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.

Friday, July 31, 2015

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day: The River

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day:

Amazon review of THE RIVER:

"Pastor Stephen Grant is an enigmatic character. Ray Keating masterfully weaves his character's past and present lives, always keeping the reader involved in both the action and Grant's emotional struggle. Although I do not like the short chapter style, I was otherwise held captive from start to finish. I certainly recommend this book to anyone that likes a good, fast-moving thriller."

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day: An Advent for Religious Liberty

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day:

Amazon review of AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY:

"Once you pick up, you can't stop reading Keating's novels. Great read!"

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day: Root of All Evil?

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day:

Amazon review of ROOT OF ALL EVIL?:

"Who would have guessed that you could mix a CIA agent and a Lutheran pastor into one character, but Keating pulls this off. I enjoyed this one as much as his first book."

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day: Warrior Monk

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day:

Amazon review of WARRIOR MONK:

"Mr. Keating has done a fine job with his first book in the Stephen Grant series. The story will hold your interest and although there are a couple things for which you must suspend your vision of reality (the demise of the Pope on American soil?) there is much to say about his attention to details. What pleases me the most is his caricature of a Lutheran pastor. As I am also one, to see Stephen Grant as an actual minister of the Gospel isn't too hard to believe. Now, his previous background and his moving into a second career as a pastor--most of the men I know have not had such an exciting life! I also appreciate seeing a character such as Grant shown to have some control over his feelings and actions that represent his faith. The violence is subdued and there is a level of propriety about Grant's attitude toward women that is very refreshing and very much in character with what I would expect of a pastor. I am looking forward to the next installment of this series. It will be worth the wait!"

Big Hit Streak for New Thriller from Ray Keating Titled “Murderer’s Row: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel”

Ray Keating on 8 review hit streak with new thriller MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL.

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? Find out in MURDERER’S ROW. The first eight Amazon reviews are stellar. Consider…

FIVE STARS: “Great book to read, hard to put down. Full of excitement with a Christian theme.”

FIVE STARS: “My review of Keating's previous book noted he was a good author and almost to the level of Clancy. Murderer's row puts him there. The plot is complex and multilayered. The tension is strong. The pace moves well, enough to keep me reading all day in order to finish. As an added plus, the plot involves crooked politicians, conservative philosophy, Lutheran LCMS theology, spies, guns, and -- best of all -- baseball. How could you ask for more?”

FIVE STARS: “I've been waiting for this book ever since I read the first four, and it did not disappoint. Now just waiting for the next one--what else can happen on Long Island?”

FIVE STARS: “Very well written, kept my interest and couldn't put it down.”

FIVE STARS: “Great read !!!”

FOUR STARS: “Like the combination of thriller, character development and religious input. I have read all the Stephen Grant novels and found them enjoyable.”

FOUR STARS: “Another very good novel in the Stephen Grant series… The plot was great, and as usual, the insight into the characters thoughts were very good.”

FOUR STARS: “I like his writing. I find his concept interesting.”

MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL is available in trade paperback from Amazon.com at



This thriller also can be purchased and downloaded for the Kindle at



Get the first four thrillers at Amazon.com.


WARRIOR MONK: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL has earned an average Amazon.com reviewer rating of 4.2 stars out of 5, and was ranked as a Top 10 book on a WORLD magazine June 2013 list.



ROOT OF ALL EVIL? A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL has earned an average Amazon.com reviewer rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.



AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL has earned an average Amazon.com reviewer rating of 4.4 stars out of 5.



THE RIVER: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL has earned an average Amazon.com reviewer rating of 4.2 stars out of 5. THE RIVER was named a 2014 finalist for KFUO radio's BookTalk “Book of the Year.”



In general, Amazon.com reviewers have compared his thrillers to the works of Clancy, Ludlum, Grisham, Cussler, Griffin and Morrell.


Website: Check out our website at www.pastorstephengrant.com.


Facebook: Please “Like” the Pastor Stephen Grant Novels Facebook page at:


Twitter: Follow Ray Keating, the creator of Pastor Stephen Grant, on Twitter @RevGrantNovel


Monday, July 27, 2015

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day: An Advent for Religious Liberty

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day:

Amazon review of AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY:

"I've enjoyed all of these Pastor Stephen Grant Novels. They're easy to read but make me think theologically about the issues that are raised."

Friday, July 24, 2015

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day: Root of All Evil?

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day:

Amazon review of ROOT OF ALL EVIL?:

"Having read 'Warrior Monk' earlier this summer, I was eagerly anticipating 'Root of All Evil?' from Keating. What a splendid follow-up to the first novel. It is shorter (just over 300 pages), and so it is a faster read than 'Warrior Monk', but doesn't lack for depth and creativity. Keating has a firm grasp of the Lutheran ethos and it shows itself time and time again throughout the book in the personal failings of all of the characters and the remarkable power of forgiveness when all else is lost. The main character is further developed as a pastor and does us 'real-life' LCMS pastors proud. I am already looking forward to 'An Advent for Religious Liberty'. Keep up the great writing, Mr. Keating, us pastors are loving every page of it!"

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Summer Reading Reminder #2


Pastor Stephen Grant Novels Character Quote of the Day

Pastor Stephen Grant had risen from his seat next to the Kings’ bench. As he looked out on what had unfolded, Grant said, “Dear Lord, please, not another one.”

                                                                                     - from Murderer’s Row

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day: Warrior Monk

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day:

Amazon review of WARRIOR MONK:

"Keating's protagonist, a CIA field operative who became a Lutheran parish pastor, is not far from reality... Among our brothers in ministry are men who in their former lives were military intelligence officers (one was KGB), military base security chiefs, Secret Service agents and organize crime prosecutors. I was one of them. There are professional church workers who were formerly in the technical end of the intelligence community."

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day: The River

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day:

From an Amazon review of THE RIVER:

"A fast moving action packed book.Great story. Have read all of the Stephen Grant novels and this is one of the best."

Monday, July 20, 2015

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day: An Advent for Religious Liberty

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day:

Amazon review of AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY:

"Having read the first three novels of the Stephen Grant series by Ray Keating, I'm impressed by the author's ability to have Pastor Grant sound like a real pastor."

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Summer Reading Reminder #1


Murderer's Row Locale: Oak Island

That's Oak Island in the background - a place that plays a role in MURDERER'S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL.


Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day: Root of All Evil?

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day:

Amazon review of ROOT OF ALL EVIL?:

"I am very inclined to like this book as I am a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod pastor just like the main character - without the CIA background. At the same time I would be very disappointed if Stephen Grant was not believable as a pastor. Fear not; he passes the smell test with flying colors. Grant would rather give pastoral care to those who are hurting, and it is only with the greatest reluctance that he must return to his CIA training and hurt people. This makes for a very interesting twist on the typical suspense thriller. You don't have to be a pastor - or even a Lutheran - to enjoy this book. It is an entertaining, easy read. It also provides a bit of insight into some of the theological issues and conflicts in American Christianity today, but manages to do so within the flow of the novel, and without getting heavy-handed."

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day: Warrior Monk

Reviewer/Reader Quote of the Day:

Amazon reviewer on WARRIOR MONK:

"I loved this novel. It was exciting and kept your attention. The way Ray Keating drew together two seemingly opposite occupations into Pastor Stephan's character, and the ethical problems that caused, was fascinating reading. As a Lutheran Pastor myself, I found that this novel is not that far off when it comes to some of the dilemmas I or any other pastor might face."