Rating: 
Summary: A wild, imaginative, lime green ride!
Review: "Flabbergasted" is one of the most quirky, interesting stories I have ever read. I cannot recall having laughed so much or so hard while reading a book since the last time I read one of Erma Bombeck's books.Jay Jarvis is a single, eligible, stock-broker bachelor who has just recently moved to Greenville, South Carolina. Not interested in church other than to meet eligible bachelorettes, Jay meets the girl of his dreams, Allie, on his first visit to North Hills Presbyterian Church. Unfortunately for Jay, Allie is not easy to get to know. Jay will embark on a strange journey domniated by the color lime green, a row of numericals, a less-than-punctual preacher, a pirouette of the gospel, and a multi-hour ride into the Ecudorian jungle. As Jay learns more about Allie and who she is, he will learn about who He is. "Flabbergasted" is a Christian, coming-to-the-Lord novel. However, this is not your normal salvation tale. Ray Blackston, in his first book, has created a wild and imaginative story that will have you laughing, keep you guessing, and make it difficult for you to put down.
Rating:
Summary: A wild, imaginative, lime green ride!
Review: "Flabbergasted" is one of the most quirky, interesting stories I have ever read. I cannot recall having laughed so much or so hard while reading a book since the last time I read one of Erma Bombeck's books. Jay Jarvis is a single, eligible, stock-broker bachelor who has just recently moved to Greenville, South Carolina. Not interested in church other than to meet eligible bachelorettes, Jay meets the girl of his dreams, Allie, on his first visit to North Hills Presbyterian Church. Unfortunately for Jay, Allie is not easy to get to know. Jay will embark on a strange journey domniated by the color lime green, a row of numericals, a less-than-punctual preacher, a pirouette of the gospel, and a multi-hour ride into the Ecudorian jungle. As Jay learns more about Allie and who she is, he will learn about who He is. "Flabbergasted" is a Christian, coming-to-the-Lord novel. However, this is not your normal salvation tale. Ray Blackston, in his first book, has created a wild and imaginative story that will have you laughing, keep you guessing, and make it difficult for you to put down.
Rating: 
Summary: way fun: )
Review: A delighful read!!! Who can resist a story about a guy who goes to church to meet women and ends up falling for a food chunking missionary with a warped sense of humor!?!? Buy a copy to see what happens:)
Rating:
Summary: Great Cast of Characters
Review: Being from the area the novel is set in, I found the story especially amusing. The cast of characters could not be more fun to follow as our narrator takes on one misadventure after another-at least until he finally understands what he was doing wrong all along. If you are single or Southern you will find this book just plain fun to read.
Rating:
Summary: Great Cast of Characters
Review: Being from the area the novel is set in, I found the story especially amusing. The cast of characters could not be more fun to follow as our narrator takes on one misadventure after another-at least until he finally understands what he was doing wrong all along. If you are single or Southern you will find this book just plain fun to read.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring, trite, bad editing
Review: Being from the south, and struggling with my own writing, I really, really, really wanted to like this book. I (and my husband) came away very disappointed in this first outing by Ray Blackston.
The story doesn't ring true, plot points are not explored fully, and a great big nothingness consumes many, many pages. I read an interview with Mr. Blackston where he explained how much of this novel came from his real-life experiences, and apparently he never really had to create anything new.
The book needed a much heavier editing hand, and the twee voice Blackston gives Jay Jarvis is just too treacly.
Give this one a big miss.
