Customer Reviews

Full Tilt (Rock Star Chronicles)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Full Tilt by Creston Mapes is the sequel to his compelling novel Dark Star: Confessions of a Rock Idol. Full Tilt continues with the life of thirty-five-year old Everett Lester who rose to the level of legendary rock idol with his band DeathStroke.

Everett used to play rock music for the personal glory it brought to him. Now, with the support and encouragement of his wife Karen (who had prayed for his salvation since she was a teenager), he plays for the glory of God and the salvation of others.

Married a year, Everett and Karen long for a child to parent. But God's plans are not what Everett and Karen initially thought they would be, and learning to live with God's will and a change of course in their lives is a challenge.

Everett also longs to share his faith with his dysfunctional family. His brother Eddie has succumbed to the addiction of gambling, and his nephew Wesley is involved with drugs and the mob.

Wesley Lester blames his Uncle Everett's music for his brother David's death. It's easier that way. The more difficult truth that he was responsible, through drugs, was not a story he was willing to accept. Everett would have to pay. Vengeance is on Wesley's mind as he joins forces with the evil psychotic, Tony, in his determination to bring down his uncle. Will evil prevail or can God, with the help of a faithful follower win?

Like Dark Star, Full Tilt is a powerful story of good vs. evil. Mapes writing style is compelling, sparse and daring. He writes a gritty novel that grapples with evil while delivering a message of hope, love, faith, and the healing power of God.

Armchair Interviews says: Full Tilt is a must read novel for every age. But we believe that young adults will be the greatest benefactors of Mapes talent.

I was eager to start reading this second book from author Creston Mapes. Full Tilt is an apt title for this book as it describes so many of the characters and their drive to accomplish their desires, starting with rock star Everett Lester and his desire to share his new faith with his earlier fans. It doesn't end there, but also describes his gambling brother's family as they each seem driven FULL TILT on their individual paths of destruction.

How is it that we can't seem to see the light in front of our eyes when we are in a destructive lifestyle or a negative thought pattern? Why do we allow doubts and fears drive our faith in God and good to the further recesses of our minds? We can't allow these things to rule our lives and actions! Anger, blame and fear are tools of destruction that only keep us from living to our fullest potential for good. This is the message that touched me as I read this book.

My heart hurt for Everett and Karen as they faced trial upon trial. It's a daunting task to keep your faith in God and belief in yourself strong in hard times, but that's when you need it most! Wesley Lester touched my heart as well as he realized he was hurting and feeling the way his brother did just before he died in book one. But the one who really got to me was Madison, Everett's seventeen year old niece who felt she had to hold her family together. I loved that she accepted Karen's friendship.

This book was well written and explores the dangers of drugs, especially meth. The destructive addictions to gambling and alcohol are also shown. This is a timely message of love and faith that is well worth exploring. I was proud of Everett and Karen and how they didn't give up on their family. The biblical alignment within the story was well used without hitting you over the head. I really enjoyed the book and recommend it to anyone who likes Christian stories.

I was excited to read book #2 in the Rock Star Chronicles, my review of Book #1, Dark Star can be found here. Full Tilt did not disappoint.

Mr. Mapes uses more of the back and forth writing to keep the story interesting, this time going back and forth between the characters instead of back and forth between times. And while the focus is still mainly on Everett, Full Tilt starts to include more of Everett's family as well.

It's definintely a wild ride and at times scarier than some of the horror books out there. As a mom, I find "meth" a terrifying drug. We actually had the first "meth" bust in our county just down the road from my house (we live in a rural area and thankfully drugs aren't a huge problem yet). But meth is just bad and Mr. Mapes emphasizes that in this book. Everett is back in this book trying to walk the Christian walk and do all he can to bring others to know Jesus including his brother, Eddie and his family who are still in shambles dealing with his son's death. It's heart-wrenching at times and at others you just really want to smack Eddie and Sheila (and that's the point).

Mr. Mapes has done another great job crafting interesting characters and making a captivating and believable plot that kept me turning the pages. The action was so great at times I had a very hard time putting the book down. I felt very invested in the characters and look forward to the next installment in the series. I think Mr. Mapes does a great job crafting the story around a Christian theme. The Christian element never seems forced. I enjoyed the book as a whole and cannot wait for my tour stop for book #3 next month.

Full Tilt by Creston Mapes is the second installment of the Rock Star Chronicles. It continues the story of Everett Lester, the former lead singer of DeathStroke, who has recently become a Christian. Everett and his wife, Karen, are living in New York so that Everett can be close to his brother Eddie's family. Eddie's remaining son, Wesley, blames Everett for his brother's death and has vowed to make Everett pay. As Everett reaches out to help Eddie overcome his gambling addiction and Wes to kick his drug habit, Everett gets pulled into the darkness of their lives and finds himself at odds with the local mafia. Everett is getting ready to start his Living Water tour which are free concerts across the nation that showcase his new music that gives glory to God. As the persecution continues, Everett must find a way to do what God has called him to do.

Overall, I liked this book. It was not as gripping as the first in the series, but it was good to see the further development of Everett's character. I liked that as a new Christian, Everett still had struggles and had to choose every day to cling to God's word and promises. I look forward to reading the final book in the series.

Thanks to MediaGuests for providing me a free copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a favorable review.

Like

Be the first to like this post.

If you were a fan of 'Dark Star' you are going to love 'Full Tilt', the awesome sequel in the "Rock Star Chronicles". Mapes once again gets you wrapped up in the page-turner and you just can't put it down. I also recommend his other novel 'Nobody'

THIS BOOK LOOKED LIKE IT WAS WAY OUT OF MY COMFORT LEVEL. I CHOOSE TO READ IT ANYWAY. IT IS PART OF A 2 PART SERIES. IT IS REAL- SO REAL YOU FEEL WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE FEELING. YOU WILL FIND IT SO CLOSE TO LIFE IT CAN BE DISCOURAGING. THEN YOU FIND IT IS SO MUCH ABOUT WHAT GOD CAN DO FOR THE WORST OF US. YOU LEAVE WITH HOPE

I think the best things I can say about this book, and its predecessor, "Dark Star," are that I couldn't put either down, and that after reading them both, I have already pre-ordered his next novel, "Nobody."

The stories were gripping, and especially in the second book, the characters were well developed. I could really relate to them. I found it very interesting to see the struggle both main characters went through, between their faith and human events.

The books were honest, not neat "everything is working perfect" kind of things. They put feet to the struggles of life, even for a person who has chosen to follow Jesus Christ. Mapes isn't afraid to confront every day issues, but he does so with real Biblical convictions. The characters are real. I enjoyed both books and look forward to more from Mr. Mapes.