Pastor Stephen Grant?

Stephen Grant is the pastor at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church on eastern Long Island. Grant is one of the more unique second-career clergy around, as he once worked for the CIA. Besides theology, his interests include archery, golf, writing, classic films, the beach, poker, baseball, and history. Grant also knows his wines, champagnes and brews. Oh yes, he generally dislikes politicians, and happens to be an expert marksman with a handgun and a rifle, while being pretty handy with a combat knife as well.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day: An Advent for Religious Liberty

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day:

Amazon review of AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY:

"Keating once again shows he weaves a good story that keeps your interest as well as exploring important topics. Can't wait for the next Stephen Grant novel to come out."

Who Is the Most Interesting Man?


Monday, June 29, 2015

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day: Root of All Evil?

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day:

Amazon review of ROOT OF ALL EVIL?:

"I have a pile of books to read, but when I learned of the new Pastor Stephen Grant novel I put them all aside and downloaded it onto my Kindle. Like Mr.Keating's first book (Warrior Monk), I stayed up too late reading because I didn't want to put it down. The drama and adventure were top shelf, as good as the big name writers: Clancy, Grisham etc."

Murderer's Row Goes 3-for-3!

Ray Keating goes 3-for-3 with new thriller MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL.

How do rescuing a Christian family from the clutches of Islamic terrorists, minor league baseball in New York, a string of grisly murders, sordid politics, and a pastor, who once was a Navy SEAL and CIA operative, tie together? Find out in MURDERER’S ROW. The first three Amazon reviews are stellar.

FIVE STARS: “My review of Keating's previous book noted he was a good author and almost to the level of Clancy. Murderer's row puts him there. The plot is complex and multilayered. The tension is strong. The pace moves well, enough to keep me reading all day in order to finish. As an added plus, the plot involves crooked politicians, conservative philosophy, Lutheran LCMS theology, spies, guns, and -- best of all -- baseball. How could you ask for more?”

FIVE STARS: “I've been waiting for this book ever since I read the first four, and it did not disappoint. Now just waiting for the next one--what else can happen on Long Island?”

FOUR STARS: “Another very good novel in the Stephen Grant series… The plot was great, and as usual, the insight into the characters thoughts were very good.”

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day: Warrior Monk

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day:

Amazon review of WARRIOR MONK:

"What a fun first novel from Ray Keating - I actually found myself slowing down my reading to drag out the story a little more, because I didn't want it to end. (And, yes, it is that fast-paced!) I love a good spy novel, and this one of a former CIA agent turned pastor also played into my theological interests. The concept is intriguing - debates over the morality of killing, cooperation between Protestant denominations and the Catholic church, the recognition that God directs our paths and can use our maybe not-so-good past for good in the present - all intellectually stimulating, while wrapped up in a fun read."

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Ray Keating on Par with Tom Clancy

A new 5-star Amazon review of MURDERER'S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating:

"My review of Keating's previous book noted he was a good author and almost to the level of Clancy. [Murderer's] Row puts him there. The plot is complex and multilayered. The tension is strong. The pace moves well, enough to keep me reading all day in order to finish. As an added plus, the plot involves crooked politicians, conservative philosophy, Lutheran LCMS theology, spies, guns, and -- best of all -- baseball. How could you ask for more?"

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Eminent Domain Abuse and Murderer's Row

Today is the tenth year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Kelo v. New London decision - an atrocious, 5-to-4 decision that effectively allows government to take property from an individual, family, or business for any reason in order to hand it over to another private entity.

Such abuse of eminent domain serves as part of the story in MURDERER'S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Murderer's Row Is "Superbly Executed"

What a nice comment on MURDERER'S ROW from a Facebook reader:

"Just finished it this morning! Wow! Very surprising events, but superbly executed. Thanks again!"

Sinatra Cool and "The River: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel"

Dean Martin said something along the lines of "It's Frank's world, we just get to live in it." There's a big tip of the hat to Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack in THE RIVER: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL.

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Baseball and Murder


5-Star Review of Murderer's Row by Ray Keating

5-star Amazon review of MURDERER'S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating:

"Keating hit another one out of the park! I've been waiting for this book ever since I read the first four, and it did not disappoint. Now just waiting for the next one--what else can happen on Long Island?"

Conservative Hero Returns in New Thriller Just in Time for Summer Reading!

Ray Keating’s MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL features the rescue of a Christian family from the clutches of Islamic terrorists, minor league baseball, a string of grisly murders, sordid politics, and a pastor who once was a Navy SEAL and CIA operative.

Ray Keating has been called “a great novelist” by the host of “BookTalk” on KFUO radio.

David Keene, former president of the American Conservative Union, past president of the NRA, and current opinion editor at The Washington Times, says, “Thriller and mystery writers have concocted all manner of main characters, from fly fishing lawyers to orchid aficionados and former ballplayers, but none has come up with anyone like Stephen Grant, the former Navy Seal and CIA assassin, and current Lutheran pastor. Grant mixes battling America's enemies and sparring with enemies of traditional Christian values, while ministering to his Long Island flock. The amazing thing is that the character works. The Stephen Grant novels are great reads beginning with ‘Warrior Monk,’ which aptly describes Ray Keating's engaging hero.”

