tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77304333672182098822024-03-17T20:04:27.911-07:00Pastor Stephen GrantStephen Grant is the main character in Ray Keating's novels titled THE TRAITOR, DEEP ROUGH, REAGAN COUNTRY, LIONHEARTS, WINE INTO WATER, MURDERER'S ROW, THE RIVER, AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, ROOT OF ALL EVIL? and WARRIOR MONK, as well as in HEROES AND VILLAINS: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT SHORT STORY and SHIFTING SANDS: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT SHORT STORYRay Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.comBlogger1153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-81524483563327683542024-02-06T07:52:00.000-08:002024-02-06T07:52:42.128-08:00A Chapter from Reagan Country to Mark the February 6 Birthday of Ronald Reagan…<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">President Ronald Reagan was born on February 6, 1911. Celebrate his birthday all week with a sale on Ray Keating’s <i>Reagan Country: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i>. The price of a signed edition has been cut from $19.99 to $15.99, and the Kindle price has been reduced from $7.99 to $4.99. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Sale on signed books at </span><a href="https://raykeatingbooksandmore.com/shop/ols/products/reagancountry" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">https://raykeatingbooksandmore.com/shop/ols/products/reagancountry</span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Kindle sale at </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C6J8RB6" style="color: #954f72; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C6J8RB6</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">.</span> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2oSr0UhJ6CJbfQPinMK66G0f-RMf-o5nX4tySibA6584AFp8sciId7A5DD-TS4izDD2VehiHeG7qoTgDtrE-RuaK-gvEr5xkH2sCrnjR4_oJ1uEdAw81k1f0C-cHbQQ9SlNwS2IBI-RJsPCJu1sdpaGaVrHVEvOBYWtWgHXMe4r1vOPFjbuycYUdxFxh/s1920/Reagan%20on%20Conservatism.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2oSr0UhJ6CJbfQPinMK66G0f-RMf-o5nX4tySibA6584AFp8sciId7A5DD-TS4izDD2VehiHeG7qoTgDtrE-RuaK-gvEr5xkH2sCrnjR4_oJ1uEdAw81k1f0C-cHbQQ9SlNwS2IBI-RJsPCJu1sdpaGaVrHVEvOBYWtWgHXMe4r1vOPFjbuycYUdxFxh/w485-h273/Reagan%20on%20Conservatism.png" width="485" /></a></div><br /><h2 style="break-after: avoid; color: #2f5496; font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 2pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>Reagan Country</i>, Chapter 3<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><h2 style="break-after: avoid; color: #2f5496; font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14pt; margin: 2pt 0in 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">March 31, 1988: Moscow State University</span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; color: #2f5496; font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14pt; margin: 2pt 0in 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The three students grew up together in the Soviet Union. Since they were six years old, they’d gone to the same schools, traveled in the same social circles, and were on the same career track to serve in foreign affairs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As a result, Grigory Ivashkin, Vitaly Orlov and Maya Grachev were among the Moscow State University students, and members of the Young Communist League, selected to hear U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s address. They sat together in the large auditorium waiting for the event to begin.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Over the last few years, it was only in their most private moments – confident that they were free from the intrusive eyes and ears – that Grigory, Vitaly and Maya dared to share their ideas, beliefs, hopes and dreams. A trust developed, which was rare in a country where the young were taught to not only turn in friends and colleagues for opposing the state and the party, but their own family members as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In their conversations, Grigory usually defended the Soviet Union’s past for all that had been accomplished – from Lenin and Stalin to Andropov and Chernenko. But he was uncomfortable with Gorbachev, and his glasnost and perestroika, declaring that these were signs of weakness and a lack of principle.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Vitaly, however, found the changes being attempted by Gorbachev exciting, and the best path to actually strengthening the Communist Party at home and the Soviet Union in the world. He wanted to see communism spread further around the globe as a force for good, for raising up the people against the powerful.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The three accepted these kinds of disagreements as squabbles or differences of opinion among fellow travelers and friends. After all, they were party members in good standing, as were each one’s parents. It was only when Orlov admitted to his two friends that he was a believer, a Christian, that the trio’s relationship truly was put to the test. Over the decades, the Soviet Union relentlessly advanced a militant atheism, mounting assorted anti-religion campaigns that included closing churches, confiscating church property, harassing believers, and jailing, forcing out or shooting clergy. By the 1980s, of the churches that remained, clergy often were collaborators with the state, or even had KGB affiliations.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">One sunny afternoon not long after they first arrived at the university, the three were lounging outside. Maya sat cross-legged on a bench, while the two young men sat in front of her on the grass. Grigory commented on a <i>Pravda</i> article noting the arrest of a Russian Orthodox priest for attacking the atheism of the Soviet Union. He said, “It is ridiculous that we allow these religions to persist. Christianity should be eliminated in this country, along with its forerunner, Judaism. We serve the state, which works for the greater good. Religion only undermines our efforts. It is troubling, and dangerous, that these superstitions persist.” He shook his head. “But as Marx wrote, ‘Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. It is the opium of the people.’ I guess there always will be those who cling to such nonsense.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This was not a new conversation for the three. But Grigory always led the way, with Maya chiming in here and there, and Vitaly waiting in silence to move on to another topic. But that was not the case this time. Vitaly simply declared, “I am a Christian.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Grigory looked up, and said, “What?!” He dropped the newspaper and stood up. Grigory Ivashkin was a strong five-feet-ten-inches, with large hands, a ruddy face, a flat nose with wide nostrils, piercing blue eyes, and thin blond hair. When angry, as he was at that moment, his stare could intimidate many.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“You heard me.” Vitaly Orlov, however, had learned not to be intimidated, by Grigory or anyone else. He appeared rather relaxed and comfortable with who he was. He possessed an easygoing, likeable personality, and a quick smile and laugh. That combination seemed to match up with his appearance, that is, slightly overweight, shorter than Grigory, with round eyes, and curly light brown hair paired with a thick beard and mustache. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Both Grigory and Vitaly were intelligent. With a near-photographic memory, Grigory excelled at recalling facts and passages from books and speeches. But he was limited in his ability to see the full meaning, integration and consequences of ideas and trends. Vitaly had no such shortcomings.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“How could you…?” Grigory stopped there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Maya Grachev sighed slightly, and then looked around. “Now, boys, are we going to argue over this? Grigory, what difference does it make if Vitaly is a Christian?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">To even the most casual observer, it was evident that if Maya viewed these two men as mere friends, the same could not be said of their views toward her. Both Grigory and Vitaly were attracted to her. She was thin, as tall as Grigory, and possessed fair skin, thick, dark brown hair, and large brown eyes. She also had a knack for making even the most mundane of Soviet attire look fashionable. At the same time, her eyes communicated a certain sadness, and she offered rare glimpses of a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Maya often played moderator between the two men, who no doubt were willing to go along with her compromises in the hopes of having something much more than a platonic relationship. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Grigory said, “Of course, it matters.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Vitaly added, “Yes, it does.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The two men looked at each other.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Grigory asserted, “One cannot serve any god and the state.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Vitaly retorted, “I disagree. My parents have done so. They practiced their faith, taught it to me, and no one can question what they have done for the party and for our nation.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Maya looked at Grigory, and said, “See. It does not matter. Now, we have to get to class.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As they packed up their books, Vitaly added, “The only complaint I have, the only complaint my parents have ever had, was being forced to be Christians in secret.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">It was three years later and the trio had never again mentioned that conversation, nor Vitaly’s faith. Now, they waited to hear what this American president had to say. Since each spoke English, they didn’t need to wait for the translation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As Reagan began, Grigory leaned back in his seat. His body language oozed skepticism and even disgust. On his left, Maya sat up straight with her face expressionless. And to her left, Vitaly’s look signaled anticipation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">There were four moments during the speech that produced very different reactions from Grigory and Vitaly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">At one point, Reagan said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Like a chrysalis, we're emerging from the economy of the Industrial Revolution – an economy confined to and limited by the Earth's physical resources – into, as one economist titled his book, <i>The Economy in Mind</i>, in which there are no bounds on human imagination and the freedom to create is the most precious natural resource. Think of that little computer chip. Its value isn't in the sand from which it is made but in the microscopic architecture designed into it by ingenious human minds. Or take the example of the satellite relaying this broadcast around the world, which replaces thousands of tons of copper mined from the Earth and molded into wire. In the new economy, human invention increasingly makes physical resources obsolete. We're breaking through the material conditions of existence to a world where man creates his own destiny. Even as we explore the most advanced reaches of science, we're returning to the age-old wisdom of our culture, a wisdom contained in the book of Genesis in the Bible: In the beginning was the spirit, and it was from this spirit that the material abundance of creation issued forth. But progress is not foreordained. The key is freedom – freedom of thought, freedom of information, freedom of communication.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Grigory shook his head. Vitaly’s eyes grew wider. Maya looked back and forth between the two.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Reagan continued just a bit later:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The explorers of the modern era are the entrepreneurs, men with vision, with the courage to take risks and faith enough to brave the unknown. These entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States. They are the prime movers of the technological revolution. In fact, one of the largest personal computer firms in the United States was started by two college students, no older than you, in the garage behind their home. Some people, even in my own country, look at the riot of experiment that is the free market and see only waste. What of all the entrepreneurs that fail? Well, many do, particularly the successful ones; often several times. And if you ask them the secret of their success, they'll tell you it's all that they learned in their struggles along the way; yes, it's what they learned from failing. Like an athlete in competition or a scholar in pursuit of the truth, experience is the greatest teacher. And that's why it's so hard for government planners, no matter how sophisticated, to ever substitute for millions of individuals working night and day to make their dreams come true.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Maya’s focus seemed to be off the speech altogether. Instead, she was taking note of her two friends. Grigory was gritting his teeth, while Vitaly smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Reagan continued to speak of freedom in ways that the three had never experienced. He declared:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We Americans make no secret of our belief in freedom. In fact, it's something of a national pastime. Every four years the American people choose a new President, and 1988 is one of those years. At one point, there were 13 major candidates running in the two major parties, not to mention all the others, including the Socialist and Libertarian candidates – all trying to get my job. About 1,000 local television stations, 8,500 radio stations, and 1,700 daily newspapers – each one an independent, private enterprise, fiercely independent of the government – report on the candidates, grill them in interviews, and bring them together for debates. In the end, the people vote; they decide who will be the next president. But freedom doesn't begin or end with elections.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Go to any American town, to take just an example, and you'll see dozens of churches, representing many different beliefs – in many places, synagogues and mosques – and you'll see families of every conceivable nationality worshiping together. Go into any schoolroom, and there you will see children being taught the Declaration of Independence, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights – among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – that no government can justly deny; the guarantees in their Constitution for freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion. Go into any courtroom, and there will preside an independent judge, beholden to no government power. There every defendant has the right to a trial by a jury of his peers, usually 12 men and women – common citizens; they are the ones, the only ones, who weigh the evidence and decide on guilt or innocence. In that court, the accused is innocent until proven guilty, and the word of a policeman or any official has no greater legal standing than the word of the accused.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Maya leaned to her right, as Grigory whispered, “Lies.” She sat back. To her left, Vitaly then leaned toward her, and he was barely audible in saying, “Fascinating. He’s not what I expected.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Later, Reagan touched on faith:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Freedom, it has been said, makes people selfish and materialistic, but Americans are one of the most religious peoples on Earth. Because they know that liberty, just as life itself, is not earned but a gift from God, they seek to share that gift with the world. “Reason and experience,” said George Washington in his Farewell Address, “both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. And it is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.” Democracy is less a system of government than it is a system to keep government limited, unintrusive; a system of constraints on power to keep politics and government secondary to the important things in life, the true sources of value found only in family and faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Grigory’s blue eyes narrowed, and stayed zeroed in on the U.S. president. As Maya watched his stare, her own eyes appeared a bit sadder than usual. She hung her head slightly, but then turned to see a combination of revelation and joy on Vitaly’s face. His eyes were wide open. She looked closer, and saw a small tear in the corner of Vitaly’s right eye. She faintly smiled, and then turned back to listen to the rest of Reagan’s speech.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A little more than 20 months later, the Berlin Wall came down, and by the end of 1991, the Soviet Union had disintegrated. Gorbachev, having lost control of glasnost and perestroika, resigned.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">No matter their own desires, Grigory Ivashkin, Vitaly Orlov and Maya Grachev were forced to deal with a new world.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-37572382012698678222023-12-26T11:05:00.000-08:002023-12-26T11:05:25.229-08:00For the Festival of St. Stephen, the Martyr…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1FTCySqMG1pm939e9HUWxgvPezvE1Za2gPVNCjAL4YC078OYVICLXwKg0SOKRmpoheUhvww14axL10gCSfgqrSunc4G2awH8aaD8lU8Xt42r88VRWrFMzDL_KXY9fEK_KXUmDnGsBGlKoN_cD-CwBgeAzXi57vwKpi3k-Anv4iT9w8xbFmCB5tiRGmFb/s1600/Celebrating%20St.%20Stephen,%20the%20Martyr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1FTCySqMG1pm939e9HUWxgvPezvE1Za2gPVNCjAL4YC078OYVICLXwKg0SOKRmpoheUhvww14axL10gCSfgqrSunc4G2awH8aaD8lU8Xt42r88VRWrFMzDL_KXY9fEK_KXUmDnGsBGlKoN_cD-CwBgeAzXi57vwKpi3k-Anv4iT9w8xbFmCB5tiRGmFb/w472-h266/Celebrating%20St.%20Stephen,%20the%20Martyr.png" width="472" /></a></div><p> <b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">From Pastor Stephen Grant’s Journal, December 26</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">St. Stephen – for whom my parents named me – was the first martyr of the Church, and we celebrate his faith on this day. Once again, I pray that I might have a fraction of his strength:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together<sup> </sup>at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”<b><sup> </sup></b>And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:54-60)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">From “Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel”…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But Grant’s attention was drawn to the window between Peter and John, and Philip. That was the martyrdom of Stephen. Grant, in fact, was specifically named by his mother after St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. So, this was a scene Grant was familiar with – Stephen gazing up at Jesus at the right hand of God the Father, the Holy Spirit as a dove shining the power of faith down on Stephen, all while an angry crowd threw stones to kill Stephen. