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About the Book
Dark Star: Confessions of a Rock Idol
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?
About the Author
Talented storyteller Creston Mapes graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1983 with a BA in magazine journalism. Since then, he has written for major corporations, colleges, and ministries. He has written for Coca-Cola, TNT Sports, Focus on the Family, Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, and The Urban Alternative. His stories have been featured in magazines including Private Colleges and Universities, In Touch, Leaders for Today, and The Hockey News. Creston makes his home in Georgia.
Visit the Author’s Website
My Review
I was excited to finally be able to read this book! I’ve seen good comments from other reviewers, so my expectations were high. I was not disappointed. Creston Mapes takes his readers into the dark, temptation-filled world of a rock star and then counterpoints that with the present-time trial faced by said rock star for the death of his long-time psychic.
For me, this was a very believable story. It felt like Mr. Mapes knew exactly what it was like to be in a rock band, traveling forever from city to city on tour, always in the spotlight, and how someone living that life becomes detached from reality. We’ve seen it in the lives of so many celebrities as they seem bent on self-destruction. I’ve often wondered how someone could live that way, and now I’ve caught a glimpse of that life and I’m amazed that there aren’t more crash and burn lives.
In the midst of all the chaos surrounding the band DeathStroke, there is a beacon of light in the letters written to Everett Lester by a young girl. To his amazement, she is not a fan! He can’t figure out why she decided to reach out to him, to tell him that Jesus loves him. At first he is amused by her repeated letters, but as the years go by, he feels a compelling curiosity. Why hasn’t she given up? He is certain he will never be the kind of person she would even want to know, so why does she bother?
He has everything he could want and yet feels nothing. Then reality catches up with him following the final concert when Everett throws a mike stand into the crowd and starts a riot, injuring a young girl. His world falls apart from this moment on.
I found Everett to be the epitome of the hard rocker – troubled childhood, anger, drugs, alcohol, and complete self-indulgence. I watched him come out of the fame riddled stupor to see the damage he had caused and try to do the right thing. I was touched as he questioned the life he had been living and reached for support as he found himself on new ground. I was touched by the placement of faithful characters who played a vital role in Everett turning to God in his lowest moments.
Mr. Mapes has written a wonderful story that will capture the interest of young adults, teens, and anyone who grew up in the 1970s and ’80s. We were exposed to that kind of music and can relate to that kind of band/lifestyle. If you are one who enjoys a good story that shares the ups and downs of finding faith in a troubled world, you will probably enjoy this book. The telling of the band’s history is interspersed with the trial of Everett Lester for the murder of his psychic. Will everyone doubt his newly found Christian faith? Will the truth come out about the death of Endora Crystal? Will Karen continue to be a faith inspiring source for him? You will have to read the book to find out.
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