Dark Star: Confessions of a Rock Idol (Rock Star Chronicles) [Paperback]

Creston Mapes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 2005 | Series: Rock Star Chronicles (Book 1)

Can Fame, Wealth, and Power Buy Happiness?

Everett Lester and his band, DeathStroke, ride the crest of a wave to superstardom. But the deeper they become immersed in fame, wealth, and power, the more likely they are to be swallowed alive by the drugs, alcohol, and discontentment that have become their only friends. Everett is headed down a perilous road of no apparent return when he’s charged with the murder of his personal psychic. The only hope he can cling to comes from Topeka , Kansas , and the letters written by a prayerful young lady who lives there. Consistent and persistent, the notes cut straight to Everett ’s empty heart, offering a fulfillment he’s never grasped before. But what if he’s found guilty of murder? Will he recognize the spiritual battle that’s raging for his soul?

Endora Crystal was my rock...

As I staggered through the chaos of rock ’n’ roll fame—the drugs and alcohol, the selfishness and turmoil—Endora was the gentle voice in my ear telling me I was special. Telling me I was adored. She was my personal psychic, and she said I had a unique purpose, a calling to give my fans happiness. To be their god.

My band, DeathStroke, dominated the world of rock. Yet strife ruled our inner circle. My family didn’t know me. I loved no one but myself.

And yet Karen Bayliss was praying for me, that I would come to know the love of God and the lordship of Jesus Christ. She was not a fan. Didn’t care for my music. Karen just wanted me to know peace.

Now Endora is dead, and I’ve been charged with first-degree murder.

