Keeps the Reader Hooked

Reviewer on MURDERER'S ROW by Ray Keating...

"The listeners have to understand that they're going to get some good theology, they're going to get some good mysteries, some very well done thriller writing... Murderer's Row keeps the reader hooked."  - Rod Zwonitzer, host of "BookTalk" on KFUO radio

Get the book at
http://www.amazon.com/Murderers-Row-Pastor-Stephen-Grant/dp/1514137615/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458414397&sr=8-1&keywords=murderer%27s+row+by+keating

Serious Reading Interview with Ray Keating

Check out the Serious Reading interview with Ray Keating, the award-winning author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels.

Here's one question:

Do your novels carry a message?
Every writer has a message, whether penning a news story, a commentary piece, a history text, or a novel. A writer simply should be honest about it. I’m a Christian and a conservative. That comes through in my novels. At the same time, however, I don’t want to hit people over the head with some kind of polemic. I don’t like that in the novels I read, nor in the movies I see. The most important goals for me as a novelist are to tell a good story, offer compelling characters with depth, make the dialogue work naturally, present interesting conflict, and work in humor, action, love, adventure, and friendship, for example. Along the way, yes, I touch on issues in areas like faith, politics, war, and good and evil, but hopefully in a natural, non-preachy way.

Read the entire interview at

http://seriousreading.com/author-interviews/1583-interview-with-ray-keating-author-of-murderers-row.html

Miss Tom Clancy? Discover Ray Keating's Thrillers

Realistic Christian Fiction

New 5-star Amazon review of WARRIOR MONK: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating:

"It's always refreshing to read Christian fiction that is more realistic to life. So many times characters don't seem real because they handle their issues too perfectly. Ray Keating shows simul justus et peccator (simultaneously saint and sinner) with the characters in "Warrior Monk." Pastor Stephen Grant seems like he could be a real person. He reacts to things in a realistic way, he knows he has struggles, but because of his faith he can remind himself of the right thing to do. The storyline also seemed realistic. In reality, we cannot always stop evil from happening, and evil does take place in "Warrior Monk." Also, this isn't an action-packed novel, which makes Grant seem more like a real person. Action and stressful situations happen, but not on every page, which is more similar to the rhythm of daily life."

Baseball Season = Reading Season

Touchstone Thumbs Up for Murderer's Row

A very nice review of MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL written by Raymond Brown ran in the March/April issue of TOUCHSTONE magazine. A few highlights:

“The protagonist is a Lutheran pastor who had formerly been a Navy SEAL and CIA operative, whose past seems to return to his present life with surprising frequency.”

 “This is a fun read, though the embedded theology is real and salutary. There is death and life, adultery and commitment, friendship and betrayal, violence and victory over violence.”

 “Keating, an economist and experienced business writer, does extremely well in portraying the politicos and their machinations at all levels of government, as well as the machinations of the news media, of which he is a longtime member. He obviously knows his way around the bases and dugout, too, as does his hero, who becomes a baseball chaplain.”

 “One of the charming and welcome aspects of the Pastor Grant series is the mere Christianity that runs throughout. Grant’s best friends are a Roman Catholic priest and the rector of an Anglican Church in North America parish. The three meet regularly for prayer and Scripture, golf, mutual chastisement, and socializing (sometimes a few beers). And their families are friends and more...”

 “Perhaps the best part of the book for the reviewer is that the clergy are good at helping people bring Christ into their vocations.”

Exciting, Thoughtful Christian Fiction

Tired of sappy, wooden, far too earnest, and shallow Christian fiction? Then check out some very different books: Ray Keating's MURDERER'S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL, named Book of the Year 2015 by KFUO Christian radio's "BookTalk," and the rest of the PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT thrillers.

These thoughtful, exciting novels feature a former CIA operative and current Lutheran pastor.
On MURDERER’S ROW, Kirkus Reviews says, “Action fans will find plenty to love here, from gunfights and murder sprees to moral dilemmas.”

And a review in Touchstone magazine on MURDERER'S ROW said, "This is a fun read, though the embedded theology is real and salutary. There is death and life, adultery and commitment, friendship and betrayal, violence and victory over violence... Perhaps the best part of the book for the reviewer is that the clergy are good at helping people bring Christ into their vocations."

By the way, this is the second year in a row that Keating has had a book nominated, as THE RIVER: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL was a “Book of the Year” finalist in 2014. Regarding THE RIVER, Kirkus Reviews declares, “A gritty, action-stuffed, well-considered thriller with a gun-toting clergyman.”

