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.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Breaking the Christian Fiction Mold: An Advent for Religious Liberty

Ray Keating breaks the Christian fiction mold with the Pastor Stephen Grant novels, taking his thrillers – filled with action, faith, intrigue, rich characters, real dialogue, romance, big issues, and humor – to an entirely new level.

Writing about AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, LHP Lutheran Book Review: “Ray Keating has a knack for writing on topics that could be pulled from tomorrow's headlines. An atheist mayor-elect of NYC? I could envision that. Pastor Grant taking out a terrorist? I could see that.”

Also check out the many 4 and 5 star reviews at Amazon.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Breaking the Christian Fiction Mold: Root of All Evil?

Ray Keating breaks the Christian fiction mold with the Pastor Stephen Grant novels, taking his thrillers – filled with action, faith, intrigue, rich characters, real dialogue, romance, big issues, and humor – to an entirely new level.

“ROOT OF ALL EVIL? is an extraordinarily good read. Only Ray Keating could come up with a character like Pastor Stephen Grant... As trouble mounts in this page-turner, Grant will need both skills - martial and theological - to punish evil and save the good. Even though the Bible says that it's the love of money which is the root of all evil, Grant will find that even a casual appreciation of the U.S. dollar is enough to corrupt church men, government officials, and foreign agents.” according to best-selling novelist Paul L. Maier, author of “A Skeleton in God’s Closet.”

Also check out the many 4 and 5 star reviews at Amazon.

Monday, September 28, 2015

Breaking the Christian Fiction Mold: Warrior Monk

Ray Keating breaks the Christian fiction mold with the Pastor Stephen Grant novels, taking his thrillers – filled with action, faith, intrigue, rich characters, real dialogue, romance, big issues, and humor – to an entirely new level.

It all starts with WARRIOR MONK. David Keene, 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.”

Also check out the many 4 and 5 star reviews at Amazon.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Breaking the Christian Fiction Mold: Murderer's Row

Ray Keating breaks the Christian fiction mold with the Pastor Stephen Grant novels, taking his thrillers – filled with action, faith, intrigue, rich characters, real dialogue, romance, big issues, and humor – to an entirely new level.

On MURDERER’S ROW, Kirkus Review says, “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.”

Also check out the many 4 and 5 star reviews at Amazon.

"Wowsers!" on Pastor Stephen Grant Series

In the latest 5-star review at Amazon for WARRIOR MONK and the entire PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT thriller series, K.J.S. writes,

"Wowsers! Awesome series! Have read them all & can't wait for the next one! Love the characters and up to the minute story lines!"

Thanks so much!

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Breaking the Christian Fiction Mold: The River

Ray Keating breaks the Christian fiction mold with the Pastor Stephen Grant novels, taking his thrillers – filled with action, faith, intrigue, rich characters, real dialogue, romance, big issues, and humor – to an entirely new level.

On THE RIVER, a Washington Times reviewer writes, “Mr. Keating's storytelling is so lifelike that I almost thought I had worked with him when I was at Langley. Like the fictitious pastor, I actually spent 20 years working for the U.S. intelligence community, and once I started reading THE RIVER, I had to keep reading because it was so well-crafted and easy to follow and because it depicted a personal struggle that I knew all too well. I simply could not put it down.”

Also check out the many 4 and 5 star reviews at Amazon.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Thanks for Support and Spreading the Word

From Ray Keating:

Thanks to the many readers and friends who have bought and enjoyed the Pastor Stephen Grant novels, and provided encouragement to me. It’s much appreciated. Also, if you see fit, please tell family members, friends, fellow churchgoers, co-workers, and anyone else about the books. And a quick thumbs up review at Amazon always helps as well. Your support and efforts to spread the word are invaluable. Again, thanks and God bless. By the way, I’ve started writing the next Pastor Stephen Grant thriller.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

The Pope Takes on Relativism, Secularism and Radical Islam

A bold statement from the pope on Christianity having to confront relativism, militant secularism, and radical Islam? Not Pope Francis. Instead, it's Pope Augustine in WARRIOR MONK: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL. Check out this key chapter from this exciting, thought-provoking thriller at:

http://pastorstephengrant.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-popes-letter-on-relativism-militant.html

A President and Religious Liberty

The following is from AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL. Don't you wish we had a president like this in real life?

The press secretary for the Republican White House said, “The President is very concerned about this disturbing attempt to push God out of the public square. He said, and I quote, ‘The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and that means people of faith are free to bring their beliefs into the public arena to weigh in on the issues of our day, and to help their fellow Americans. Government should not be looking to suppress our freedoms, but instead is here to protect our God-given rights.’”

Sunday, September 20, 2015

The Pope Visits the U.S.

As Pope Francis visits the United States, grab a great thriller about the visit of another Pope.

WARRIOR MONK: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating revolves around a former CIA assassin, Stephen Grant, who has lived a far different, relatively quiet life as a parish pastor in recent years. However, a shooting at his church, a historic papal proposal, and threats to the Pope's life mean that Grant's former and current lives collide.

CNBC's Larry Kudlow said, "Ray Keating has created a fascinating and unique character in Pastor Grant. The way Keating intertwines politics, national security and faith into a compelling thriller is sheer delight."

U.S. Congressman Pete King declared, "CIA intrigue, the Vatican, international terrorism and brutal assassinations make Warrior Monk a fast-moving, riveting read right out of today's - and tomorrow's - headlines. Add challenging religious issues, which the author makes us confront, and you have a brilliant novel. Ray Keating knows what he is writing about and writes it extraordinarily well."

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.

Murderer's Row: Great Fall Reading

Great fall reading for Christians: How about thrillers focused on a pastor who was once with the CIA?

