Karen Neches

Welcome to Heaven. Use your Wishberry to hustle up whatever you want. Have an online chat with God. Visit the attractions such as Retail Rapture, Wrath of God miniature golf and Nocturnal Theater, where your nightly dreams are translated to film.

"Your greeter might just be Skye Sebring who will advises her newly dead clients on what to expect now "that they’re expired. “Heaven is like a Corona Beer commercial” she assures her clients. “It’s all about contentment.”

So different than Earth where chaos reigns. Unfortunately for Skye, she’s been chosen to live her first life. She’s required to attend Earth 101 classes, which teach all of the world’s greatest philosophies through five Beatle songs.

Skye has no interest in Earthly pursuits, until lawyer Ryan Blaine briefly becomes her client after a motorcycle accident. Just as they are getting to know each other, he is revived and sent back to Earth.

She follows his life via the TV channel “Earthly Pleasures” but discovers he has a wife as well as a big secret. Why then does he call a show for the lovelorn to talk about the lost love of his life?

In Earthly Pleasures (Simon and Schuster, February 2008, $14) great love can transcend the dimensions, narrowing the vast difference between Heaven and Earth.

RECENT PRAISE:

"This funny, fantastical novel begins in a warped Heaven where angels fall in love, gossip and drink..."

Good Housekeeping

"Neches ties everyone and everything together in true Fannie Flagg fashion."

Yahoo's Shine


"Earthly Pleasures is entertaining, funny, heart wrenching, mysterious and very imaginative."

Coffee Time Romance (Five Cups)

"Karen Neches has penned a truly original story that is absolutely brilliant in its creative simplicity"

3Rs Reading Den

"Light, funny, and incredibly creative, Earthly Pleasures is an absolute joy to read. The characters are extremely well-written; the reader roots for Skye immediately. The mystery adds a sense of urgency to the novel and brings it one step above other books."

Curled Up With a Good Book

"An extraordinarily unique romance that has many different facets of characterization and emotions throughout the novel. It is a divine romp laced with humor and charismatic characters with twists to the story that will surprise you."

Romance Junkies


"Earthly Pleasures is by far one of the most enjoyable books I've had the pleasure of reading in a long time. I laughed so hard all the way through this masterpiece. Neches gives us a wonderful version of life after life that'll keep you entranced all the way to the end. Definitely a keeper for me!"

Armchair Reviews

"Earthly Pleasures is a sweet story about star-crossed lovers with a mystery to unravel, and the journey to find each other again I especially loved how Ms. Neches intertwined the 'souls', connecting them in someway. Truly a delightful tale."

ParaNormal Reviews

“Earthly Pleasures is an engrossing read, one that I absolutely couldn’t put down! It’s well-written and full of great characters. I loved Karen Neches’s envisioning of heaven and the workings of the universe, too. This novel is smart and enjoyable and highly recommended.”

Teen Book Review


“…A wonderful, warm, humorous, feel-good book … and terrific cozy read.”

Cozy Library

"A wonderful murder-mystery-who-dun-it, without the murder."

Book Fetish

“A true pleasure to read - it's a book with real soul and heart-warming spirit.”

Chicklit Club

“Not only is this book full of surprises (and some shocks), it's funny, moving, sad, thrilling and inspiring… I really, really loved it.”

Keris Stanton, Trashionista

“ A light read but oh so fun… So many surprises that I was blown away.”

Marta Morrison, Teens Read Too, Hall of Fame, Gold Star of Excellence

“Neches' quirky heaven (all the lessons in life are contained in the words of five Beatles' songs) and irreverent characters (the newest angel wears a spiked collar with her white gown) combine to make a thoroughly enjoyable read. A very sweet debut that avoids being saccharine...a completely entertaining book.”

Nancy at Nancy’s Book Nook.

"From the first page of “Earthly Pleasures,” the new novel from Karen Neches, readers will find the opportunity to laugh, cry, and go on an all out ride through a wonderful narrative."

Metro Spirit

"Earthly Pleasures is a fun and poignant novel."

Roses and Thorns

"What begins as a set of seemingly random events unfolds to demonstrate a cosmic connection between every moment of seeming chaos. Karen Neches executes this woven connection vividly and with skill."

Front Street Reviews

"This entertaining read captivated me all the way through the last page."

Romance Studio

The novel is a real page-turner... One warning though, don't start reading it at bedtime. This novel has enough potency to keep you laughing into the wee hours of the morning.

Batchmate Times

EARTHLY PLEASURES IS A FAVORITE WITH BOOKSELLERS. It's been chosen as a BOOKSENSE NOTABLE FOR FEBRUARY.

"Earthly Pleasure is a three-tissue cry. Light and satisfying like the best angel food, Earthly Pleasures is a book to restore your faith in life, love and a higher power. For anyone who has ever wished upon a star and a song on the midnight radio call-in show, Neches’ treat of a story proves there’s some good and some hope left in the world."
Russ Marshalek, Marketing/​PR Director, Wordsmiths Books

"Karen Neches' Earthly Pleasures is aptly named--what a fabulous, fun, heart-warming book this is!... Neches' creative, entertaining, funny and remarkable book is truly an earthly pleasure to read!"
Jackie Blem, Tatttered Cover, Denver Co.

"This was a galactic love story, heavenly and earthly at the same time. Enjoyed it from beginning to end."
Janet Bollum, Muse Bookshop, Deland, Florida

"An inside look at angels. They have more fun than I expected. A reminder that love in all forms-- friends, lovers, parents,--never dies. And all life's deep philosophical questions are found in the lyrics of the Beatles. Who knew? I enjoyed the book very much."
Iris Cline, Rediscovered Bookshop, Boise ID

“The plot is sharp,the characters captivating. Very well done. Loved the multi-layering of elements, themes, and characters."
Charity McMaster, Schuler Books and Music, Grand Rapids, MI

“...Neches' story is well written, creative and some laugh out loud parts. It is a constant page turner... Neches' vision of Heaven is a hell of a place, and no matter how seriously we take ourselves God must have a sense of humor greater than ours.”

I look forward to the release of this book, and will be recommending it to my customers."
Irene Schneider
The Reader's Cove, Ft. Collins, CO

"I loved "Earthly Pleasures"!...We should have NO trouble handselling it."

Fran Bush, Booklovers Bookstore, Aiken S.C.

"This novel reminds me of one of my favorite movies 'Heaven Can Wait" but with totally imaginative and untraditional concepts. The Beatles' lyrics were a fun addition. Thanks for letting me a part and good luck."

Donita, Brace Books, Ponca City, OK

"Thank you for this gem. From the moment I picked up your book until I finished I was enthralled, delighted and uplifted. I look forward to putting your book into my customers' hands with the certain knowledge that they will enjoy it as much as I have..."

Meaghan Leemaarts, Island Bookstore, Corolla, N.C.

"...I really loved the book!! The characters are marvelous and the plot is so easy to fall into. Once I started it, I had a hard time putting it down for silly things such as work and sleep. I loved the way everything came together. I was wondering where some of the threads were going -- I shouldn't have since you ended up with them all neatly tied up.
Thanks so much for writing such a wonderful book.
Deb Andolino
Aliens & Alibis Books, Columbia, SC

...I LOVED Earthly Pleasures. I was hooked from page one...It is a very fantastic book and I will definitely be nominating it for the Book Sense list. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read it.

Jesse, Books Galore, Watkinsville, GA

"...A sometimes happy, sometimes sad, but always entertaining read."

Barbara S. Katy Budget Books