A reviewer for FirstThings.com called WARRIOR MONK "a fun adventure romp," while a LutheranForum.org review said: “This is a good read, both as pure thriller entertainment and for pondering the Christian mind and milieu in the early twenty first century.”

Get all five of Keating’s thrillers – MURDERER’S ROW, THE RIVER, AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, ROOT OF ALL EVIL? and WARRIOR MONK – at Amazon in paperback or for the Kindle.

Pitchers, Catchers and a Good Book

Pitchers and catchers report today!

It's a good time to enjoy Murderer's Row: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel by Ray Keating, which not only serves up baseball, but also faith, excitement, humor, murder, government gone awry, and more.

A Valentine's Day Moment from THE RIVER

And here's a little Valentine's Day moment from THE RIVER: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL:

     Stephen strolled along the sidewalk, with trees on his left running close to Las Vegas Boulevard South and the Fountains of Bellagio on his right.
     The music started, and the fountains came to life.
     He spotted Jennifer leaning on a column. The lights and water engulfed her attention.
     Stephen quietly approached, catching a glimpse of the water and lights reflected in her brown eyes. He slipped his arms around her waist. “Hello, Dr. Grant.”
     She clasped her hands behind his neck. “Good evening. Pastor Grant, isn’t it? Imagine meeting you here.”
     They kissed, a little more deeply and longer than they would have on the sidewalk of almost any other road in the country.
     Jennifer turned back to the fountains, resting the back of her head on Stephen just below his chin. His hands moved around and met at her stomach.
     She sighed. “When you think about a casino in the middle of the desert with a manmade lake and a regular fountain show, it seems silly. But when you’re standing here, it really is mesmerizing.”
     “I agree.”
     They listened to Frank Sinatra belt out “Fly Me to the Moon” over the many speakers surrounding the waters.
     Stephen added, “Apparently there’s no getting away from Sinatra on this trip.”
     Jennifer shrugged. “Hey, it’s Las Vegas. This still is Frank’s town, right?”
     “I think it was Dean Martin who said that it’s Frank’s world, we just get to live in it.”
     As Sinatra was concluding, “I love ... you,” the fountain waters shot high in the air, and then fell back as the music and lights came to an end.

Ray Keating’s “Murderer’s Row” Named “Book of the Year 2015”

Fifth Book in Pastor Stephen Grant Series Wins KFUO “BookTalk” Award

Long Island, NY – MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating won “Book of the Year 2015” as awarded by “BookTalk” on KFUO radio.

Ten books were nominated for the KFUO “Book of the Year,” and listeners were able to vote. While making the announcement, Rod Zwonitzer, host of “BookTalk,” said this year saw a record number of votes, and it was an extremely tight race between the four top vote getters.

Ray Keating said, “I am stunned and blessed. Thank you to Rod Zwonitzer and KFUO; to all of my friends and readers who voted for MURDERER'S ROW; to my family for their support, love and most assuredly, patience; and to God for everything, including the joy of writing. This is particularly humbling given KFUO’s Christian mission.”

MURDERER’S ROW is a gripping, thoughtful thriller that ties together 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 formerly was a Navy SEAL and CIA operative.

About MURDERER’S ROW, Kirkus Reviews says, “The author packs a lot into this frantically paced novel... a raft of action sequences and baseball games are thrown into the mix. The multiple villains and twists raise the stakes...  Stephen remains an engaging and multifaceted character: he may still use, when necessary, the violence associated with his former professions, but he at least acknowledges his shortcomings--and prays about it. Action fans will find plenty to love here, from gunfights and murder sprees to moral dilemmas.”

SeriousReading.com proclaims, “This novel is a fascinating read with a murder mystery, unique and exceptional characters, and wit... With multiple layers and a complex plot, the novel moves forward with a smooth and even pace.”

And the Lutheran Book Review observes, “I miss Tom Clancy. Keating fills that void for me.”

This is the second year in a row that Keating has had a book nominated, as THE RIVER: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL was a KFUO “Book of the Year” finalist in 2014.

MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL is available in trade paperback and for the Kindle from Amazon.com

Ray Keating’s previous books include THE RIVER: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL, AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL, ROOT OF ALL EVIL? A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL and WARRIOR MONK: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL.

