Take a Summer Ride with Ray Keating's Thrillers

Ready for a summer ride?

The unofficial start of summer is the perfect time to dive into award-winning novelist Ray Keating's Pastor Stephen Grant novels.

A Washington Times reviewer declared that Keating “takes you on an intriguing summer ride.”

Get all of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers – 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.

Leading Conservative Loves Pastor Stephen Grant Novels

About the Pastor Stephen Grant novels by Ray Keating, 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.”

Kirkus Reviews on Pastor Stephen Grant Novels

Ray Keating's MURDERER'S ROW and THE RIVER have gotten big thumbs up from Kirkus Reviews reviewers...

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

• Kirkus Reviews also gives a big thumbs up to THE RIVER: “A gritty, action-stuffed, well-considered thriller with a gun-toting clergyman.”

Ian Fleming and Ray Keating?

From a Washington Times review of THE RIVER: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL written by a pastor and former CIA officer:

“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.”

Touchstone Magazine Thumbs Up for Murderer's Row

A Touchstone magazine review of MURDERER’S ROW says:

“This is a fun read, though the embedded theology is real and salutary. There is death and life, adultery and commitment, friendship and betrayal, violence and victory over violence… Perhaps the best part of the book for the reviewer is that the clergy are good at helping people bring Christ into their vocations.”

Big Thumbs Up from Lutheran Book Review

Big Thumbs Up from Lutheran Book Review for MURDERER'S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating:

“Keating's fictional character Grant, a former Navy SEAL and CIA operative and a current LCMS Pastor, is the subject of five novels. The latest, Murderer's Row, pits Grant against politicians and terrorists in the midst of murders and minor league baseball in New York. 

I miss Tom Clancy. Keating fills that void for me… Keating deals with timely issues like political corruption, abuse of eminent domain, terrorists who sneak into our country, the consequences of bad decisions, the after effects of real violence, and the need for good people to stand for truth, protect the weak and innocent, and proclaim the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ.”

Real Pastors Giving Thumbs Up to a Fictional Pastor!

Ray Keating’s PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVELS – MURDERER’S ROW, THE RIVER, AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, ROOT OF ALL EVIL? and WARRIOR MONK – feature a Lutheran pastor who used to be a Navy SEAL and a CIA operative. Keating’s mix of mystery, action, faith, real characters and dialogue, intrigue, humor, romance, and some big issues has received some big thumbs up from reviewers.

For example, on MURDERER’S ROW, Kirkus Reviews says, “Action fans will find plenty to love here, from gunfights and murder sprees to moral dilemmas.” And Kirkus Reviews also gives a big thumbs up to THE RIVER: “A gritty, action-stuffed, well-considered thriller with a gun-toting clergyman.”

But there’s more. It turns out that many real-life pastors are enjoying the adventures of a fictional colleague…

• “Ray Keating is a great novelist.”

• “Good novel, holds your attention, and the good guy is a minister!”

• “I miss Tom Clancy. Keating fills that void for me.”

• “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.”

• “This Presbyterian pastor thoroughly enjoyed all of them! Anxiously awaiting the next…”

• “ROOT OF ALL EVIL? is an extraordinarily good read.”

• “I loved every second of it.”

• “Keating has created in WARRIOR MONK a cleric who for pastors, in the midst of what often seems a routine life, could become a part of an exciting and pleasurable fantasy.”

• “This is a great book - very akin to the David Morrell style with some suspense, and I love the great honesty seen in the portrayal of the pastor and the people.”

• “Ray Keating has crafted a wonderful story. I love the writing style and the little details about life as a Lutheran pastor (LCMS) that have made it into the story.”

Order all five of Keating’s thrillers – 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.

Ready for a different kind of Christian fiction?

Ray Keating’s PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVELS start with a Lutheran pastor who used to be a Navy SEAL and a CIA operative. Then Keating mixes together mystery, action, faith, real characters and dialogue, intrigue, humor, romance, and some big issues.

