Full Tilt (Rock Star Chronicles, #2) in Creston Mapes Hosts Q&A

Mar 27, 2013 Christopher Long rated it it was amazing

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The second in Mapes' popular Rock Star Chronicles series, "Full Tilt" is the riveting 2006 sequel to his 2005 debut, "Dark Star." In short, the series tells the fictional story of Everett Lester, the once out-of-control frontman for the platinum-selling heavy metal band, DeathStroke. A man battling many demons — the usual rock and roll suspects — sex, drugs, booze, greed, ego and the like, Lester ultimately experiences his own "Damascus Road" awakening and realizes his true life purpose. But eve The second in Mapes' popular Rock Star Chronicles series, "Full Tilt" is the riveting 2006 sequel to his 2005 debut, "Dark Star." In short, the series tells the fictional story of Everett Lester, the once out-of-control frontman for the platinum-selling heavy metal band, DeathStroke. A man battling many demons — the usual rock and roll suspects — sex, drugs, booze, greed, ego and the like, Lester ultimately experiences his own "Damascus Road" awakening and realizes his true life purpose. But even after discovering and accepting the love, grace and forgiveness of Christ, his troubles are far from over. Darn those Badinos!

Simply put, "Full Tilt" pushed all of my buttons. At the risk of abusing a perfectly good cliche', it literally had me on the edge of my seat as I burned through each chapter like a hot knife through butter (cliche' #2). In fact, Mapes' vivid accounts of mobsters, murder and meth often gave me chills.

Mapes is an amazing storyteller, captivating me with non-stop suspense while remaining focused on a broader faith-based message. From my own first-hand past experiences in the rock and roll world to my current path pursuing Christian ministry, I've personally lived out much of "Full Tilt." Hence, I can endorse the story as being completely authentic and believable. Mapes paints his characters with Picasso-like precision — so real and endearing that I felt personally connected to them all — even those darn Badinos! So much, that I actually felt as if I was an unmentioned extra placed in the middle of every scenario.

But despite the gripping intrigue, Mapes presents greater messages — one of Christ's radical love, and a challenge to us all to love the unlovable. Solid stuff to be sure.

Although I'm somewhat accustomed to getting things bassackwards in life, I thought initially that I might miss something by diving into this two-part series in reverse. However, "Full Tilt" stands up just fine on its own — loud and proud. And I was left with no unanswered questions — that is until the very end, when I found myself salivating for Part Three.

-Christopher Long
(April 2013)
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Aug 02, 2016 Susan Emery-O'Malley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Excellent

I loved it. God's forgiveness and grace is the central theme of this story. I love that the characters were flawed and human. Highly recommended. ...more

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Jan 09, 2013 Kia rated it it was amazing

I read my first Mapes book, "Dark Star," and became completely hooked on Everett Lester's story. I had no choice but to hop onto the sequel. While "Full-Tilt" isn't quite as exceptional as Dark Star, it's still great. When I first started reading it, I was a bit overwhelmed with the melodrama, but it grabbed hold of me nonetheless and didn't let go until I came out the other end. Full of action and suspense. I miss Everett's first-person storytelling from Dark Star, though! ...more

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