an afternoon smoothie she planned to make back at my apartment. We also ended up getting two coffees to go. I bent back the opening on my coffee lid as we walked. “So, little sis, I never thought we would be in the same predicament at the same time.” Jade had recently been dumped by her musician boyfriend. “Yes. But the difference is, I feel like I have way more distractions in my life than you do. It’s not that I don’t think about Justin. It’s not that I don’t get sad, but my performances keep me so busy that it’s almost like I don’t have time to wallow in it, you know?” “I told you I’ve been doing these phone therapy sessions, right?” Jade took a sip then shook her head. “No.” “Yeah. I found this psychologist who specializes in trauma from failed relationships, but she’s in Canada. Anyway, we do phone sessions one night a week.” “Is it helping?” “It always helps to talk things out.” “Yeah. But no offense, you don’t seem any better for it. Anyway, you can talk things out with Claire or me. You don’t need to pay big bucks to talk to a stranger.” “Nighttime is really my only time to talk to anyone. You’re performing at night, and Claire is too wrapped up in being a blissful newlywed. Besides, she’s never had her heart broken. She listens, but she doesn’t get it.” Our older sister, Claire, married her high school sweetheart. Even though the three of us were close growing up in nearby Sausalito, I’d always felt more comfortable opening up to Jade. When we arrived at my building, my sister stopped to sit on one of the benches in the corner of the fenced-in courtyard. “Let’s sit for a bit, finish our coffees.” Her gaze wandered across the grass to my shirtless neighbor. “Okay…who’s the hottie in the beanie defacing the property?” “What is it with you and beanies?” “Justin used to wear one. That’s why I love them. Isn’t that sad?” “That is sad.” “This from the girl who still sleeps in her ex’s shirt.” “It’s comfortable. It has nothing to do with Elec,” I lied. It was the one thing I allowed myself from him. It made me sad, but I wore it anyway. “So…who is that guy?” I didn’t know my neighbor’s name, but I’d see him once in a while doing spray paint art along the wrap-around concrete wall that surrounded the property. It served as a vast canvas. His spray painting was true art, definitely not what would be considered simple graffiti. It was an elaborate mix of celestial and geographical images. This guy just kept adding different artwork to the wall gradually. It was a work in progress. I could only assume he planned to paint the entire circumference of the property, as much as the wall space would allow. “He lives in the building, next door to me, actually.” “What is he doing? They allow him to do that here?” “I don’t know. The first time I saw him out here, I thought he was vandalizing the property. But no one seems to care or stop him. Every day, he adds to the mural. It’s actually quite beautiful. But it doesn’t match his personality.” Jade blew on her coffee. “What do you mean?” “He’s not very nice.” “You’ve talked to him?” “No. He’s just not friendly. I’ve tried to make eye contact, but he walks right by me. He has these two big dogs, and they’re pretty mean. They bark all of the time. He walks them every morning.” “Maybe he’s like a savant. You know, really good with art. Or maybe he’s a genius but with limited social skills. What do they call that…Asperger’s?” “No. He communicates just fine. I’ve seen him yelling at a few people. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have that. This guy is just not friendly. He doesn’t have Asperger’s. He’s just an ass.” Jade chuckled. “I think you should totally stop by his place with some warm muffins wrapped up in a basket. It’s the neighborly thing to do. Maybe he’ll loosen up…or loosen you up.” “Muffins, huh? What’s that code for?” “Muff…muffins. Same thing. If I lived here, I’d be all over that. But I don’t live here. You do. And you totally need a distraction. I say…he’s it.” I admired the guy’s broad shoulders and tanned muscular back as his arm moved the spray can up and down. “God, doesn’t he remind you of Elec, though? Arm tattoo…dark hair. Artistic. Basically, that’s the last type of guy I’m going for at this point.” “So, if