Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Looking Back ... Most Anticipated Books of 2012


Last year, I shared my Top 10 Most Anticipated Books of 2012. So ... did I read them? What did I think? Let's take a quick look back at that list! (Click on the title to see my complete review, if available.)

Trauma Plan by Candace Calvert
5 stars

I'm loving all this medical suspense that's out right now. Trauma Plan is the first in a new series by Candace, and I enjoyed it just as much as I was hoping to!

Paris in the Rain The Scent of Rain by Kristin Billerbeck
4 stars

While The Scent of Rain was a little different than expected and not quite as tight and clean as I normally like, it was still a great read. Perfect for a lazy, summer day at the pool or whenever really!

Beyond Hope's Valley by Tricia Goyer
4 stars

I could hardly wait for the conclusion of this series. I just needed to know how it was going to end! To me, it was the perfect ending, although I'd love to sit down with Tricia and pick her brain about how she came to that conclusion and how certain things would play out in real life in Amish communities. Lucky for me (and you!), she's just signed on to write the story of the actual couple who inspired the series!

Loving by Karen Kingsbury
3 stars

After 23 books in these series, I was ready to close it out and say farewell to these characters. I was so, so excited about Loving and read it within 24 hours of receiving it. It was a bit repetitive—going back and revisiting old issues—and I got annoyed with Bailey a time or two, but overall it was good. Lots of controversy over this one (I think the whole reading community was divided on how the book should have concluded), but I was pleased. Still a huge fan of Karen's work and looking forward to more.

Lethal Legacy by Irene Hannon
5 stars

I'm not sure it's possible to not like an Irene Hannon romantic suspense novel. Lethal Legacy was just superb. Super romantic and action-packed. Plus, Irene did a wonderful job of making faith a predominant theme throughout.

Coming Home by Karen Kingsbury
5 stars

Now, Coming Home definitely did NOT disappoint! I was so impressed with this entire book. It was the perfect blend of reminiscing (and re-capping to help jog my memory about previous story lines) and moving the current story forward. Typical of Kingsbury, it was full of raw emotion that had me alternately laughing and crying.

Sweeter than Birdsong by Rosslyn Elliott
5 stars

Sweeter than Birdsong may be the one book on this list that was even better than I anticipated, if that's possible. I loved the characters. The story was absolutely beautiful. And it made me think. A lot. (Check out the Review in Haiku that I posted in response.)

The Chase by DiAnn Mills
3 stars

The Chase was a good read, but not great. I'm hoping that future books in the series will begin to fill in the gaps. Perhaps this first book in the series was helping to set the story up. :)

The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden
Did Not Read (Yet)

Okay. So, I started this book at the while working out at the gym months ago. I think I put it down because I was frustrated with the gym, not the book itself. (I no longer read at the gym, by the way!) So, this is high on my list of books to read this year! I love Elizabeth Camden!

Travelers Rest by Ann Tatlock
Did Not Read (Yet)

 I have a copy of Travelers Rest but have not read it yet. No idea why I never picked it up, but I hope to read it this year!

What about you? Did the books you looked forward to reading last year live up to your expectations? Any surprises? Good or bad?

2 comments:

  1. I read most of the books from the list I posted of books I am most anticipating for 2012:

    Opening Moves by Steven James - read and loved!
    Baroness by Susan May Warren - read and loved!
    Loving by Karen Kingsbury - read, but was kind of disappointed with it.
    In Too Deep by Mary Connealy - read and loved!
    Mortal by Ted Dekker & Tosca Lee - haven't read yet.
    Lethal Legacy by Irene Hannon - read, it was good, but not my favorite of the series.
    Relentless Pursuit by Kathy Herman - haven't read yet.
    Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble - read and loved!
    Shades of Truth by Sandra Orchard - read and loved!
    Tributary by Lisa Tawn Bergren - read and loved!
    Frantic by Mike Dellosso - read and loved!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it funny how we are so excited about some books but when they come out we never read them? I'm really hoping to do better about that this year - and read books that I'm excited about and not get so over-loaded with reviewing commitments. We'll see how it goes, I guess!

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