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, August 25, 2015

Reader/Reviewer Quote of the Day - 5-Stars for Murderer's Row

From a new 5-star review of MURDERER'S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL:

"I read all the Pastor Stephen Grant novels. Murderer's Row maintained the fine tradition of great reads. Can't wait for the next one to come out. Great cast of characters that maintain continuity between books but you can read any one out of order. I preferred to start and the beginning and read each in order. Love the way it ties in Pr. Grant's prior Navy SEAL service, followed by his CIA service to his service as a LCMS pastor with Catholic and Anglican priests as close friends. Action, intrigue and solid theology combined."

Wow! Thanks so much.

Monday, August 24, 2015

Kirkus Review of Murderer's Row:"Action fans will find plenty to love..."

A review from Kirkus Review on Murderer's Row: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel by Ray Keating declares:

“The author packs a lot into this frantically paced novel… a raft of action sequences and baseball games are thrown into the mix. The multiple villains and twists raise the stakes… Stephen remains an engaging and multifaceted character: he may still use, when necessary, the violence associated with his former professions, but he at least acknowledges his shortcomings—and prays about it. Action fans will find plenty to love here, from gunfights and murder sprees to moral dilemmas.”


Wednesday, August 19, 2015

A Big Lutheran Thumbs Up For Pastor Stephen Grant Novels

Attention Lutheran Book Lovers!

Pastor Rod Zwonitzer, host of KFUO radio’s “BookTalk,” calls Ray Keating "a great novelist" and gives big thumbs up for Keating's PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVELS. In a recent "BookTalk" show talking about MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL, Zwonitzer declared: “The listeners have to understand that they’re going to get some good theology, they’re going to get some good mysteries, some very well done thriller writing…” He added that MURDERER’S ROW “keeps the reader hooked,” and that there’s “intrigue going on at lots of levels.”

Zwonitzer also observed that Keating does “a really good job of weaving in faith, and Christ alone.”

Regarding all of Ray Keating’s PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVELS, Pastor Zwonitzer said: “I truly appreciate the ability … in this series to interweave economics, government affairs, and theology.” He also pointed out that each book serves up “a sterling, superb beginning and an even better ending.”

Get all five Pastor Stephen Grant novels – MURDERER’S ROW, THE RIVER, AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, ROOT OF ALL EVIL? and WARRIOR MONK – at Amazon in paperback or for the Kindle.

Reader/Reviewer Quote of the Day on Murderer's Row

Latest 5-star review of MURDERER'S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL:

"I read all the Pastor Stephen Grant novels. Murderer's Row maintained the fine tradition of great reads. Can't wait for the next one to come out. Great cast of characters that maintain continuity between books but you can read any one out of order. I preferred to start [at] the beginning and read each in order. Love the way it ties in Pr. Grant's prior Navy SEAL service, followed by his CIA service to his service as a LCMS pastor with Catholic and Anglican priests as close friends. Action, intrigue and solid theology combined."

Monday, August 17, 2015

Little Luther Beach Reading

What does Little Luther want to read at the beach?


Pastor Stephen Grant Novels by the Numbers #5

85% of Amazon reviews of WARRIOR MONK: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating are 4 or 5 stars.

Edge-of-your-seat reading.

Pastor Stephen Grant Novels by the Numbers #4

93% of Amazon reviews of ROOT OF ALL EVIL? A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating are 4 or 5 stars.

am packed with intrigue and excitement.

Pastor Stephen Grant Novels by the Numbers 3

94% of Amazon review of AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating are 4 or 5 stars.

Exciting novel torn from today's headlines.

Pastor Stephen Grant Novels by the Numbers 2

86% of Amazon reviews of THE RIVER: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating are 4 or 5 stars.

Enjoy this gripping thriller.

Pastor Stephen Grant Novels by the Numbers 1

93% of Amazon reviews of MURDERER'S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL are 4 or 5 stars. 

Time to enjoy this well-regarded thriller.

Friday, August 14, 2015

Theology Mingled with Good Adventure

Reader/Reviewer Quote of the Day:

From a new 4-star review of WARRIOR MONK: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL - "Good job on this author's first novel. ... A lot of theology mingled with a good adventure. I liked it."

Get the book at
http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Monk-Pastor-Stephen-Grant/dp/1453801030/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

Sunday, August 9, 2015

5-Stars for THE RIVER: His Will and God's Will

Very much appreciated most recent 5-star review on Amazon for THE RIVER: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL. The following is from that review:

"All of the characters are becoming so real and familiar to me that you can't put the book down because you are so concerned as to what may happen to them in the next few pages. As always I like how Stephen must wrestle with his will and what he knows what God's will would have him do. The Paige character as always is sexy and alluring but always faithful in the deadly encounters that face her and Stephen. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys thrillers. Also the Lutheran doctrine sprinkled throughout the book gives a good Christian witness of Christ love for all sinners."

Get THE RIVER at
http://www.amazon.com/The-River-Pastor-Stephen-Grant/dp/1499514174/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

Thoughts from Ephesians 4

The following particularly struck me from this morning's Epistle at church.

Ephesians 4:29 - 5:2 (ESV):

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Big Thumbs Up from BookTalk Host for Murderer's Row

Looking for an exciting thriller that embraces the Christian worldview? Pastor Rod Zwonitzer, host of KFUO radio’s “BookTalk,” offered big thumbs up for MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating.

Zwonitzer declared: “The listeners have to understand that they’re going to get some good theology, they’re going to get some good mysteries, some very well done thriller writing…” He added that MURDERER’S ROW “keeps the reader hooked,” and that there’s “intrigue going on at lots of levels.” Zwonitzer also observed that Keating does “a really good job of weaving in faith, and Christ alone.”

Regarding all of Ray Keating’s PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVELS, Pastor Zwonitzer said: “I truly appreciate the ability … in this series to interweave economics, government affairs, and theology.” He also pointed out that each book serves up “a sterling, superb beginning and an even better ending.”

Get all five Pastor Stephen Grant novels – MURDERER’S ROW, THE RIVER, AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, ROOT OF ALL EVIL? and WARRIOR MONK – at Amazon in paperback or for the Kindle.


Thursday, August 6, 2015

Keating Talks Murderer's Row on the Radio

My conversation with Pastor Rod Zwonitzer about MURDERER'S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL on KFUO's "BookTalk" is available on the KFUO website. Thanks again, Rod!

Listen at
http://www.kfuoam.org/2015/07/31/bt-2015-07-31/