Everett Lester is headed down a perilous road of no apparent return. Will he recognize the spiritual battle that’s raging for his soul?

~~~

“An unvarnished look at sin and redemption, confidently written. Dark Star is an impressive debut.”— James Scott Bell , bestselling author of Sins of the Fathers

Story Behind the Book

“I hope Dark Star will develop in Christian readers an open mind about loving the lost and reaching every individual with the truth of Christ’s unconditional love—no matter what those people look like or how they behave. Perhaps it will increase believers’ confidence in the impact they can have when stepping out in faith to simply love as Christ loved—in a genuine, compassionate, and understanding way. I pray Dark Star will prove a great read for unbelievers as well, clearly explaining God’s gift of love toward man in a fast-paced story that resonates with people in contemporary society.”

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Talented new storyteller Creston Mapes graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1983 with a BA in magazine journalism. Since then, he has written for major corporations, colleges, and ministries. He has written for Coca-Cola, TNT Sports, Focus on the Family, Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, and The Urban Alternative. His stories have been featured in magazines including Private Colleges and Universities, In Touch, Leaders for Today, and The Hockey News. Creston makes his home in Georgia .

Product Details

• Paperback: 397 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books; 1St Edition edition (May 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590524721
• ISBN-13: 978-1590524725
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 1.1 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,978,380 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Creston grew up in northeast Ohio where he had a type-set printing press and his own neighborhood newspaper. A fair student, he excelled at expressing himself and being creative through the written word. In college he was mentored by a one-of-a-kind journalism professor who was a freelancer for National Geographic; she encouraged him to pursue a career in writing.

Graduating from Bowling Green State University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in magazine journalism, Creston moved to the Gulf Coast of Florida where he began his career as a reporter at a bi-weekly newspaper. Two years later he transferred to a daily paper in central Ohio where he was a city hall reporter, feature writer, and photographer. When Creston received a call from Phoenix Communications of Atlanta in 1986, he and his wife made the move to Atlanta. For four years he served as a creative director for Phoenix, creating, writing & producing high-end marketing materials.

After discovering his need for Jesus Christ in the late 1980s, Creston became creative director for Dr. Bruce Wilkinson (Prayer of Jabez) and Walk Thru the Bible Ministries in Atlanta. It only took a year for him to discover "management" was the farthest thing from his forte--that's when Creston began working out of his home as a freelance writer. For 21 years he has written marketing and magazine copy for clients such as Coca-Cola, Chick-fil-A, The Weather Channel, TNT Sports, Oracle Corporation, ABC TV, and others. Creston still writes for many of those fine organizations and is especially enjoying creating inspirational fiction.

His three suspense novels include: DARK STAR: CONFESSIONS OF A ROCK IDOL, FULL TILT, and NOBODY. He is currently at work on a new thriller series. Creston resides in Atlanta with his hometown sweetheart and four marvelous children. He loves reading, painting, family outings, watching hockey, baseball and basketball, and listening to all kinds of music, exploring old Atlanta with his wife, and being with friends.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, January 8, 2006

By 

LMS "Book worm" (WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dark Star: Confessions of a Rock Idol (Rock Star Chronicles) (Paperback)

I borrowed this book from a friend. She told me it was one of the best books she'd ever read. I read the back cover and it sounded interesting. So I was anxious to read it. I wasn't disappointed. This book has something for everyone.

In a powerful way, this book reminded me that absolutely no one is beyond the redemptive power of the Gospel. This book faced the reality of sin and the rock and roll lifestyle head on. But it didn't glamorize or condone sin either. This book also has a great message about the power of prayer. It can be easy to forget that. It is not always easy to believe that prayer changes things and that it works. One of the best things we can do for someone is persistantly pray for them. This book will make you think. This is a book that will keep you up to 2am reading, because there isn't a good place to stop. I highly recommend this book. I definitely plan on reading future books by this author.

If you like this style of writing, I also recommend the books of Randall Arthur. Arthur writes in a very hard hitting style and his books are excellent. You can read my reviews of Arthur's books on this site.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rock Solid, December 12, 2006

By 

Eric Wilson "novelist" (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Dark Star: Confessions of a Rock Idol (Rock Star Chronicles) (Paperback)

I remember curling up in the backseat of our old Matador when I was ten years old, reading scenes from Nicky Cruz's "Run, Baby, Run." The story centered around his days of anger and gang violence, then culminated with his conversion. I was hooked.

In similar fashion, Creston Mapes pulled me into his fictional confessions of former rock idol, Everett Lester, who is now on trial for the murder of a psychic. The difference here is that Mapes moves quickly from the seedy side of Lester's background--drugs, sex, rock n' roll--to the powerful influence of God's love and forgiveness. Although the story is sometimes tame in its telling and wraps things up neatly in conclusion, it never shies from the ugly consequences of Lester's actions. We are well aware of Lester's abusive lifestyle and the blackness that surrounded him. The scenes of supernatural confrontation are handled confidently.

Perhaps the book's greatest strength is it format, weaving scenes from the murder trial into the unfolding account of Lester's life. It makes for a fast-paced read that is convincing in its transformation of a former bad-boy turned born-again Christian. In the hands of a lesser author, this would've lacked excitement or cohesion. Mapes turns it into a beautifully crafted tale. With the exception of missing profanity and sexual details, this feels as though it could be a true-life account. Everett Lester is fully fleshed character.

The next book, "Full Tilt," continues Lester's story, including the results of his budding romance, the snare of his brother's problems, and the devastation of methamphetamine. This is one rock solid series.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Power of a Praying Fan, October 26, 2005

By 

Margo Carmichael (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dark Star: Confessions of a Rock Idol (Rock Star Chronicles) (Paperback)

Interesting, telling, behind the scenes in the life of a big, baaad rock and roller.

In his glamorous world of music and drugs, he is torn between the influences of two women, one who is of God, the other who follows the devil. The evil one's power and his own choices lead to destruction and pain for innocent people, pain that haunts his heart and makes him question his ways.

Finally, one of these women prevails and wins his heart.

Rock and roll fans will love it when the pretty praying fan from afar finally meets the big rock star.

Well-rounded, likeable characters make the point that those who follow the Lord have authority over a very real and powerful enemy. And that if you love someone in show business, pray for them--with patience!

Creston Mapes' background in rock and roll journalism brings believability to a sometimes scary and very satisfying story.