CATHEDRAL - Page-Turning Historical Fiction Set in the Early 1930s

 CATHEDRAL: AN ALLIANCE OF SAINT MICHAEL NOVEL is Ray Keating’s sixteenth work of fiction, and the first in the Alliance of Saint Michael series. Purchase at Amazon.com.  

 

The Alliance of Saint Michael brings together men and women with varied backgrounds and talents to work covertly against the two most significant threats to Christianity and civilization at the dawn of the 1930s - communism and fascism.

 

In Moscow, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is going to be obliterated to make way for the Palace of the Soviets. The Alliance of St. Michael readies itself for its first mission – find and salvage a rare item of great significance from the cathedral before the building is lost.

 

Regarding CATHEDRAL…

 

"A stellar depiction of time period and tension. With so many swirling motives and three-dimensional characters in the mix, there is inherent tension for readers, as they eagerly anticipate one of Keating’s classic twists. The depth of historical detail is notable; a good deal of research went into the crafting of this novel, which gives it an authentic and immersive feel. The complex puzzle makes for a page-turning and unpredictable ride, and a firm foundation for Keating’s enticing new series."  - Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★

 

“…many of you will enjoy Cathedral and the new series that it launches… Ray Keating is working with an explicitly Christian moral and theological framework, demonstrating the freedom that Lutheran novelists have in their vocation.”  -  Gene Veith, Cranach: The Blog of Veith, and author of many books including The Spirituality of the Cross

 

“A sophisticatedly crafted and exhilarating read, the intrigue and thrills begin from the very first page and don’t stop till the end as Keating delivers an absolute corker of a Historical Thriller! … Cathedral proves an addictively entertaining five-star read and is unreservedly recommended.”  - BookViral Reviews

 

“This new Alliance of St. Michael series continues Keating's already demonstrated mastery and skill in writing, character development, and accelerating the interest level of the reader throughout… As with all Keating novels, this newest venture is worth your interest, reading and gifting.”  - Pastor Rod Zwonitzer, retired host of KFUO radio's “BookTalk”

 

“A Catholic, a Lutheran, and an Anglican walk into an auditorium, all surprisingly ready for action and adventure. Ray Keating’s newest series, ‘An Alliance of Saint Michael,’ is an action thriller starring various Christians, of various denominations, coming together to fight ideological evil… a good summer read, quite in line with Keating’s other works.”  - Mary J. Moerbe, “Meet, Write & Salutary” blog

Reviewers Bestow Accolades on the Pastor Stephen Grant Thrillers & Mysteries! A Unique Series Featuring a Former Navy SEAL, Onetime CIA Operative and Now a Lutheran Pastor

Kirkus Reviews has called Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant “an engaging and multifaceted character” and “a consistently entertaining hero.” 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.”  Another reviewer observes, “How I'd love to see Pastor Grant on Netflix!” 

 

And BookSeriesinOrder.com declares, “Many noteworthy critics have given rave reviews to books of the series and have applauded the efforts of author Ray Keating in coming up with such an exciting series and unique character. Ray Keating has also received praise from his fellow writers for his mind-blowing work in the series. The first book of the series has succeeded in making it to the top 10 self-published books of the year by the World magazine. Other novels also followed and achieved great success. The worldwide success of this series helped Ray Keating in establishing himself in the ranks of the noteworthy authors of the spy thriller/espionage genre.”

 

And in an article titled “If James Bond Became a Pastor,” author and columnist Gene Veith notes, “Mr. Keating knows how to tell an exciting story. And these books, like the James Bond novels, are ridiculously entertaining. As for larger themes, there is vocation, of course. I see these books as honoring the pastoral ministry. Because in real life, pastors are heroes engaged in saving the world.”

 

Finally, in a 5-star Amazon review: “I've had the pleasure of reading four of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels, with others on my nightstand waiting to be read. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading each of these books thus far, with The River being my absolute favorite as of this writing. But I would be remiss if I did not give props to Warrior Monk, the first book in the series. Honestly, I was intrigued by the basic concept. A CIA operative turned Lutheran pastor finding himself being pulled back to his old skills seems to blend the James Bond thrillers with the Father Brown stories penned by G K Chesterton. Keating combines interesting theological concepts with action and personal interest, all the while taking the time to engage the reader with current events filtered through a Christian perspective. These elements come together to create a pitch-perfect novel, and as a fledgling author myself, I am envious that I hadn't written it first.” 