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-17794361922481276942023-12-14T14:46:00.000-08:002023-12-14T14:46:12.334-08:00A Special Excerpt from “Christmas Bells at St. Mary’s” by Ray Keating<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Pastor Stephen Grant’s sermon on December 28 in</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLJ9J2CZ" style="color: #954f72;">Christmas Bells at St. Mary's: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story</a></i></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">is taken almost completely from a Christmas Day sermon given by The Reverend David T. Keating. Yes, I know this pastor well, as he is my son. I’m proud of him, and very much appreciate David’s giving the okay for Pastor Grant to use his sermon.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">– Ray Keating</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGKNEPRP2Ki7yerD9ethHzUuXi0IWA3aB535eMxdfJAg3TvbMCiqg5Db6928ueYjN1YgP44z883ztCIj8R0M9AJ_vMkOkXJLdg_N4Qge8gLMpy35zt5HxPAObKxu3RzRI7mGfT6QYYkZqVUt5jYQD2xqOttkOaOkqYttumSbO5ULcZqiTLwEtvNwf-lph/s2400/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20If%20you%20appreciate%20the%20spirit%20captured%20by%20many%20classic%20Christmas%20films,%20then%20you%E2%80%99re%20just%20like%20Pastor%20Stephen%20Grant%20%E2%80%A6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="2400" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGKNEPRP2Ki7yerD9ethHzUuXi0IWA3aB535eMxdfJAg3TvbMCiqg5Db6928ueYjN1YgP44z883ztCIj8R0M9AJ_vMkOkXJLdg_N4Qge8gLMpy35zt5HxPAObKxu3RzRI7mGfT6QYYkZqVUt5jYQD2xqOttkOaOkqYttumSbO5ULcZqiTLwEtvNwf-lph/w500-h281/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20If%20you%20appreciate%20the%20spirit%20captured%20by%20many%20classic%20Christmas%20films,%20then%20you%E2%80%99re%20just%20like%20Pastor%20Stephen%20Grant%20%E2%80%A6.png" width="500" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Pastor Stephen Grant Journal, December 28<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I’ve never been inspired by The Muppets to write a sermon. But there’s a first time for everything, and it’s <i>The Muppet Christmas Carol</i>. And besides, it was really Charles Dickens. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So, here it is…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As many of you are aware, I’m a big film buff. And yes, one of the reasons that Christmas is a favorite holiday of mine – you know, beyond the fact that God became man – is the fact that there are so many wonderful movies to watch during this season. It’s an annual tradition in the Grant household to gather together to watch Christmas movies. There are certain staples that always get watched year after year. Movies like <i>The Bishop’s Wife</i>, <i>It’s a Wonderful Life</i>, <i>Elf</i>, and <i>A Christmas Carol</i> all reliably end up in the rotation. I admit, though, that if only one version of <i>A Christmas Carol</i> is watched in a particular year, it’s usually <i>The Muppet Christmas Carol</i>. That was the case on Friday night. And I’d like to talk a little bit about Ebenezer Scrooge. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In the book version, Charles Dickens described Ebenezer Scrooge as an “old sinner” and then goes on to say this about the character: “Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shriveled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When we read this description we can be struck by how people would be rightly terrified. Scrooge is filled with none of the warmth or cheer that we commonly associate with the Christmas season. He is, what we would call - <i>homo incurvatus se - </i> an example of man curved in on himself. Due to sin, he had shut himself off from the outside world. Rather than being concerned for his fellow man, he has nothing but contempt. The Muppets describe his situation, in a song, of course, as being that of “Mr. Outrage. Mr. Sneer. He has no time for friends or fun. His anger makes that clear. Don't ask him for a favor 'cause his nastiness increases. No crust of bread for those in need. No cheeses for us meeses.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Oftentimes when someone is totally self-absorbed in the way that Scrooge is, something dramatic must happen to shake them out of their ways. A conversion experience along the lines of St. Paul on the road to Damascus is required to move them from apathy about their condition toward concern for their soul. This is what the ghost of Jacob Marley reminds Scrooge of. It is Marley’s hopeless ghost that bemoans, “Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down, and never raise them to that blessed Star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode! Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In other words, “Why did I never hear the Christmas message? Why did I, like the Wise Men, not follow the star to the Christ child who shows not only what it means to care for your fellow man, but also to have your heart mended and oriented toward the things of God?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Throughout the rest of the story, Scrooge experiences a dark night of the soul in which he is forced to once again look away from his own self-obsession and toward his neighbor. He experiences his past, present, and future as if for the first time by actually examining those who have been placed in his life. Whether it is Mr. Fezziwig, his nephew Fred, or his employee, Bob Cratchit, Scrooge is forced to see the people whom God has placed in his life and to rediscover his care and his love for them, often in dramatic ways. Basically, the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future show him the many ways he has been neglecting his vocation of caring for his neighbor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What then does Scrooge find by going on this adventure? He rediscovers virtues that are deeply Christian in nature. It is Christ Jesus who first is the great friend to the friendless and great physician of body and soul; caring for those in need. Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim highlight these Christological virtues as well. Bob remarks that Tiny Tim wanted people in church to see him so that they might remember their savior who made the blind to see and the lame walk. What I love about this is that Tiny Tim, this innocent one who suffers, wants to be an icon that points us toward the Innocent One who suffers on behalf of the world; and who restores our souls through His suffering. What a fantastic testimony of who Jesus is; even as we see Him through the lens of Tiny Tim.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When Scrooge travels with the ghost of Christmas future and sees a potential reality in which Tiny Tim has <i>died</i> from his illness, it is Bob Cratchit who remarks that life is made of a series of meetings and partings and as Tim has now departed this table first, we will not forget him. I’ve always thought this was hard to hear in what is meant to be a children’s story. Yet, by the end of the story we know that Scrooge changes his ways in order to become more joyful, hopeful, and, in essence, more Christ-like. The fundamental conversion of Ebenezer Scrooge has not just brought new life for himself; it has brought new life for the Cratchit family. Moments like this resonate with us because they reflect deep spiritual truths that lie at the heart of our life of faith. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But Bob Cratchit is also right. Death is part of the reality of the world we live in. We don’t like to think about it around this time of year, but this is part of our condition as those who have experienced the effects of sin. As the years wear on, we can become aware of the fact that there are more empty places around the Christmas dinner table as a result of loved ones who have parted our dinner tables never to return. Yet, this is why the message of Christmas is a hopeful one even in the face of this. It is one we need to hear every day of the year; not just on Christmas. Christ Jesus was not content to leave the parting from the Christmas dinner table as a forever parting. Instead, He won for each and every Christian life eternal so that we would once again meet around the wedding feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which will have no end. The message of Christmas is clear! The Word became flesh and dwelt among us so that we might dwell forever with Him. This has profound ramifications. It means you will experience a new life. You will see that loved one again. And in place of temporal partings, we receive eternal meetings that are promised to us by our savior.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So, what can we say then of old Scrooge and how he relates to each of us? At the beginning of the story, we hear that Marley’s specter is bringing with him Scrooge’s reclamation. Throughout the story, Scrooge encounters his own shortcomings as well as his joys. There are highs and lows, and in those moments Scrooge is forced to examine his conscience, much like we do when we have the law preached to us. By the end of Scrooge’s Christmas Eve, he realizes that he is an old sinner and, in response to that, he craves absolution. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Each of us has within us the capacity to be like Scrooge at the beginning of the story. We can become narcissistic, cruel, and self-obsessed. We can walk through life with our eyes cast down and miss those in need around us. But we have an encounter with Christ that is the center of the Gospel, which serves as the impetus for our turning back outward; toward our fellow man. We are able to see the miracle of Christ’s birth and look up from ourselves toward the Christ-child. Then we too can model the behavior that Christ Jesus first demonstrated. We can care for those who are hurting or in need. We can exhibit the joy and the warmth that is there for our friends and family members. We can pass along the forgiveness of sins and share with others the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. And perhaps when we encounter Scrooges in our own lives, we can be like the shepherds who had heard the good news of the angels, and the Magi who followed the star. We can go to this newborn Christ-child to receive life itself; and, in turn, point the world to this newborn light. It is, after all, Christ Jesus who daily and richly pronounces the words of absolution that old sinners like Ebenezer Scrooge, and you and I, are in deep need of hearing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In the meantime, may we pray that the joy and the love of Christ Jesus takes root in our hearts this season. May we not be consumed by empty sentiment or holiday fervor. Instead, may we pray that the same love which compelled the Son of God to come into the world be alive in our hearts as well. And may we take courage that, because of Christ Jesus’ all atoning life, death, and resurrection, the departures from our Christmas dinner table will not be forever. Instead, we continue to look forward to happy reunions with the saints of God, both within the walls of our churches and at the end of all things when Christ calls us to be with Him at His eternal feast within the kingdom. Merry Christmas. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Scrooge lacked gratitude for all that he had, for all that God had given him. But here, he was given a great gift, and all that he should have gratitude for became evident, especially the gifts brought by Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And okay, I admit it, Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat helped me this year more than usual, given the state of my mind when Jen and I were watching this Christmas classic.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-28217707256842820172023-11-16T06:09:00.000-08:002023-11-16T06:10:02.165-08:00Ray Keating Discusses His Books and More on American Reformation Podcast<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbl4Hb1PoT_ympb6Mz0HwYzTaRl7m483juSIT8NuK0lUud6aggGUtVtmxi9ik87uu0vvMDIliA8Pea5EZNOTip6wB-oxVyYaoFXeXq_qPVHStM-q4zsMSwN7h6CYDqw-uTSdAeJVPPrcmvBHHnMuYlirVjgCz-WUH9jVT59XzZdXWYcei12Abduz_4cM_c/s430/AmericanReformationGuest.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="298" data-original-width="430" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbl4Hb1PoT_ympb6Mz0HwYzTaRl7m483juSIT8NuK0lUud6aggGUtVtmxi9ik87uu0vvMDIliA8Pea5EZNOTip6wB-oxVyYaoFXeXq_qPVHStM-q4zsMSwN7h6CYDqw-uTSdAeJVPPrcmvBHHnMuYlirVjgCz-WUH9jVT59XzZdXWYcei12Abduz_4cM_c/s320/AmericanReformationGuest.png" width="320" /></a></div><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Ray Keating was a guest on the American Reformation podcast with Pastor Tim Ahlman. Tune in for a wide-ranging discussion, from Ray’s Pastor Stephen Grant and Alliance of Saint Michael novels to his work as an economist to a discussion about the Church in the public square to some Christian history, and more! </span></p><p><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Go to</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><a href="https://americanreformation.buzzsprout.com/1962293/13979719-navigating-faith-and-politics-with-ray-keating" style="color: #954f72; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://americanreformation.buzzsprout.com/1962293/13979719-navigating-faith-and-politics-with-ray-keating</b></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">or on YouTube at</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/Hd8O5I70yYo?si=pZuUTR4dmWTDTs7b" style="color: #954f72; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://youtu.be/Hd8O5I70yYo?si=pZuUTR4dmWTDTs7b</b></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">or wherever you get your podcasts.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-74191490401793434972023-11-01T05:00:00.001-07:002023-11-01T05:00:00.145-07:00“Christmas Bells at St. Mary’s” by Ray Keating is a Page-Turner for the Christmas Season<p> <b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Spend Christmas with a Former CIA Operative Turned Pastor</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Christmas Bells at St. Mary’s: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> by Ray Keating is the perfect page-turner for the Christmas season. This is Keating’s 20th work of fiction, and the 19th book in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKNRZ2TH" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="2400" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Z6gjpl_mXgWKt4cKNqutGurRdFka7IsjzookEAR3PzTPYXErgkL5B2v-KofNn0k4lfLAFY05cv9dQVyLqU8HJnx5dli5Dhts6rvoy3LlselZ5VhWHSU-uwB0CIoYQJV1xgawmM-Osixe24aVHfdLc0cs8TL6juOBeaLVENEG9vsESmNP6tKU2ptO7Q8J/w480-h270/ChristmasBellsMovie4.png" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">If you appreciate the spirit captured by many classic Christmas films, then you’re just like Pastor Stephen Grant … and you’ll enjoy this latest adventure. From the pages of his own journal, Pastor Grant paints a picture of Christmas at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church, emphasizing gratitude for family; for a new clergy friend; for a special handbell concert; and yes, for movies of the season. But danger also lurks, and sin, justice, forgiveness, suffering, sacrifice and salvation mix together in a rare way.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ray Keating says, “Pastor Stephen Grant and I love classic films, including the tradition of watching certain movies at Christmas time. That becomes clear in </span><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Christmas Bells at St. Mary’s</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, and I hope this book becomes something of a traditional read around Christmas.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Kirkus Reviews</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> has called Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant “an engaging and multifaceted character” and “a consistently entertaining hero.” <i>Lutheran Book Review</i> calls Keating “the master of the theological thriller.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew Heise, author of <i>The Gates of Hell: An Untold Story of Faith and Perseverance in the Early Soviet Union</i></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, said, “Check out Ray's novels… They are action-filled and deeply thought out. His Stephen Grant is Jack Ryan in Lutheran clerical garb!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In an article titled “If James Bond Became a Pastor” covering Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers/mysteries series, author and columnist Gene Veith noted, “Mr. Keating knows how to tell an exciting story. And these books, like the James Bond novels, are ridiculously entertaining.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and the Kindle edition of <i>Christmas Bells at St. Mary’s</i> are available at</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKNRZ2TH" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKNRZ2TH</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, and signed books at </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.raykeatingonline.com/" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">www.RayKeatingOnline.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">. All 19 books in the series are at </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SW8HB34?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SW8HB34?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Review copies, and author interviews and appearances are available upon request. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Contact: Ray Keating</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">E-mail: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="mailto:raykeating@keatingreports.com" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">raykeating@keatingreports.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Facebook: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PastorStephenGrantNovels" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">https://www.facebook.com/PastorStephenGrantNovels</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> and </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AllianceofSaintMichael" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">https://www.facebook.com/AllianceofSaintMichael</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Twitter: @KeatingNovels<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">RayKeatingOnline.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-64843216863843205442023-08-09T08:05:00.010-07:002023-08-09T08:05:59.811-07:00On the Road with Pastor Stephen Grant<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="333" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mW_9Aopg-C8" width="576" youtube-src-id="mW_9Aopg-C8"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">A quick video about the journey to and experience at the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod National Convention. Thanks to Jonathan Keating for creating this cool video! