Flabbergasted

What a wonderful and fun read. Flabbergasted by Ray Blackston, will show you a new dating style that seems to work with lots of bonding, sharing and laughter. I enjoyed the honesty for life in the book. Now, to search out for the others in this series. Thank you, Ray Blackston, for sharing your writing talent with us.

"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.

I picked this book because I totally love Southern novels but this book is a little bit different. It is entertaining no doubt about it! It's really hard to believe this is Mr. Blackston's first novel.Even though I've finished this book days ago, I find myself still thinking about the main characters and what became of them.It's the kind of novel that when you come across it again in a book store- you just look at it and smile a great BIG smile! This book really makes you feel good & leaves you with a lasting impression about life in general..Sequel pretty please with mangoes on top!!!!

Jay Jarvis moves to Greenville, South Carolina due to a job transfer from Dallas, Texas. Since his girlfriend just dumped him by email he is interested in finding the singles' hangout. Jay's realtor tells him that churches outnumber bars by a twenty-to-one margin. Memorial Day weekend finds Jay on a singles retreat to Myrtle Beach with thirty-four females and nineteen males from the North Hills Presbyterian Church.Between singing eulogies to lobsters, floating to Africa on an inner tube and riding in a lime green Cadillac, Jay makes friends with a food-throwing, poetry-writing anti-materialistic missionary girl named Allie. And the summer has only just begun...Flabbergasted is more refreshing than lemonade with a squeeze of lime. Buy this book in hardcover and tell everyone you know about it!

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!

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.