Emerald City by Alicia Leppert + GIVEAWAY!

Olivia Tate is a broken shell of a girl haunted by the tragic events that fill her past. She has closed herself off from the world, each day grasping at something—anything—to live for. Convinced there will never be a way out, she seeks solace in the depths of her medicine cabinet. When she wakes up days later in the hospital she is introduced to Jude, the quiet stranger responsible for saving her life. She never could have guessed then that her mysterious rescuer would end up saving her life a second time, while simultaneously turning her world upside down. A modern-day romance with a twist, Emerald City has a little bit of something for everyone!

I'm so happy to be a part of the blog tour for Emerald City!  My thanks to Cedar Fort for allowing me to participate and for providing for the giveaway.  Cedar Fort is an awesome publisher to work with.  

Doesn't Emerald City have a pretty cover?  I really like it.  The line on the front is so true, too.  I think that one line is perfect for the story of Emerald City.

I think I forgot what this book was about in the time between when I signed up for the blog tour and the day I actually read the book.  I was a bit surprised when I started reading it.  It wasn't what I was expecting.  That's not a bad thing.  I kinda like good book surprises.  :)  

I would call this book "real life drama with a paranormal twist".  Olivia has been dealt a sad and difficult hand in life.  Her story is really heart breaking.  I felt so much sympathy for her.  She was so sad and lonely.  Her life had become almost no life at all as she was wasting away to nothing.  Which leads me to my favorite thing about this book.  In her darkest, worst moment, someone steps in with some light.  A small kindness, followed by another, followed by another that ends up making all the difference in the world to Olivia.  Isn't that what can make all the difference to any of us on any given hard day?  A small kindness can change everything.

Olivia goes from a shell of a person to someone who believes she can maybe survive.  Then when she is surviving, she starts to believe that maybe she can find some happiness somewhere.  It starts a chain of events that move Olivia to a better place.  A place where love is found.

I loved the transformation for Olivia.  I love that she found hope and light and love of life again.  Of course Jude, the rescuer and friend, is at the center of Olivia's transformation.  He ultimately shows us how showing kindness and love can change a person's whole life.  What a good, good man.  <sigh>  Jude.  (that was my romantic heart sighing)  At first I was like, "what's up with Jude?!"  And then a bit later I said, "Oh, that's what's up with Jude."  Just wait until you find out what's up with Jude.  :)

So, if you'd like to read Emerald City, enter the giveaway!  Cedar Fort will be giving away a copy of Emerald City ~ ebook to INT readers, print or ebook to US readers.  To enter just leave a comment with your email address.  Giveaway ends March 15th.

Here is a link that will take you to the author, Alicia Leppert's, website.  You should pop over there and check her out.  She tells a very funny story there about bidding for her new book on ebay.  It is classic.  You can also find her on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.