Today we welcome Alicia K. Leppert

author of

EMERALD CITY

She is on a blog tour hosted by 

Cedar Fort Publishing

about the book:

synopsis (Goodreads)

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.

MY REVIEW

This is the story of Olivia and Jude.  The book begins with a very sad, serious mood.  Olivia has lost her mother.  She cocoons herself in pain and allows no one inside to help.  Initially, I didn't like the character of Olivia.  I felt she was too full of self pity.  

Well, in comes a knight in shining armor in the form of one Jude.  He is a neighbor who bursts into Olivias world and rescues her from the bleak depression that is her life.  Jude is immediately lovable.  A character you cannot help but smile at.  Through his patience and love, he is able to bring Olivia out of her cocoon and help her not only live again, but love.

Ms. Leppert is able to accurately convey the depths of Olivia's depression.  No small feat.  It takes amazing talent to make the reader understand the emotions of the main character.  Ms. Leppert does this with ease and style.  

We see Olivia grow emotionally.  This is a very sweet and tender romance.

Jude, however, has secrets.  (You didn't think this was just a simple romance did you?)

Jude's secrets are not revealed to Olivia.  A perfect setup for a sequel.

I loved watching Olivia grow.  As I stated, I did not care for her character at the start.  By the conclusion of the book, I was laughing and crying right along side her.  I felt what she felt. She became a wonderful character.  I was overjoyed when she was able to escape depression and grow.

Jude is a wonderful, kind person.  The one you want as a friend, or maybe as more than a friend.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to (hopefully) the next one.

NOW,

about the author

picture taken from the authors Goodreads page.

check it out

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5192136.Alicia_K_Leppert

About this author 

I always knew I wanted to be a writer, ever since Career Day in first grade when I walked around carrying a notebook and pencil. Twenty-some odd years later, after a short stint in high school where I dreamed of being an actress, a whirlwind Internet romance including a blind proposal that led to a fairytale wedding and two pretty-near perfect kids, my lifelong dream came to fruition with my first novel, Emerald City. I live with my small brood in my beloved hometown of Pasco, which is located in the only part of Washington state that isn't green. When I'm not writing, I can be found decorating novelty cakes and taking naps--my other two passions.