Full Tilt, by Creston Mapes

Full Tilt, Rock Star Chronicles Series #2 By Creston Mapes / Multnomah Publishers Inc.

We’ve all followed the careers of our favorite bands or musicians. But unless we’ve lived the life of one, we have no idea what one really goes through on a day-to-day basis. Creston Mapes gives us a glimpse into what this kind of life may look like. More specifically, one that has been captured from hell’s flames and is now committed to saving others from destruction.

Everett Lester has had a difficult life. He endured a dysfunctional family before his rise to fame as a rock star in the band DeathStroke. Power and pleasure brought him nothing but dissatisfaction and pain. Until he met Christ, his Savior, and Karen, the love of his life. Things should be perfect now, right? Wrong.

While planning his Living Water concert tour, circumstances hurl problems at Everett that he can’t control. His bails out his brother, Eddie, from his gambling debts only to find he can’t quit betting. His nephew, Wesley, hangs out with meth junkies who snare him into deeper trouble. Everett and Karen must endure a personal struggle of their own as well. Those things, however, may be the least of his worries.

As the evil surrounding Everett grows thicker, he realizes that his family is being targeted by organized crime. Their very lives are threatened as a result of extending a helping hand. Can Everett overcome the external forces pushing and pulling him and also conquer his inward struggle with insecurity and temptation? Will he trust God to work miracles through prayer and obedience?

I highly recommend Full Tilt. It’s easy style and gut-twisting realism kept me enthralled throughout the book. And I, along with Everett and Karen, was inspired to believe God’s promise: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (Isaiah 43:2-3a).