Flabbergasted

Rating:
Summary: Has Bridget Jones Met Jay Jarvis?
Review: Okay, I've just gotta know...Who came up with this breezy cover and its light-hearted title hinting at all things zany? Give that person a raise!

I was captivated before even reading the premise. Then, thankfully, the premise looked promising as well. I mean, how can you resist a tongue-in-cheek, fictitious look at singles and dating and church and life and the serendipitous ways in which they all come together? Ray Blackston's irreverent ideas and the publisher's presentation had me thoroughly hooked.

But--and here's the crunch--could Mr. Blackston's writing live up to the hype?

Ha, I laugh at your doubt. This book had me chuckling, shaking my head, wiping a tear from my eye, and jotting down quotable quotes all within 327 pages. Let me tell you, these pages fly by, blown by the summer air that permeates the story, and by Blackston's lighthearted style. In the midst of sharing Jay Jarvis' struggles to meet women and know God, Blackston communicates marvelous insights while never banging us over the head. This is a book I'd give to my male friends. And to my wife. And to our single friends. And...well, hey, why not send a copy to my mother-in-law. She'll love me for it--and brownie points with the in-laws are always welcome.

Bottom line: "Flabbergasted" is a comic and wise peek into the ways that God works in our lives, leaning heavily on the romance side of things. Never sappy, though. Remember, this is from a guy's point of view.

If Bridget Jones ever met Jay Jarvis, there'd be all kinds of havoc. Thankfully, Jay's in love with someone else. Read the book and you'll know what being "Flabbergasted" is all about. Then, if you're like me, you'll be waiting for the promised sequel.

Rating:
Summary: Spread the word!
Review: Ray Blackston amazed me with his abundant talent and wit so strongly displayed in his first novel, Flabbergasted. The bright, fun cover first attracted me to pick up the book and try my luck reading it, and after the first page, I couldn't put it down! Now I've recommended it to many friends, family members, and church members. What a great story plot! The characters were remarkable, and the sequel will be equally witty, I'm sure! Pick this book up if you haven't already...you're sure to enjoy it. Also, check out his website... Have a great day!

Rating:
Summary: Light Christian fun
Review: Ray Jarvis is a young, unmarried stockbroker relocating to Columbia, SC. He asks his realtor where men like him can meet the opposite gender. He is told that Columbia's singles scene revolves around church. So the unreligious Ray goes to church... North Hills Presbyterian to be more exact.

What follows is an enjoyable look at the Christian singles scene, Ray's religious experience and a dandy game of hard-to-get with an attractive female missionaries.

There is no doubt this is Christian fiction. It has the requisite call to repentance and conversion of one of its main characters. And it employs the worn out analogy that one must choose faith or a career ; but that the two cannot coexist.

Despite those shortcomings, this is a fun quick read. Author Bankston turns a cute phrase and obviously understands the single male mind. He litters the book with wholly likable characters who have amusing foibles that make them lovable. The South Carolina coast is described so well that the reader can smell the salt air. A very nice summer read.

Is there a sequel in the works?

Rating:
Summary: Loved It!
Review: Read this book as a fun summer roadtrip story, or open the treasure chest of clever prose, lush imagery, and valuable life lessons. Either way, you can't lose.

Rating:
Summary: Flabbergasted is what happens when editors don't edit
Review: Shame on the editors at Baker Book House and Fleming Revell. Flabbergasted is what happens when editors don't edit and when they don't tell a novelist that he doesn't have enough material for a novel.

When I saw that Blackston had the Christian dating and the so-called "singles ministries" scenes in his crosshairs I wanted to like this book. Trouble is, he never pulled the trigger. This is just another silly road trip book that could have been so much more. It's a novel with only enough plot and character development for a short story.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining but...
Review: The story follows John Jarvis's journey from cynic to believer through a quirky love story and off-beat set of characters that do not always ring true. While this book was enjoyable, there are several things that I wish he had explored more. For instance, Jarvis accepts Christ only after a near death experience. For the sake of the story I think he should have reached that point through some less dramatic means with more internal than external impetus. For instance, Jarvis and Allie innocently fall asleep together on the beach. Allie is worried about how it will look to the others so they take off together on a trip through the South Carolina Lowlands ending up at a little country church pastored by a man he met earlier on the beach fishing. This is a nice touch but suddenly the issue of them spending the night together on the beach is dropped.

This is a commendable first effort from Tom Blackston and I hope that he will continue to write. I think he shows great promise in this field which leans very much toward the female outlook. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot out there in the Christian fiction market for the men and this is a good start. I look forward to Blackston's next book.

Rating:
Summary: Lots 'O Fun!
Review: This book has you never wanting to put it down. I didn't want to leave the characters. They are like good friends. I truly hope there will be a sequel.
The situations and people could be anyone you know or have known or would want to know!
I recommend this book to everyone because you have a smile on your face as you read.

Rating:
Summary: Characters you'll miss
Review: This book is filled with wonderful characters that, when you close the book, you'll miss. The main character, Jay, comes of age when he takes a stock broker's job in Greenville, SC, and goes to church to meet women (not too uncommon, but difficult nonetheless). Three weekends later, he finds himself on a beach trip with fifty odd single Christians. Later, a chance event has him thinking about death and what comes after, and he finds that his Christian group has answers for more than just his loneliness.

Some of his characterizations are a little trite ("the numericals") and so is some of his dialogue ("Commas, please, Allie!"), but all in all the pages turn themselves and the characters are burned very clearly in your memory. I was left wanting to know each of them more, and wanting to know how it turned out. I miss Allie and Jay, and Steve and Lime Sherbet.

I'll buy his next novel, and that' the true test, isn't it?

Rating:
Summary: Beware - very preachy
Review: This harmless piece of fluff is "Christian fiction" disguised as a comedy. It fooled me and I bought it. As a non-church goer, this book had way too much preaching and spiritual discussion. If that's your thing, give it a shot, otherwise steer clear.

Rating:
Summary: One To Share With My Family and Friends!!
Review: This is a fun read that has a powerful message about making lifelong, worthwhile friendships. About prioritizing and setting goals. I'm 62 years old and while reading this book I felt young again and up for a challenge. All the characters remind me of someone I've met somewhere that left a sweet memory in my mind, especially Jay Jarvis, if I didn't know better I'd think that Mr. Blackstone and I had a mutual friend. Just great!!!