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

Contact: Ray Keating

Phone: 631-909-1122

E-mail: raykeating@keatingreports.com

PastorStephenGrant.com

Big Super Bowl Ads

Ray Keating's Author Interview with SeriousReading.com

Check out Ray Keating's author interview with SeriousReading.com.

The interview can be read here.

Murderer's Row Gets Big Thumbs Up From SeriousReading.com

MURDERER'S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL received big thumbs up in a SeriousReading.com review.

From that review:

“This novel is a fascinating read with a murder mystery, unique and exceptional characters, and wit… With multiple layers and a complex plot, the novel moves forward with a smooth and even pace.”

10 Big Reasons to Dive Into the Pastor Stephen Grant Novels

10 Big Reasons to Dive Into Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant Novels…

1. On MURDERER’S ROW, Kirkus Reviews says, “Action fans will find plenty to love here, from gunfights and murder sprees to moral dilemmas.”

2. Kirkus Reviews also gives a big thumbs up to THE RIVER: “A gritty, action-stuffed, well-considered thriller with a gun-toting clergyman.”

3. MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating was nominated for “Book of the Year 2015” by “BookTalk” on KFUO radio.

4. THE RIVER: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL was a “Book of the Year” finalist in 2014.

5. From a Washington Times review of THE RIVER written by a pastor and former CIA officer: “What Ian Fleming's 007 series has probably done for ex-MI-6 agents and Tom Clancy has done for retired CIA officers, Mr. Keating has done for the minority of former CIA agents who have served their country by working in the intelligence community, but now wish to serve God.”
6. The host of KFUO radio’s “BookTalk,” calls Ray Keating “a great novelist.”

7. Marvin Olasky, editor-in-chief of WORLD magazine, lists Ray Keating among his top 10 Christian novelists.

8. Lutheran Book Review says: “I miss Tom Clancy. Keating fills that void for me.”

9. Best-selling novelist Paul A. Maier declares, “ROOT OF ALL EVIL? is an extraordinarily good read.”

10. WARRIOR MONK was ranked as a Top 10 book on a WORLD magazine June 2013 list.

Lutheran Book Review Thumbs Up for Murderer's Row

From Rev. Paul Cain at Lutheran Book Review on MURDERER'S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating:

     Keating's fictional character Grant, a former Navy SEAL and CIA operative and a current LCMS Pastor, is the subject of five novels. The latest, Murderer's Row, pits Grant against politicians and terrorists in the midst of murders and minor league baseball in New York.
     I miss Tom Clancy. Keating fills that void for me. Yes, I understand that the bad guys will use colorful metaphors, yet toning down their language wouldn't ruin Keating's plausible, realistic scenes. Keating deals with timely issues like political corruption, abuse of eminent domain, terrorists who sneak into our country, the consequences of bad decisions, the after effects of real violence, and the need for good people to stand for truth, protect the weak and innocent, and proclaim the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ.

See
http://lhplbr.blogspot.com/2016/01/lutheran-book-review-fiction-and-film.html

Vote for Murderer's Row by January 30th for Book of the Year!

Ray Keating’s “Murderer’s Row” Nominated for “Book of the Year”

Long Island, NY – MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating has been nominated for “Book of the Year 2015” by “BookTalk” on KFUO Christian radio.

MURDERER’S ROW is a gripping, thoughtful thriller that ties together 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 formerly was a Navy SEAL and CIA operative.

This is the second year in a row that Keating has had a book nominated, as THE RIVER: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL was a KFUO “Book of the Year” finalist in 2014.

Ten books have been nominated for the KFUO “Book of the Year,” and listeners get to vote by emailing the name of the book to Contest@kfuo.org. The contest ends on January 30. More information is at http://www.kfuoam.org/events/.

Ray Keating has been called “a great novelist” by the host of “BookTalk” radio. A Washington Times reviewer, who happens to be a pastor who once worked for the CIA, noted, "Mr. Keating also allows you to discover how each of his characters tick in a style and tone reminiscent of some of the best-loved books of all time.” Also, the editor-in-chief of WORLD magazine lists Ray Keating among his top 10 Christian novelists.

Ray Keating said, “I’m very appreciative, especially given the Christian mission of KFUO.”

MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL is available in trade paperback and for the Kindle from Amazon.com

Ray Keating’s previous books include THE RIVER: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL, AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL, ROOT OF ALL EVIL? A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL and WARRIOR MONK: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL.

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

Contact: Ray Keating
Phone: 631-909-1122
E-mail: raykeating@keatingreports.com
PastorStephenGrant.com