Out Of Focus by LB Simmons Blog Tour!
*** Upper New Adult Spinoff Standalone to
the USA Today Bestselling Novel, Under the Influence***
“Shhhh, Cassandra, it’s our little secret.”
Secrets are stubborn things when they
refuse to remain hidden. They tear through your soul, clawing and lashing until
the pain becomes so unbearable, you’re left no choice but to silently scream
your agony. No one hears you, of course. You smile on the outside and drift
through life as though your mind is at peace, but all the while, you remain
your own tortured prisoner. Sealed inside the darkened, soundproof room of your
conscience, deafening cries echo as you plead for someone to unlock the door
and release you from your nightmares. And eventually, when no one comes, you
find ways to cope. To dull the suffering the only way you know how.
But what happens when you’ve become so
numb, when everything around you has become so blurred, that you begin to lose focus
on the saving grace standing directly in front of you? When you’ve anesthetized
yourself to the point of losing consciousness, forced to watch as his once
solid image fades away, lost to your reach in the haze as it smothers you?
What do you do then?
You fight. You heal. Then you bring him
back.
Well, my name is Cassie Cooper, and it’s
time.
No more secrets.
This is my story.
***WARNING
- The subject matter of this novel centers around the psychological effects due
to sexual abuse experienced during childhood. For this reason, as well as
sexual situations, language, and adult themes, suggested reading age is 17+.***
BUY
LINK:
GOODREADS:
I loved LB's other books! They are so emotionally driven with a captivating plot and a unique storyline. This book is exactly the same!
Out of Focus had me sitting on the edge of my seat until I was finished the book. I was unable to do anything else until I knew what was going to happen in the end.
Cassie is a character who was such an incredible experience to read about. Her storyline is such a powerful one. Yes, she has gone through some horrible things, yet the story comes out strong.
4.5/5 Stars!
EXCERPT
“You’ve been watching my apartment?”
Grady’s mouth quirks and when my eyes
fall directly to his perfect lips, the heat from before resurges between us. I
swallow deeply as he slowly inches forward, the warmth of his body searing my
skin as he hovers near me. Then those lips pass my own to land on the shell of
my ear before he whispers, “My men
watch your apartment.”
He chuckles and his heated breaths fan
my ear, sending a wave of goosebumps rising along my skin. “For the first time
in my career, I was forced to take myself
off surveillance. Because while my main objective was to keep an eye on
your surroundings, all I could focus on was beautiful, irresistible you. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from you, and
because of that, my involvement was compromised.”
By this point, I’m no longer breathing,
so as soon as he retracts his presence and is once again relaxing in his chair,
a whoosh of air enters my lungs. After drawing a long breath in and releasing
it, I do the only thing I can do.
I blink.
Grady chuckles.
I blink again.
Then I clear my throat and break my
one-question rule, again. “Exactly how
long have you been watching me?”
Grady leans forward, pressing his
forearms on his thighs and lacing his hands so they dangle between his knees.
Then he opens his mouth and completely blows my mind.
“I’ve been watching you long enough to
know something broke you. Something you keep hidden, something that weighs on your
soul. You pretend, but your eyes betray you. There’s pain hidden within them,
but when you smile, really smile, the
pain is gone and you’re you. Not the
person you pretend to be. And like I said earlier, I find that very
interesting. I want to know what makes you smile, how to make you smile, and
how to keep that smile a permanent fixture on that gorgeous face of yours. And
more importantly, I want to know why you feel unworthy of that smile, and how
to fix that too.”
He gives me a crooked grin and shakes
his head. “I guess what I’m saying, is I would very much like the chance to get
to know you, if you’ll let me.”
I blink, then swallow. Because once
again, there is nothing I can say that could ever match that.
He laughs silently, gorgeous smile on
full display, then extends his hand. “Do you trust me?”
Trust. It’s another one of those small
words that carries such profound meaning.
I trusted once.
And it was that trust that broke me.
I dared to trust a second time.
And the evil hands of Silas Kincaid slaughtered that.
I don’t know if I have it in me to trust
a third time. I really don’t. Not with someone who makes me laugh, or someone
who makes me feel things completely unprecedented. Someone who without a doubt
carries the power to completely shatter me.
Right on cue, voices slither through my
mind, screaming their protest. Their
warnings.
Only Spencer deserves light and sunshine.
Not you, Cassandra. Never for you.
You will always be alone.
All alone.
As you deserve.
I look away to the empty chairs across
the table.
The voices rejoice in their victory
while the obvious fact in front of me slices another gash in my chest.
I’m all alone.
Grady’s voice is barely heard about
their yelling. But soon, the soothing tenor enters my mind and stifles their
screams. “Don’t get lost in that head of yours. I’m right here. Focus on me.”
I tear my gaze away from the chairs to
find myself immersed in a beautiful sapphire stare, so earnest and sincere as
his outreached hand remains, waiting for me to find the courage to take hold.
My chin trembles and moisture coats my eyes. I swallow and allow his stare to
fortify me as I attempt to will the voices away.
I’m so tired of pretending.
And maybe it’s the prolonged exhaustion,
but as I root myself into those damn eyes, I find myself succumbing to their
comfort.
I know I cannot fully grant his request.
Or can I?
As I search deep within myself, I find
there’s just not enough courage left in my reserve.
But still, I want.
But you don’t deserve that. You never have.
I want.
But you can’t have.
God, do I want.
Inhaling deeply, I hold his gaze and
after several heavy seconds, I finally release my breath. My arm reaches
forward, and as his hand wraps around mine, I revel in its warmth. It travels
through my body and its heat settles in my cheeks. I narrow my eyes, but decide
in this moment, I will give him all I can give. “I want to trust you.”
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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