MURDERER’S ROW is the fifth Pastor Stephen Grant novel, and Keating serves up fascinating characters, gripping adventure, and a tangled murder mystery, along with faith, politics, humor, and, yes, baseball.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Welcome Summer with Ray Keating's Pastor Stephen Grant Novels

Summer arrives this weekend, and that means it’s the ideal time to get into Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant novels, including the just-published MURDERER’S ROW. In fact, MURDERER’S ROW has more than you could hope for in a great summer read for the beach, poolside, at the lake, camping out, or just relaxing with a cool beverage, including a Christian family rescued from the clutches of Islamic terrorists, minor league baseball in New York, a string of grisly murders, sordid politics, and a pastor who once was a Navy SEAL and CIA operative.

By the way, Ray Keating has been called “a great novelist” by the host of KFUO’s “BookTalk” radio, and Amazon.com reviewers compare his thrillers to the works of Clancy, Ludlum, Grisham, Cussler, Griffin and Morrell.

Get all five Pastor Stephen Grant Novels – WARRIOR MONK, ROOT OF ALL EVIL?, AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, THE RIVER and MURDERER’S ROW – at Amazon. Summer at its best.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Murderer's Row Top 100 in Kindle Christian Mystery and Suspense

MURDERER'S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL just ranked in the Top 100 Kindle Christian Mystery and Suspense category on Amazon. Very exciting!

New Pastor Stephen Grant Novel Released - Murderer's Row

Explosive New Thriller from Ray Keating Titled “Murderer’s Row: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel”

Baseball, Terrorism, Murder and More Confront a Former CIA Operative and Current Pastor

Long Island, NY – How do rescuing a Christian family from the clutches of Islamic terrorists, minor league baseball in New York, a string of grisly murders, sordid politics, and a pastor, who once was a Navy SEAL and CIA operative, tie together? Find out in MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating.

Ray Keating has been called “a great novelist” by the host of “BookTalk” radio. A Washington Times reviewer, who happens to be a pastor who once worked for the CIA, noted, “Mr. Keating also allows you to discover how each of his characters tick in a style and tone reminiscent of some of the best-loved books of all time.”

MURDERER’S ROW is the fifth Pastor Stephen Grant novel, and Keating serves up fascinating characters, gripping adventure, and a tangled murder mystery, along with faith, politics, humor, and, yes, baseball.

Ray Keating said, “In this Pastor Stephen Grant thriller, I enjoyed bringing baseball into the exciting world of Pastor Stephen Grant, and his family, friends, and former CIA colleagues. I hope readers have as much fun reading MURDERER’S ROW as I had writing it.”

Discover Pastor Stephen Grant and his world of intrigue, faith, action, love and murder.

Amazon.com reviewers compare his thrillers to the works of Clancy, Ludlum, Grisham, Cussler, Griffin and Morrell.

CNBC’s Larry Kudlow said, “Ray Keating has created a fascinating and unique character in Pastor Grant.” Best-selling novelist Paul L. Maier noted, “Only Ray Keating could come up with a character like Pastor Stephen Grant.”

MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL is available in trade paperback from Amazon.com at



This thriller also can be purchased and downloaded for the Kindle at



Keating’s previous books include THE RIVER: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL, AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL, ROOT OF ALL EVIL? A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL and WARRIOR MONK: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL. In addition to being a novelist, Keating is an economist, entrepreneur and adjunct college professor, as well as a former, 20-plus-year newspaper columnist with Newsday and Long Island Business News.

Review copies, interviews for the media, and author appearances are available upon request.

Contact: Ray Keating
Phone: 631-909-1122
E-mail: raykeating@keatingreports.com
PastorStephenGrant.com


Thursday, June 11, 2015

MURDERER'S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL Arriving Very Soon!

Explosive New Thriller from Ray Keating Arrives Very Soon!

Murderer’s Row: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel

Baseball, Terrorism, Murder and More Confront a Former CIA Operative and Current Pastor

How do rescuing a Christian family from the clutches of Islamic terrorists, minor league baseball in New York, a string of grisly murders, sordid politics, and a pastor, who once was a Navy SEAL and CIA operative, tie together? Find out in MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating.

MURDERER’S ROW will be the fifth Pastor Stephen Grant novel, and Keating serves up fascinating characters, gripping adventure, and a tangled murder mystery, along with faith, politics, humor, and, yes, baseball.

MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL will be available in trade paperback and for the Kindle from Amazon.com in June 2015.


Wednesday, June 10, 2015

New Thriller Coming So Get Caught Up with Kindle Sale

Fan of Clancy, Ludlum, Grisham, Cussler, Griffin or Morrell?

Well, Amazon.com reviewers place Ray Keating and his Pastor Stephen Grant novels in the same company of these thriller masters.

With MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL coming later this month, take advantage of the Kindle Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers sale to get caught up on the action.

For less than $15, buy the Kindle versions of the first four thrillers – WARRIOR MONK, ROOT OF ALL EVIL?, AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, and THE RIVER – at Amazon.

Or, just get them in paperback.

Either way, you’ll get hooked. A Washington Times reviewer proclaimed THE RIVER to be “an intriguing summer ride,” adding, “I simply could not put it down.”

Get the Kindle version of THE RIVER at
http://www.amazon.com/River-Pastor-Stephen-Grant-Novel-ebook/dp/B00KBXSGR0/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1430094768&sr=8-1&keywords=the+river+by+keating

Monday, June 8, 2015

Monday, June 1, 2015

Cover for New Keating Thriller "Murderer's Row"

Here's a first look at the preliminary cover for Ray Keating's new thriller - Murderer's Row: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel.

The book will be published later this month!