BLOG TOUR & REVIEW: Purple Rain - T.J. West

Purple Rain Blog Tour

Title: Purple Rain

By: TJ West

Blog Tour: September 12^th – 18^th

Hosted By: Author Sandra Love

Sandy Brooks was a single mom who was raising a young boy with High Functioning Autism. She left her home state, Seattle, Washington and moved to sunny San Diego, California to start a new life for her and her son, Joey. She was determined to make it on her own with the goal of keeping her son happy and well cared for. She may have dated a few men in her days, but wasn’t out to have a man take over her life. She couldn’t trust her relationships to last, because Joey’s feelings were at stake. No one would hurt him. He was her life and was the most important person in it - Until the day she met Quinn Baker - the man who would rock her world. 

Quinn Baker was a quiet, maddening loner. Having a past that has haunted him for 17 years he was in no shape to take over his Father’s restaurant, Reds. So much pain and anger was still implanted inside his heart, he wasn’t sure coming back to San Diego would make things better. Not feeling love or compassion for many years he never would have thought Sandy would be the one who would take over his mind, body and soul. Along with Sandy would be her son, Joey - a boy who would give him a reason to love again

Purchase Purple Rain

★★★★

4 Purple Rain Stars!

ARC received for an honest review

The second book in The Rain Series, Purple Rain is a touching and inspiring story of a single mother who works and does her best to provide for her son who has High Functioning Autism while also finding that one person to not only love her but also her son.

"I was a single mom whose son was only ten, and had High Functioning Autism. My son needs routine, emotional support, a stable life. Anyone who was important to me would meet him -- I haven't found that person yet."

Ever since Sandy's son, Joey, was born, it has always been just the two of them. It was admirable how Sandy stood up for herself and for her son. She was independent and maybe a tad proud to rely on any help but she was a tough young woman and though she struggled at first to keep a roof above their heads, she managed to thrive through it all. Alone. How she takes care of Joey shows how much she loves her son and would do anything for him. A mother's love at its finest.

Only a few months after Joey was born, they left her unsupportive parent in Seattle and came to California to start anew. She was lucky to get hired as a waitress at Reds after a month of just spending time with her son. It also helped that the owner of the bar was a kind-hearted man who not only cares for her but also Joey. Kind of like a father-figure for her and a grandpa to her son. I'm happy that she gets to have that in her life. Having parents who are not there to back you up and give you support you need is kind of sucky, and not just financially but more importantly, emotionally. Thank heavens for her neighbor, Vivian, and of course, Red. They were like grandparents to her and Joey. 

But as happy as Sandy is with her current set-up in life, she still wants more. She wants to make sure and build a good future for Joey and working as a waitress and solely relying on a single income since she doesn't have a special someone to share all aspects of her and Joey's life. She's counting on the managerial promotion that Red promised her and now, Red's son is about to takeover the bar and Sandy's promotion went from 100% sure to 0%.

Nobody has met Red's son, Quinn. No one knows how he is as a person, more so as a future boss. So when he came to the bar all brooding and cocky, he didn't make a good impression to the employees. But Sandy was tough (I mentioned that already, right?), she didn't take Quinn's curt attitude lightly and stood up for herself and the other employees as well. She called out on his BS and showed their new boss that she's not to be knocked around.

Quinn, oh Quinn. As arrogant he was at first, he was actually as kind-hearted as his dad is and that there is something more to his not-so-likable attitude that he shows everyone. His story was sad but not depressing, he's a guy carrying around his guilt and grief which resulted to not-so-smart decisions. I love him though. I love that he didn't pussyfoot with his attraction to Sandy. I love how wonderful he is with Joey. I love how protective he is and how he shows his love to mother and son by being supportive, a rock to lean on.

But every relationship has its own bumps along the way, right? Sandy and Quinn were no different. As a couple, they had a lot to learn from each other especially since they have both been out of practice when it comes to having a committed partner in life. It was a process and it was a good one. And it's not just about them too, it was about their families, the decisions they make and whether these decisions and their actions are going to be something they would be proud of or regret in the future.

This is my first T.J. West read and I'm sure this isn't going to be the last.

Stars: 4 stars!

POV: First person. Dual POV.

Series: Yes. Standalone.

EXTRA COMMENT: Tears, there were also tears shed in this book and it caught me off guard. Loved it nonetheless!

About the Author

It's very simple: I'm a Stay at home Mom of two awesome kids. My son is in High School and my daughter is in Middle School - Been married for 15yrs ...
I'm a very involved parent who has been on the schools PTA's, PTSA's for many many years and have always enjoyed being their advocate!
Reading is my ULTIMATE favorite thing to do and writing has always been a secret passion of mine. Until recently I've been able to reach for the stars and write a simple story and make it into something I never thought I could ever do.

I love TV - lots and lots of TV! I watch many shows! I love movies, hanging with my awesome friends - bookclubs, cocktail nights...And I love being with my sister and family..

 Follow TJ

http://www.amazon.com/TJWEST/e/B00KXHTWMC

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8024842.T_J_West

https://www.facebook.com/NovRainSeries

First Book in the Series!

Marty Mayfield fell in love at the tender age of 16 to Matt Cooper. He was her world until the day he left to go into the Air Force. From many letters she had written and mailed, responses from Matt never came. Her world felt destroyed and lonely. After graduating high school she moved to Paris and lived there for 12 years. During her years of living there she met the man she thought could replace Matt. Turned out her years in Paris brought nothing but pain, loss and suffering.

Making a fresh start from her wounded past she makes her way to San Diego, California where she ends up finding the one person who had always made her feel whole. Will she be able to get past her scars and give Matt her whole heart again? Will she be able to forgive him for leaving her hopeless? Denying her love for him will be a struggle, sexually and emotionally.

Matt Cooper was the black sheep of his family. He wanted nothing more than to play music and live outside his father’s influence within the Air Force. Having no other choice, he took that road and left the one girl who loved him unconditionally. Regretting his decision for not writing Marty back, he continued to serve his country. Years later, after retiring, he started living his dream in San Diego, but the loneliness was always there. His heart had always been with Marty. He couldn’t get past the thought of ever living without her. Feeling like he came out of years of a coma she enters his life again. He felt his love for her immediately and more stronger than ever. Getting her to trust him again will be a battle, but he was never going to give up. He was determined to keep her in his life forever.

Purchase November Rain