Ray Keating’s latest Pastor Stephen Grant novel – MURDERER’S ROW – is getting big thumbs up from all over.

Pastor Rod Zwonitzer, host of KFUO radio’s “BookTalk,” calls Ray Keating "a great novelist." On a recent show, Zwonitzer said the following about MURDERER’S ROW: “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…”

Also regarding MURDERER’S ROW, Kirkus Review declared, “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.”

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.


Keating, Ludlum and Griffin

Reader/Reviewer Quote of the Day about THE RIVER: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL:

    As a pastor, I often explain that life really begins in baptism, as does this book.
    But often, we forget that, as we struggle with the details of life, the challenges of being sinners yet saints. We are challenged by our desire for justice on our terms, and we struggle with justifying our sin, or condemning our own sin as unforgivable.
    As Stephen Grant and his friends, and yes enemies and relatives, we see a picture of that kind of journey. Wrapped around a very well developed action adventure novel, this struggle of mankind is so well played out. Even if this wasn't a book with a pastor and faith, I would rate it a five, along with the best of WEB Griffin and Ludlum. But it is more than that - because the struggle of faith is revealed as well. The Christian life is revealed to be what it is, lived in the world, yet not of it. Challenged by being both being a sinner, and yet a saint.
    Ray Keating does a good job....a very good job in combining faith, adventure, guns, and real a real world relationship, that ends where it begins, united to Christ, and too His family.
    Of the Grant novels, I think this is Keating's best.
    Enjoy

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Keating and Clancy

Reader/Reviewer Quote of the Day:

"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?"


Saturday, September 12, 2015

Keating and the Thriller Masters!

The New Thriller Master! Love Clancy, Ludlum, Grisham, Cussler, Griffin, Morrell, not to mention Ian Fleming’s James Bond? Then you’ll love Ray Keating’s PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVELS, as they have been compared to the works of these mystery/thriller masters.

And there’s more…

About MURDERER’S ROW, Kirkus Review says, “Action fans will find plenty to love here, from gunfights and murder sprees to moral dilemmas.”

THE RIVER was a 2014 finalist for KFUO’s BookTalk “Book of the Year,” with the show’s host calling Ray Keating “a great novelist.”

From a Washington Times review of THE RIVER: “Ray Keating's latest novel, ‘The River,’ takes you on an intriguing summer ride… What Ian Fleming's 007 series has probably done for ex-MI-6 agents and Tom Clancy has done for retired CIA officers, Mr. Keating has done for the minority of former CIA agents who have served their country by working in the intelligence community, but now wish to serve God.”

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.



Wednesday, September 9, 2015

A Little Help on the Book Front

My faithful hound helping out as I pack up books for an event next week.


Conservative, Christians, and the Culture: Pastor Stephen Grant Novels Pitching In

Conservatives and Christians can’t leave the Left to control the culture. We need quality alternatives in literature, art, movies, television, and more. In his Pastor Stephen Grant Novels, Ray Keating not only offers action, multi-layered characters, romance, intrigue, mystery, and edge-of-your-seat stories, but also a conservative protagonist, an unabashed embrace of Christianity, respect for the military and clandestine services, and some wrestling with big ideas, such as terrorism, politics and money, religious liberty, militant secularism, and moral relativism.

Ray Keating’s MURDERER’S ROW, THE RIVER, AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, ROOT OF ALL EVIL? and WARRIOR MONK focus on a character who was a Navy SEAL, served as a CIA operative, and is now a pastor who serves both God and country.

Consider the following from a Washington Times review of THE RIVER by a current pastor and former CIA officer: “How do you handle being a former CIA adrenaline junkie turned pastor? Ray Keating's latest novel, ‘The River,’ takes you on an intriguing summer ride… What Ian Fleming's 007 series has probably done for ex-MI-6 agents and Tom Clancy has done for retired CIA officers, Mr. Keating has done for the minority of former CIA agents who have served their country by working in the intelligence community, but now wish to serve God.”

Regarding MURDERER’S ROW, Kirkus Review says, “Action fans will find plenty to love here, from gunfights and murder sprees to moral dilemmas.”

Pastor Rod Zwonitzer, host of KFUO radio’s “BookTalk,” calls Ray Keating "a great novelist." In a recent "BookTalk" show on MURDERER’S ROW, 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…”

Get all five thrillers at Amazon.

Monday, September 7, 2015

Final 24 Hours of Big Labor Day Kindle Sale

Final 24 Hours of Labor Day Sale on Thrillers from a “Great Novelist.”

Save big on the Kindle versions of all five of Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant novels – MURDERER’S ROW, THE RIVER, AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, ROOT OF ALL EVIL? and WARRIOR MONK. Buying all five would normally cost $34.95. Get them all now for only $19.95.

Regarding MURDERER’S ROW, Kirkus Review says, “Action fans will find plenty to love here, from gunfights and murder sprees to moral dilemmas.”

THE RIVER was a 2014 finalist for KFUO’s BookTalk “Book of the Year,” with the show’s host calling Ray Keating “a great novelist.”

Best-selling novelist Paul L. Maier declares, “ROOT OF ALL EVIL? is an extraordinarily good read.”

Marvin Olasky, editor-in-chief of WORLD magazine, lists Ray Keating among his top 10 Christian novelists.

And David Keene, opinion editor at The Washington Times, proclaims, “The Stephen Grant novels are great reads beginning with WARRIOR MONK, which aptly describes Ray Keating's engaging hero.”

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Thanks! Next Sales Goal Met on ROOT OF ALL EVIL?

Just reached the next sales goal with ROOT OF ALL EVIL? A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL.

Thanks for the support and encouragement.

God bless!