Par for the Course

As the owner of a golfing center, Chris Hack specializes in treating his customers right. This includes personalize training time and also Happy Hour where one can release frustration by whacking a golf cart driven by Chris's assistant who hurls insults at you. One day a girl name Molly stops by and sees potential in Chris's golfing range in the political world involving elections. Soon business is booming as the publicity from the politicians make Chris's place a household name. However someone isn't too happy with all the holes in one Chris is getting. Will Chris be able to save his business and get the girl? I am going to admit this. I am NOT a golf fan. I don't know anything about golf other than the goal is to get a ball into a hole. Is it a real sport? I mean, it's not in the Olympics. I suck at miniature golf too. I never can get it through the windmill course. Therefore I learned quite a bit more about what Tiger Woods does for a living while reading this book. This is by far one of the most hilarious books I have read this year. I could stop laughing while reading this book. Plus at the same time I kept thinking, wow this author is pushing the "Christian fiction" envelope with discussions of politics AND religion! Seriously it's really quite edgy the way the book allows for the attacks of both Democrats and Republicans. The feminist meeting which Chris attends was wonderfully written along with the battle of the sexes golf match. I do love the idea of whacking the golf cart with Cack hacking insults at the customers. I'd pay money to hit him as well! I also enjoyed how this book actually uses real political figures and not make up fake presidents or other top government officials. It's more fun to use the actual characters and jokingly make them larger than life. A lot of the issues dealt with this book really makes you think though about politicians, their tactics and elections. There's also a touch of mystery within the story as well. Chris and Molly are great characters who bring a hoot throughout the book. The study guide "questions" at the end will bring more laughs to the table. This is a great book to take on the lighter side of the election year this year. Another winner for Blackston!

Ray Blackston hits a hole in one with Par for the Course. Another light read with the male perspective in mind. This is not a golf book. If you don't know the first thing about golf, you will still love this book. And, if you do know about the game of golf, then that's cool too. Par for the Course has something for everyone - sports, romance, drama and wit. If you've read Flabbergasted, you will also appreciate the cameo appearances of a certain couple and their lime-green Caddy. Like all of Ray Blackston's books, Par for the Course provides a just plain enjoyable read, which is a welcome relief at the end of a hard day. PS - Make sure you read the glossary in the back of the book. Not because you need to know the words, but just because it's funny. And, again here you will see a little nod to the Flabbergasted series Flabbergasted / A Delirious Summer / Lost in Rooville - 3 Book Set

I have read Ray Blackston previously in the Flabbergasted series and this book is just a great. He know how to write great books with great themes. He always has a little romance and a great sense of humour. In this book the golf world and the political world collide. Chris Hackett the owner of a local Driving Range in Charleston, SC. When one of his students an attractive political correspondent from D. C. named Molly Hackett, devises a scheme to capitalize on the political scene Chris jumps at the idea. The gimmick involves Chris' coworker Cack to drive around in a caged golf cart and yell insults at the driving range participants. This gives them a moving target and a way to vent their anger. What transpires is hilarious. Chris also begins dating Molly and they must devise a way to make their long distance relationship to work. This is a great book for all. You dont have to be a fan of golf to understand what is going on. Also this is not a romance book for women only it totally relates to guys. I know som guys may be turned off when they hear romance but this contains only a little romance(which I hope again doesnt turn off the women from reading this book either).

I have been a fan of Ray Blackston's writing since his first book Flabbergasted hit the shelves. I have since purchased and read his other works as well. I love his light hearted writing style. His characters make me laugh (sometimes at myself). I love rooting for the characters as they try to figure this life out. His most recent book "Par for the Course: A Novel" is no exception. This novel centers around Chris Hackett and his pursuit of success in business, success in life, and success in love. I was concerned that I would have a hard time staying with this book when I learned that Blackston's latest book involved golf. My closest encounter with golf involves chasing my golf ball into ridiculous places at the local putt-putt facility. I was relieved to find that the novel was easy reading and didn't require a dictionary or a copy of "Golf for Dummies". I enjoyed getting to know Chris, his friend and pardner Cack, and Molly-the girl who Chris wants to ride off into the sunset in his golf cart with. If you aren't already a fan of Blackston's writing, give Par for the Course a chance and then go back and read his other works as well.

Reviewed by Lori Plach for Reader Views (1/08) Are you looking to tee off on a golfing adventure which combines entrepreneurship, romance, humorous moments and a touch of mystery? Ray Blackston has just the book which will fit your interests to a tee. "Par for the Course" is Ray Blackston's newest novel and it is sure to please both golf enthusiasts and non-golfers alike. Chris Hack is a single man who uses his golfing knowledge, experience and skills to better golfers throughout the Charleston area. He is not alone in his quest of making Hack's Golf Learning Center the best facility in the area. He has his business partner Cack to help his business on a successful course. Cack's quick sense of humor gives him his own notoriety for hurling insults at the golf range's customers while using his specially-designed golf carts. This is one instance where hurling insults is all in good fun. The business has doubled and the customers all enjoy it. Molly is a Washington political correspondent who wants to learn how to golf and may be finding more than just golf skills. Molly suggests to Chris that he should allow political groups to poke fun of each other and the idea catches on. Chris wants to date Molly; however, will a long distance relationship really work for them? When Chris' business is a victim of arson, Molly uses her reasoning skills to help him find out who would want to see Chris out of business. Could it be one of the political parties in this election year, could it be the man whose business shares the other half of their leased property? Finding clues, and allowing time for pursuing Molly, takes time. Will Chris find out that everything does work out for his best interest even though it's not in the way he thought it would? Chapter after exciting chapter a wonderfully written story flows, which will have you laughing and feeling for this young entrepreneur every step of the way. Instead of yelling "Fore" like in playing golf, when you reach the last chapter you will be yelling "More!" I certainly hope Ray Blackston writes more stories like this one, "Par for the Course."