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.

Monday, June 24, 2019

Sign Up to Get THE TRAITOR for FREE

Join the Pastor Stephen Grant Novels Email List! Get Pastor Stephen Grant stuff, including a monthly newsletter and THE TRAITOR: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT SHORT STORY for FREE coming later this year! http://www.pastorstephengrant.com/contact.html


Saturday, June 22, 2019

Author Ray Keating Suggests Pre-Ordering DEEP ROUGH

The New Pastor Stephen Grant Novel – DEEP ROUGH – Available for Pre-Order Now for the Kindle or Signed Books


For the Kindle edition go to https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SSVS68T

One man faces challenges as a pastor in China. His son has become a breakout phenom in the world of professional golf. The Chinese government is displeased with both, and their lives are in danger. Stephen Grant – a onetime Navy SEAL, former CIA operative and current pastor – has a history with the communist Chinese, while also claiming a pretty solid golf game. His unique experience and skills unexpectedly put him alongside old friends; at some of golf’s biggest tournaments as a caddy and bodyguard; and in the middle of an international struggle over Christian persecution, a mission of revenge, and a battle between good and evil.

Thursday, June 20, 2019

3 Reasons for Reading the Pastor Stephen Grant Mysteries/Thrillers: Thumbs Up from Amazon.com Reviewers for the Pastor Stephen Grant Book of the Month – WINE INTO WATER

Again, let’s ask, why should you buy WINE INTO WATER, which is the Pastor Stephen Grant Book of the Month for June? Yes, the Kindle price has been slashed from $6.99 to $2.99. And signed books and sets are on sale at  https://raykeatingonline.com/t/book-of-the-month.


But consider three more thumbs-up from Amazon.com reviewers...

1) “These mysteries hit the spot for me. Very interesting and tension building plots. The protagonist is a complex man, surrounded by great characters which continue through the series of books.” – 5 Stars

2) “As usual, I anxiously awaited a new book by Rev. Ray Keating, and I was not disappointed. Thank you, and keep them coming!” – 5 Stars

3) “Wonderfully complicated plot that keeps you reading more and more. Difficult to put down. Highly recommend this book for an enjoyable read!” – 5 Stars

By the way, the average Amazon review is 4.6 out of 5 stars!

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Ray Keating Talks Book of the Month

WINE INTO WATER is the Pastor Stephen Grant Book of the Month for June. 


Sale on signed books and sets at https://raykeatingonline.com/t/book-of-the-month



Spy Stuff: Excuse Me, How Many Spies Are in Washington, D.C.?

It’s not surprising to read that Washington, D.C., is a high-target city for international spies. But the number tossed out in an articlepublished by WTOP.com might makes some eyes pop.


Consider the following from this article (the full piece is well worth reading, by the way):

     According to the International Spy Museum in D.C., an educational and historical center of U.S. intelligence documentation and artifacts, there are “more than 10,000 spies in Washington.”
     While there may be some quibbling about the actual numbers, the FBI agrees with the premise.
     “It’s unprecedented — the threat from our foreign adversaries, specifically China on the economic espionage and the espionage front,” said Brian Dugan, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for Counterintelligence with the FBI’s Washington Field Office.

- Ray Keating



Sunday, June 16, 2019

5-Stars for THE RIVER: Read An Excerpt

New 5-star Amazon review of THE RIVER: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL says:

"I am currently on book 6 of the Pastor Stephen Grant series, but the fourth book, The River, stands out as my favorite. The reveal of who the culprits are towards the end was surprising but also made a lot of sense... An excellent book."




Thursday, June 13, 2019

3 Reasons for Reading the Pastor Stephen Grant Mysteries/Thrillers: More Praise from Reviewers for the Pastor Stephen Grant Book of the Month – WINE INTO WATER

Again, why should you buy WINE INTO WATER, which is the Pastor Stephen Grant Book of the Month for June? Yes, the Kindle price has been slashed from $6.99 to $2.99. And signed books and sets are on sale at  https://raykeatingonline.com/t/book-of-the-month.


But consider three more thumbs-up from noteworthy reviewers...

"Part thriller and part mystery, Wine into Water is full of action, suspense and an electric cast of characters - both villainous and heroic - that will satisfy fans of crime thrillers." - Self-Publishing Review

"Grant's finely acquired wine tasting skills come into play here as he takes notice of distinct hint of vanilla in a Merlot. Intrigued? You should be as this novel again grabs hold of the reader and accelerates to a unexpected ending. Buy it! Read it! Enjoy it! Gift it!"  - Rod Zwonitzer, retired host of KFUO's "BookTalk" 

"This is yet another fun thriller from Ray Keating. I loved learning more about the wine industry, and Mr. Keating did a great job weaving church history and communion-use throughout...” - Mary J. Moerbe, author of Blessed: God's Gift of Love and Family Vocation

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Spy Stuff: Russian Response to “Chernobyl” Miniseries? Blame the CIA

I haven’t had the chance yet to watch HBO’s miniseries “Chernobyl,” a dramatization of the 1986 Soviet Union nuclear reactor disaster, but apparently the Russian government has. And it seems that President Vladimir Putin isn’t happy.


According to The Washington Post, a pro-Kremlin company is in postproduction on a Russian answer to the HBO series. And the Russian government provided some financing for the series. 