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Check out Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant books at Amazon via <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SW8HB34?ref_=dbs_p_mng_rwt_ser_shvlr&storeType=ebooks" style="color: #954f72;">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SW8HB34?ref_=dbs_p_mng_rwt_ser_shvlr&storeType=ebooks</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">And the first book in the Alliance of Saint Michael series – “Cathedral” – is at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZCX7L97" style="color: #954f72;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZCX7L97</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Or save 15% on signed books at <a href="http://www.raykeatingonline.com/" style="color: #954f72;">www.raykeatingonline.com</a> by using the coupon code “summer15” at checkout.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-73175109702212533372023-07-25T09:30:00.003-07:002023-07-25T09:30:00.143-07:00Author Ray Keating Talks about His New Book – “For Better, For Worse: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story”<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ray Keating talks about the latest thriller</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9SK1BDQ" target="_blank">For Better, For Worse: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story</a></b></i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">. It’s the 18th book in the Pastor Stephen Grant series.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="336" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RmUbbs8KlW0" width="499" youtube-src-id="RmUbbs8KlW0"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Book Summary: From Finland to California, the tension builds and the action never falters. Pastor Stephen Grant arrives on the West Coast to officiate at the wedding of two friends. But the past reaches out to disrupt the festivities. Can Grant and his former CIA colleagues stop an attack by a team of killers sent by a powerful figure bent on revenge?<o:p></o:p></span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-46868007947801548552023-07-24T04:00:00.001-07:002023-07-24T04:00:00.136-07:00“For Better, For Worse: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story” by Ray Keating Filled with Action and Reflection<p> <b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">18th Installment in Series Featuring a Former CIA Operative Turned Pastor</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>For Better, For Worse: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story</i> is an action-packed, thought-provoking page-turner from Ray Keating. This is his nineteenth work of fiction, and the 18th book in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CB4XS5SD" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qqVBJpv9JV8HBczXU3_WZqJ3GEocEDkKN4N9-_hmQ5q0olNEsv-6H_rHNoEaCp70enPg5kanzdGXDCf-d5pLLlhdhKTfu3sJ8HmB5CKqi61V-KQFBHXbg-FYzYxaHoWhAScxZU2UiqYBsayb8LAbJrA2mvTlbrkUah9Dxl2KIEKn4qaM6YmYxaUFb9HI/w501-h282/FBFW3.png" width="501" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What’s </span><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For Better, For Worse</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> about? From Finland to California, the tension builds and the action never falters. Pastor Stephen Grant arrives on the West Coast to officiate at the wedding of two friends. But the past reaches out to disrupt the festivities. Can Grant and his former CIA colleagues stop an attack by a team of killers sent by a powerful figure bent on revenge?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ray Keating says, “It’s my hope that </span><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For Better, For Worse</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> provides plenty of action in a shorter story, along with digging a bit into the characters and their relationships. Plus, this story also says a thing or two about marriage and what it’s all about in the end. That’s a lot to pack into a tale of less than 100 pages, but I hope readers find it entertaining and interesting.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The first Facebook review of </span><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For Better, For Worse</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> said: “Outstanding story. It's impressive how much you managed to cram, if that's the right word, into such a slender book. I really enjoyed it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For good measure, Ray Keating received the following message from a reader on Facebook: “I'm not generally into short stories, but I like yours!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Kirkus Reviews</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> has called Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant “an engaging and multifaceted character” and “a consistently entertaining hero.” <i>Lutheran Book Review</i> calls Keating “the master of the theological thriller.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew Heise, author of <i>The Gates of Hell: An Untold Story of Faith and Perseverance in the Early Soviet Union</i></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, said, “Check out Ray's novels… They are action-filled and deeply thought out. His Stephen Grant is Jack Ryan in Lutheran clerical garb!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In an article titled “If James Bond Became a Pastor” covering Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers/mysteries series, author and columnist Gene Veith noted, “Mr. Keating knows how to tell an exciting story. And these books, like the James Bond novels, are ridiculously entertaining.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and the Kindle edition of <i>For Better, For Worse</i> are available at </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CB4XS5SD" style="color: purple;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CB4XS5SD</a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, and signed books at </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.raykeatingonline.com/" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">www.RayKeatingOnline.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">. All 18 books in the series are at </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SW8HB34?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SW8HB34?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Review copies, and author interviews and appearances are available upon request. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Contact: Ray Keating</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">E-mail: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="mailto:raykeating@keatingreports.com" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">raykeating@keatingreports.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Facebook: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PastorStephenGrantNovels" style="color: purple;">https://www.facebook.com/PastorStephenGrantNovels</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AllianceofSaintMichael" style="color: purple;">https://www.facebook.com/AllianceofSaintMichael</a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Twitter: @KeatingNovels<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">RayKeatingOnline.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">About the Author <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ray Keating is a novelist, an economist, a nonfiction author, a podcaster, a columnist, and an entrepreneur. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">At this point, Keating has penned 18 Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries (with more on the way) – <i>Warrior Monk</i>, followed by <i>Root of All Evil?</i>, <i>An Advent for Religious Liberty</i>, <i>The River, Murderer’s Row</i>, <i>Wine Into Water</i>, <i>Lionhearts</i>, <i>Reagan Country</i>, <i>Heroes and Villains, Shifting Sands, Deep Rough</i>, <i>The Traitor</i>, <i>Vatican Shadows</i>, <i>Past Lives</i>, <i>What’s Lost?, Persecution,</i> <i>Under the Golden Dome</i>, and <i>For Better, For Worse</i>. He also has begun the Alliance of Saint Michael series, with <i>Cathedral</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Among recent nonfiction books are <i>The Lutheran Planner: The TO DO List Solution</i>, <i>The Weekly Economist II: 52 More Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist</i>, <i>The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist</i>, <i>Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York </i>and <i>Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In addition, Keating is the editor/publisher/columnist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and hosts three podcasts. He was a columnist with RealClearMarkets.com, and a former weekly newspaper columnist for <i>Newsday</i>, <i>Long Island Business News</i>, and the <i>New York City Tribune</i>. His work has appeared in many periodicals, including <i>The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal</i>, <i>The Washington Post, New York Post, </i>Los Angeles <i>Daily News, The Boston Globe, National Review, The Washington Times</i>, <i>Investor’s Business Daily</i>, New York <i>Daily News, Detroit Free Press, Chicago Tribune, TheHill.com, Touchstone </i>magazine, <i>Townhall.com, </i>and <i>Cincinnati Enquirer</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-8884234473761941552023-06-02T03:00:00.001-07:002023-06-02T03:00:00.145-07:00“The Weekly Economist II” Provides a Much-Needed Antidote to Bad Thinking on the Economy<p> <b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ray Keating’s Second Book in Series Offers More Quick Reads on Topics and Questions Related to Economics and Business</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzb8_UkU8xs-eujtD_zLaI5iQC_BvYq_wyJyBDIzNcMzDote7YN-AGRWa0WdOCbpcGd4o7QUDZLlRqXSNTzY4_QvRAOFfEnZ4SGufE9vxsQwM8idRB-b7b5U50U_qrIy8ypiLjT8yT5uXMCT_iE4Xu08e3eZZ_fH7I9IFiBoQb8Q51pm4NqAnB2r2UrQ/s1600/WEandWII2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzb8_UkU8xs-eujtD_zLaI5iQC_BvYq_wyJyBDIzNcMzDote7YN-AGRWa0WdOCbpcGd4o7QUDZLlRqXSNTzY4_QvRAOFfEnZ4SGufE9vxsQwM8idRB-b7b5U50U_qrIy8ypiLjT8yT5uXMCT_iE4Xu08e3eZZ_fH7I9IFiBoQb8Q51pm4NqAnB2r2UrQ/w502-h282/WEandWII2.png" width="502" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ray Keating, a leading economist on small business and entrepreneurship, has written a new book titled <i>The Weekly Economist II: 52 More Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist</i>. This is the second book in an ongoing series, with the first being <i>The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When listening to talking heads or politicians, people are legitimately bewildered about how the economy actually works and how to think about critical issues. <i>The Weekly Economist</i> and now <i>The Weekly Economist II</i> offer quick reads on topics essential to thinking clearly on economics and business, and for assessing the often wild assertions heard from politicians on such matters.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ray Keating notes, “There’s a great deal of misguided and misleading talk about the economy, business, and public policies. Applying sound economic thinking to such matters is critical for our country and the world. With the second book in <i>The Weekly Economist</i> series, I’m hoping that people will take at least a few minutes each week to read these short essays, and by doing so, become a light for clear-eyed thinking of matters critical to economic growth and our quality of life.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Weekly Economist</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> and now <i>The Weekly Economist II</i> hold appeal for a general readership looking to become more informed citizens. And they’re ideal for the classroom, boardroom and workplace.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Praise for <i>The Weekly Economist II</i>…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">"An accessible, wide-ranging compendium. Keating remains remarkably impartial here, offering fair critiques and reasonable assessments of economic decisions, theories, and policies across time. This is an impressive second installment of the author's economics essays, avoiding repetition from the first collection, and offering cogent advice that feels more timely than ever." - Self-Publishing Review, </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">★★★★</span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Praise for <i>The Weekly Economist</i>…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Reading Mr. Keating's new book is worth more than a degree in economics from most universities. Sensible and accessible, <i>The Weekly Economist</i> is a veritable catechism of how to think economically.” - Fr. Robert Sirico, author of <i>The Economics of the Parables</i> and President Emeritus of the Acton Institute<br /><br />“If you want a quick and accurate insight into the major topics in economics, and if you have little or no background in economics, Ray Keating's <i>The Weekly Economist</i> is the book for you. Turn to any page and you'll find tight clear reasoning that will help you understand the complicated economic reality around you.” - David R. Henderson, editor, <i>The Concise Encyclopedia of Economics</i><br /> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“For those who are curious about economics but who may not be interested in tackling a dry 300-page economics textbook, Ray Keating provides a brilliant alternative - a weekly breakdown of 52 economic concepts everyone should be familiar with. Although designed to give one easily digestible theme a week, many readers will undoubtedly want to binge-read to see which topics are their favorites. Great information for those new to economics or as a weekly refresher.” - Bryan Riley, Director, National Taxpayers Union Free Trade Initiative<br /><br />“a lively primer” - Gene Veith, <i>Cranach: The Blog of Veith</i>, and author of <i>God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“An accessible and comprehensive guide to concepts that regularly baffle the average person. This book runs the gamut when it comes to economic issues, and will invariably help readers think more critically about the financial machinery that runs the world. Keating makes a subject as potentially dry as economics into something dynamic and interesting. A natural storyteller, he carefully dissects an intimidating sphere of modern existence into a book that nearly anyone could learn from and enjoy.” - Self-Publishing Review, </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">★★★★</span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and Kindle editions of <i>The Weekly Economist</i> and <i>The Weekly Economist II</i> are available at </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3JDVYLX?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk" style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">Amazon.com</span></b></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, and signed books at </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.raykeatingonline.com/" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">www.RayKeatingOnline.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Review copies, and author interviews and appearances are available upon request. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Additional praise for Ray Keating’s work…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Keating is at his best when tackling the issue that introduced him to the world of conservative thought: the benefits of the free market.” - <i>Kirkus Reviews<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Keating is no sour-puss conservative... Keating’s pro-growth agenda of dramatic supply-side tax and regulatory cuts, school choice, and much smaller government stands as New York’s only chance at rebirth.” - Steve Forbes<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ray Keating's “take on the economy is unabashedly supply-side, offering a clear understanding that risk taking and entrepreneurship are the engines of economic growth.” - Jack Kemp<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“A common-sense explanation of why politicians and bureaucrats shouldn't throw sand in the gears of global trade.” - Dan Mitchell, Chairman, Center for Freedom and Prosperity, about <i>Free Trade Rocks!</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Contact: Ray Keating</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">E-mail: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="mailto:raykeating@keatingreports.com" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">raykeating@keatingreports.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Facebook: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/freeenterpriseeconomics" style="color: purple;">www.facebook.com/freeenterpriseeconomics</a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Twitter: @FreeEnterprise7<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">RayKeatingOnline.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-52859718490504852902023-04-28T05:00:00.001-07:002023-04-28T05:00:00.140-07:00“Under the Golden Dome: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel” by Ray Keating Ranks as a Thought-Provoking Thriller<p> <b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">17th Installment in Series Featuring a Former CIA Operative Turned Pastor</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Under the Golden Dome: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> is a thought-provoking, exciting page-turner from Ray Keating. This is his eighteenth work of fiction, and the 17th book in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95FzkTMyk0FEsPJnwAEb3jPh-B948hb-cNBqEWnHhvZw2OvLvqAOMj7e4X1yAc1nvTbnc92oX3BLm0ih3Js68dT2x28oGCC99EOYoyCuyZPnZ45pmRbufp6bDlkCNZxB18NoZC0wqi_lSM5naj7wakmtaYKcLK-I2BaHvmTxb-G2z7EwAkcEHeudhBw/s1600/UGDND.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95FzkTMyk0FEsPJnwAEb3jPh-B948hb-cNBqEWnHhvZw2OvLvqAOMj7e4X1yAc1nvTbnc92oX3BLm0ih3Js68dT2x28oGCC99EOYoyCuyZPnZ45pmRbufp6bDlkCNZxB18NoZC0wqi_lSM5naj7wakmtaYKcLK-I2BaHvmTxb-G2z7EwAkcEHeudhBw/w498-h280/UGDND.png" width="498" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In this latest book, Pastor Stephen Grant and his wife, economist Jennifer Grant, are invited to a conference at the University of Notre Dame. While they look forward to speaking at the same gathering, unexpected dangers materialize, fueled by distorted, political impulses among some in the Church. Defending religious freedom isn’t limited to a conflict of ideas, as the struggle turns deadly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ray Keating says, “In </span><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Under the Golden Dome</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, I not only try to bring action, urgency and some fun to the reader, but I probably delve more deeply into the world of ideas than in my previous novels. First, I’ve set the book at one of my favorite places in the country, that is, at and around the University of Notre Dame. Second, the conflict in this story stems from conflicting views on the mix of freedom, pluralism, and Christianity, and the questions, risks and history of wedding the Church with politics. Third, at the same time, my primary objective remains telling a compelling story, with characters that readers find interesting.