We have got another fantastic book from LB Simmons and you will want to add this incredible story to your TBR list! Under the Influence is a beautiful story of love, hardship, betrayal, and hope. Check out more about the book, Tina’s Thoughts, check out some fun teasers, read an excerpt, and get ready for an awesome story!

Under the Influence
L.B. Simmons
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
Release Date: May 11, 2015

Dalton,

I loved you once. A love I thought irrevocable. A love I mistakenly believed could transcend both time and circumstance. Under the influence of my dimwitted, naïve, traitorous heart, I became intoxicated with what I now know was simply a figment of my self-indulgent imagination. So drunk on the feeling, I couldn’t see what was right in front of my face. So foolishly enamored, I blindly followed my heart into the depths of an emotion that would ravage me.

Years later, I know now what I wish I knew then. I am stronger. Smarter. Tougher. I will not allow myself to be broken again.

I loved you.
I raged for you.
I wept for you.

And now, I’m letting you go.

Author’s Note:  Under the Influence is the journey of two childhood friends that spans the course of five pivotal years in their lives. It is a story about their discovery of true friendship as it blossoms into first love, their experience of crucial sacrifice and ultimate betrayal, and their endurance of agonizing heartbreak on the way to finding lasting redemption.

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L.B. Simmons has an incredible talent for writing stories that draw you in and grip your heart. Under the Influence is a powerful story about rising above your situation and learning to heal from the past. It was a beautiful story of hope, tragedy, love, and second chances. This book is one that will stay with you long after you finish the last paragraph. I loved reading about Dalton and Spencer, seeing the world from their vantage point and learning what they would do to love and cherish one another.

This book deals with some pretty heavy issues. First off we see many instances of domestic violence, abuse, drug trafficking, and the deep scarring that results from those moments of hurt. It is hard to read some of the things that happen in this book: to see the world through the eyes of broken characters; yet that world view is what causes your heart to connect so deeply with the story. I would encourage you not to shy away from the pain that you read but instead allow your heart to weep with the people you meet in this story. I found my eyes watering so many times when stories of pain and abuse were shared. These stories had the capability of turning this story into one of despair but instead, L.B. takes the pain and portrays it in moments of hope and healing, allowing the reader a moment to breathe and hope for a brighter future.

This book is a story about true love and ultimate sacrifice. There are so many different types of love. There is love from a parent, love from friends, and the romantic kind of love. Each of those different types weaves together a beautiful story that will touch your heart. Each sacrifice made is one with the best intentions, despite the pain it may cause. Dalton and Spencer’s story is filled with so many ups and downs but one things remains the same: these two characters are knit together, their souls are joined, and there is nothing that can sever that connection.

Spencer is such an incredible lead character. She is the heroine of her own story. She is a fighter and a survivor. Watching her with her mom is so sweet, a beautiful familial relationship. Seeing her friendship with Cassie allows us to see a young heart and carefree girl. Her relationship with Dalton brings out a fierce love and protective spirit, one that at a young age is able to move mountains. She is smart, kind, selfless, and beautiful. Her past makes her stronger and her future is bright with possibilities. Dalton is the one she is meant to save from himself. Their relationship is deep and rich- giving them both something to fight for when things seem completely hopeless.

Dalton is a warrior. He fights for the thing he wants most- Spencer. I loved watching him make the hard decisions he did and his commitment to follow through. His past is scaring and his future is uncertain, but his love for Spencer never wavers and this is one of the most powerful themes in the story. He will do whatever it takes to make the world a better place for her and he uses his life to reiterate that very thing.

This story sheds a light on some rather daunting subject matter but it always gives us a glimmer of what could be and a reason to fight alongside those we meet in the pages of this book. This story opens the reader’s eyes to a world of pain and the deepest depravity of human nature but allows us to see hope, healing, and justice within the chaos. I loved this story so much and I cannot wait to see where L.B. Simmons will take my heart next time.

Spencer POV:

Dalton’s voice is thick as he begins to speak. “I’m sorry, Spence. I know I hurt you—”

I shake my head dismissively. “You didn’t hurt me. I’m just tired.”

The corners of his mouth dip downward and he lifts his hand, placing his palm against my cheek and swiping the moisture with his thumb. My heart would typically melt at the tenderness of the gesture, but now I find it only aggravates me. I narrow my eyes and shove his hand away from my face.