The result is a book series – so far, MURDERER’S ROW, THE RIVER, AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, ROOT OF ALL EVIL? and WARRIOR MONK – that’s receiving high praise from readers/reviewers for not being your typical Christian fiction…

• “Most Christian fiction leaves a lot to be desired. This book will appeal to non-Christians as well. WARRIOR MONK is about real people with real desires, emotions and feelings. I am anxious to read the other books in the series. Readers won't be disappointed.”

• “It is a pleasure to recommend a book to my friends that promotes Christian virtues, is not stuffy, and is an exciting adventure.”

• “These are not your typical Christian [novels] which tend to be so 'sweet' and sanctimonious you can barely stomach them. The characters in these books tend to be like people you know.”

• “It's always refreshing to read Christian fiction that is more realistic to life. So many times characters don't seem real because they handle their issues too perfectly. Ray Keating shows simul justus et peccator (simultaneously saint and sinner) with the characters in WARRIOR MONK Pastor Stephen Grant seems like he could be a real person. He reacts to things in a realistic way, he knows he has struggles, but because of his faith he can remind himself of the right thing to do.”

• “With each novel Keating refines and adds to his characters personalities from his previous books. His descriptions of action scenes are as good as any other thriller author I have read. The unique character of Pastor Grant and his abilities as a servant of Christ and his past as a Navy SEAL and CIA agent is unsurpassed in this type of novel. I can't wait until the next book comes out.”

• “Once again Keating has written a stylish thriller with a number of interesting sub plots. Also he presents interesting modern day dilemma's without being preachy! Enthusiastic thumbs up!”

• “Very interesting concept. It kept me thinking throughout.”

• “I'm a committed Brad Thor/Vince Flynn reader. As soon as I'm done with the latest I'm eagerly waiting for the next. After reading all of your novels, I must say, I cannot wait for the next one. I am now a committed Thor/Flynn/Keating reader. I think you have earned the right to be named among the best modern day mystery/drama authors. You have made this 24 year Navy Senior Chief and Lutheran a BIG FAN! Now go fulfill your vocation and write another ‘must read’!”

• “The author was able to combine both religion and mystery to make a great story. Whether you are religious or not it is a great novel.”

• “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?”

Order all five of Keating’s thrillers – 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.

Gifts for Mother's Day

If Mom loves to read good mysteries/thrillers that also embrace her Christian faith, then Ray Keating’s unique Pastor Stephen Grant novels make for ideal Mother’s Day gifts. Unique? Well, how else to describe Stephen Grant - a onetime Navy SEAL and former CIA operative who becomes a Lutheran pastor? Let’s just say, his old experiences and skills still come in handy.

If you need more, here’s a Top 10 list on why the Pastor Stephen Grant novels make great gifts…

1. MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating named “Book of the Year 2015” by “BookTalk” on KFUO Christian radio.

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

3. Kirkus Reviews also gives a big thumbs up to THE RIVER: “A gritty, action-stuffed, well-considered thriller with a gun-toting clergyman.”

4. THE RIVER: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL was a “Book of the Year” finalist in 2014.

5. From a Washington Times review of THE RIVER written by a pastor and former CIA officer: “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.”

6. The host of KFUO radio’s “BookTalk,” calls Ray Keating “a great novelist.”

7. A Touchstone magazine review of MURDERER’S ROW says: “This is a fun read, though the embedded theology is real and salutary. There is death and life, adultery and commitment, friendship and betrayal, violence and victory over violence… Perhaps the best part of the book for the reviewer is that the clergy are good at helping people bring Christ into their vocations.”

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

9. Lutheran Book Review says: “I miss Tom Clancy. Keating fills that void for me.”

10. WARRIOR MONK was ranked as a Top 10 book on a WORLD magazine June 2013 list.

Order all five of Keating’s thrillers – MURDERER’S ROW, THE RIVER, AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, ROOT OF ALL EVIL? and WARRIOR MONK – at Amazon.