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.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

“Dunkirk” – Christopher Nolan Forges a Masterpiece

5 Stars out of 5



Two retreats, or narrow escapes, in wartime stand out in my mind.

The first was during the Battle of Long Island during the American Revolutionary War. General George Washington’s army took a drubbing by British forces in late August 1776. The Americans were surrounded, with their backs to the East River. The end of Revolution loomed as a very real possibility. But under the cover of darkness and fog starting on August 29th and into the next day, the Americans escaped – moving some 9,000 troops, with supplies and cannons, quietly across the river to Manhattan. Washington was among the last to leave. His army was saved, and so was the Revolution.

The second occurred in late May into early June of 1940. It came to be known as the “Miracle at Dunkirk.” After being beaten and pushed to the coast by the Germans, the British Expeditionary Force, along with French troops and some Belgian and Dutch forces, were trapped at the French seaport of Dunkirk. The British government launched Operation Dynamo, cobbling together a bizarre collection of vessels, including fishing boats and pleasure craft, in the hopes of rescuing some 45,000 troops. Instead, 330,000 troops were evacuated.

This case of snatching survival – the ability to carry on the fight – from the jaws of defeat is the focus of Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk.” Nolan has written and directed a masterpiece that is sparse in dialogue, rich in tension, and innovative in its storytelling in terms of perspective, the use of time, and special effects. It’s also hard to think of another film that has presented aerial combat in such an intense and realistic manner, thereby generating high levels of suspense.

But while “Dunkirk” most certainly is an epic; it is more than that in that Nolan communicates the intensity of war, and how different men react under such horrors, in an intimate way. With limited screen time, one is still gripped by the stories of various individuals. Assorted stand-out and economical performances are served up by Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Tom Glynn-Carney, Fionn Whitehead, Jack Lowden, and Kenneth Branagh.

The film fittingly closes out with one of the soldiers reading Winston Churchill’s famous Dunkirk speech from a newspaper: “We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.”

Nolan’s “Dunkirk” brings this critical moment in history to life – this most important retreat or escape – in innovative, respectful and impressive fashion.

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Ray Keating is the author of the PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVELS. The latest in the series is WINE INTO WATER.

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Kindle Sale with New Pastor Stephen Grant Novel Arriving Soon - 33% Off

LIONHEARTS: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL – the next thriller from Ray Keating – is due very soon. That means it’s time to either get started with or get caught up on the first six Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers/mysteries – WINE INTO WATER, MURDERER’S ROW, THE RIVER, AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, ROOT OF ALL EVIL? and WARRIOR MONK. The Kindle version of each book is now reduced by better than 33%. This Kindle sale lasts until LIONHEARTS is published. Sounds like a great and affordable summer delight. Indeed, why not spend the summer with a Lutheran pastor who used to be a Navy SEAL and a CIA operative? It turns out, by the way, that he didn’t fully leave his old life behind, which makes for exciting and thought-provoking storytelling from an award-winning novelist. The Washington Times says that Keating “takes you on an intriguing summer ride.” Take advantage of the Kindle sale today!


Monday, July 17, 2017

Review of THE GIFT AND THE DEFENDER

Review of THE GIFT AND THE DEFENDER (THE LUMEN LEGENDS SERIES – BOOK 1) by Tyrel Bramwell, Grail Quest Books, 2016

As one begins to move through Tyrel Bramwell’s THE GIFT AND THE DEFENDER, the reader is pulled in, wondering how the two timelines or worlds the author offers could possibly relate. We are introduced to a familiar, modern-day world via a character bestowed with a staggering power. But we also get to know another individual and his allies in a Medieval-like, fantasy setting.

Bramwell does not disappoint. Without spoiling anything, the reader discovers the truth, and is set on a fascinating path. The book serves up a great deal about human nature, as well as being rich with biblical allegories. THE GIFT AND THE DEFENDER manages to be both thought-provoking and a true page-turner. The reader will be delighted, especially, for this reader, over the second-half of the book. In the end, Bramwell offers the rare combination of imaginative, substantive, and fun. Well done!


                           - Ray Keating, author of the PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVELS