Lost in Rooville

We first met Jay Jarvis in "Flabbergasted." He was a man focused on women and money, but feeling a need for something more--whether he acknowledged it to himself or not. In "A Delirious Summer," Jay matured in his relationships, gaining deeper friendships with men, women, and God. The story was not as breezy and humorous as the first, but it matched Jay's transformation. In "Lost in Rooville," Jay is leaning toward long-term commitments--to the mission field, to a certain woman, and to his savior. With this commitment comes a freedom to enjoy life and love and--in this adventurous third book--the Australian Outback. I was smiling, giggling, and shaking my head as Jay travels Down Under with his friends. He lets romance take him by the hand, leading him into the unknown both physically and figuratively. He spends time in jail, finds his life on the rocks, faces bigger obstacles than Uluru. Ray Blackston delivers the story in his characteristic male brio, with humor and relational faux pas, with spiritual concepts in a non-threatening manner. Although I saw the resolution to Jay's struggles too early, I still enjoyed every page of his journey. For those who've followed this man's story, you will miss out if you don't carry on to its conclusion. Blackston ends on a fun note, tying together loose ends, giving us what we wanted--without seeming too sappy. Will there be more? Will he explore other characters' lives? We can only hope so.

Ray Blackston has once again proved that the earlier novels (Flabbergasted and A Delirious Summer) in his now completed trilogy were not a fluke. Although the familiar characters of Steve, Allie, Jay, Darcy, Neal and Alexis are back Blackston introduces some new querky personalities as he did in A Delirious Summer. Moving out of his comfort zone of Greenville where he makes his home and Ecuador the setting of the second book, Blackston took time to research Lost In Rooville by travelling to the Australian outback. Through the eyes of Jay Jarvis we come to appreciate this picturesque landscape and the dangers it can pose. The mates, Jay and Steve have matured and are set to propose marriage when faith and romance are once again put to the test. I read Lost In Rooville, not knowing of the author's previous works and was so hooked I ran out and bought the first two jewels in this trilogy. I have been busy passing them out to my single friends. I suppose that is the best compliment one can give an author. Lost In Rooville will cause you to laugh and at times pull at your heart strings and if you are the least bit sentimental you may find yourself fighting back a few tears. This book is far more than a romance novel seen through the eyes of a man, it is a comment on singleness from a Christian perspective. Having said that whether you share that same perspective or not Lost In Rooville makes for good reading. Would I recommend this book? I already have. Joe Montague Freelance Writer

When someone reviews a book by Ray Blackston and uses words like "erudite insouciance", I have to figure he picked up the wrong book or got his computer files mixed up. Or maybe it's Frustrated Writer Syndrome. The only thing I can find wrong with this trilogy is that there are only three books. I want to be able to keep peeking in on the lives of Jay and the gang, more than three books allows me to do. Like another reviewer, I was turned on to Ray's books via a Cracker Barrel audio book. I loved Flabbergasted so much I ended up not returning it. And then bought Delirious Summer for another road trip and couldn't stop listening. I was so anxious for more, I took the time to read 'Rooville and loved it just as much if not more than the previous two. When a trilogy about the lives of Christian singles appeals to a reader who is non-Christian, you know you have something there. I dearly hope Ray writes more about these intriguing characters. Good job Ray! Mark StoneBear Dierker

I was introduced to Ray Blackston on a road trip, courtesy of Cracker Barrel and its books on tape. That was his first book, Flabbergasted. I was looking for something without hash language, violence, or sex in it. This fit the bill and then some. My 14 year old newphew who was traveling with me, loved it as well. This book, Lost in Rooville, the third in the series, may in fact be my favorite. This time the crew goes on a trip to 'Stralia and the romance and adventure abounds. All of the major characters return to add their quirkiness and flavor to the story, which is so much of the charm of these books. Ray Blackston doesn't disappoint when it comes to first person narratives. The reader gets sucked into the story from the opening and is instantly living in Jay Jarvis's world. You can feel the heat, taste the dust (and fried chicken), and see the relationships in the novel unfold, from a MALE perspective. How rare and interesting to get a look into the male psyche, especially christian male. Jay asks the questions and brings forth the feelings that all christian singles, especially dating or engaged, face at one point or another. (Especially when actually LOST in Rooville!) I don't want to give too much of the story away, because I hate it when reviews ruin the book for you. That being said, I picked the book up, and couldn't put it down. I read it in one afternoon, (this afternoon in fact), because I was so enthralled with the characters and overall momentum of the story. If you enjoyed Flabbergasted or Delirious Summer, don't miss this last installment. It will tie up all the loose ends that were left dangling in A Delirious Summer. If you've ever been on a singles weekend to the beach, or even part of a singles ministry in a church, don't miss the entire series. You'll find yourself and your friends among the characters, guaranteed.