Full Tilt (Rock Star Chronicles) [Paperback]

Creston Mapes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2006 | Series: Rock Star Chronicles (Book 2)

What Good Can Become of Psychotics, Meth Users, or the Mob?

In this sequel to Dark Star, rock star Everett Lester is eager to share the redeeming power of Christ’s love with the world through his music. But reaching his family in their twisted lives is another issue altogether. His gambling-addicted brother, Eddie, and the rest of his deteriorating family greet Everett’s attempts with disdain and hatred. When the Mob gets involved, dangerous threats become a haunting reality. And when Eddie’s son, Wesley—who blames Everett for his brother’s death—hooks up with psychotic Tony Badino, the two meth-using antichrists will stop at nothing to bring Everett down and secure his demise!

I ONCE SOWED DESTRUCTION.

Now those I love are reaping pain.

The media hype is fading, and my life is no longer that of a glamorous celebrity. I’m Everett Lester, former lead singer of DeathStroke, acquitted of first-degree murder, now married, a Christian, and ready to take my story to the masses through music. Problem is, the turmoil of my past didn’t end when the reporters left.

My wife, Karen, and I have received news that has rocked our world. My brother Eddie’s gambling is so far out of control that the mob practically owns him. And Eddie’s son, Wesley—who blames me for his brother’s death—is mixed up with meth, a psychotic named Tony Badino, and a satanic voice that’s urging him to take me out.

Will my Living Water tour ever hit the road? Will former fans stop hissing long enough to hear about the transforming power of Christ’s love? Satan once used me for evil—only through God’s power can I be used for good. The question is: w ill my loved ones and I be able to survive the aftermath of a rock star’s life?

Everett Lester faces enemies both human and supernatural. Satan won’t give up his hold on Everett , his family, or his fans without a vicious fight. God’s victory is certain in the supernatural realm, but will Everett survive the earthly battle that’s threatening to obliterate him?

Story Behind the Book

“My hope is to provide fiction lovers with a page-turner read that offers an escape from everyday life. With a heart-pounding pace and a contemporary story line, Full Tilt paints readers a modern-day picture of Christ’s unfathomable love, forgiveness, and sacrifice—amid a backdrop of methamphetamines and mobsters. It also sheds light on the reality of spiritual warfare in the day-to-day lives of every person. I pray this novel will encourage unsaved readers to be reconciled to God and also encourage Christian readers to plead with their unsaved friends to be reconciled to God—not out of legalism, but out of love and compassion.”

—Creston Mapes

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Creston Mapes, a talented storyteller, 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, including 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: 400 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159052506X
• ISBN-13: 978-1590525067
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.9 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,193,105 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 and freelancer for National Geographic, who 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. 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 almost 20 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 many others. Creston still writes for many of those fine organizations and is especially enjoying creating inspirational fiction. His three Random Hous suspense novels include: DARK STAR: CONFESSIONS OF A ROCK IDOL, FULL TILT, and NOBODY. He is currently at work on a new thriller. As he has for going on 25 years, Creston resides in Atlanta with his hometown sweetheart and four marvelous children. He loves reading, painting, family outings, watching hockey (Gladiators, Thrashers, Capitols) and baseball (Gwinnett Braves/Atlanta Braves, Indians), listening to all kinds of music, exploring old Atlanta with his wife, and being with friends.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Gritty Faithwalk, April 10, 2006

By 

Kelly Klepfer (Iowa) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Full Tilt (Rock Star Chronicles) (Paperback)

Creston Mapes' second novel, Full Tilt, rocks with suspense especially throughout the last page-turning half.

The whole world as Everett Lester knew it has changed. His days are spent learning to live as a new Christian, and attempting to help his family find God. He sheds the comfortable darkness of his past and the light reveals the damage he did to those he loves.

Mapes did his homework on the insidious and dangerous addictive power of methamphetamine. Under Meth's influence, Lester's nephew veers out of control toward self destruction, and Everett is compelled to save Wesley.

This book is overtly Christian, with prayers and Bible verses quoted.

If you are a fan of Dark Star, you should love this book. If you have issues of faith that sometimes border on doubt or self-hatred, this novel may encourage you. If you or someone you love struggles with addictions, this novel may hold some insight.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rock, Meth & Bad Boy Lovers, April 12, 2006

By 

Davidae Y. Stewart "Also writing as Miranda P... (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Full Tilt (Rock Star Chronicles) (Paperback)

Remember when Michael Jackson showed up at an AME Church a few weeks before his trial? Or what about Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston getting baptised in the River Jordan by the African Israelites? Weird and over the top, huh?

Well imagine Everett Lester, front man for DeathStroke-the most popular alternative rockband in the world. Do you think anyone will believe that this satanistic stonehead would be sitting on Larry King Live spouting biblical scripture and Christianese? Unimaginable unless God really does exist. And if he does...who wouldn't shout the Gospel full effect live? Or in Creston Mape's second book to the Rock Stars Chronicles case- who wouldn't rock God at Full Tilt? Everett hopes he can, although the media and his new fans are starting to not believe his hype. Will his Living Water tour will revitalize Christ's image? Can he reach his old fans? More importantly can he reach his vengeful, meth-dealing nephew, who wants him dead?

Creston sat down with my writer's group last month and candidly wondered if Everett's plight resonates with our Christian counterculture. From what I read, I think he's dead on. In North Georgia and I'm sure in other parts of America, meth has become a demon, hell bent on taking out our little sisters and brothers.

As a local christian reporter who is also an unmarried single mother, I completely understand what Everett is going through. People are always watching to see if you're what you say you are, and they are quick to alert the rest of the world when you slip. Sometimes I want to stay in the house and keep my novels under my bed. (Wait a minute. I still do that. :) )

Written very well, fast-paced, realistic, and eye-opening. Full Tilt is my April book pic for this month. For women you will find this novel and the entire series enjoyable, since Everett's conversion is credited to his wife-a woman who has prayed for his soul's deliverance since she was a teenager. Romantic and hopeful for us bad boy lovers.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still Rocking..., March 30, 2006

By 

Gina Holmes "Author of DRY AS RAIN" (VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Full Tilt (Rock Star Chronicles) (Paperback)

In this sequel to Dark Star, Creston takes us on a thrill ride. Everett is still rocking but the born again believer is now doing it for the Lord and not everyone is happy that the wildly popular group, Death Stroke has disbanded.

Everett wants to begin a new life with wife, Karen, but they are plunged into danger again and again, first by their Meth addicted nephew, then by Everett's gambling addicted brother who is in deep with the mob.

Murder, drugs, rock n roll and redemption. This book has it all. It also includes a fair amount of prayer, ministering, and scripture quoting as well.

You do not have to have read book one to fully understand and enjoy Full Tilt.

Creston's writing is even better in this novel. He doesn't shy away from tough issues and once again proves that no one is beyond redemption. I recommend Full Tilt to anyone who has suffered from addiction or knows someone who has and to those who have sowed some wild seeds before coming to Christ.