Fear Has A Name by Creston Mapes

My review of "Fear Has A Name" can also be found in the May issue of the Book Fun Magazine (www.bookfunmagazine.com)  If you haven't had a chance to check out this fabulous online magazine that is full of interesting articles, hop over and check it out.  Best part is it's FREE!

"Fear Has A Name" - by Creston Mapes

It was more than a break-in. More than a stalking. It was personal. When a stalker targets his family, journalist Jack Crittendon must uncover who the person is and what his motives are--if he is to protect the ones he loves. It will lead Crittendon into a world of behind-closed-door secrets and faith gone awry, as does his investigation of a missing pastor, whose apparent suicide is more than it appears.

 Each move Crittendon makes weaves him tighter and tighter into a web of lies, greed, hypocrisy, sin, and danger. He believed he'd never give in to fear. But that was before. And holding on to his faith won't be easy. Nor will keeping his family safe, and ending the terror. Because that might require him to step over lines he never dared to cross.

 Following his highly successful, “Nobody”, Creston Mapes brings us the first in a new series. Thanks to his earlier books, Mr. Mapes has been a finalist in both American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year awards and the Inspirational Readers Choice awards.

   Ace reporter Jack Crittendon has been handed a self-interest story about a local Senior Pastor, Evan, who has seemingly disappeared. All signs point to a mental breakdown or worse, that he’s run off with one of his congregants that he has been counseling after the death of her husband. As part of the story, Jack interviews the pastor’s wife who is sure that none of those are true, especially the last reason. While Jack is trying to track down the missing pastor, a stranger has been targeting his family. After several break-ins and searches by the police, they discover pornography hidden on Jack’s home computer. After some investigation, though, it turns out that whoever is stalking the family planted that on the computer in an attempt to discredit Jack. Cleared of those charges, Jack is now not only on the hunt for the stalker, but still trying to find the missing pastor. As the police continue their investigation into the stalker, they discover that he is a childhood friend of Pam, Jack’s wife. As the hunt continues, Pam takes her girls away to visit her folks to keep them out of the danger. While there, though, she runs smack into her stalker, Granger Meade. Granger kidnaps Pam and starts on a cross-country journey to “make the life he never had” with Pam by his side. Meanwhile, Jack has discovered evidence of the church elders skimming money from the tithes and offerings, something that Evan had found out too. Evan, we find out, has given up on himself and God and is on his way to end his failures to his wife and to his church. Jack is notified that his wife has been kidnapped, so he heads out to stop Granger from destroying all he loves. Where does Granger take Pam? Does he convince her to leave Jack and the kids behind and be with him? Will Jack find Pam and stop Granger before it’s too late? Where is Evan and what does he do with his life? Great questions and even better answers when you BUY THE BOOK!

 This book grabs you from the start and it never lets go. From Granger breaking into the house, the investigation into the missing pastor, the discovery of missing funds at the church, the cross-country chase to the explosive ending. You never have a chance to breathe with all of the excitement and you definitely will never want to put this book down. All along the way, too, we get to see how the characters rely on Him to help them in all of their times of trials and tribulations. We get to see faith in action of Pam and Jack. We get to see the feeling of hopelessness addressed by the “lost” pastor and we get to see the acceptance of God’s love in Granger.

 Is this a "guy's book"? This has the earmarks of a great guys book. The pace is quick and refreshing, the twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what more could happen. Any guy should pick up this book and be thoroughly entertained by the time the action is all over.

 Creston took a few minutes of his time and answered some interview questions for me in a chance to let us see a little about who he is and why he does what he does:

 What is your favorite bible verse and why?
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Jesus Christ now lives in me. The life I live in the flesh, I live with faith in the Son of God, who loved me and delivered himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20). It is so tempting to try to live this life in our own strength. This verse reminds me to die to that concept, to remember that when Christ went to the cross, I was there with him, dying to my old self and my old ways. Now, I live, not with faith in Creston, but with faith in Christ. It’s not me who’s living this life…it’s Him in me, the hope of glory.

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your books and why?
 In each book there has been a different “takeaway” factor for the reader. It’s not that I go into each book with a plan to get the reader to think a certain way. Each book simply reflects where I am in life, what I’m going through personally, mentally, spiritually, etc. I want readers to be thoroughly engrossed with my books and to have a lot of fun turning the pages, dying to find out what happens next! I also want them to be challenged to think about some of the major issues in each book and to really contemplate how those characters and stories might actually impact the way they live their lives on a day-to-day basis. But I don’t think about that as I’m writing…I think about writing thrilling stories that play like fantastic movies in the reader’s mind.

 Besides writing, what are some of your favorite hobbies?
 We have a very close-knit family, so much of my time is spent with them, helping coach baseball, watching drama productions, teaching them to drive, visiting them at college, going to their events, and just hanging out as often as possible. I also love painting, reading, watching sports, photography, going on dates with my wife, watching movies, cooking a little bit, and being with friends.

 What advice would you give to a beginning writer?
 There is so much to learn about the craft of writing fiction. To do it well, there is a whole lot to understand before you really get serious about writing a manuscript. Things like ‘point of view,’ ‘telling not showing,’ pacing, premise, and other things really need to be understood if the author is going to write a fine book. I suggest reading all you can about the craft of writing fiction. There are some tremendous books out there by the likes of Donald Maass, Noah Lukeman, Stephen King, James Scott Bell, Penelope Stokes and others that will really help the beginning writer.

 Favorite memory from childhood?
Going across the street to the local pharmacy in our small Ohio town to buy candy and baseball cards. Being around my dad’s furniture store and hanging with friends/family.

 Favorite comfort food?
 Cheese and pretzels. A fine cup of coffee. (Not together.)


 About the Author 

 Creston Mapes has spent the past nineteen years writing in the freelance and marketing arenas for major corporations, colleges and ministries nationwide. A graduate of Bowling Green State University with a BA in magazine journalist, Mapes’ impressive list of clients includes Coca-Cola, TNT Sports, The Weather Channel, Focus on the Family, Bell South and The Urban Alternative. Mapes’
extensive work in marketing copywriting for higher education has led him to work with more than 120 colleges and universities. He also served cas creative director of Walk Thru The Bible, while under the leadership of New York Times bestselling “The Prayer of Jabez” author, Bruce Wilkinson. With an early background in newspaper reporting and photography, Mapes’ feature stories have appeared in numberous magazines including Private Colleges and Universities, In Touch, Leaders for Today, The Hockey News and Physician. He has authored three books, “Dark Star”, “Full Tilt” and “Nobody”.

 I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.