"I just wanted to tell you how inspiring your novels are. I picked up Dark Star at a Christian bookstore I live near because I thought it looked interesting and I couldn't put it down! I got Full Tilt the day it was out here in Australia and finished it in about 3 days (a personal best for me!). I can't wait to read "Nobody". I loved the Rockstar Chronicles because I am a musician myself and have come from a life of secular pleasure and could relate to aspects of the book and I'm hoping some of my friends can too. Best of luck with your upcoming book and everything else you do! God has truly blessed you with an exceptional talent and I thank you for sharing it with the world."

"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."

"Hello Mr.Mapes, It is 10:53 P.M., Thursday, Sept.13,2007, I have just finished "Darkstar." Ironically I live not too far from where you will be this coming Monday about thirty min. away from Greenville. I want to say that I actually read the books backwards. A friend of mine had told me about a new discount Christian bookstore in Spartanburg. It was before I was to have shoulder surgery so I figured I would go and take a look for some books to read while I recovered from my surgery. Surprisingly I'm not really much of a reader, at least not until I picked up "Full Tilt." I honestly could not put it down I had read it in just a few days, then I reached the end to find that was actually the sequel. Now that I have read both they both remind me so much of my life, when I was younger my goal was to become this rock idol just as Everett had, but I always held my self down partly to do with the alcohol and drugs that i had done the other part just not knowing where to start. I was too busy dreaming of what I wanted and too little time making it happen. Thank God that never happened cause I would have been exactly like Everett Lester, with the exception that I was raised in church. I'm sorry I could go on and on about my own testimony and how I've finally let God start to lead me over the past three years.

I really wanted to say that I love both of these books they kept me on my toes the entire time I read them, I really wish these were in movie form also, I believe they would be blockbusters. I do hope there are more stories of the Lester family I would love to know what is going on now. May God bless you and your talent and that you are using it for His purpose."

"This book and the first in the set, "Dark Star," are just incredible books! I can't wait until my boys are old enough to read these books! Mapes has already been touted as the John Grisham of Inspirational Fiction. I believe it. The books are not shallow, they are "meaty" and very well written! I buy and sell my books at a used book store. These two books I am keeping! I can't wait until his next book is out! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for anyone!"

"Dear Creston, I'm currently in a Texas prison. I've read both of the Dark Star books, in order. My mom and step father sent the first one about two months ago. Then Full Tilt last week. I'm 26-years-old so both of the books caught my attention. I don't know if it was the ideas of the rock concert in Dark Star or the references to meth in Full Tilt, but God is what I'm after now. Since I read Dark Star I've been x'ed out of the Arian Circle, in other words, I'm no longer apart of it. I've also become less of a presence in the day room, where all the fighting and trouble seem to start from. I've got one year done on a five year sentence. I should be out on parole some time late in 2009. My 4-year-old daughter will be 7 by then. I'm writing all this to say 'thank you.' I love the books. My daughter would thank you too. I've given my life to God now. I'm slow but it's all taking affect. If you knew how I used to live, and what kind of person I was, you would know that angels are singin at the top of their lungs. I love the books. I'm patiently waiting for the next one. If ya'll have anything you could send me that would tell me when the next one is coming to stores, I could in turn send it to my mom (she's a Christian too). Your book has helped me a great deal with my meth problem. I have the strength I need now."

"Wow. Dark Star and Full Tilt were amazing! I love these kinds of books and can't wait to get more! You're right up there at the top of my favorite author list! Keep drawing people in!!"

"I ran across both of these books in Ft Worth. I saw "Full Tilt" and, being a fan of music, this cover caught my eye immediately! I just wanted to let you know that I have not enjoyed reading anything as much as I have these two books. I grew up in a house with rock 'n' roll everywhere. I still enjoy the music, but I have become much more discerning about what I listen to. The realism of these books is amazing! I read both books in about 3 days. Will there be anymore of the "Rock Star Chronicles" in the future? I hope so! I became a fan of Christian fiction about 10 years ago when a co-worker let me read "This Present Darkness" by Frank Peretti.I can honestly say these 2 books rank among my favorite books I have read in many years. I believe God will reach many people with these books. To a fan, this will connect like no other books on the market will."