 

15 page-turners and counting…

“The Lutheran Planner 2022: The TO DO List Solution” Helps With Getting Organized, While Keeping Proper Perspective

 Daily Reflections from Holy Scripture and Christian Thinkers Provide Encouragement, Inspiration and Consolation from the Christian Faith

We all need to get things done each day, and plan our coming week, month or year. At the same time, each of us needs to keep such matters in proper perspective. The Lutheran Planner 2022: The To Do List Solution is meant to be a tool in this ongoing endeavor. And, no, you don't have to be a Lutheran to use this planner!

 

Get organized and set goals using Ray Keating’s TO DO List Solution, while enjoying and reflecting upon quotes from Holy Scripture, Church fathers, and other Christian thinkers. In addition, feasts, festivals and commemorations throughout the Church year are marked.

 

The Lutheran Planner 2022: The To Do List Solution combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done – using monthly, weekly and daily to-do lists – with encouragement, inspiration and consolation from the Christian faith. 

 

The Lutheran Planner 2022: The To Do List Solution comes with a handy spiral binding for easy use, and is available at https://raykeatingonline.com/products/lutheranplanner2022.

 

Ray Keating, who also is the author of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, explains: “We all seem to be busy these days no matter what happens to be our calling or vocation in life. As a Christian – of the Lutheran variety – I try to stay on track with daily devotional readings and prayer. Unfortunately, I often falter along the way. The various quotes each day in this planner help, giving me pause for further reflection.”

 

Keating adds, “Using ‘The TO DO List Solution’ also provides benefits by requiring reflection on goals; prioritization; being more realistic about time management; and serious thought on how to best get things done.”

 

The Lutheran Planner 2022: The TO DO List Solution is one of two TO DO List Solution 2022 planners from Ray Keating. The other is The Disney Planner 2022: The TO DO List Solution.

 

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

 

Contact: Ray Keating

E-mail: raykeating@keatingreports.com

Facebook: @FreeEnterpriseEconomics 

Twitter: @KeatingNovels

RayKeatingOnline.com

THE TRAITOR - A Thriller Torn from Today's Headlines

 

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.

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.

Ray Keating Chats About His New Book - PAST LIVES

 

“Past Lives” is the New Pastor Stephen Grant Adventure from Award-Winning Novelist Ray Keating

 Page-Turning Short Story Torn from the Pages of Pastor Grant’s Own Daily Journal

 

Long Island, NY – Kirkus Reviews has called Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant “an engaging and multifaceted character” and “a consistently entertaining hero.” And now, this latest adventure, Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story, is told from Grant’s own viewpoint, unfolding each day in the pages of his journal.

Pastor Grant tells about threats, murder and puzzling people from his past. It’s a compelling mystery involving action, unexpected turns, lost innocence, and twisted revenge. 

 

Regarding Past Lives, Self-Publishing Review says, “Ray Keating takes a new angle on his long-time hero in Past Lives. A mysterious enemy from the past comes back to haunt the warrior priest in this uniquely styled first-person story. As the clues mount, so does the body count, giving Grant yet another baffling and high-stakes case to unravel. This condensed mystery is enjoyably gripping, and marked by the author's characteristic style of suspense.”

 

Ray Keating said, “Past Lives is something new for me, and for Pastor Stephen Grant readers. It’s a short story written from a first-person point of view, with Grant telling the story through his journal entries. It’s something different, and I hope readers like it.”

 

Past Lives comes after the recent publication of Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel, which has earned widespread praise. For example, Kirkus Reviews said, “A riveting entry in a multivolume series that continues to deliver strong characters and suspense.” 

 

Paperbacks and the Kindle edition of Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story are at Amazon via https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WJTPT4M and signed books are at https://raykeatingonline.com/products/pastlives.

 

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 – Vatican Shadows (2020), 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. 

