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.

Thursday, February 11, 2021

First Review of PAST LIVES!

 


Pre-Order the Next Pastor Stephen Grant Page-Turner – PAST LIVES: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT SHORT STORY


Pre-order the Kindle edition at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RWLBJ6F


Pre-order signed paperbacks at https://raykeatingonline.com/products/pastlives

Friday, January 22, 2021

Big Thumbs-Up Reviews for VATICAN SHADOWS

 Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant is back in another action-packed, character-rich page turner in VATICAN SHADOWS. Grant is a Lutheran pastor who used to be a Navy SEAL and a CIA operative – but never fully left his old life behind. Now, Pope Paul VII calls on Grant to help stop deadly forces inside and outside the Vatican. 

Both Kirkus Reviews and Self-Publishing Review have given VATICAN SHADOWS big thumbs-up reviews…






VATICAN SHADOWS and the rest of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers/mysteries make for ideal reading in 2021! Get the paperback or Kindle editions of VATICAN SHADOWS at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P1S5R26 or signed books at https://raykeatingonline.com/products/vaticanshadows


 

Saturday, January 2, 2021

PRESS CLUB C Podcast with Ray Keating – Episode #36: A Look at Vatican Shadows and Big Reveals on What’s Coming

 


Ray Keating talks about his new book, VATICAN SHADOWS: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL, including reading a couple of chapters, and offers some big reveals on upcoming novels and, yes, new thriller/mystery series. It’s all very exciting if Keating can get his act together.


 

Monday, December 7, 2020

Commemoration of St. Ambrose: An Excerpt from WARRIOR MONK

On the Commemoration of St. Ambrose of Milan (December 6), an excerpt from WARRIOR MONK: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL. A good deal of the story in this thriller takes place at the St. Ambrose Retreat House on Long Island…



Stephen could, well, feel it. He wondered when the last time such unity existed among so many Christian leaders gathered in one place.

And this nearly euphoric feeling continued throughout the pope’s historic press conference. The questions, though politely put, reflected the usual ignorance and bias Grant had come to expect from so much of the media. 

Theocracy? 

Imposing your religious views on others?

Doesn’t the church have enough problems of its own? 

Given the Crusades, Inquisition and pedophilia scandals, why should anyone listen? 

And so on.

But this pope – no, Stephen reflected – this man, flawed and sinful like any of us, answered each question calmly, thoughtfully, and with disarming kindness. And with a mix of principle, faith and humor, Pope Augustine gained a kind of attentiveness among members of the media that few, if any, in public life could have even hoped for, and many politicians would have killed for. Congressman Ted Brees came to Stephen’s mind.

Grant was now following the pope, his aides and security entourage up the staircase in the castle’s main lobby.

Augustine stopped at the statue of St. Ambrose, and gazed at it. As this continued for several seconds, a silence descended in the large chamber. The pope said, “He was interesting, St. Ambrose. During a tumultuous time of disagreement in the latter part of the fourth century, he tried to keep peace among Christians in Milan. And he was not even baptized when clergy and the people called for him to become the bishop. He did not want the job, but finally acquiesced, was baptized, and eight days later became the bishop. He would be one of the great Latin Doctors of the Church. And as we talk about the Church’s role in the public arena now, it is worth recalling that Ambrose previously was a lawyer and politician who came to be a powerful voice in the Church for celibacy and voluntary poverty. If that happened today, few, I think, would doubt the transformative power of faith in our Lord.” The pope smiled, and most everyone else joined in with his infectious laugh.

  

Monday, November 30, 2020

“Vatican Shadows” is the New Riveting Read from Award-Winning Novelist Ray Keating

 Facing Threats and Murder, a Pope Calls on a Lutheran Pastor and Former CIA Operative for Help

 

Long Island, NY – Ray Keating returns with his latest page-turning thriller titled Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel



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. 

 

The action is intense and unrelenting. The characters and relationships are captivating and filled with complexity, commitment and betrayal. The twists and turns are fun. The dialogue is lively. And the story serves up reflections about faith, love, conflict, history, and friendship that are thought-provoking. 

 

Ray Keating said, “First and foremost, I hope readers – whether they be longtime or new Pastor Grant readers – enjoy Vatican Shadows as a page-turning thriller. In addition, I think Vatican Shadows could serve as an ideal book for all kinds of book clubs and discussion groups.”

 

Paperbacks and the Kindle edition of Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel are at Amazon via https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P1S5R26 and signed books are at https://raykeatingonline.com/products/vaticanshadows.  

 

About Keating and his Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, Kirkus Reviews simply says “exhilarating.” Lutheran Book Review 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 The Washington Times calls these novels “great reads.”  And another reviewer observes, “How I'd love to see Pastor Grant on Netflix!”

 

Keating’s previous Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers/mysteries – The Traitor (2019), Deep Rough (2019), Shifting Sands (2018), Heroes and Villains (2018), Reagan Country (2018), Lionhearts (2017), Wine Into Water (2016), Murderer’s Row (2015), The River (2014), An Advent For Religious Liberty (2012), Root of All Evil? (Second Edition 2020)and Warrior Monk (Second Edition 2019) – have received widespread praise from all kinds of readers. 

 

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

 

Contact: Ray Keating

E-mail: raykeating@keatingreports.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PastorStephenGrantNovels

Twitter: @KeatingNovels

PastorStephenGrant.com

RayKeatingOnline.com

Thursday, November 5, 2020

Talking James Bond with the Mid-Modcasters

 I was fortunate to be a guest on The Mid-Modcast Podcast with Craig, Paula and Dave to chat about James Bond. This episode was recorded before we lost Sean Connery, and was posted today. I had a swell time being on with the Mid-Modcasters to talk cool spy stuff. Hope you have a terrific time tuning in!