Just in case one thinks that things have changed significantly in Russia, the country, under Putin, who was a KGB officer, still likes to re-write history. So, rather than blame human error and faulty designs, as was the case, why not point fingers at – yes, you guessed it – the CIA? 

As the Post notes, “The Russian series apparently is part of this patriotic pushback. According to the [Moscow] Times, the production will be anchored in the premise that a CIA operative was at Chernobyl conducting sabotage. The series follows a group of KGB officials working to track down the infiltrator.”

Same old Russia?

- Ray Keating


Tuesday, June 11, 2019

The New Pastor Stephen Grant Novel – DEEP ROUGH – Available for Pre-Order Now!

One man faces challenges as a pastor in China. His son has become a breakout phenom in the world of professional golf. The Chinese government is displeased with both, and their lives are in danger.  

Stephen Grant – a onetime Navy SEAL, former CIA operative and current pastor – has a history with the communist Chinese, while also claiming a pretty solid golf game. His unique experience and skills unexpectedly put him alongside old friends; at some of golf’s biggest tournaments as a caddy and bodyguard; and in the middle of an international struggle over Christian persecution, a mission of revenge, and a battle between good and evil. (Publication date: July 16th)

Pre-order the Kindle edition...



Or pre-order signed books...



Thursday, June 6, 2019

3 Reasons for Reading the Pastor Stephen Grant Mysteries/Thrillers: Thumbs Up from Reviewers for the Pastor Stephen Grant Book of the Month – WINE INTO WATER

So, why should you buy WINE INTO WATER, which is the Pastor Stephen Grant Book of the Month for June? Of course, the Kindle price has been slashed from $6.99 to $2.99. And signed books and sets are on sale at  https://raykeatingonline.com/t/book-of-the-month.


But consider three thumbs-up from noteworthy reviewers...

1) "A first-rate mystery makes this a series standout..."  - Kirkus Reviews

2) "In this, Ray Keating's sixth novel featuring Pastor Stephen Grant, we discover that the always intriguing former Navy Seal and CIA operative is also a world class wine aficionado. This comes in handy as the pastor is once again forced to divide his time between his understanding wife, the needs of his church and congregation, and what some describe as his 'hobby' of joining the fray to assist colleagues from his past life when called upon. Grant is a wonderful character and Wine Into Water is a great read."  - David Keene, Opinion Editor, The Washington Times

3) "When Grant's around, nobody messes with the communion wine."  - Russ Saltzman, Aleteia.org

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Spy Stuff: How Does One of Your Neighbors Become a Spy?

Many stories can be found of otherwise seemingly solid folks becoming spies for America’s enemies. How does that happen?


The FBI offers some interesting insights in “The Case of the Friendly Neighborhood Spy.” The story of William Holden Bell being lured in by Marian Zacharski to hand over secrets to the Polish government, then firmly in the camp of the Soviet Union, is a classic case of a foreign agent preying on an individual in tough circumstances.

Toward the end of this interesting read, it’s noted: “Bell’s betrayal of his country mirrors the story of many others ensnared by foreign spies both past and present. Over time, vulnerable Americans are drawn in with money, companionship, attention, and other “carrots” in exchange for information, which gradually increases in importance, classification level, and quantity.”

- Ray Keating



Saturday, June 1, 2019

WINE INTO WATER: The Pastor Stephen Grant Book of the Month for June with the Kindle Price Slashed from $6.99 to $2.99!

Blood, wine, sin, justice and forgiveness… Who knew the wine business could be so sordid and violent? That’s what happens when it's infiltrated by counterfeiters. A Lutheran pastor, once a Navy SEAL and CIA operative, is pulled into action to help unravel a mystery involving fake wine, murder and revenge. Stephen Grant is called to take on evil, while staying rooted in his life as a pastor.


Among the positive reviews for WINE INTO WATER...

"A first-rate mystery makes this a series standout..."  - Kirkus Reviews

"In this, Ray Keating's sixth novel featuring Pastor Stephen Grant, we discover that the always intriguing former Navy Seal and CIA operative is also a world class wine aficionado. This comes in handy as the pastor is once again forced to divide his time between his understanding wife, the needs of his church and congregation, and what some describe as his 'hobby' of joining the fray to assist colleagues from his past life when called upon. Grant is a wonderful character and Wine Into Water is a great read."  - David Keene, Opinion Editor, The Washington Times

"When Grant's around, nobody messes with the communion wine."  - Russ Saltzman, Aleteia.org

"Part thriller and part mystery, Wine into Water is full of action, suspense and an electric cast of characters - both villainous and heroic - that will satisfy fans of crime thrillers."  - Self-Publishing Review

"Grant's finely acquired wine tasting skills come into play here as he takes notice of distinct hint of vanilla in a Merlot. Intrigued? You should be as this novel again grabs hold of the reader and accelerates to a unexpected ending. Buy it! Read it! Enjoy it! Gift it!"  - Rod Zwonitzer, retired host of KFUO's "BookTalk" 

"This is yet another fun thriller from Ray Keating. I loved learning more about the wine industry, and Mr. Keating did a great job weaving church history and communion-use throughout...” - Mary J. Moerbe, author of Blessed: God's Gift of Love and Family Vocation