Bethany Winters

VIOLET He’s spent the last seven months in prison for assaulting the guy who hit on me. I’ve spent the last seven months wishing I could forget about him. I ignored my parents and friends when they told me he was bad for me. I loved him in spite of his crazy. Maybe even because of it. But when the cops dragged him away that night, I decided I needed to do whatever it takes to get over him. I ignored his calls, refused to visit him and pretended he didn’t exist. I froze him out, hoping that would be enough to get him to leave me alone. It wasn’t enough. ATTICUS She’s all I’ve thought about for months. The entire time I was locked up, I was out of my mind thinking about her alone out here without my protection. Not being able to see or speak to her almost killed me, but I survived. Barely. She thinks ignoring me will get me to disappear, but she should know me better than that. It’s Joker Night—my first night of freedom—and I plan on making her pay for what she did. Right before I do whatever it takes to remind her how much she loves me. Living a life with me won’t be easy. I know this. But living one without me just isn’t in the cards for her. I’m taking my girl back and keeping her this time. This is a 21,000 word novella with themes some readers might find offensive. It is book 1 of the Joker Night series but can be read as a complete standalone.

JORDYN My life’s been laid out for me since before I was born. Graduate high school, marry the mayor’s son, get my degree and take over my mother’s company. I don’t want it – I don’t want any of it – but I’d never say that out loud. Girls like me aren’t supposed to speak our minds. We’re supposed to smile and look pretty and do as we’re told without argument. I keep my mouth shut for an easy life. A boring life. But then I meet him. Xander Reid doesn’t follow rules. He’s a cocky bad boy with a devil may care attitude and a tongue bar I can’t stop staring at. He treats life like a game and dares me to play with him. And even though I know he's bad for me, I’m not sure how much longer I can resist. XANDER Lakewood is supposed to be a punishment. A way to fix me and my unusual take on life. Seven months before the end of my senior year, my parents ship me off to live in a strange town with a family I barely know and a private school full of entitled rich kids. They seem to forget change doesn’t bother me. I get bored easily, can’t sit still for five minutes and nothing holds my attention. But then I meet her. Jordyn James isn’t as innocent as she makes out to be. She’s a bad girl trapped in a life fit for a princess, desperate for freedom from the chains that hold her back. Making her mine just might be the worst thing I’ve ever done, and yet I regret nothing. This is a full length, opposites attract romance with themes some readers might find offensive. Complete standalone with a HEA and no cliffhanger.

I’ve never hated anyone as much as I hate him. The day my sister died, I told her best friend I never wanted to see him again, and I meant it. I lost her because of him. Everything I used to care about means nothing now because of him. It’s all because of him. So when he shows up on my driveway two years later and tells me he’s moving in with me for his freshman year of college, I kick his ass and tell him to disappear. For good this time. But I already know the defiant little brat’s not gonna listen. He never does. Being near him again makes me crazy. I’m supposed to be the college basketball star my father raised me to be, but now I’m focused on a new game. I’m obsessed with watching him, touching him, breaking him. His body, his head, his heart, anything I can get my hands on… I’m gonna take it all until he’s got nothing left. And even though he knows exactly what I’m doing to him, he’s gonna let me do it anyway.

In a small town like ours, you’re either straight or you keep your mouth shut. Being gay would be dirty. Touching the guy who’s been your stepbrother since you were three would be dirty. Falling in love with him would be even worse. I protect him because it’s my job. I resist him because I have to. But when one night leads to two and two nights lead to more, lines are blurred and morals are tossed and my sanity takes a walk. Now we’re risking everything we have for something we know we shouldn’t want. And the only thing we’ll have left is each other.