“Don’t do that. Don’t do something you don’t mean.”

Channeling my sorrow, anger begins to churn as I step away and turn my back on him. My bare feet carry me to the wooden rail that lines my porch and I brace my good hand against it, leaning forward and inhaling deeply.

Dalton growls with frustration. “What the fuck? Of course I mean it. The last thing I want to do is hurt you, Spence. I’m trying to apologize here.”

I laugh humorlessly and turn to face him. “For what, exactly? For stalking me on my date tonight?”

His blue eyes now heat with a different emotion as they slice to mine. “The date in which you were being manhandled by some fucking loser who asked you out for no other reason than to get back at me?” He scoffs openly. “You should be thanking me.”

I cease the fight to hold back my tears, permitting them to flow freely as I respond. “I handled it, did I not? I don’t need you to protect me, Dalton. I can take care of myself.”

He chuckles, unsmiling, as he removes his cap and throws it to the ground, dragging his fingers through his hair in irritation. My glare hardens as I continue my rant.

“And yes, he asked me out to get back at you. Are you apologizing for that? Or are you apologizing for the fact that because of your stupid crusade against me dating anyone EVER, I was so excited to be asked out that I accepted a date with said fucking loser because I wanted to know what it would be like to actually be wanted for once?” Not entirely true, but true enough to make my point.

My breaths are heavy and my pulse is thrumming rapidly through my entire body. I angrily wipe away the tears as I inquire, “Why is that, Dalton? Why is it that you don’t want me, but no one else is allowed to have me?” I shake my head in frustration as I stumble on my words. “I just…I don’t understand.” My voice trembles and my chin quivers with the admission.

Dalton heavy boots sound as he stalks across the porch. I avert my gaze, but once he’s in front of me, he curls his fingers around my chin and pulls my face into his line of sight. His eyes burn into mine as they narrow in earnest. “You think I don’t want you? Goddamn it, Spencer,” he bites, “I want you so much I can’t fucking breathe when I’m not with you. Every single time I force myself to walk away from you, I feel nothing but agony as the anger that simmers here,” he breaks to pound his closed fist on his chest, “breaks free and chars my insides with each step I take.”

His eyes begin to glisten and his jaw tightens as he shakes his head. “I can’t fucking breathe without you, don’t you get it? I want you so much that being without you is absolute torture.”

He swallows deeply and moisture seeps from my eyes at the sight of his exposed emotion as he continues. “I want you, Spence, but I can’t have you. I won’t allow it. You’re too good, too pure, too innocent, and just as your presence soothes me, mine will eventually flaw you. It’s inevitable, and I care too much for you to let that happen.”

I watch a lone tear fall from the corner of his eye before he concludes, “But you’re right. Even thinking about you with someone else, with someone else’s arms around you as you look into their eyes the same way you’re looking into mine right now, I just…” He casts his stare downward and shakes his head. “I just can’t. So I guess I’m just a selfish, heartless prick, because where does that leave you?”

The tear finally falls free from his chin, and I watch it strike the wood beneath our feet before placing my hands on the side of his face and forcing his eyes to mine. My voice trembles as I speak. “I know you like to control things, Dalton. That’s how you’ve learned to cope and I understand that, but you don’t control me. My feelings. My heart. And even though you feel you don’t deserve those things, that they’re not yours to have, you’re mistaken.”

I tighten my grip as he tries to look away and state with emphasis, “You ask where that leaves me? Well, it leaves me right in the same place, on this same porch, as I was six years ago when I met you. The day that all of those things you think you can’t have I willingly handed over without question.”

Releasing my hold, I turn away from him, knowing his refusal will absolutely destroy me as I state into the night air, “I have always belonged to you. I will always belong to you.  Regardless of what you’ve done, what you do, or what you will do, I will forever be yours. And that’s my choice to make, whether you choose me or not.”

L.B. Simmons is a graduate of Texas A&M University and holds a degree in Biomedical Science. She has been a practicing Chemist for the last 11 years. She lives with her husband and three daughters in Texas and writes every chance she gets. Make sure to sign-up HERE for L. B Simmons newsletter for exclusive teasers.

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