"Dear Mr. Mapes, I recently met you at the booking signing on April 15. I bought Full Tilt that day and I must say I enjoyed it just as much if not more than Dark Star. I really have been pulled into this series and cant wait for the next book to come out."

"Hi Creston, I just finished Full Tilt. Loved it!!! These characters get under my skin!!! :)) How many books in this series? Will the next one be out pretty soooooooooooooon??? Hope you have found the pathway the Lord has prepared for you. God bless you."

"I just wanted to email you and let you know how IMPRESSED I was in your book. I could not put it down. I read it all in 2 sittings. I related alot to this book....you know?"

"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)."

"Good Morning, I have just had the pleasure of reading Full Tilt. What a great book. I found it to be a better read than Dark Star but I think that is because in the first book you had to set the scene and map out the characters. I am also glad that you opted for the ____ ending rather than a miraculous ____. I do believe in miracles, don't get me wrong, but I think that would have been a cop-out. I can't wait for your next book. Will there be a third in the series?"

"Mr. Mapes, I just finished Full Tilt and I just wanted to write and thank you for being a great Christian author. I found your books to be incredibly suspenseful and inspirational. I bought them for my husband because he plays in a Christian metal band. He loved the first one, but I stole the second one before he could read it. Thanks so much!"

"Hello Creston, Just wanted to drop you a quick line telling you I finished Full Tilt, and how much I enjoyed it. Full Tilt was so good that I was up til 4am this morning reading it becuase i could just not justify putting it down! It was a very thought provoking book, and as I said before, it has brought alot of new considerations into my journey and for that I can't thank you enough. It was the aid to my spirit that I have needed for quite some time, and again i can't thank you enough for that. Also, i must commend you on the fact that you could not have followed up DarkStar any better, which seems to be hard to do when you have an initial book as good as Dark Star. Anyway thank you for sharing the wonderful gift God gave you and for helping so many people like me see their spirits and journeys in new light."

"I just finished Full Tilt last night. Fabulous! Kudos, bro. Your book paralleled my life in the main way...rock star going down the wrong path gets set right and turns his music into God's work instead of God's enemy. I loved the book. I can relate to having problems that I feel like I caused, or that maybe God is re-paying me. Thank you for the extra comments at the end about meth and the horrible atrocities that are happening in our communities because of it. I look forward to meeting you, and to reading book 1. Thank you for the story. It captivated me for a month."

"I can't express how much I appreciate your books! Both Dark Star and Full Tilt are absolutely AMAZING to say the least! It's great to hear redemption stories, especially from a rock star! You write these stories like you've actually lived their lives, and that's an amazing gift from God. I'm a Christian who loves to play guitar, sing and rock out! And now I love Everett Lester! I wish there were more people like him out there to look up to. Once again, thank you soooooooooo much for these wonderful books! I can't wait to see what happens next in Everett's life!!!!"

"Although you probably get thousands of e-mails like this one, I still wanted to write to you and tell you how your novels "Darkstar" and "Fulltilt" inspired me to learn more about God. I have known the Lord for a long time now, but I questioned him a lot, things such as Wesley had said in "Fulltilt", why did God let people die, and horrible things happen in this world, but now I know, it’s a test for everyone, a test for me to keep my faith in him, and to believe in him with all my heart. I look forward to your future books, as you are one of my favorite authors of all time!"

"Hi Creston, I just finished Dark Stark & Full Tilt. I love them! Once we become believers we are under spritual attack. I am so glad we don't always experience the demons Everett faced so often but we must recognize the subtle ways Satan works.