Embarking on an Exciting Adventure in Lutheranism

 by Ray Keating

The Keating Files – December 14, 2020

 

I’m thankful for being a Christian. I love being a Lutheran. And I love my church, i.e., the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS). And I’m excited about a new travel vlog from a pastor whose goal is to see all of the churches in the LCMS.

No doubt, someone out there did a double take, asking: Did I read that right – visiting all of the congregations in a church of about 2 million people? That’s right. More on that in a moment.

 

Is my church, the LCMS, perfect? No. Nothing this side of heaven is. And there’s plenty to complain about in every church. After all, we live in a fallen world. But the LCMS has so much to offer in terms of Word, Sacraments, and theological substance –  and all most critically in service of spreading the Good News about Jesus Christ. 

 

I like the way the LCMS sums up its mission (from the LCMS website): “In grateful response to God’s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities and the world.” Adding a bit later: “The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is a denomination that confesses the historic, orthodox Christian faith, a faith built on ‘the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone’ (Eph. 2:20).”

 

Good stuff. I’ve long said that the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has the beef, and we need to do a better job at letting the world know.

 

Hence, my excitement about a venture – actually, it’s more accurate to say an adventure – being embarked upon by a friend, Pastor Tyrel Bramwell. He has started an online video series – a travel vlog – called “See the Synod” with the goal to visit every church in the LCMS. How cool is that? By the way, there are 5,998 LCMS congregations in the U.S.

 

This is a fantastic and fun way to see the congregations, pastors, people and missions in the LCMS, and to let the world know about the vital work the LCMS does within the larger Christian Church.

 

I’m on board with Ty for this journey, and I hope you are as well!

 

Make sure you subscribe to Ty’s YouTube channel, and check out his first visit to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

 

Here’s to many more visits to churches with Ty in coming weeks, months and years!

 

__________

 

Ray Keating is a columnist, novelist, economist, podcaster and entrepreneur.  His new book Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13th thriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York  from Amazon or signed books  at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know. 

 

One of the best ways to enjoy Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries is to join the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship! For the BEST VALUE, consider the Book of the Month Club.  Check it all out at https://www.patreon.com/pastorstephengrantfellowship

 

Also, tune in to Ray Keating’s podcasts – the PRESS CLUB C Podcast  and the Free Enterprise in Three Minutes Podcast 

 

Check out Ray Keating’s Disney news and entertainment site at  www.DisneyBizJournal.com.

 

“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

Phone: 631-909-1122

E-mail: raykeating@keatingreports.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PastorStephenGrantNovels

Twitter: @KeatingNovels

PastorStephenGrant.com

RayKeatingOnline.com

 

Short Message: How Do, or Should, Christians Witness?

 by David Keating

The Keating Files – September 17, 2020

 

“Forth in Thy name, O Lord, I go, my daily labor to pursue, Thee, only Thee, resolved to know in all I think or speak or do.” - Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I Go (Lutheran Service Book 854:1)

 

How do we witness as Christians? How do we tell others about our faith? 

 

As Lutherans, we understand that the strongest witness that we can offer as Christians is by the way we live out our vocation, motivated by the Gospel. 

 

We approach our work, whether through our employment or in the community, as if every moment doing the things we are tasked to do were a gift from God. We do this because wherever God has placed us is an opportunity to serve our neighbors. It is through serving our neighbors well that we are able to bear witness to the One who has given us the task at hand. 

 

Even in our daily labor, we know that God is at work through us.

 

__________

 

The Reverend David Keating is pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Curtis, Nebraska.

 

Previously by Pastor Keating…

 

“Amazon’s ‘The Boys’ - Does Christianity Have a Culture Problem?”

 

“Reflecting on 9/11: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?”

 

PRESS CLUB C Podcast with Ray Keating – Episode #25: Time for Some Swell Nostalgia with Craig Donofrio, Host of the Mid-Modcast Podcast

Craig Donofrio is a cool guy who happens to be a pastor, author, radio personality, podcaster, Mid-Century Modern fanatic, and Tikiphile. Oh, yeah, he also dabbled in rock ‘n’ roll and politics. Ray forgives Craig for the politics stuff. Join their discussion that celebrates nostalgia and the new podcast Craig cohosts called The Mid-Modcast Podcast, which celebrates all things yesteryear from the 1940s up to the early 1970s. This episode is boss, swell and groovy. Tune in here!