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Kirkus Reviews</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> has called Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant “an engaging and multifaceted character” and “a consistently entertaining hero.” <i>Lutheran Book Review</i> calls Keating “the master of the theological thriller.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In an article titled “If James Bond Became a Pastor” covering Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers/mysteries series, author and columnist Gene Veith noted, “Mr. Keating knows how to tell an exciting story. And these books, like the James Bond novels, are ridiculously entertaining.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Among other reviews and comments, Father Mike Coleman declared, “I am a Catholic priest and have thoroughly enjoyed each of these books. Edge-of-your seat excitement and very spiritually uplifting.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and the Kindle edition of <i>Under the Golden Dome</i> are available at </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZ3KLSCP" style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">Amazon.com</span></b></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, and signed books at </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.raykeatingonline.com/" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">www.RayKeatingOnline.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Review copies, and author interviews and appearances are available upon request. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Contact: Ray Keating</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">E-mail: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="mailto:raykeating@keatingreports.com" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">raykeating@keatingreports.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Facebook: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PastorStephenGrantNovels" style="color: purple;">https://www.facebook.com/PastorStephenGrantNovels</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AllianceofSaintMichael" style="color: purple;">https://www.facebook.com/AllianceofSaintMichael</a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Twitter: @KeatingNovels<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">RayKeatingOnline.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">About the Author <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ray Keating is a novelist, an economist, a nonfiction author, a podcaster, a columnist, and an entrepreneur. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">At this point, Keating has penned 17 Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries (with more on the way) – <i>Warrior Monk</i>, followed by <i>Root of All Evil?</i>, <i>An Advent for Religious Liberty</i>, <i>The River, Murderer’s Row</i>, <i>Wine Into Water</i>, <i>Lionhearts</i>, <i>Reagan Country</i>, <i>Heroes and Villains, Shifting Sands, Deep Rough</i>, <i>The Traitor</i>, <i>Vatican Shadows</i>, <i>Past Lives</i>, <i>What’s Lost?, Persecution </i>and now <i>Under the Golden Dome</i>. He also has begun the Alliance of Saint Michael series, with <i>Cathedral</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Among recent nonfiction books are <i>The Lutheran Planner: The TO DO List Solution</i>, <i>The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist</i>, <i>Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York </i>and <i>Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In addition, Keating is the editor/publisher/columnist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and hosts three podcasts. He was a columnist with RealClearMarkets.com, and a former weekly newspaper columnist for <i>Newsday</i>, <i>Long Island Business News</i>, and the <i>New York City Tribune</i>. His work has appeared in many periodicals, including <i>The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal</i>, <i>The Washington Post, New York Post, </i>Los Angeles <i>Daily News, The Boston Globe, National Review, The Washington Times</i>, <i>Investor’s Business Daily</i>, New York <i>Daily News, Detroit Free Press, Chicago Tribune, TheHill.com, Touchstone </i>magazine, <i>Townhall.com, </i>and <i>Cincinnati Enquirer</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-82958982515886417102023-03-22T19:05:00.002-07:002023-03-22T19:08:33.352-07:00Pre-Order “Under the Golden Dome: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel” by Ray Keating Now!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-QmMRaE9jIs" width="483" youtube-src-id="-QmMRaE9jIs"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Kindle editions at</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZ3KLSCP" style="color: #954f72; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZ3KLSCP</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books at <a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/underthegoldendome" style="color: #954f72;">https://raykeatingonline.com/products/underthegoldendome</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Pastor Stephen Grant and his wife, economist Jennifer Grant, are invited to a conference at the University of Notre Dame. While they look forward to speaking at the same gathering, unexpected dangers materialize, fueled by distorted, political impulses among some in the Church. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• Kirkus Reviews says Ray Keating’s books are “exhilarating."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• Lutheran Book Review calls Keating “the master of the theological thriller.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• “I am a Catholic priest and have thoroughly enjoyed each of these books. Edge-of-your seat excitement and very spiritually uplifting.” - Father Mike Coleman<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This is the 17<sup>th</sup> book in the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries series, so make sure you’re caught up!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-16342775420541420342023-03-16T04:00:00.001-07:002023-03-16T04:00:00.195-07:00St. Patrick’s Day Excerpt from “Under the Golden Dome”<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Here’s a great way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year. First, enjoy the following chapter, which fits nicely for St. Patrick’s Day, as a sneak peek of the forthcoming book <a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/underthegoldendome" style="color: #954f72;"><b><i>Under the Golden Dome: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i></b></a> by Ray Keating. Second, pre-order signed editions of <a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/underthegoldendome" style="color: #954f72;"><b><i>Under the Golden Dome</i></b></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/underthegoldendome" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGMIZAEWviyVWK9JosC9fAq68cgfQlT74GziA7ctXHzbOXvr5aRq5ykYDIpEJ1V2_31g4pacdB-vsDM7hcxLbiA_eTwLAwU8_PJu5oLYsUn_tv4V_UbP0b1jOk2_HpUcFiOTCY4ymLgW9Mlx0ggfGwGC3DA62gwCOQyOEnY9EaJztJRMIFTq7Ul-leA/w495-h278/Copy%20of%20Pre-Order%20Signed%20Editions%20of%20Under%20the%20Golden%20Dome%20A%20Pastor%20Stephen%20Grant%20Novel.png" width="495" /></a></div><br /><p></p><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 24pt;">Chapter 32<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Before the “Faith and Freedom” conference officially kicked off after lunch on Wednesday, participants were invited to attend a morning Mass in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Father Ron McDermott was the celebrant.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stephen and Jennifer attended, with Father Tom Stone. But Grant found himself distracted prior to the start of the Mass. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Part of it was the beauty of the cathedral. There was so much to consider, particularly given the ornate Gothic Revival style. There was the baptismal font at the entrance and the magnificent pipe organ above it. The ceiling featured angels on a blue sky with stars, and a gold area above the sanctuary depicting Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, along with various prophets. In the distance behind the altar used during Mass stood the elaborate original altar with a tabernacle tower that Stephen found out had been inspired by Revelation 21:9 – seven angels with seven bowls, and the vision of the New Jerusalem. There was much more, such as the plethora of stained glass, and it was all a great deal to drink in.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In this case, he resisted applying an evaluative eye to see what might or might not sit right with various particulars of Lutheran theology. He decided that he was a guest in a Roman Catholic cathedral, and he would appreciate it as a guest.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But another part of Stephen did show up in the basilica.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jennifer and Stephen had arrived early and wound up sitting toward the back of the nave on the right side looking forward. Normally, the pastor in Grant meant that when he was attending a service, he’d sit toward the front. However, the CIA operative in him – what he recently started referring to as the “Old Stephen” in his mind – wanted to sit in a position where he could see everything going on and everyone in attendance. Old Stephen won out after his early morning meeting with Paige and Charlie.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stephen then witnessed an eclectic stream of people from his past, as well as some he had only met recently, arriving. They included Frederico Escalante, the former president of Creencia. Paige Caldwell, Charlie Driessen, and Chase Axelrod arrived separately, and spread themselves among the pews. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The odd trio of Pastor Malcolm Lawrence, Father Donald Roner, and Woodrow Stein came in as well, somewhat to Grant’s surprise. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What the heck is Malcolm Lawrence doing at a Catholic Mass?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Kathy Flaherty arrived with a man about her age, and three teenage girls.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Everyone has red hair. Husband and daughters, I assume.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stephen also spotted assorted fellow conference speakers whom he knew only by reputation and their photos.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">There’s a lot going on before this Mass.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As luck would have it, Jennifer and he happened to be sitting near a stained glass window featuring St. Patrick.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Kind of fitting at the home of the Fighting Irish. Geez, he even has a green halo.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Taking note of Patrick being clean shaven, Grant wasn’t sure if he’d even seen the patron saint of Ireland portrayed that way before. However, Patrick standing on and gripping a snake was not unusual, along with a few three-leaf clovers on the ground. But most striking for Grant was that the lower part of the window – or the medallion – showed St. Patrick baptizing an Irish nobleman. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">After all, the point of celebrating St. Patrick is that he spread the Christian faith in Ireland.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Grant had read St. Patrick’s <i>Confession</i>, and he thought about how it opened, “I am Patrick – a sinner – the most unsophisticated and unworthy among all the faithful of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">That helped Grant get focused in a more appropriate direction, as did the start of the organ music. The congregation rose to their feet as the opening processional moved down the center aisle, with Ron in the final spot.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Finally, all worldly distractions were swept away for Stephen as all in attendance, including the University of Notre Dame Liturgical Choir, began singing one of his favorite hymns – “O God Beyond All Praising.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">O God beyond all praising,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We worship you today<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And sing the love amazing<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">That songs cannot repay;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For we can only wonder<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">At every gift you send,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">At blessings without number<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And mercies without end:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We lift our hearts before you<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And wait upon your word,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We honor and adore you,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Our great and mighty Lord…<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"> </span> </p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-64416622571564004452023-01-25T08:59:00.002-08:002023-01-25T09:04:39.291-08:00Ray Keating's Thrillers, Mysteries and Historical Fiction<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="327" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g5ivGsqyC1Y" width="469" youtube-src-id="g5ivGsqyC1Y"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In case you’re not completely caught up on Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant and Alliance of Saint Michael novels, the following is a complete list, with summaries and links to purchase paperbacks, Kindle editions and signed books.</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WYW2Q2V" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKW7pWluF77_8Tgtnw1dNayf6Sv1LvDbBu-j-yUNv2YxRPVX_73fyCvmggMU7q0uCSVBAHOy7DSRMd7LVCgqMFm61Jwy0BxFjVvRMhn-N8v5CGPQZic1GSxm0WybrGbR5Y40FSnq3VlyWeaHZ7H04aXbb-aub7ESTyTWbfJSc-NNIKXedmXUny3SaTog/w572-h322/CathedralDescribeGraphic.png" width="572" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Alliance of Saint Michael brings together men and women with varied backgrounds and talents to work covertly against the two most significant threats to Christianity and civilization at the dawn of the 1930s - communism and fascism. In Moscow, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is going to be obliterated to make way for the Palace of the Soviets. The Alliance of St. Michael readies itself for its first mission – find and salvage a rare item of great significance from the cathedral before the building is lost.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and Kindle edition via Amazon at </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZCX7L97" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZCX7L97</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books at </span><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/cathedral" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://raykeatingonline.com/products/cathedral</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SW8HB34?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_tpbk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSVrm8XDq4np5iZmocqLbrhxagHFvvE4G7hcysEZqbqCfwH8k3gxg5WRTeG7LnYOsSQCvkQwzWj_Z0vdZ0HawuGN9qVXNfZ3o1Qb-RGyAn7TwKu2WPALsKk1eptZYeb6BYYUzDMCrmv8B_cthQqEl3FJuj0Y5kSNljQUYvtQVQxjgRE7Q7NgthQA-AQ/w573-h480/Pastor%20Stephen%20Grant%20Thrillers%20&%20Mysteries%20in%20Order....png" width="573" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• <i>Persecution: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">While the charge of “persecution” gets tossed about rather casually, Pastor Stephen Grant and some of his closest friends and associates get a close-up, bloody view of what it truly means to be a modern-day martyr. From the White House to the Vatican, and from Russia to the Middle East, the action is unrelenting and the suspense is palpable. Can Grant and his former CIA colleagues act in time to save innocent lives?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and Kindle editions at<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BKRZV6M1" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BKRZV6M1</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books at </span><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/persecution" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://raykeatingonline.com/products/persecution</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• <i>What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">From the pages of his own journal, Pastor Stephen Grant tells a riveting mystery involving deception, betrayal, sacrifice and friendship, along with plenty of action and questions about what we truly can know about others. Grant takes us on a personal journey across decades and around the world, from Long Island to Vietnam. This is the second Pastor Stephen Grant story told from Grant’s own viewpoint, unfolding each day in the pages of his journal.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and Kindle editions via Amazon at<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091SBQRYK" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091SBQRYK</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books are at </span><b><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/whatslost" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">https://raykeatingonline.com/products/whatslost</span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b> </b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• <i>Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Torn from pages of his own journal, Pastor Stephen Grant tells about threats, murder and puzzling people from his past. It’s a compelling mystery involving action, unexpected turns, lost innocence, sought-after perspective, and twisted revenge. This is the first Pastor Stephen Grant story told from Grant’s own viewpoint, unfolding each day in the pages of his journal.