Rating:
Summary: A Quirky Male's-Eye-View of the Christian Singles Scene
Review: How do you get from a sun-soaked South Carolina beach weekend to a missionary outpost in the wilds of Ecuador? The answer surprises Jay Jarvis again and again in this quirky male's-eye-view of the Christian singles scene. Once a male friend said to me "I didn't know what I was here for until I had a child." One might debate his statement, but it does illuminate part of the challenge of being a modern man. In an era and society in which the role of men has changed drastically, young men like my friend are searching for meaning. Ray Blackston's protagonist, Jay Jarvis, is also searching for meaning in his life --- or, at least, a girlfriend. But when a move from Dallas to Greenville, South Carolina finds him trolling the local churches for female companionship, Jay gets much, much more than he bargained for. Jay, like his creator is a stockbroker, who has just been unceremoniously dumped by his girlfriend, and on the advice of his realtor decides to try a church service instead of a dating service. Before he know what's hit him, Jay is meeting with the young men's group at the church and taking a Memorial Day beach trip with them (19 men, 34 women, a gross or two of Oreos). He's also met a churchmember named Ally who spends most of her time in the mission fields of Ecuador --- but enough time at home so that her verbal sparring and fast-food-throwing skills haven't been dulled. Before you can jump a pew, Jay is smitten. He and Ally become so engrossed in getting to know each other that they float off course in inner tubes and are forced to spend a night alone on a beach. However, this is a Christian novel, and while that night on the beach causes some sheepish consternation for the pair, it doesn't involve anything else. What makes Flabbergasted so fresh and refreshing is Jay's unchurched perspective. When he arrives in Greenville, he has very little knowledge of what is means to be an adult Christian, and this causes him (and others) no end of confusion. Blackston has not chosen to have his main character poke fun at others at their expense; it's all really at Jay's expense, since he's entered a world where church rules. That doesn't mean, as he soon discovers, that there isn't any fun to be had. Even when Ally returns to South America, Jay has dates to go on, meetings to attend, and all manner of funny, lively characters to meet. His new church-centered life is far from boring. Yet his yearning for Ally remains strong despite the lure of other charming young woman at home, and soon Jay finds himself visiting Ecuador --- and discovering that Ally has reserves and qualities he never imagined. This is no boy-meets-girl, boy-gets-girl story --- but it has all of the spark of one. Blackston has a sequel in the works that will appear in May 2004 and will include many of the same characters (although in what proportions and contortions remains to be seen). --- Reviewed by Bethanne Kelly Patrick
Rating:
Summary: A Quirky Male's-Eye-View of the Christian Singles Scene
Review: How do you get from a sun-soaked South Carolina beach weekend to a missionary outpost in the wilds of Ecuador? The answer surprises Jay Jarvis again and again in this quirky male's-eye-view of the Christian singles scene. Once a male friend said to me "I didn't know what I was here for until I had a child." One might debate his statement, but it does illuminate part of the challenge of being a modern man. In an era and society in which the role of men has changed drastically, young men like my friend are searching for meaning. Ray Blackston's protagonist, Jay Jarvis, is also searching for meaning in his life --- or, at least, a girlfriend. But when a move from Dallas to Greenville, South Carolina finds him trolling the local churches for female companionship, Jay gets much, much more than he bargained for. Jay, like his creator is a stockbroker, who has just been unceremoniously dumped by his girlfriend, and on the advice of his realtor decides to try a church service instead of a dating service. Before he know what's hit him, Jay is meeting with the young men's group at the church and taking a Memorial Day beach trip with them (19 men, 34 women, a gross or two of Oreos). He's also met a churchmember named Ally who spends most of her time in the mission fields of Ecuador --- but enough time at home so that her verbal sparring and fast-food-throwing skills haven't been dulled. Before you can jump a pew, Jay is smitten. He and Ally become so engrossed in getting to know each other that they float off course in inner tubes and are forced to spend a night alone on a beach. However, this is a Christian novel, and while that night on the beach causes some sheepish consternation for the pair, it doesn't involve anything else. What makes Flabbergasted so fresh and refreshing is Jay's unchurched perspective. When he arrives in Greenville, he has very little knowledge of what is means to be an adult Christian, and this causes him (and others) no end of confusion. Blackston has not chosen to have his main character poke fun at others at their expense; it's all really at Jay's expense, since he's entered a world where church rules. That doesn't mean, as he soon discovers, that there isn't any fun to be had. Even when Ally returns to South America, Jay has dates to go on, meetings to attend, and all manner of funny, lively characters to meet. His new church-centered life is far from boring. Yet his yearning for Ally remains strong despite the lure of other charming young woman at home, and soon Jay finds himself visiting Ecuador --- and discovering that Ally has reserves and qualities he never imagined. This is no boy-meets-girl, boy-gets-girl story --- but it has all of the spark of one. Blackston has a sequel in the works that will appear in May 2004 and will include many of the same characters (although in what proportions and contortions remains to be seen). --- Reviewed by Bethanne Kelly Patrick
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing novel
Review: I am not much of a fiction reader, but picked it up and couldn't put it down. For anyone who has ever been in a Church youth group or a singles group, you can put yourself right into this story. Each character is quirky yet real. The author has a knack for writing like one thinks, without getting confusing. I look forward to his next book. This is a fun, entertaining read without too much fluff or too much preaching.
Rating:
Summary: Give us more Mr. Blackston!!!
Review: I have a hard time finding books that hold my attention. Not this book ...I have to FORCE myself to save it for my "before bed" reading. I too have actually stepped into the book and feel like I am right there with these characters. I allow myself 2 chapters per night...I dont' want it to end.
Although married for 17 years this still brings back memories of the singles scene and I find myself in stitches over some of the antics of these guys! Kudos to Allie and her pitching arm!!
Hey who can go wrong with a money back guarantee...although mine is being read and bookmarked by 3 people in the house my copy is well used already and not going back for a refund! If you are looking for light reading that you can interact with -jump in the lime green convertible and come along for a ride! I too hope there is a sequel
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