someone looks like or seems similar to Elec, then they’re automatically disqualified? They’re destined to do the same thing Elec did? Is that how you think? That’s just stupid rationale.” “Maybe that’s fucked-up. But the last thing I want is to be with someone who reminds me of him in the least.” “Well, that’s a shame, because Elec was freaking hot, and this guy…is even hotter.” “Can you remind me why we’re discussing this? The dude doesn’t even say hello to me. He’s not signing up to be on this delusional version of The Bachelorette. He’s not interested.” Neighbor Dearest suddenly wiped the sweat from his forehead, took off the mask covering his nose and mouth, and dumped the spray cans into a black drawstring sack. He slung it over his shoulder and just when I thought he was going to walk away and out of the courtyard, he began to walk in our direction. Jade straightened in her seat, and I hated that my pulse raced a bit. His eyes were focused on me. I wouldn’t call it an angry stare, but he wasn’t smiling. The sunlight beamed directly into his blue eyes, which glowed and really stood out against his tan skin. Jade was right; this guy was truly gorgeous. “Blueberry are my favorite,” he said. “What?” “Muffins.” “Oh.” Jade snorted but stayed silent, letting me take the brunt of this humiliation. “And I’m not anti-social or a savant. I’m just a good old-fashioned prick…with supersonic hearing.” He smirked and walked away before I could say anything. When he was safely out of earshot—for real this time—Jade sighed. “Angry guys are the best in bed.” “You just can’t stop yourself, can you? Haven’t you done enough damage? I’ve always told you that you’re loud when you think you’re whispering. Now there’s proof…at my expense.” “You’ll be thanking me later when you’re screaming out in orgasm as the angry artist is Van Goh-ing down on you.” “You’re crazy.” “That’s why you love me.” “It is.”  ★★★★ We hope you enjoyed this extended preview! Available for Pre-order on iBooks, Nook and Kobo now! iBooks ➜ http://apple.co/29iqvtJ Nook ➜ http://bit.ly/2akQ2aq Kobo ➜ http://bit.ly/2axt1SY ***Available for purchase on Amazon on release day. Receive an alert when it’s live on Amazon ➜ http://bit.ly/2apKX0x Add to your TBR on Goodreads ➜ http://bit.ly/29R29a2 Sign up for Penelope’s mailing list now and be the first one notified of releases! http://eepurl.com/MnXoH Join Penelope’s Peeps for early news of books, fun chats and giveaways! https://www.facebook.com/groups/PenelopesPeeps/  Blurb A STANDALONE NOVEL that does NOT need to be read in conjunction with any other book. From New York Times bestselling author, Penelope Ward, comes a friends-to-lovers story with sexy new characters. After getting dumped, the last thing I needed was to move next door to someone who reminded me of my ex-boyfriend, Elec. Damien was a hotter version of my ex. The neighbor I’d dubbed “Angry Artist” also had two massive dogs that kept me up with their barking. He wanted nothing to do with me. Or so I thought until one night I heard laughter coming through an apparent hole in my bedroom wall. Damien had been listening to all of my phone sessions with my therapist. The sexy artist next door now knew all of my deepest secrets and insecurities. We got to talking. He set me straight with tips to get over my breakup. He became a good friend, but Damien made it clear that he couldn’t be anything more. Problem was, I was falling hard for him anyway. And as much as he pushed me away, I knew he felt the same…because his heartbeat didn’t lie. I thought my heart had been broken by Elec, but it was alive and beating harder than ever for Damien. I just hoped he wouldn’t shatter it for good. Author's note – Neighbor Dearest is a full-length standalone novel. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18. About the Author:  Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 11-year-old girl with autism and a 9-year-old boy. Penelope and her family reside in Rhode Island. Connect with Penelope Ward: Stalk Her: Facebook | Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Private Fan Group Additional Books by Penelope Ward