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and Kindle editions via Amazon at </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WJTPT4M" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WJTPT4M</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books at </span><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/pastlives" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://raykeatingonline.com/products/pastlives</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• <i>Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">More than 500 years ago, two men – Jan Hus and Martin Luther – tried to bring about change in the Catholic Church. They suffered, with one burned at the stake. Could a modern-day pope transform these reformers from heretics to heroes in the eyes of the Catholic Church? Shadowy figures inside and outside the Vatican oppose Pope Paul VII’s efforts, and stand willing to do anything to stop him. For help, the pope turns to Stephen Grant, a Lutheran pastor, former Navy SEAL and onetime CIA operative.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks or Kindle editions via Amazon at </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P1S5R26" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P1S5R26</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books at </span><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/vaticanshadows" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://raykeatingonline.com/products/vaticanshadows</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• <i>The Traitor: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Stephen Grant – former Navy SEAL, onetime CIA operative and current pastor – looks forward to a time of prayer and reflection during a retreat at a monastery in Europe. But when he stumbles upon an infamous CIA traitor in a small village, Grant’s plans change dramatically. While a debate rages over government secrets and the intelligence community, a deadly race for survival is underway. From a pro-democracy demonstration in Hong Kong to the CIA’s headquarters in Langley to a monastery in France, the action and intrigue never let up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and Kindle editions at Amazon via<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1709209771" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/dp/1709209771</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books are at </span><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/thetraitor" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://raykeatingonline.com/products/thetraitor</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• <i>Deep Rough: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and Kindle editions at Amazon via<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/107308843X" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/dp/107308843X</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books are at </span><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/deep-rough-a-pastor-stephen-grant-novel" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://raykeatingonline.com/products/deep-rough-a-pastor-stephen-grant-novel</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• <i>Shifting Sands: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Beach volleyball is about fun, sun and sand. But when a big-time tournament arrives on a pier in New York City, danger and international intrigue are added to the mix. Stephen Grant, a former Navy SEAL, onetime CIA operative, and current pastor, is on the scene with his wife, friends and former CIA colleagues. While battles on the volleyball court play out, deadly struggles between good and evil are engaged on and off the sand. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and Kindle editions at Amazon via<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1730956866" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/dp/1730956866</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books are at </span><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/pre-order-shifting-sands-a-pastor-stephen-grant-short-story-publication-date-november-26-2018" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://raykeatingonline.com/products/pre-order-shifting-sands-a-pastor-stephen-grant-short-story-publication-date-november-26-2018</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• <i>Heroes and Villains: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">As a onetime Navy SEAL, a former CIA operative and a pastor, many people call Stephen Grant a hero. At various times defending the Christian Church and the United States over the years, he has journeyed across the nation and around the world. But now Grant finds himself in an entirely unfamiliar setting – a comic book, science fiction and fantasy convention. But he still joins forces with a unique set of heroes in an attempt to foil a villainous plot against one of the all-time great comic book writers and artists.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and Kindle editions at Amazon via<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1718881614" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/dp/1718881614</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books are at </span><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/heroes-and-villains-a-pastor-stephen-grant-short-story" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://raykeatingonline.com/products/heroes-and-villains-a-pastor-stephen-grant-short-story</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• <i>Reagan Country: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Could President Ronald Reagan’s influence reach into the former “evil empire”? The media refers to a businessman on the rise as “Russia’s Reagan.” Unfortunately, others seek a return to the old ways, longing for Russia’s former “greatness.” The dispute becomes deadly. Conflict stretches from the Reagan Presidential Library in California to the White House to a Russian Orthodox monastery to the Kremlin. Stephen Grant, pastor at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church on Long Island, a former Navy SEAL and onetime CIA operative, stands at the center of the tumult.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperback and Kindle editions at Amazon via<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1979463514" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/dp/1979463514</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books are at </span><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/reagancountry" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://raykeatingonline.com/products/reagancountry</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• <i>Lionhearts: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">War has arrived on American soil, with Islamic terrorists using new tactics. Few are safe, including Christians, politicians, and the media. Pastor Stephen Grant taps into his past with the Navy SEALS and the CIA to help wage a war of flesh and blood, ideas, history, and beliefs. This is about defending both the U.S. and Christianity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and Kindle editions at Amazon via<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1548964182" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/dp/1548964182</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books are at </span><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/lionhearts-a-pastor-stephen-grant-novel" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://raykeatingonline.com/products/lionhearts-a-pastor-stephen-grant-novel</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• <i>Wine Into Water: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">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 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and Kindle editions at Amazon via<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1515274950" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/dp/1515274950</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books are at </span><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/wine-into-water-a-pastor-stephen-grant-novel" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://raykeatingonline.com/products/wine-into-water-a-pastor-stephen-grant-novel</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• <i>Murderer’s Row: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">How do rescuing a Christian family from the clutches of Islamic terrorists, minor league baseball in New York, a string of grisly murders, sordid politics, and a pastor, who once was a Navy SEAL and CIA operative, tie together? <i>Murderer’s Row</i> is the fifth Pastor Stephen Grant novel, and Keating serves up fascinating characters, gripping adventure, and a tangled murder mystery, along with faith, politics, humor, and, yes, baseball.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and Kindle editions at Amazon via<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1514137615" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/dp/1514137615</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books are at </span><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/murderers-row-a-pastor-stephen-grant-novel-signed-copy" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://raykeatingonline.com/products/murderers-row-a-pastor-stephen-grant-novel-signed-copy</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• <i>The River: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Some refer to Las Vegas as Sin City. But the sins being committed in <i>The River</i> are not what one might typically expect. Rather, it’s about murder. Stephen Grant once used lethal skills for the Navy SEALs and the CIA. Now, years later, he’s a pastor. How does this man of action and faith react when his wife is kidnapped, a deep mystery must be untangled, and both allies and suspects from his CIA days arrive on the scene? How far can Grant go – or will he go – to save the woman he loves? Will he seek justice or revenge, and can he tell the difference any longer? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and Kindle editions at Amazon via<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1499514174" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/dp/1499514174</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books are at </span><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/the-river-a-pastor-stephen-grant-novel-signed-copy" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://raykeatingonline.com/products/the-river-a-pastor-stephen-grant-novel-signed-copy</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• <i>An Advent for Religious Liberty: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Advent and Christmas approach. It’s supposed to be a special season for Christians. But it’s different this time in New York City. Religious liberty is under assault. The Catholic Church has been called a “hate group.” And it’s the newly elected mayor of New York City who has set off this religious and political firestorm. Some people react with prayer – others with violence and murder. Stephen Grant, former CIA operative turned pastor, faces deadly challenges during what becomes known as “An Advent for Religious Liberty.” Grant works with the cardinal who leads the Archdiocese of New York, the FBI, current friends, and former CIA colleagues to fight for religious liberty, and against dangers both spiritual and physical.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and Kindle editions at Amazon via<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1480174491" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/dp/1480174491</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books are at </span><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/an-advent-for-religious-liberty-a-pastor-stephen-grant-novel-signed-copy" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://raykeatingonline.com/products/an-advent-for-religious-liberty-a-pastor-stephen-grant-novel-signed-copy</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• <i>Root of All Evil? A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Do God, politics and money mix? In <i>Root of All Evil?</i>, the combination can turn out quite deadly. Keating introduced readers to Stephen Grant, a former CIA operative and current parish pastor, in the fun and highly praised <i>Warrior Monk</i>. Now, Grant is back in <i>Root of All Evil?</i> It’s a breathtaking thriller involving drug traffickers, politicians, the CIA and FBI, a shadowy foreign regime, the Church, and money. Charity, envy and greed are on display. Throughout, action runs high.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and Kindle editions at Amazon via<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083TX7M9P" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083TX7M9P</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books are at </span><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/root-of-all-evil-second-edition" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://raykeatingonline.com/products/root-of-all-evil-second-edition</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• <i>Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Warrior Monk</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 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. Grant must tap the varied skills learned as a government agent, a theologian and a pastor not only to protect the pope, but also to feel his way through a minefield of personal challenges. The second edition of <i>Warrior Monk</i> includes a new Introduction by Ray Keating, as well as a new Epilogue that points to an upcoming Pastor Stephen Grant novel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and Kindle edition at Amazon via<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1793144745" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/dp/1793144745</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books are at </span><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/warrior-monk-a-pastor-stephen-grant-novel-signed-copy" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>https://raykeatingonline.com/products/warrior-monk-a-pastor-stephen-grant-novel-signed-copy</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-13517767601322530052023-01-02T15:21:00.000-08:002023-01-02T15:21:02.905-08:00Ray Keating’s Thrillers, Mysteries and Historical Fiction!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="333" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g5ivGsqyC1Y" width="498" youtube-src-id="g5ivGsqyC1Y"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Grab the paperbacks and Kindle editions of all 16 of the <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SW8HB34?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_tpbk" style="color: #954f72;">Pastor Stephen Grant books</a></b>, and get <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZCX7L97" style="color: #954f72;">Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel</a></i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-24214755480455160092022-12-06T10:36:00.008-08:002022-12-06T10:36:57.025-08:00“The Lutheran Planner: The TO DO List Solution” Offers Inspiration and Organization<p> <b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Get Things Done and Keep the Right Perspective with Ray Keating’s TO DO List Solution</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/lutheranplanner" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovZJ9_c08Shkl5_jLlZ6vCyTlk5B9Smy000384xQ1D9OaO9Y9CcUAE_pC6qBOGwVu9fmC4Au5Zllp-axyOSFVGZstddG5bpEPFwQb689Hs5tG7pf2mtHIb4KR3Wm3n_9NAKuInKg9S9jH0PB34Xu4B7Z-xCp-OTpF712Qi-Q0EBkyAH6QRtWf6ZQzbw/w526-h296/LTD18.png" width="526" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Davenport, FL – <i>The Lutheran Planner: The TO DO List Solution</i> is here from Ray Keating. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Keating, who is an author, economist and entrepreneur, notes, “We all need to get things done each day, while also planning our coming week, month and year. However, it's crucial to keep things in perspective. <i>The Lutheran Planner: The TO DO List Solution</i> is a tool for each of us in this ongoing endeavor. And you don't have to be a Lutheran to use and enjoy it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Get organized and set goals using Ray Keating's TO DO List Solution, while enjoying and reflecting upon quotes from Holy Scripture, the Church fathers and other Christian thinkers. In addition, since <i>you</i> fill in the dates, it's easy to get started in any month, and to use the planner during any year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Lutheran Planner: The TO DO List Solution</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement, inspiration and consolation from our Christian faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Get more information and these great planners at </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.raykeatingonline.com/" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">www.RayKeatingOnline.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Review copies, and author interviews and appearances are available upon request. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ray Keating also is the author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels series (including the recently published <i>Persecution</i>), <i>Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel</i>, and <i>The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Read to Help You Think Like an Economist</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Contact: Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Phone: 631-909-1122<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">E-mail: <a href="mailto:raykeating@keatingreports.com" style="color: purple;">raykeating@keatingreports.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PastorStephenGrantNovels" style="color: purple;">https://www.facebook.com/PastorStephenGrantNovels</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AllianceofSaintMichael" style="color: purple;">https://www.facebook.com/AllianceofSaintMichael</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Twitter: @KeatingNovels<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">RayKeatingOnline.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-1142666703477364222022-11-04T05:35:00.000-07:002022-11-04T05:35:00.202-07:00“Persecution: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel” by Ray Keating Ranks as an Exciting Thriller That Wrestles with Persecution and Martyrdom in the 21st Century<p> <b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">16th Installment in the Thriller Series Featuring a Pastor Who was a CIA Operative</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Davenport, FL – <i>Persecution: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> is the latest page-turner from Ray Keating. This is his seventeenth work of fiction, and the 16th book in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTqTmWrayMqAy6mBOiX7tltjS6xPg8xZRtlnjNc7Cas8ptsMi2054-9SCqO1novolG5RHbxaXf1dh70RA4g5mupLZ97kYCpT0Zv8btvLYXkxC95S_mTjPe06F1f1r3rXL00gpb05B1facdos60p7ultKBr179JaY_d6RV3CPmRrXMLIpLkNL7W9uwog/s1500/PersecutionMockUp1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1500" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTqTmWrayMqAy6mBOiX7tltjS6xPg8xZRtlnjNc7Cas8ptsMi2054-9SCqO1novolG5RHbxaXf1dh70RA4g5mupLZ97kYCpT0Zv8btvLYXkxC95S_mTjPe06F1f1r3rXL00gpb05B1facdos60p7ultKBr179JaY_d6RV3CPmRrXMLIpLkNL7W9uwog/w640-h490/PersecutionMockUp1.