Advent and Christmas approach. It’s supposed to be a special season for Christians. But it’s different this time in New York City. Religious liberty is under assault. The Catholic Church has been called a “hate group.” And it’s the newly elected mayor of New York City who has set off this religious and political firestorm. Some people react with prayer – others with violence and murder. Stephen Grant, former CIA operative turned pastor, faces deadly challenges during what becomes known as “An Advent for Religious Liberty.” Grant works with the cardinal who leads the Archdiocese of New York, the FBI, current friends, and former CIA colleagues to fight for religious liberty, and against dangers both spiritual and physical. This second edition includes a new introduction by Ray Keating titled “Religious Liberty in the World and in Fiction.” "Channeling contemporary fears and crises into a compelling story, Keating raises the political stakes for Pastor Grant in this installment, with the pastor righteously battling for his beliefs, his community, and the freedoms he holds dear. This headline-inspired novel is more politically focused than other installments in the series, but it is no less fast-paced and suspenseful, while offering timely insight into the messy side of politics, religion, and the management of a city." - Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★ "Ray Keating provides a new author introduction for this Second Edition reflecting on his goal of sharing a message without overpowering the story. His theory and intent succeeds in practice. An Advent for Religious Liberty , Second Edition, is recommended!" - Lutheran Book Review (Second Edition) "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." - Gene Veith on the Pastor Stephen Grant series on his "Cranach: The Blog of Veith" "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." - Book Series in Order "This series is a more edifying and Christian-oriented spy/adventure series with a similar pace (and sometimes the vocabulary of the bad guys) as books by C. J. Box, Craig Johnson ... and the work of Tom Clancy... Ray Keating has a knack for writing on topics that could be pulled from tomorrow's headlines. An atheist mayor-elect of NYC? I could envision that. Pastor Grant taking out a terrorist? I could see that." - Lutheran Book Review (First Edition) "I flew through it with enthusiasm." - Mary Moerbe, author of Blessed: God's Gift of Love and Family Vocation "It is exciting reading, and tough to put down... There's some really good stuff in here, and it does keep you on the edge of your reading seat... good mystery writing." - Rod Zwonitzer, host of KFUO's "BookTalk" "I first wrote my comments after finishing the second book. That was enough to be able to write with some knowledge. But darn it all, even after my first draft of comments was online, I moved on to the third book. Then I was going to modify my words a bit but held off while I read the fourth. And then the fifth, sixth, and finally the seventh. When I finished that one, the last out at the time, I checked the copyright date to see when I might look for the eighth. It is pretty clear how much I liked this series. My grade for this series went up as well. As of this writing, it is an A and let me tell you, it sometimes leans upwards towards the A+. It is really good!" - Spy Guys and Gals