Just the Sunday before I started reading, one of our pastors mentioned what would happen if everyone prayed for Osama Ben Laden. I have wondered since why isn't he on every prayer list in America? Karen's diligence to pray for Everett has set an example for me.

Thank you for these great books. They kept me on the edge of my seat! I equally enjoyed Nobody!"

"I am 16 years old and I have been a Christian for nearly two months. I just finished reading your books, Dark Star and Full Tilt. They really reached out to me. I actually used to be involved with drinking and if I would've had the chance I would have probably been involved in drugs as well. I just wanted to tell you how great your writings are. They really inspired me and I am sure they inspired many other young people like myself."

"Brother, I'm loving the Dark Star books and can't wait to get to Nobody! I just gotta know, is there going to be anymore stories with Everett? I could see a lot of Everett in myself. I didn't have the drug and alcohol dependency like he did, but I still had my addictions. I wanted to be a rock and roller like him. I just gave up on the dream shortly after high school. That's ok. I can rock out for some elementary kids at my church. And believe me, I enjoy it immensely! Anywho, not just me, but my wife has enjoyed the books as well! Hope to see you come around Alabama someday! God Bless!!!"

"Mr. Mapes, I just finished reading your book and am looking forward to obtaining the sequel! It was one of the best books I have ever read. I had to check the front references several times to make sure it was a work of fiction! I am hoping for my sons to read it, as my oldest son has started a band. It is a Christian band, but I want him and his brother to realize that if things go as planned for them, there could be the potential of literally thousands of people that will "idolize" them, and therefore they would indeed have the opportunity to reach them for Christ! Again, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and hope to see many more from you!"

"I am unsure if I fit the demographic of a typical reader of the Dark Star series. I am 48 years old, married, and have two girls. I came upon Dark Star in an advertisement last year in HM magazine.

I just finsihed up Full Tilt this summer. (Dark Star last summer) I had to write and tell you how much I enjoy this series. I absolutely love the characters, and truely care for them. When I refer people to your books, I explain it is fast and furious storytelling, and an emotional roller coaster. That's what set it apart. There is raw excitment one moment, and then tender heart gut emotion of someone accepting Christ. You are truely a gifted and blessed writer.

So thank you for the books. I look forward very much to the book. Rock on."

"Wow. I just finished Full Tilt this morning and was once again blown away. What an amazing gift of story telling you have. I have been eagerly waiting for the 2nd book and now can't wait for the the 3rd. Wish it was coming out tommorow. Thank you so much. I know this series will be touching a thousand hearts. You have inspired me to start writing again. What I love, is that your writing is so REAL. I could really identify with the characters and was rooting for them all the way. This is what I have been looking for in Christian fiction. Thank you again. Keep doing God's work and know I will be spreading the word about your amazing books. I will buy everything you will put out in the future. By the way, if this ever get's made in a film, don't worry about casting. Everett Lester is typing this right now. ROCK ON!"

"'Just one more...', is what I said at the end of each chapter. I could not put this fantastic read down as I continued this adventure with Everett Lester in Book 2 of the Rock Star Chronicles. Creston Mapes has done it again. After being blown away by Dark Star (book 1), I eagerly awaited the next book, Full Tilt. Totally avoiding the "sophomore slump", this talented writer is the next big thing in Christian fiction. He has a wonderful gift of storytelling, in which he weaves complex characters that are intertwined into unbelievable plot twists and at the same time making it REAL.

In Full Tilt, we continue this wild ride with rockstar Everett Lester and his family. Throughout the story the characters deal with many difficult forms of conflict, real life issues, and the greatest battle in today's society: Being a Christian and spreading God's great word. Not only does the story involve meth, the mob, and the trappings of fame, but also deals with things that will make you really think about life and God. Things such as family, faith, infertility, addiction, temptation, loss, forgivness, the bible and prayer.