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">While the charge of “persecution” gets tossed about rather casually, Pastor Stephen Grant and some of his closest friends and associates get a close-up, bloody view of what it truly means to be a modern-day martyr. From the White House to the Vatican, and from Russia to the Middle East, the action is unrelenting and the suspense is palpable. Can Grant and his former CIA colleagues act in time to save innocent lives?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ray Keating says, “I think </span><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Persecution</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> might be the most action-packed of any of the Pastor Stephen Grant books so far. Plus, it deals with the grave matter of modern-day persecution and martyrdom.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Kirkus Reviews</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> has called Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant “an engaging and multifaceted character” and “a consistently entertaining hero.” <i>Lutheran Book Review</i> says, “I miss Tom Clancy. Keating fills that void for me.” The retired host of KFUO radio’s BookTalk declares, “Ray Keating is a great novelist.” And David Keene of <i>The Washington Times</i> calls these novels “great reads.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In an article titled “If James Bond Became a Pastor” covering Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers/mysteries series, author and columnist Gene Veith noted, “Mr. Keating knows how to tell an exciting story. And these books, like the James Bond novels, are ridiculously entertaining.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Earlier this year, Keating published the first book, </span><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Cathedral</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, in his Alliance of Saint Michael historical fiction series. That book also has earned high praise, including Self-Publishing Review calling it “stellar,” and BookViral Reviews saying it’s “an addictively entertaining five-star read.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and the Kindle edition of <i>Persecution</i> are available at </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BHHJNNB4" style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">Amazon.com</span></b></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, and signed books at </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.raykeatingonline.com/" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">www.RayKeatingOnline.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Review copies, and author interviews and appearances are available upon request. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Contact: Ray Keating</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">E-mail: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="mailto:raykeating@keatingreports.com" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">raykeating@keatingreports.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Facebook: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PastorStephenGrantNovels" style="color: purple;">https://www.facebook.com/PastorStephenGrantNovels</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AllianceofSaintMichael" style="color: purple;">https://www.facebook.com/AllianceofSaintMichael</a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Twitter: @KeatingNovels<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">RayKeatingOnline.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-40134740568094414682022-10-03T16:44:00.006-07:002022-10-03T16:44:46.854-07:00Celebrating James Bond Day with Pastor Stephen Grant and Ray Keating, Part I<p> <span style="font-size: 14pt;">Originally appeared at KeatingFiles.com – October 3, 2022</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAX2RQ9prgrc2t8bMHAGUanmDfeu6TBUyO7F52fvi2HOBkcbqq5tvTOWUiym2VIYiQ7wRx42hSjI5t7922jOxR6Z-lQTxowucBDztNPL2hP__GLGzSYu7EZtZRAFQlY6Fp5mHl6ctLR5-86nbBoMB9CXZLDIPTNARxCtAYVSxBYXyeaL80Ahpdk7xWg/s940/Copy%20of%20Now,%20imagine%20that%20James%20Bond,%20the%20dashing%20spy%20with%20a%20license%20to%20kill%20who%20keeps%20saving%20the%20world,%20decides%20to%20becomes%20a%20pastor..png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAX2RQ9prgrc2t8bMHAGUanmDfeu6TBUyO7F52fvi2HOBkcbqq5tvTOWUiym2VIYiQ7wRx42hSjI5t7922jOxR6Z-lQTxowucBDztNPL2hP__GLGzSYu7EZtZRAFQlY6Fp5mHl6ctLR5-86nbBoMB9CXZLDIPTNARxCtAYVSxBYXyeaL80Ahpdk7xWg/w527-h441/Copy%20of%20Now,%20imagine%20that%20James%20Bond,%20the%20dashing%20spy%20with%20a%20license%20to%20kill%20who%20keeps%20saving%20the%20world,%20decides%20to%20becomes%20a%20pastor..png" width="527" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">James Bond Day is October 5. One way to celebrate is with Ray Keating and his creation, Pastor Stephen Grant. From the “Author Introduction to the Second Edition" of </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1793144745" style="color: #954f72;"><b><i><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</span></i></b></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">, here’s what Ray writes about the influence James Bond and his creator, Ian Fleming, had on the creation of Pastor Stephen Grant…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> As for deciding to write <i>Warrior Monk</i>, my work as an economist did come into play. Many years ago now, a colleague mentioned that a new priest at her parish formerly worked for the Central Intelligence Agency. That caught my attention, and I filed it away just in case I ever did delve into the fiction realm. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> A few years later, in 2007, I received word that Hofstra University on Long Island would be hosting a conference titled “Bond, James Bond: The World of 007.” My editor at <i>Newsday </i>agreed that I should cover the event for my column. At that gathering of Bond experts and fans from around the world, I learned that Ian Fleming was 44 years old when his first Bond novel, <i>Casino Royale</i>, was published. That happened to be how old I was at the time of the conference. So, I took that as some kind of sign. I filed my <i>Newsday </i>column on the conference, and then started working on my first novel, featuring a Lutheran pastor who had been a Navy SEAL and a CIA operative. Stephen Grant was born. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Get all of the </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SW8HB34?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_tpbk" style="color: #954f72;"><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries</span></b></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">_________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Ray Keating is a columnist, novelist, economist, podcaster and entrepreneur. <b><i><u>The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?</u></i></b><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Two great ways to order <b><i>Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel</i></b>,<b> </b>which is Ray’s sixteenth work of fiction, and the first in the Alliance of Saint Michael series. Signed paperbacks<b> </b></span><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/cathedral" style="color: #954f72;"><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">here</span></b></a><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">and the Kindle edition<b> </b></span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WYW2Q2V" style="color: #954f72;"><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">here</span></b></a><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Two great ways to order Ray Keating’s new nonfiction book –<i> <b>The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist</b>.</i> Signed paperbacks </span><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/weeklyeconomist" style="color: #954f72;"><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">here</span></b></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">, and paperbacks, hardcovers and Kindle editions </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WKN81RG" style="color: #954f72;"><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">here</span></b></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Get all of Ray Keating <b>Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries</b> in paperback and for the Kindle at<b> </b></span></i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SW8HB34?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_tpbk" style="color: #954f72;"><b><i><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Amazon.com</span></i></b></a><i><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> and signed books at </span></i><a href="http://www.raykeatingonline.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><b><i><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">www.RayKeatingOnline.com</span></i></b></a><i><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Some of Keating’s best columns and essays are available in </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086PN1NNZ" style="color: #954f72;"><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York</span></b></a><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">. </span></b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">And h</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">is other recent nonfiction book is </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/168841245X" style="color: #954f72;"><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know</span></b></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">. Again, signed books at </span><a href="http://www.raykeatingonline.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">www.RayKeatingOnline.com</span></b></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Also, listen to Ray’s podcasts – the<b> </b></span><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1724143" style="color: #954f72;"><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Daily Dose of Disney</span></b></a><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">, </span></b><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/155969" style="color: #954f72;"><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Free Enterprise in Three Minutes</span></b></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">, and the<b> </b></span><a href="http://www.buzzsprout.com/147907" style="color: #954f72;"><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">PRESS CLUB C Podcast</span></b></a><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Check out Ray Keating’s Disney news and entertainment site at </span><a href="http://www.disneybizjournal.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">www.DisneyBizJournal.com</span></b></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">.</span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-73231457292213375382022-07-21T09:38:00.002-07:002022-07-21T09:38:18.181-07:00Comic-Con is Here - Enjoy with an Excerpt from "Heroes and Villains"<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Comic-Con International: San Diego” runs from July 21-24, 2022. With the arrival of this event, I thought it would be fun to publish an excerpt from</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1718881614" style="color: #954f72;">Heroes and Villains: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story</a></i></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">. The following is Chapter 7 from the book, and it captures Grant’s first time visiting a comic-con. Enjoy the excerpt and please read all of</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1718881614" style="color: #954f72;">Heroes and Villains</a></i></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">. Paperbacks and Kindle edition</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1718881614" style="color: #954f72;">here</a></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">and signed books</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/heroes-and-villains-a-pastor-stephen-grant-short-story" style="color: #954f72;">here</a></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0in 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1718881614" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrkcaRKydDyQ_xlbTcyztMssuwhOkmLD5HwyVX_sXS1dgZ-W4iX5Uzxdslcg1ajVoD2HtLVtkS7wXKLfuixsmJf9gtDWI-PC_75UKHDsjxrT5kIcKemIoIULjEyDlO7oDFrSdogglkmxRWId2WaiY08OA7C62-RQHVe8UamN9PtdcoFEMmV6Next-Qw/w533-h297/Another%20Pastor%20Stephen%20Grant%20adventure%20for%20this%20summer.%20It's%20about%20time%20Ray%20Keating%20started%20writing%20these%20faster..png" width="533" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0in 0in;"><br /></p><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 20pt;">Chapter 7<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">With Stephen’s Tahoe on life support, Zack drove to the Suffolk Arena on Saturday morning. After passing through arena security, they picked up the special VIP passes left by Brendan Best. Now, they had the run of the entire building. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A wide concourse sported large windows on the outside, and a mix of concession stands and doors into the main arena around the inside. For this event, the concourse was called the “Creators’ Circle,” with table after table featuring assorted artists and writers, as well as some actors who portrayed various superhero, sci-fi and fantasy characters in movies, television shows and video games.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stephen, of course, knew about people dressing up as their favorite characters at these events, but this being the first time he was witnessing cosplay, he couldn’t help but stare.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jen guessed that I might experience a little culture shock.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But since the point was to engage with others, no one minded his looking. To the contrary, they enjoyed it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Given that they would be leaving the arena directly for St. Mary’s Saturday evening Divine Service, Stephen and Zack once again came in clergy attire. The only accompaniment was Zack’s backpack with assorted books he wanted signed by writers and artists.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Inside the main section of the arena where fans usually watched minor league hockey, indoor soccer and college basketball, two-thirds of the floor had rows of vendors selling anything a fan of comics, movies, video games, and TV shows might desire. A massive curtain hung from the rafters, sectioning off a stage upon which assorted stars – from broad down to very niche markets – would be speaking and answering questions over the coming two days.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As they walked, a few people called out to Stephen and Zack with comments like, “Hey, <i>Preacher</i>, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Grant and Charmichael smiled in response the first couple of times. Stephen then gave Zack a quizzical look. Zack provided a quick rundown of the comic book character Preacher, also noting that it had made the leap to a television show.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stephen queried, “Any good?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Zack indifferently shrugged, and said, “Lousy theology.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Their first stop was at the J&H Comics tables, and they were greeted warmly by Wes and Kelly Jenkins.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Wes told them, “Please come around,” indicating that the two pastors should move behind the tables. After following Wes’ request, the four spoke in low voices about the previous night’s events. But as a line of fans started to form, Wes said, “Okay, as promised…” He reached down and picked up a massive, oversized, 1,000-page-plus book, and placed it on the table, followed by another of similar size. He opened and signed each book. Wes then handed the <i>Team 17</i> tome to Zack and <i>Agent Cold</i> to Stephen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stephen said, “Thanks very much. Are you sure we don’t owe you anything?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Wes replied, “Oh, please, no. Considering what we owe you after last night.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Kelly prompted, “Wes, the line.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He looked over, and said, “Right.” He turned back, and said to Zack, “I assume you guys are going to explore the rest of the convention?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Then leave these heavy books here, and go enjoy yourselves.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Thanks, Wes, we appreciate it,” said Zack.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Wes took the books back, and placed them in a box. “Just let Kelly or me know when you want them back.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He then walked over and said to his fans. “Sorry about the small delay. Thanks, everybody, for coming. I’m happy to sign whatever you brought, and as you can see, we have pretty much the full line of J&H books available for purchase, and at special convention prices.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Approvals emanated from the growing line.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Watching Jenkins start signing, Zack said to Stephen, “He’s a good guy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stephen agreed. “He is.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“As for the next step, I was planning to grab some signatures while early lines are still short. Do you want to go with me, or explore a bit on your own?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As if on cue, Grant’s smartphone rumbled in his jacket pocket. “Hold that thought.” He pulled out the phone, and saw that the call was from the FBI’s Trent Nguyen. He looked at Zack, “I have to take this call. You go, and I’ll catch up.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Zack said, “Sounds good.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As Zack moved away, Grant answered the call. “Trent?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Yes, Stephen. How are you after last night?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Grant moved away from the stream of people to a spot along the windows with no one in earshot. “I’m fine. What’s the deal with the three attackers?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“To put it gently, these guys have problems. It didn’t take too long for our people to find their online rants.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“What were those about?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“They billed themselves as the Trinity for Social Justice.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“How original.