Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Creston Mapes Book Review Book Tour #50bookpledge

Dark Star | Creston Mapes

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?


Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/bzhHu


Full Tilt | Creston Mapes


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 last year 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: will 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?


Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/bzhMl



Nobody | Creston Mapes


American Christian Fiction Writers: "Book of the Month"

They said, "He's a nobody."
They were dead wrong.

When reporter Hudson Ambrose hears an early morning call on his police scanner about an injured person at a bus stop on Las Vegas Boulevard, he rushes to the scene to get the scoop.

His world is blown off its axis when he discovers a murdered homeless man with a bankbook in his pocket showing a balance of almost one million dollars. Should he wait for the police, knowing the case will get lost in reams of red tape, or swipe the bankbook and take the investigation--and perhaps a chunk of the money--into his own hands?

With sirens bearing down on the scene, Hudson makes an impulse decision that whisks him on a frantic search for answers, not only about the mysterious man in the black Converse high-tops, but about the lost soul lurking within himself.



Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/bzhU1


I loved these books...  I have to say at first I wasn't sure how much I would like Dark Star with all the chaos in our own current media the first thing I thought was why do I want to read about the train wreck or another star.  Though with reading it I did learn so much about myself and really about the pain that one in that lifestyle can feel.  Honestly, it seems that there is even more pain as they live within a world where they have a lot of people who are puppets and when you need someone to stand up for you and let you know what your doing is wrong, instead you find a lot of people that do not want to risk changing anything as their ride will end. Everett Lester has so much pain in his life and truly it brings back the all important message not to judge a book by its cover.  With reading Dark Start we learn so much about Everett that we would not be aware of if we judged from the outside with not knowing what was truly going on with him.

Full Tilt is a continuation of Everett Lester's story and just when you think everything is fine and going to go well for him this time on you realize he is not done fighting this ongoing battle.  Through this book it shows how family can also be the factors that can be trying to stop your from your true life's mission and path.  This I find to be a story that will hit home for many people.  We all known we can not choose our family and that we are born into them.  It is without a doubt a very painful process to watch those around you take the wrong paths and potentially destroying their life.  It is one thing to fix yourself if you decide you need to change, although it is another thing to try and help those around that you love if they do not even realize they need the help.

The Last of the Creston Mapes books I read was called Nobody.  This book is not related to the the other two books, but I did find it held similar messages that we all can relate to although maybe not to their extreme.  We all have found something that has not belonged with us and some of us may have had inner battles on what to do.  Do we turn it over or keep it for oneself.  I really found this book interesting because with Hudson searching for the answers about a crime, he really is also searching for answers about himself.  Where many people may have just ignored the homeless man or passed it onto someone else, Hudson makes a decision that takes him down a path that he truly was not expecting to go down.

With summer here if your looking for some great new books to take to the beach, the lake or even just to read while relaxing in your own backyard you must get yourself these books.  Without a doubt the book will have you questioning and looking at the world in a whole new light and most importantly you may learn a little something about yourself!

Happy Reading 

I received these books for review purposes.  All views are 100% my own and were not influenced at all.

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