In short, I highly recommend this read to people of all ages, most importantly to any non-believers. I promise you these books will stick with you and make you think how you can make your life better, when you trust and believe with faith in our Lord Jesus, who loves all of us with open arms. Thank you and ROCK ON Creston! Ohio Fan P.S. Attn: Hollywood. Pick this up now. Get it made. This is going to be huge, and people are waiting..."

"Creston, I wanted to let you both know I just finished Full Tilt over the weekend. I loved it. I find myself driving to errands and I'm thinking back to Everett and Wesley, reviewing what all happened to them in my head as if they are real people! Now that's the sign of an awesome book. Thanks for the life messages that were in both books. I am hoping to pass them on to one of my co-workers who is in her early 20s and not a Christian. Thanks again!!!"

"Wow!!! I got Full Tilt for my birthday and finished it last week! Awesome!! I really enjoyed it...in some ways better than Dark Star (an easier read) but Dark star is still my favorite because of the style it was written in. Enjoyed it thoroughly, and the kids are all fighting about who gets to read it next. Blessings to you and all your family!"

"I had a chance over the weekend to read Full Tilt. Loved it! In fact, it was even better than the first. Furthermore, I also read House by Dekker/Peretti, and I have to say Full Tilt was the better read. Part of that was familiarity with the characters, I'm sure, but it was equally about development of plot and so forth. Can't wait for your next work!"

"I cannot wait until May 2007, for the next in the series. I certainly hope this next book is the third in the series "Rock Star Chronicles". I read Dark Star and Full Tilt in like 4 days. I could not put them down. My mother who is 57 has also been so enthralled, she cannot get any of her housework done. Thank you SO Much for writing something EXCITING that Christians can read!!! Also, I think this should be made into a major motion picture. "Third Day" can do the soundtrack. PLEASE do not stop on Everett Lester and the whole saga, I mean you could go on for days, just like the Left Behind stuff (which I've never read) Okay- enough, but Praise the Lord for writers like you- get this to the big screen, stir up some controversy!!!! Thanks again, I'm telling everyone about you and your books!"

"My husband has always been an avid reader, I just became one. We couldn't put the books down. I read both books in less than 2 days. They really drew us in within the first few pages. We really enjoyed reading them and hope that you do a third book that revolves around the Lester family. My husband and I were both heavy metal lovers until God really spoke to our hearts about our music. These books really hit home for us. Thank you for writing them. We look forward to reading more of your work. It hit me that these two books could be an inspiration to my husband and I to maybe try our hand at writing a book. God Bless you always."

"I had to tell you that I just finished reading Full Tilt. In fact, because I couldn't put the book down I found myself holding a flashlight over the book out on our lanai so that I could stay in my comfy chair out there and keep reading after it turned dark! I loved it, Creston! And once again, I found myself amazed that a fiction writer somehow has the ability to talk for gangsters as well as for a sweet young woman, with all the right emotions for each. How you are able to get inside the head and heart of both shall remain one of life's mysteries for me. I know this book will minister to many, as it did to me."

"Full Tilt is even better than Dark Star. As I'm reading I'm thinking how far the CBA is coming along. Real people commiting real sins. I think Creston and others who are writing edgy fiction are reaching people that the squeaky clean books could never hope to. I'm so thankful that this type of book is getting published."

"I am a little more than half way through the book right now (page 207 to be exact). I have to tell you, being a lawyer myself, I REALLY liked Dark Star, especially the format of the book. I did not think I would like the sequel as much. I was "dead" wrong! This book is just as exciting as the first and has really make me think how fortunate I am to have been a Christian all my life. Very glad I have not had the struggles Ev has with a former life. Chapter 16 was great -- I did not expect to walk away actually having some compassion for Wes -- it was good to see he has a softer side, even when he is doped up. When Eddie started his car after the mob meeting, I fully expected his car to blow up -- way to keep us on our toes! Thanks again -- just wanted to share some thoughts."