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Yeah, right. They wrote out their delusions or intentions in story form – long, rambling and often-crossing-the-border-into-incoherent screeds. The basic gist is that three warriors serve up a violent brand of justice on a pretty lengthy list of people the militant Left would dislike, including the military, cops, conservative commentators and politicians, and priests and pastors – sorry about that.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Hey, I’m honored.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Nguyen continued, “The list goes on, but it also includes a rant about killing assorted men involved in starting the comic book industry, but who are deemed unworthy due to their, and I’m quoting here, ‘exercising patriarchal and white privilege.’ If you read that particular piece, it unfortunately lines up with what these three tried to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Grant shook his head while listening. “A combination of hatred, ignorance, twisted ideology, and detachment from reality.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“You nailed it.” Nguyen added, “There’s way too much of that combination going around these days.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“What’s next?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“We’ve got a few more people to follow up with, and then we’ll be making an announcement on the arrests probably on Monday or Tuesday. I’ll do the best I can to keep your name out of the media.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“I appreciate that, and thanks for the call.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Thanks for what you did. This is the least I could do.” Nguyen then asked, “Do you mind if I ask you for a couple of favors?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Not at all.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“You’re at this convention today and tomorrow?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“That’s the plan.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Nguyen paused, and then queried, “Without interfering with what you and Pastor Charmichael are doing, can you just watch for any further potential problems? Anyone that… Well, you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“No problem, Trent. I’ll let you know if anything that really matters catches my attention. What’s the second favor?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“That’s a personal one. I’ve kind of embraced this Captain America thing.” Trent Nguyen not only ranked as one of the most decorated agents in FBI history, but his parents, an American nurse stationed in South Vietnam during the war and a Vietnamese businessman, taught him from a very young age to appreciate the United States. His patriotism and willingness to stop evildoers earned him the nickname of “Captain America” among colleagues at the FBI. “I’m looking for an <i>Avengers #4</i> from 1964. It’s the return of Captain America.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Comic fans where you might least expect them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Nguyen continued, “When I was growing up, comic books played a big part in getting me interested in reading, and I guess not so ironically, my favorite was Captain America. Funny, I never told anyone at the Bureau that, but here I am telling you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“I get that a lot with the collar.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Hmmm. I bet. Well, would you mind?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Grant replied, “Not a problem. Zack and I will be happy to keep an eye out.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Nguyen warned, “I’m looking for one that’s in decent condition that I can frame. It’s going to be very pricey, though, and I’ll obviously reimburse you, but if you don’t want to do it, I completely understand.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“I’m more than happy to do it, and I think Zack will actually be ecstatic.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Thanks. I appreciate it,” replied Nguyen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">After the call, Stephen decided to leave Zack to his pursuit for signatures, for now, and explore the event on his own, doing a little people watching as he did. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As he strolled, Grant observed attendees, from pre-teens to some in their seventies, enjoying a shared interest with varying intensity. Some came simply to meet favorite creators or in pursuit of certain publications. For others, it was an excuse to do something with family or a group of friends – more about social engagement than appreciating certain stories via page or screen. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">There were others for whom it was all of the above, including being dressed in full character regalia. One couple in this category not only caught Grant’s eye, but drew the attention of seemingly everyone else as they strode through the event. It was evident that the two spent considerable time in the gym. The man stood at six foot four and the woman at just over six feet. He was dressed as Hawkman, with the costume showing off his muscular arms and much of his rock-hard torso. He was wearing a hawk mask and had large wings coming out of his back. He also brandished a Thanagarian Mace. Meanwhile, the woman’s blue eyes, long black hair, thin waist and strong arms and legs seemed to make her a natural Wonder Woman, with the bathing-suit-sized costume of red, gold and blue, with white stars, a natural fit. The golden lasso hanging on the side of the costume, silver bracelets, and high red boots completed the look perfectly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Grant watched as fellow fans were attracted to the couple, asking to pose with them for pictures.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And since they’re superheroes, they’re more than happy to do that for these fine citizens.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Grant smiled at his private joke. <i>Jen would have rolled her eyes at that one.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Finally, while a tiny minority, Grant did spot a few individuals here and there who probably didn’t have much else in life, and had perhaps immersed themselves too deeply in fantasy. Of course, this was not a phenomenon unique to this venue. As a pastor and during his CIA days, Grant had met such people before; they simply had different interests or work into which they would get lost. It was not unusual, thankfully, for Grant to also witness someone eventually entering and bringing balance to the lives of such people. That included, during his time as a pastor, frequently witnessing the Lord using someone to help bring the light of Christ and His Church into such individuals’ lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Grant was snapped out of his musings by someone saying, “Excuse me, Father?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stephen realized it was Hawkman. “Yes. Sorry, I was lost in thought.” He reflected on how surreal this was as he was talking to two people who looked like they could play the parts of Hawkman and Wonder Woman in a movie. “I’m Pastor Stephen Grant.” As he shook each person’s hand, Grant continued, “And you are Hawkman and Wonder Woman.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As the two smiled in response, Grant judged that they were both in their early thirties.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The man said, “In addition to being Hawkman, I’m Guy Nodell, and Wonder Woman is my wife, Diane.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stephen raised an eyebrow, and said, “Diane? Not Diana?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Diane said, “Close, I know. It’s nice to meet you. Guy and I knew you weren’t just portraying Preacher or the pastor from <i>Man of Steel</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stephen caught the reference from the Superman movie. “No, I’m the real deal; a pastor at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church in Manorville. I’m here with our other pastor as well. You two seem to be quite the hit with fellow fans.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">They both smiled broadly. Guy said, “Yeah, it’s kind of cool, and a change of pace for us.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stephen asked, “And what do you do when not battling evildoers?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“We restore and repair classic cars.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“That’s interesting. How did that come about, if you don’t mind me asking?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Diane said, “We met in the Army. We were both mechanics. If it ran on wheels or tracks, we maintained and fixed them. After our tours were up, we got married, and not long after went into business for ourselves.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Nice. Congratulations.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The couple replied in unison, “Thanks.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“I was a SEAL, but I won’t hold the Army thing against you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">They went on to share some good-natured Navy-Army ribbing. When Zack approached the group, Stephen introduced the couple to his friend.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Diane eventually asked, “How about a quick photo?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stephen replied, “You’re asking to take a photo with us?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">She nodded. “That’s why Guy and I came over in the first place. Meeting a pastor at a con is pretty rare, never mind two.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A fan in his late teens wearing a Justice League shirt became entranced when Wonder Woman handed him a smartphone and asked if he would take the group’s picture. He dutifully snapped several shots with her phone and then with Zack’s. After Diane then took a picture with him, the fan, with flushed face, thanked her several times.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Zack asked Guy, “Can I check out your mace?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Sure.” He handed over the golden weapon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Zack smiled. “Wow, it’s actually heavier than I thought it would be.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“I made it myself – carved it out of an oak block, painted it and applied a protective coating.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As he handed the mace back, Zack commented, “Nice work.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Thanks.” Guy then pulled business cards out of a back pocket, and handed one each to Zack and Stephen. He added, “By the way, if you have any car needs, let us know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Grant said, “Thanks. Actually, I probably will since I just wrecked my SUV.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1718881614" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUejS_3HtQpLLJhl7e4AwOoirKRFt7DAnq8d2TbQlxxlJZOT7PJHfpDANln405NVQmNNBQNPJoEH_oSaLXgZ30TnmFEsoiy9-OUpj7iBI4hup_HqzZ8UEttuHjeVaOu2my9vP0b5XskPNHgWqwZ0nCUZT8a_wc94H4pbb3R9oam1R5p8ca8M_3w6QAw/w556-h309/Heroes-2.png" width="556" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-77796748094131642212022-05-14T09:02:00.002-07:002022-05-14T09:02:17.005-07:00Ray Keating's New Book "Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel"<p> <i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZCX7L97" target="_blank">Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel</a></b></span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b> </b>is Ray Keating’s sixteenth work of fiction, and the first in the Alliance of Saint Michael series. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="347" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DtFj1t8m5AM" width="480" youtube-src-id="DtFj1t8m5AM"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Alliance of Saint Michael brings together men and women with varied backgrounds and talents to work covertly against the two most significant threats to Christianity and civilization at the dawn of the 1930s - communism and fascism.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In Moscow, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is going to be obliterated to make way for the Palace of the Soviets. The Alliance of St. Michael readies itself for its first mission – find and salvage a rare item of great significance from the cathedral before the building is lost.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Regarding <i>Cathedral</i>…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">"A stellar depiction of time period and tension. With so many swirling motives and three-dimensional characters in the mix, there is inherent tension for readers, as they eagerly anticipate one of Keating’s classic twists. The depth of historical detail is notable; a good deal of research went into the crafting of this novel, which gives it an authentic and immersive feel. The complex puzzle makes for a page-turning and unpredictable ride, and a firm foundation for Keating’s enticing new series." - Self-Publishing Review, </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">★★★★</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Order the paperbacks, hardcovers and Kindle editions <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZCX7L97" target="_blank">right here!</a></b></span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-64378668474952254892022-05-12T04:30:00.001-07:002022-05-12T04:30:00.169-07:00“Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel” Released by Award-Winning Author Ray Keating<p> <i style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZCX7L97" target="_blank"><b>Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel</b></a></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">is a new edge-of-your-seat adventure from Ray Keating. This is his sixteenth work of fiction, and the first in the Alliance of Saint Michael series.</span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZCX7L97" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsGiqd01aMsFnSBFgv4WWA4GcPuOp0-dv242GnFPlipnxFR22FrNXAfWup5Se0WxK5U-yHdVWcVZSTvZ-N98_41xe4xA2PX8UPBt_qSopdqXOvKyc7HjBWjZi9u5BGGNwOqGSaKyR80gG-PoECwgvRngw48rM7gXE2gvK6Q3fSveDMIsPyUOsmoLoow/w519-h292/Avaiable%20at%20Amazon.com%20and%20signed%20books%20at%20RayKeatingOnline.com.png" width="519" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Alliance of Saint Michael brings together men and women with varied backgrounds and talents to work covertly against the two most significant threats to Christianity and civilization at the dawn of the 1930s - communism and fascism.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In Moscow, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is going to be obliterated to make way for the Palace of the Soviets. The Alliance of St. Michael readies itself for its first mission – find and salvage a rare item of great significance from the cathedral before the building is lost.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Cathedral</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> is a work of historical fiction filled with interesting characters that readers will come to care about, nail-biting moments, thrilling action, assorted mysteries and questions, love, danger, friendship, and reflections on God, faith, war, one’s calling in life and more.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ray Keating, who is known for penning 15 Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries (with more coming), said, “I’m excited to introduce new stories and characters set in a time of grave dangers. I found it particularly fascinating to explore how these characters choose to act in a time when Western Civilization is confronted by the challenges of both fascism and communism.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Regarding Ray Keating, <i>Kirkus Reviews</i> calls his books “exhilarating.” </span><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lutheran Book Review</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> says, “I miss Tom Clancy. Keating fills that void for me.” The retired host of KFUO radio’s BookTalk declares, “Ray Keating is a great novelist.”</span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks, hardcovers and the Kindle edition of <i>Cathedral</i> are available at </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZCX7L97" style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">Amazon.com</span></b></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, and signed books at </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.raykeatingonline.com/" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">www.RayKeatingOnline.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Review copies, and author interviews and appearances are available upon request. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Contact: Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Phone: 631-909-1122<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">E-mail: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="mailto:raykeating@keatingreports.com" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif;">raykeating@keatingreports.com</span></a></span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-20385037679410420152022-05-08T07:19:00.005-07:002022-05-08T07:19:56.636-07:00Your Next Reading Obsession - Ray Keating's Pastor Stephen Grant Series!<p> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Looking for your next great series obsession? Dive into Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries. Or if already a reader of these page-turners, make sure you’re caught up.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="357" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8x4uKqy1E5o" width="474" youtube-src-id="8x4uKqy1E5o"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Stephen Grant, pastor at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church on Long Island, former Navy SEAL and onetime CIA operative, came on the thriller/mystery scene in <i>Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel.</i> During 15 books in the series so far, readers come to see that Grant didn’t fully leave his old life behind. He often must wrestle with how his current work as a pastor intersects with his former life with the CIA. With a wide-ranging group of recurring characters – from his days with the Agency to his parish work – the reader is treated to action, suspense, humor, various relationships, faith, love, adventure, mystery, and opportunities for reflection and discussion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Kirkus Reviews</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> has called Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant “an engaging and multifaceted character” and “a consistently entertaining hero.” </span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lutheran Book Review</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> says, “I miss Tom Clancy. Keating fills that void for me.” The retired host of KFUO radio’s BookTalk declares, “Ray Keating is a great novelist.” David Keene of <i>The Washington Times</i> calls these novels “great reads.” And another reviewer observes, “How I'd love to see Pastor Grant on Netflix!