RoomHate: Amazon: http://amzn.to/294lIeT iBooks: http://apple.co/1PgsvE7 Nook: http://bit.ly/1PLGnSL kobo: http://bit.ly/1POvSnW Stuck-Up Suit: (co-written with Vi Keeland) Amazon: http://amzn.to/1S3LnpZ iBooks: http://apple.co/1Qbwy57 B&N: http://bit.ly/29vrQhV Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/stuck-up-suit Cocky Bastard: (co-written with Vi Keeland) Amazon: http://amzn.to/1MvHLg2 iBooks: http://apple.co/1PffE2J Nook: http://bit.ly/1EjxNpY Kobo: http://bit.ly/1UxCSUO Sins of Sevin: Amazon: http://amzn.to/1F9tbc3 iBooks: http://apple.co/1K8mzGg Nook: http://bit.ly/1hTKAKE kobo: http://bit.ly/1OaGY3D Stepbrother Dearest: Amazon: http://amzn.to/1mFNMeg Nook: http://bit.ly/1taMFjG iBooks: http://bit.ly/YER0mT kobo: http://bit.ly/1fJaaBs Jake Undone (Jake #1): Amazon: http://amzn.to/1dJrHBC Nook: http://bit.ly/1obAwJ6 iBooks: http://apple.co/1fJayQ8 kobo: http://bit.ly/1SPKl0M My Skylar Amazon: http://amzn.to/1obOG2F Nook: http://bit.ly/SLO1qi iBooks: http://bit.ly/SLNOTR kobo: http://bit.ly/1kNrtAB Jake Understood (Jake #2): Amazon: http://amzn.to/1GFdves Nook: http://bit.ly/1FwJC0z iBooks: http://apple.co/1DQQwgC kobo: http://bit.ly/1LQ7Fvk Gemini: Amazon: http://amzn.to/1vgk1SE Nook: http://bit.ly/1KfmLHD iBooks: http://apple.co/1QTaONj kobo: http://bit.ly/1BGJ2wu
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PLAYBOY PILOT (A standalone novel) A Contemporary Romance novel New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Authors Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland  Playboy Pilot releases on September 19th! iBooks exclusive pre-order: http://apple.co/1rGw4LB Paperback pre-order: http://amzn.to/23I1Wez Add Playboy Pilot to your TBR list on Goodreads! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29533192-playboy-pilot Sign up for Penelope & Vi’s mailing list now and be the first one notified of releases! http://eepurl.com/brAPo9  Blurb From the New York Times bestselling authors of Stuck-Up Suit and Cocky Bastard, comes a sexy new standalone novel. Money or love? Which would you choose? You probably just answered the question in your head thinking it's an easy decision. For me, it's not. Did I mention it's a lot of money? A hell of a lot. I needed to go far away to think it through. As I embarked on an impulsive trip, I hit a detour when I met sexy Carter in the airport lounge. We struck up a heated conversation. Then, he left. I thought I'd never see him again. But fate had other plans. Surprise! He was the pilot of my flight. The bigger surprise was the adventure that followed after the plane landed. Carter was dangerous and always on the move. Even though our connection was magnetic, I knew it was only temporary. He would give me tickets, and I would follow him around the world to exotic places. A bevvy of flight attendant exes and rumors about Carter's reputation were never far behind. I didn't know what to believe. But I was addicted. Nothing else mattered anymore. And I was going to get hurt. Because a part of me wanted to be the one to finally ground the playboy pilot. At the very least, he was taking me on a thrilling ride. All good things must come to an end, right? Except our ending was one I didn't see coming. About the Author  Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn't change for the world. She is an attorney and a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today Best Selling author. Over the last three years, eleven of her titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestseller lists and four on the New York Times Bestseller lists. Website | Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Pinterest About the Author: Penelope Ward  Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 11-year-old girl with autism (the inspiration for the character Callie in Gemini) and a 9-year-old boy, both of whom are the lights of her life. Penelope, her husband and kids reside in Rhode Island. She is the author of RoomHate and Stepbrother Dearest, which hit #2 and #3 on the New York Times bestseller list respectively. Other works include the New York Times bestseller Cocky Bastard (co-written with Vi Keeland), Sins of Sevin, My Skylar, Jake Undone, Jake Understood and Gemini. Stalk Her: Facebook | Website | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads | Private Fan Group Other books from Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward
Stuck-Up Suit Amazon: http:// http://amzn.to/1VK66ll iBooks: http://apple.co/1Qbwy57 B&N: http:// bit.ly/1UC8wDC Kobo: http:// bit.ly/1RJdUif Cocky Bastard Amazon ➜ http://amzn.to/1LfN3fc iTunes ➜ http://apple.co/1PffE2J Kobo ➜ http://bit.ly/1UxCSUO B&N ➜ http://bit.ly/1EjxNpY Other books from Vi Keeland Life on Stage series (2 standalone books) Beat http://www.amazon.com/Beat-Vi-Keeland-ebook/dp/B00ZOMUV12/ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beat-vi-keeland/1121715501 https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/beat/id983959123 https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/beat-5 Throb http://www.amazon.com/Throb-Vi-Keeland-ebook/dp/B00SS2RYBU http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/throb-vi-keeland/1121112695 https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/throb-4 https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/throb/id948747986 MMA Fighter series (3 standalone books) Worth the Fight http://www.amazon.com/Worth-Fight-Vi-Keeland-ebook/dp/B00FLG5B9S http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/worth-the-fight-vi-keeland/1117014180 http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/worth-the-fight https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/worth-the-fight/id805540252 Worth the Chance http://www.amazon.com/Worth-Chance-Vi-Keeland-ebook/dp/B00I2UKQOK http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/worth-the-chance-vi-keeland/1118634058 https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/worth-the-chance/id813714461 http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/worth-the-chance Worth Forgiving http://www.amazon.com/Worth-Forgiving-Vi-Keeland-ebook/dp/B00MWL78EG http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/worth-forgiving-vi-keeland/1120173153 http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/worth-forgiving https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/worth-forgiving/id906130022?ls=1&mt=11 The Cole Series (2 book serial) Belong to You http://www.amazon.com/Belong-You-A-Cole-Novel-ebook/dp/B00BUTCXLE/ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/belong-to-you-vi-keeland/1114962845 https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/belong-to-you/id639401754 http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/belong-to-you Made for You http://www.amazon.com/Made-You-A-Cole-Novel-ebook/dp/B00DPWVKS6 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/made-for-you-vi-keeland/1115883225 https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/made-for-you/id84550637 http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/belong-to-you Standalone novels The Baller Amazon ➜ amzn.to/1PBF2hG iBooks ➜ http://bit.ly/iBooksBaller B&N ➜ http:// bit.ly/BarnesBaller Kobo ➜ http:// bit.ly/KoboBaller Google Play ➜ http:// bit.ly/GoogleBaller Left Behind (A Young Adult Novel) http://www.amazon.com/Left-Behind-Vi-Keeland-ebook/dp/B00OJM92LI/ First Thing I See http://www.amazon.com/First-Thing-See-Vi-Keeland-ebook/dp/B00AWXY3HG http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/first-thing-i-see-ms-vi-keeland/1114703332 Other books from Penelope Ward RoomHate Amazon: http://amzn.to/1TksrpE iBooks: http://apple.co/1PgsvE7 kobo: http://bit.ly/1POvSnW Nook: http://bit.ly/1PLGnSL Sins of Sevin Amazon: http://amzn.to/1F9tbc3 iTunes: http://apple.co/1K8mzGg B&N: http://bit.ly/1hTKAKE kobo: http://bit.ly/1OaGY3D Stepbrother Dearest Amazon http://amzn.to/1mFNMeg B&N: http://bit.ly/1taMFjG ITunes: http://bit.ly/YER0mT kobo: http://bit.ly/1fJaaBs Gemini Amazon: http://amzn.to/1vgk1SE B&N: http://bit.ly/1KfmLHD iTunes: http://apple.co/1QTaONj kobo: http://bit.ly/1BGJ2wu Jake Undone (Jake #1) Amazon: http://amzn.to/1dJrHBC B&N: http://bit.ly/1obAwJ6 iTunes: http://apple.co/1fJayQ8 kobo: http://bit.ly/1SPKl0M My Skylar Amazon: http://amzn.to/1obOG2F B&N: http://bit.ly/SLO1qi iTunes: http://bit.ly/SLNOTR kobo: http://bit.ly/1kNrtAB Jake Understood (Jake #2) Amazon: http://amzn.to/1GFdves B&N: http://bit.ly/1FwJC0z iTunes: http://apple.co/1DQQwgC kobo: http://bit.ly/1LQ7Fvk |
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