Here are three big thumbs-up reviews for SHIFTING SANDS: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT SHORT STORY from Amazon reviews...
1. 5 stars
“It is hard for me to imagine what impression this this novella might make on a first time reader of the Pastor Grant stories. Now that I am addicted to the series, it is like catching up with interesting friends and traveling with them to interesting places like the touring beach volleyball exposition in New York City where we learn that security has been alerted to emerging threats, and we recognize agents from previous stories on duty. Then, in the person of Pastor Grant, we get sucked into the action due to past associations/present skills and... I do not want to spoil the story for you.
“I enjoyed the ensemble aspect of this story, the broadened perspective beyond that of the main character. The fact that this is a shorter story made the narrative more vivid for me as there were fewer moving parts to keep track of than in the longer Pastor Grant novels. The character descriptions and development were satisfying and on one occasion surprising. The setting was also vivid to me conveying some of the excitement of such events where we know some of the competitors in a big venue.
“I had read that a short story had a single point, or strove for a single impression. That is not the obvious case here and it struck me as a novella rather than a short story in the tradition of Poe or Chekhov. Poe did write a series (3?) of detective stories, the most famous being "Murders in the Rue Morgue," but the Pastor Grant stories are more in the tradition of Fleming's "James Bond" with the novel addition of the world of Missouri Synod Lutherans.”
“I enjoyed the ensemble aspect of this story, the broadened perspective beyond that of the main character. The fact that this is a shorter story made the narrative more vivid for me as there were fewer moving parts to keep track of than in the longer Pastor Grant novels. The character descriptions and development were satisfying and on one occasion surprising. The setting was also vivid to me conveying some of the excitement of such events where we know some of the competitors in a big venue.
“I had read that a short story had a single point, or strove for a single impression. That is not the obvious case here and it struck me as a novella rather than a short story in the tradition of Poe or Chekhov. Poe did write a series (3?) of detective stories, the most famous being "Murders in the Rue Morgue," but the Pastor Grant stories are more in the tradition of Fleming's "James Bond" with the novel addition of the world of Missouri Synod Lutherans.”
2. 5 stars
“With so many titles under his belt already, I have come to really enjoy and feel a connection to many of the characters in the Keating 'universe', and I'm glad to hear about Melissa Ambler again. There's always a pleasant suspension of disbelief while reading Ray Keating's Stephen Grant novels, but that doesn't take away from the way he weaves together the importance of faith as the foundation for everyone who faces challenges, both big and small. And Keating's writing keeps getting better and better! He has a knack for these short stories along with the novel-length pieces. Another enjoyable read!”
3. 5 stars
“I'm blown away by Keating's creativity and writing/research skills. Now he ventures out of his novel genre with the Pastor Stephen Grant series with this short story. With this considerable shorter format, he still manages to pack his usual skill in unloading a mystery involving Grant's two careers. Here it revolves around beach volleyball, American dominance vs. terrorism, and on top of all that, his theological acumen. Keating's typical, excellent, surprising, twisting ending is worth the read. Anyone looking for short read packed with action and written in clear, moving prose, would do well in getting this. Make great gift as well.”
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