A Podcast Doubleheader – Two PRESS CLUB C Episodes with Two Lutheran Pastors!

PRESS CLUB C Podcast with Ray Keating – Episode #8: Joy, Seriousness and Fun with Christianity and Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller – Ray and Pastor Wolfmueller talk Christianity, the Internet and the Church, joy, martyrdom and more! Tune in right here!

PRESS CLUB C Podcast with Ray Keating – Episode #3: Interviewing Pastor Tyrel Bramwell, the Host of “Alone Together” – Ray interviews Pastor Tyrel Bramwell, who, in addition to being a parish pastor and author, hosts a fascinating daily video program called “Alone Together: A 15-Minute Isolation Conversation.” Tune in right here!

PRESS CLUB C Podcast – Joy, Seriousness and Fun with Christianity and Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller

NEW! PRESS CLUB C Podcast with Ray Keating – Episode #8: Joy, Seriousness and Fun with Christianity and Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller – Make no mistake, the deep thinking in this episode is being done by Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller, while Ray is kind of along for the ride and enjoying every second. 

Pastor Wolfmueller talks about Christianity (especially Lutheranism), the use of the Internet as a tool for the Church, Christian joy, martyrdom, American Christianity, his books and YouTube channel, and more! And yes, he also plays “Tell Me Your Favorites.” While this is the longest interview Ray Keating has done yet on the PRESS CLUB C Podcast, it’s clear that time flies when you’re having fun. And yes, there is no conflict between doing serious thinking and having fun.

A Chance to Win a FREE Copy of Ray Keating's Forthcoming VATICAN SHADOWS

Ray Keating’s VATICAN SHADOWS: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL is coming this summer! 

Want a chance to win a FREE copy? 

Buy anything at www.raykeatingonline.com during the month of May 2020, and you’ll be automatically entered into a prize drawing to win a FREE copy of VATICAN SHADOWS. 

And make sure that you’re caught up on all of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories!

New Thriller from Award-Winning Novelist Ray Keating Titled “Wine Into Water: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel”

Former CIA Operative and Current Pastor Takes on Wine Counterfeiters, Seeks Justice, and Embraces Forgiveness

Long Island, NY – Who knew the wine business could be sordid and violent? But that’s what happens when infiltrated by counterfeiters. A pastor, once was a Navy SEAL and CIA operative, is pulled into action to help unravel a mystery involving wine fakes, murder and revenge. WINE INTO WATER: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL is Ray Keating’s sixth novel.

Along with his former CIA colleagues and the FBI, Grant is called on to seek justice and take on evil, while embracing forgiveness and staying rooted in his calling as a pastor.

In WINE INTO WATER, Keating not only serves up fine wine accompanied by some excellent food, but also a compelling mystery, interesting characters, action, adventure, fascinating relationships, humor, international intrigue, weakness, strength, doubt, forgiveness and faith.

Keating has been called “a great novelist” by the host of “BookTalk” radio. His previous thriller, MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL, won the 2015 Book of the Year award from KFUO radio. Kirkus Reviews heaped praise on the book, noting, “Action fans will find plenty to love here, from gunfights and murder sprees to moral dilemmas.”

Discover Pastor Stephen Grant and his world of intrigue, faith, action, love and murder.

Amazon.com reviewers compare his thrillers to the works of Clancy, Ludlum, Grisham, Cussler, Griffin and Morrell.

WINE INTO WATER: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL is available in trade paperback from Amazon.com at

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1515274950/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1477252255&sr=1-2&keywords=wine+into+water+by+keating

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

https://www.amazon.com/Wine-Into-Water-Pastor-Stephen-ebook/dp/B01MCT217H/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1477252202&sr=1-1&keywords=wine+into+water+by+keating

Keating’s previous books include MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL, 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. In addition to being a novelist, Keating is an economist, entrepreneur, a longtime adjunct professor, and a former, 20-plus-year newspaper columnist with Newsday, Long Island Business News and the New York City Tribune.

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