Pastor Stephen Grant: CIA

Pastor Stephen Grant?

Stephen Grant is the pastor at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church on eastern Long Island. Grant is one of the more unique second-career clergy around, as he once worked for the CIA. Besides theology, his interests include archery, golf, writing, classic films, the beach, poker, baseball, and history. Grant also knows his wines, champagnes and brews. Oh yes, he generally dislikes politicians, and happens to be an expert marksman with a handgun and a rifle, while being pretty handy with a combat knife as well.

Showing posts with label CIA. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

“Christmas Bells at St. Mary’s” by Ray Keating is a Page-Turner for the Christmas Season

Spend Christmas with a Former CIA Operative Turned Pastor

Christmas Bells at St. Mary’s: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story 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.

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.

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 Christmas Bells at St. Mary’s, and I hope this book becomes something of a traditional read around Christmas.”

Kirkus Reviews has called Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant “an engaging and multifaceted character” and “a consistently entertaining hero.” Lutheran Book Review calls Keating “the master of the theological thriller.”

Matthew Heise, author of The Gates of Hell: An Untold Story of Faith and Perseverance in the Early Soviet Union, said, “Check out Ray's novels… They are action-filled and deeply thought out. His Stephen Grant is Jack Ryan in Lutheran clerical garb!”

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.”

Paperbacks and the Kindle edition of Christmas Bells at St. Mary’s are available athttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKNRZ2TH, and signed books at www.RayKeatingOnline.com. All 19 books in the series are at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SW8HB34?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn.

Review copies, and author interviews and appearances are available upon request.

Contact: Ray Keating

E-mail: raykeating@keatingreports.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastorStephenGrantNovels and https://www.facebook.com/AllianceofSaintMichael

Twitter: @KeatingNovels

RayKeatingOnline.com

Thursday, October 14, 2021

Vatican Shadows - Find Out More About this Page-Turner

Get caught up this fall on all of the Pastor Stephen Grant adventures? Paperbacks and Kindle editions at Amazon via https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P1S5R26 and signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com.

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Getting Started with THE TRAITOR: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating

THE TRAITOR starts...

“It’s kind of breathtaking,” whispered Paige Caldwell, as she looked out at more than 500,000 citizens of Hong Kong gathered in and around Victoria Park...

Get the paperback and Kindle edition of THE TRAITOR at Amazon via

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1709209771

Signed books are at www.raykeatingonline.com

Monday, February 17, 2020

5 Reasons to Read the New Second Edition of ROOT OF ALL EVIL? A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Award-Winning Novelist Ray Keating

With the action running high, Stephen Grant, pastor at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church on Long Island, former Navy SEAL and onetime CIA operative, confronts a mix of drug traffickers, politicians, the CIA and FBI, a shadowy foreign regime, envy and greed. Here are 5 big reasons to read ROOT OF ALL EVIL?...

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

2. Ray Keating has written an Author Introduction focused on some of the challenges of penning a political thriller, including maintaining an edge-of-your-seat feel while not annoying the reader with the petty real world of politics. Keating also talks about how some key characters fit into ROOT OF ALL EVIL?, as well as how his own experiences fed the story.

3. "... storylines converge in D.C. with Stephen Grant's CIA past. He is called back into service as an expert shot and has ample opportunity to provide pastoral care." - Lutheran Book Review

4. "I loved every second of it... I'm a fan. I'm hooked." - Rod Zwonitzer, host of KFUO's "BookTalk"

5. “Interesting characters. Compelling plot. Great pace. Theological discussions which are hard to find in any books. The fact that these are serious theological discussions is even more reason to love these books.” – 5-star Amazon review

Kindle and paperbacks from Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083TX7M9P

Sunday, February 16, 2020

5 Reasons to Read THE TRAITOR: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL – New Thriller from Award-Winning Novelist Ray Keating

Stephen Grant – former Navy SEAL, onetime CIA operative and current Lutheran 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. Here are 5 reasons to read this page-turner...

