SYNOPSIS:
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.
Review by: Tatia
The title of this book could not be better because once you start reading, you'll continue to feel under the influence of the characters and this story. It's such an original plot, and I don't know anyone who could do it better than L.B. herself. There are twists and turns that you never see coming along with a heroine you can't help but love, and a bad-boy hero that you immediately fall for.
Spencer and Dalton are two peas in a pod. They have so much in common that they don't even know about each other. They meet when Dalton was brought to Spencer's house while in the foster system. They became best friends from the very beginning.
Spencer has the most upbeat personality. She doesn't let anything or anyone get to her...well, there is one person. But she is what everyone looks for in a BF. She's fiercely loyal, looks past all of you faults, and see you for what is in your heart. She just has this way of making those close to her want to be better. Who wouldn't want her around?
Dalton, I'm not sure what to say about him. He has many sides to him, many that most don't even know about. He has to shield those he loves from certain aspects in his life for their safety, plus, who wants someone with blood on their hands? He can be very protective, defending those that need it. But he has a darker side, one that he doesn't want getting out. When situations arise that push the limits, how will he protect those closest to him?
Under the Influence will have you guessing at what's to come. You'll love every minute of this captivating story!
Spencer and Dalton are two peas in a pod. They have so much in common that they don't even know about each other. They meet when Dalton was brought to Spencer's house while in the foster system. They became best friends from the very beginning.
Spencer has the most upbeat personality. She doesn't let anything or anyone get to her...well, there is one person. But she is what everyone looks for in a BF. She's fiercely loyal, looks past all of you faults, and see you for what is in your heart. She just has this way of making those close to her want to be better. Who wouldn't want her around?
Dalton, I'm not sure what to say about him. He has many sides to him, many that most don't even know about. He has to shield those he loves from certain aspects in his life for their safety, plus, who wants someone with blood on their hands? He can be very protective, defending those that need it. But he has a darker side, one that he doesn't want getting out. When situations arise that push the limits, how will he protect those closest to him?
Under the Influence will have you guessing at what's to come. You'll love every minute of this captivating story!
5 Stars
EXCERPT
Spencer POV:
Cassie maintains her wide smile. “You go on a date and I guarantee what you find regarding Dalton and his feelings will surprise you.”
“Cassie. No one wants to go out on a date with me. Trust me.”
She shakes her head before she busts out laughing. The ridiculous sound of it reverberates around my room. “You really have no idea, do you? Every guy at school has a hard-on for you, you fool. They’re fucking scared to come within even ten feet of you because of Dalton. He let it be known that if they did, he would deal with them.”
“Oh my God! You have no idea what you’re talking about!” I’m laughing outright now. She really has lost her mind.
She shakes her head, the severity of her statement tightening her features. “I’m totally serious, Spence. I swear on my Kindle.”
At this, I take a sharp breath and sober immediately. To Cassie, her Kindle is sacred as the Bible.
She nods slowly, dramatically, as she watches me grasp the meaning of her statement. Right hand raised, she states, “On the over-abundance of trashy romance novels within my possession, I solemnly swear that before Dalton graduated, he straight-up took out a vendetta against any male in our school who dares approach you.”
“He did what?!” I screech, pressing myself off the bed and catapulting into upright position.
Anger ignites and my face heats wildly as realization dawns.
This whole year, in fact, the entire four years of high school, no one has looked at me. No one has asked me to come to parties, to go on dates, to go to prom. Not that I would go, but it would be nice to be asked, you know? Okay, I probably would go. I mean, it’s a rite of passage, right?
Two black painted fingernails make their appearance as they snap directly in front of my face, jolting me out of my inner thoughts.
“Hooker! Pay attention!”
I shake my head and refocus. Still seething, I whisper, “This whole time, I thought it was me. That I wasn’t dating material or pretty enough. Four years, Cass. Four years of feeling like I wasn’t good enough.” My molars grind together. “It all makes sense now.”
She waves her hand dismissively. “We’re getting off track here.”
My eyes bulge as she continues, “I have found someone who, luckily for you, seems to have recently acquired a death wish.”
Author Bio:
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.
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