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In an article titled “If James Bond Became a Pastor” covering Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers/mysteries series, author and columnist Gene Veith noted, “Mr. Keating knows how to tell an exciting story. And these books, like the James Bond novels, are ridiculously entertaining.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And the “Book Series in Order” website declares, “Many noteworthy critics have given rave reviews to books of the series and have applauded the efforts of author Ray Keating in coming up with such an exciting series and unique character… The worldwide success of this series helped Ray Keating in establishing himself in the ranks of the noteworthy authors of the spy thriller/espionage genre.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and Kindle editions of all 15 books, and counting, are available at </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SW8HB34?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_tpbk" style="color: #954f72;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SW8HB34?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_tpbk</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Signed books at </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.raykeatingonline.com/" style="color: #954f72;">www.raykeatingonline.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-9412508351577383522022-04-28T11:40:00.000-07:002022-04-28T11:40:46.003-07:00Enjoy National Superhero Day with HEROES AND VILLAINS: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT SHORT STORY!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DGLBWZM" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPjEffSQzkixHVbZG17nWPoHA0ytC-ullSr8lhhY6TR8BIF_DMAdodk7KkrfkkWQP9QPyspULiiggV8n6uYTAg5N6fdhn7MAHv6UxGpzq6-mXytJ2Or-2gIxzhRxaDozUnmnh9HGpWJN9YYyXnxRd-ji2HwNcUaPv0JTmSfuVMmp7NoafRjpxLp2nMw/w435-h364/Comic%20Relief.png" width="435" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In HEROES AND VILLAINS by award-winning novelist Ray Keating, Stephen Grant, the Lutheran pastor, onetime Navy SEAL and former CIA operative, must confront violence springing from a toxic mix of pop culture and ideological extremism. Grant finds himself in an entirely unfamiliar setting – a comic book, science fiction and fantasy convention. But he still joins forces with a unique set of heroes in an attempt to foil a villainous plot against one of the all-time great comic book writers and artists. Reviewers love the adventure...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Kirkus Reviews says, "In this short story, Keating's recurring cleric Stephen Grant steps up to help a popular comic-book creator targeted by armed assailants... When kidnappers eventually abduct someone, Stephen is quickly on their trail, and he has plenty of help--a convention's worth of superheroes. The series' protagonist remains a man of action even though the story isn't novel-length... An entertaining, immersive jaunt with a formidable protagonist."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And Self-Publishing Review declares, "Keating manages to instill the same suspense of his other epic thrillers into this unlikely little gem. As he always does, Pastor Grant brings bravado and humility to the table at the same time, instilling the book with morality, action and thought-provoking revelations from start to finish. Keating's creativity and storytelling ability remain on point, for a fun and different take on Pastor Grant, and one that's just as satisfying as longer books in the series."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jacob Airey, host of StudioJake , declares, “This is a fantastic novel... If you are a comic book fan who is fed up with the political correctness that’s going on, you have got to pick up <i>Heroes and Villains</i>... I highly recommend this book... I’m definitely going to be paying more attention to Ray Keating, and getting more of his novels.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paperbacks and for the Kindle at <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DGLBWZM" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a></b>. </span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"></span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-74681133787482362102022-04-15T07:10:00.005-07:002022-04-15T07:10:32.072-07:00Pastor Stephen Grant Thrillers & Mysteries in Order!<p> <span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">While you don’t have to read the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries in order, there is a plus to doing so. Therefore, here is the reading order of the books so far – with more to come! Enjoy! By the way, Paperback and Kindle editions are at</span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><b style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SW8HB34?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_tpbk" style="color: #954f72;">Amazon.com</a></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">, and signed books at</span><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><b style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/" style="color: #954f72;">RayKeatingOnline.com</a></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SW8HB34?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_tpbk" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPOdzyCT7nJL7Vs5j8Vbv7uiQtt8HHMLhkA0mtG4F1TgSa-1ZZU1lspnZDAmCbENdHrUs1MXHrKA6Jb4FyyWKWbTHrtkXaJ-1PX_t8ITaa2d6an4OjAxjyl9fXLfKRv0Gp7WPwkfcuR-7svZJ6LB5_ynw863dze9dJWR4Kt_-DtoPzF32GyVIXmSa5g/w459-h384/PSGBooksinOrder1.png" width="459" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1) <i>Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Warrior Monk</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> 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. Grant must tap the varied skills learned as a government agent, a theologian and a pastor not only to protect the pope, but also to feel his way through a minefield of personal challenges. The second edition of <i>Warrior Monk</i> includes a new Introduction by Ray Keating, as well as a new Epilogue that points to an upcoming Pastor Stephen Grant novel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2) <i>Root of All Evil? A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Do God, politics and money mix? In <i>Root of All Evil?</i>, the combination can turn out quite deadly. Keating introduced readers to Stephen Grant, a former CIA operative and current parish pastor, in the fun and highly praised <i>Warrior Monk</i>. Now, Grant is back in <i>Root of All Evil?</i> It’s a breathtaking thriller involving drug traffickers, politicians, the CIA and FBI, a shadowy foreign regime, the Church, and money. Charity, envy and greed are on display. Throughout, action runs high.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">3) <i>An Advent for Religious Liberty: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Advent and Christmas approach. It’s supposed to be a special season for Christians. But it’s different this time in New York City. Religious liberty is under assault. The Catholic Church has been called a “hate group.” And it’s the newly elected mayor of New York City who has set off this religious and political firestorm. Some people react with prayer – others with violence and murder. Stephen Grant, former CIA operative turned pastor, faces deadly challenges during what becomes known as “An Advent for Religious Liberty.” Grant works with the cardinal who leads the Archdiocese of New York, the FBI, current friends, and former CIA colleagues to fight for religious liberty, and against dangers both spiritual and physical.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">4) <i>The River: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Some refer to Las Vegas as Sin City. But the sins being committed in <i>The River</i> are not what one might typically expect. Rather, it’s about murder. Stephen Grant once used lethal skills for the Navy SEALs and the CIA. Now, years later, he’s a pastor. How does this man of action and faith react when his wife is kidnapped, a deep mystery must be untangled, and both allies and suspects from his CIA days arrive on the scene? How far can Grant go – or will he go – to save the woman he loves? Will he seek justice or revenge, and can he tell the difference any longer? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">5) <i>Murderer’s Row: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">How do rescuing a Christian family from the clutches of Islamic terrorists, minor league baseball in New York, a string of grisly murders, sordid politics, and a pastor, who once was a Navy SEAL and CIA operative, tie together? <i>Murderer’s Row</i> is the fifth Pastor Stephen Grant novel, and Keating serves up fascinating characters, gripping adventure, and a tangled murder mystery, along with faith, politics, humor, and, yes, baseball.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">6) <i>Wine Into Water: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">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 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">7) <i>Lionhearts: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">War has arrived on American soil, with Islamic terrorists using new tactics. Few are safe, including Christians, politicians, and the media. Pastor Stephen Grant taps into his past with the Navy SEALS and the CIA to help wage a war of flesh and blood, ideas, history, and beliefs. This is about defending both the U.S. and Christianity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">8) <i>Reagan Country: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Could President Ronald Reagan’s influence reach into the former “evil empire”? The media refers to a businessman on the rise as “Russia’s Reagan.” Unfortunately, others seek a return to the old ways, longing for Russia’s former “greatness.” The dispute becomes deadly. Conflict stretches from the Reagan Presidential Library in California to the White House to a Russian Orthodox monastery to the Kremlin. Stephen Grant, pastor at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church on Long Island, a former Navy SEAL and onetime CIA operative, stands at the center of the tumult.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">9) <i>Heroes and Villains: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As a onetime Navy SEAL, a former CIA operative and a pastor, many people call Stephen Grant a hero. At various times defending the Christian Church and the United States over the years, he has journeyed across the nation and around the world. But now Grant finds himself in an entirely unfamiliar setting – a comic book, science fiction and fantasy convention. But he still joins forces with a unique set of heroes in an attempt to foil a villainous plot against one of the all-time great comic book writers and artists.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">10) <i>Shifting Sands: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Beach volleyball is about fun, sun and sand. But when a big-time tournament arrives on a pier in New York City, danger and international intrigue are added to the mix. Stephen Grant, a former Navy SEAL, onetime CIA operative, and current pastor, is on the scene with his wife, friends and former CIA colleagues. While battles on the volleyball court play out, deadly struggles between good and evil are engaged on and off the sand. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">11) <i>Deep Rough: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">12) <i>The Traitor: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stephen Grant – former Navy SEAL, onetime CIA operative and current pastor – looks forward to a time of prayer and reflection during a retreat at a monastery in Europe. But when he stumbles upon an infamous CIA traitor in a small village, Grant’s plans change dramatically. While a debate rages over government secrets and the intelligence community, a deadly race for survival is underway. From a pro-democracy demonstration in Hong Kong to the CIA’s headquarters in Langley to a monastery in France, the action and intrigue never let up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">13) <i>Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">More than 500 years ago, two men – Jan Hus and Martin Luther – tried to bring about change in the Catholic Church. They suffered, with one burned at the stake. Could a modern-day pope transform these reformers from heretics to heroes in the eyes of the Catholic Church? Shadowy figures inside and outside the Vatican oppose Pope Paul VII’s efforts, and stand willing to do anything to stop him. For help, the pope turns to Stephen Grant, a Lutheran pastor, former Navy SEAL and onetime CIA operative.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">14) <i>Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Torn from pages of his own journal, Pastor Stephen Grant tells about threats, murder and puzzling people from his past. It’s a compelling mystery involving action, unexpected turns, lost innocence, sought-after perspective, and twisted revenge. This is the first Pastor Stephen Grant story told from Grant’s own viewpoint, unfolding each day in the pages of his journal.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">15) <i>What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story</i> by Ray Keating<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">From the pages of his own journal, Pastor Stephen Grant tells a riveting mystery involving deception, betrayal, sacrifice and friendship, along with plenty of action and questions about what we truly can know about others. Grant takes us on a personal journey across decades and around the world, from Long Island to Vietnam. This is the second Pastor Stephen Grant story told from Grant’s own viewpoint, unfolding each day in the pages of his journal.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Paperback and Kindle editions are at <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SW8HB34?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_tpbk" style="color: #954f72;">Amazon.com</a></b>, and signed books at <b><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/" style="color: #954f72;">RayKeatingOnline.com</a></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-57237704591984419952022-04-13T06:21:00.002-07:002022-04-13T06:21:32.190-07:00Easter Sale on Ray Keating's Books<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://raykeatingonline.com" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="1748" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSY6jBLZJ_12md1to9bT-M-O9dwa8tHejNY3ST9ckc9vw8zdhY7exBPS5xAIFd8vib75kq6dZrdkafHV3NzOAJC0vghdeREnrUa2Atx02DzJJ5clhdCGm_ghRs8fzuj5zmIGR3nMAHRHqSQ-m7FklMoRJaF_nPqH8CSt-qa3W8GuKqcylNSqKW45h9A/w522-h370/Happy%20Easter%20(Card%20(Landscape))-2.png" width="522" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Easter Sale at <a href="http://www.raykeatingonline.com/" style="color: #954f72;">www.RayKeatingOnline.com</a>! Save 15% on Signed Editions of Ray Keating’s Books! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Save on any or all of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries. Save on pre-ordering Ray’s new novel <i>Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel</i>. Save on Ray’s books on the economy and business, including pre-ordering <i>The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist</i>. Save on everything! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Use coupon code “Easter15” at checkout. Sale ends on April 19th! Go to</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.raykeatingonline.com/" style="color: #954f72; font-size: 14pt;">www.RayKeatingOnline.com</a><span style="font-size: 14pt;">. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730433367218209882.post-70216452910639359212022-04-11T03:38:00.002-07:002022-04-11T03:38:14.280-07:00Book Excerpt from "Heroes and Villains" by Ray Keating<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7SaM6v5Cb2gSLp0nPEaYsgRVSRtEd3-7Ss_3_BYnHpM-WP6cPdtuujjXKIGX4qrgGoF2JQYVLl6AqfPhCd00DsGLekDYxeka19DGjcGp_lwyLMAFiYAv5sg14VaLK7uxydi64GLyXWcrcpMh2quq-rwZNEMM0wXz_k5QbtAa3Te7aAPexgH3RaxLww/s1920/Excerpt%20from%20Heroes%20and%20Villains%20by%20Ray%20Keating.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7SaM6v5Cb2gSLp0nPEaYsgRVSRtEd3-7Ss_3_BYnHpM-WP6cPdtuujjXKIGX4qrgGoF2JQYVLl6AqfPhCd00DsGLekDYxeka19DGjcGp_lwyLMAFiYAv5sg14VaLK7uxydi64GLyXWcrcpMh2quq-rwZNEMM0wXz_k5QbtAa3Te7aAPexgH3RaxLww/w532-h299/Excerpt%20from%20Heroes%20and%20Villains%20by%20Ray%20Keating.png" width="532" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">From <i>Heroes and Villains: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story</i> by Ray Keating…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stephen opened the door, and welcomed the Nodells into the house. Introductions were made, and Stephen and Jennifer invited the couple to take a quick tour of the house.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Diane commented, “You have a lovely home.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Thank you,” responded Jennifer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">After a brief pause, Guy asked, “Okay, are you two ready?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stephen said, “I am, but Jennifer is in the dark.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Guy said, “That’s awesome that you were able to keep this secret.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Thanks.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jennifer looked at her husband, raised an eyebrow, and said, “Stephen.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Right, it’s time. Come on.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The four stopped at the closed front door. Guy, Diane and Stephen were beaming. And then Stephen opened the door.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jennifer stepped outside and saw the car that the Nodells had delivered. It was a red 1957 Thunderbird with its top down. Jennifer stood still and put a hand over her mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Guy asked, “This is the one, right? Stephen said that growing up you were a big fan of the TV show <i>Vega$</i> with Robert Urich.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jennifer still didn’t move or reply.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Grab paperbacks and Kindle edition via Amazon at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DGLBWZM" style="color: #954f72;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DGLBWZM</a> and signed books at <a href="https://raykeatingonline.com/products/heroes-and-villains-a-pastor-stephen-grant-short-story" style="color: #954f72;">https://raykeatingonline.com/products/heroes-and-villains-a-pastor-stephen-grant-short-story</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>Ray Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0