1. “With a gripping plot that feels torn from last week's headlines, Keating knows how to capture his readers immediately and never let go. Pastor Grant continues to surprise as a character and the dialogue hums with authenticity, making the newest Pastor Stephen Grant Novel another hit in this ever-growing series." - Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½

2. “If you like thrillers, suspense, and theology read Pastor Stephen Grant novels including The Traitor.” – 5-star Amazon review

3. "Yet another hop, skip, and jump into the exciting life of Pastor Stephen Grant, former CIA agent, now Lutheran pastor who happens to be in all the right places at all the right times! This was an enjoyable read... Still, timely. Gives you something to think about... This one is sort of Snowden vs. a European pastoral retreat at a chocolate-making monastery! So it'll be sure to have you googling 'chocolate' and 'monastery' in no time." - Mary J. Moerbe, Meet, Write & Salutary blog and author of Ecclesial Poetry: Volume 1

4. “I couldn't put it down once I started reading... I would love to be Paige Caldwell when I grow up. No, actually I would love to be Jennifer Grant. Two awesome characters in this series. Keep writing these thrillers Ray and I will keep purchasing. Love, love, love this series.” – 5-star Amazon review

5. “Love me some Stephen Grant stories. I look forward to each story, from the ‘Warrior Monk’ to ‘The Traitor.’ All well written and just a fun read. Keep them coming.” – 5-star Amazon review

Paperbacks and for the Kindle at Amazon via https://www.amazon.com/dp/1709209771

Monday, September 2, 2019

3 Reasons for Reading the Pastor Stephen Grant Mysteries/Thrillers: Thumbs Up from Facebook Reviewers for DEEP ROUGH

Positive Facebook reviews have been rolling in for DEEP ROUGH: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL. Paperbacks and the Kindle edition is available at Amazon, and signed books here.

Here are 3 thumbs-up on Facebook for your consideration...

“A great read, as are the previous books in the series! A real page turner and as a bonus, Christ is proclaimed as part of the story!” - Facebook reviewer

“I just finished it yesterday....Loved the story, and of course the golfing theme had me enjoy it all the more...Keep them coming !!!!!” – Facebook reviewer

“Just finished Deep Rough! Nail biting, page turning, great read! I am never disappointed in this series. Mr. Raymond Keating has done it again bringing Pastor Grant and the characters alive in this new adventure. This book does not disappoint!!!! Loved it!! You have a fan for life!” - Facebook Reviewer

Monday, August 19, 2019

10 Reviews of DEEP ROUGH from Facebook

What are people on Facebook saying about DEEP ROUGH: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL, the latest thriller from Ray Keating? Well, check out these 10 very cool mini-reviews:

1. “Just finished Deep Rough! Nail biting, page turning, great read! I am never disappointed in this series. Mr. Raymond Keating has done it again bringing Pastor Grant and the characters alive in this new adventure. This book does not disappoint!!!! Loved it!! You have a fan for life!”

2. “Great read! I just finished it.”

3. “Loved it! Thanks for another great read!”

4. “I just finished it yesterday....Loved the story, and of course the golfing theme had me enjoy it all the more...Keep them coming !!!!!”

5. "Another great, riveting story..."

6. “Finished the book yesterday. The first book I read entirely on my cell phone. Nothing beats reading the old fashioned way, but still couldn't put it (the phone) down and wait for the book!”

7. “The book was a good as I anticipated it would be.”

8. “A great read, as are the previous books in the series! A real page turner and as a bonus, Christ is proclaimed as part of the story!”

9. “Love these books”

10. “Love his novels!”

Get DEEP ROUGH and all of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries on Amazon at
https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Rough-Pastor-Stephen-Grant/dp/107308843X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Friday, July 26, 2019

Spy Stuff: Spies at Comic Con?

Hmmm, were there spies at Comic Con this year? No, I’m actually not talking about Stephen Grant visiting a comic-con in HEROES AND VILLAINS. Instead, this is about spy talk during a panel at this year’s San Diego Comic Con.

As reported by Vice.com: “We’re at an after party for may seem like an unusual panel for San Diego Comic Con: ‘Spy and Espionage Tech: Evolution and Storytelling.’ While two blocks away, convention goers lined up around the corner to get into a joint Variety/YouTube Originals party, Hanson and his fellow panelists—a cybersecurity contractor, a former CIA disguise master, and the amateur DNA analyst credited with cracking the Golden State Killer case—mingled with members of Dent the Future, a club that put on the event.”

Cool.

Check out the full article here.

Monday, June 24, 2019

Sign Up to Get THE TRAITOR for FREE

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

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

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

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

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

According to the International Spy Museum in D.C., an educational and historical center of U.S. intelligence documentation and artifacts, there are “more than 10,000 spies in Washington.”

While there may be some quibbling about the actual numbers, the FBI agrees with the premise.

“It’s unprecedented — the threat from our foreign adversaries, specifically China on the economic espionage and the espionage front,” said Brian Dugan, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for Counterintelligence with the FBI’s Washington Field Office.

- Ray Keating

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

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

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

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

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

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

Same old Russia?

- Ray Keating

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

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

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

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

Pre-order the Kindle edition...