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Allie Ray

  WHO I AM  I am an author, educator and part-time librarian from the small, rural town of Osceola, Nebraska. I earned my BA in English with minors in creative writing and theater arts from Concordia University--Seward, Nebraska. From there I moved several places, held several jobs, and had several daughters. Now my girls and I live in my hometown again, where I moonlight as the assistant librarian. I am also featured on  Nebraska Authors . WHAT I WRITE My writing tends literary, with a strong focus on characters and dialogue. I like writing in historical settings, especially the early 20th century. In general, I like writing flawed love stories and complicated families; specifically, I like writing about life in a small town, crime capers and mysteries, fast-talkers, and strong-willed women. I like mixing genres and writing situations and characters that challenge me to find hope, light, and beauty in a grim world. WHAT INSPIRES ME I am perennially fascinated by history....
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Recent posts

Toll Booth

  GIANNI. Father, all due respect...but what's your sin to a sinner like me? The Story Hearing confessions during the height of the Roaring Twenties in Chicago sometimes leaves Father Riley feeling like the man at the toll booth: dolling out grace like an inconvenient fine his parishioners must pay to go about their lives as usual. But when notorious bootlegger Gianni Capido rushes in with a mysteriously urgent need for absolution, Father Riley's practiced system of grace and penance is turned on its head. A play in one act. Summary "Toll Booth" was produced in May 2010 at Concordia University's Blackbox Theater. The production was directed by Allie Hanson (Ray), and starred Cayde Sprecker as Father Reilly, Henning Peterson IV as Gianni, Amanda Schroeder (Hutton) as Mrs. Flaherty, Heidi Neidfelt (Albers) as the Widow, and Dan Huth as the Hitman. "Toll Booth" is available in paperback and ebook on Amazon!
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The Last Will and Testament

  MARGARET. If I haven't made it clear, I consider each of you responsible for this unfortunate predicament I'm in, and because of this, I intend to hold you accountable. I expect you to scour this estate and bring me something of sustainable value. You'll not leave these grounds until you have. The Story "It was a dark, stormy night..." Well, sort of. When British aristocrat Icarus Willoughby dies young, his widow invites a curious array of his acquaintances to the crumbling Willoughby estate for his will-reading. But as the guests soon discover, they're here under false pretenses. And now they're trapped. Summary A play in one act based on my short story, "The Last Will and Testament," which will be available for free soon! The Last Will and Testament is available in ebook and paperback on Amazon!
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The Polk County Local Authors Event

  I am so excited to be heading this incredible event for Polk County authors as a part of Osceola's 150th anniversary celebration this summer! Join us Saturday, July 2nd at the Osceola Public Library to meet local authors, buy books, get books signed, and enter to win a book lover's basket featuring a title from each participating author! And if you happen to be a Polk County author and have not heard from me yet, please reach out! It's not too late to join our lineup! We have... Bonnie Lacy Tasha Hackett Alena Mentink Robert Sawyer Lorraine Ruth Bauer Kathy Nelson* *as a special feature. Ms. Nelson will not be in attendance.
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Children of Promise

" No one wants you this way, son,” he said hoarsely. “I pray you hear that. No one at all wants you this way.” The Story Rural Arkansas: 1928. While the rest of the country roars, the little coal-mining town of Hanger's Hollow, Arkansas carries on much the same as it always has; mines collapse, widows are made young, moonshine is brewed, and Preacher Jackson is second only to God.  Interweaving the lives, loves and losses of a vast array of characters, Children of Promise is the story of a tenuous marriage —a reckless affair —new life —grim death —ghosts —and bootleg liquor; a rich Southern gothic set seven years before the events of   Holler .  Summary A prequel to Holler,   Children of Promise  is available in paperback and ebook on Amazon . 
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Bone Deep

"I just can't help it. I got to know what happens to the forgotten ones.  Even though the answer usually ain't pretty." The Story When low-profile people go missing in the swamps of central Florida, Clementine Brooks is the gal to call. A self-made sleuth with a puzzling past of her own, Clementine prides herself in finding "the forgotten ones." And at first glance, Ivan Kiss's disappearance isn't unusual: the only person who seems to miss the immigrant field hand is his sister. But snooping around the cotton plantation where Ivan Kiss worked reveals the case is anything but ordinary---despite the best efforts of debutante Arden Harris. For Arden, it's bad enough Clementine married the man she's in love with; she doesn't need Clementine sticking her nose in this Ivan Kiss business, too---especially since the truth is so ugly. But when supernatural occurences start upending the peace in their Old Florida community, everything Arden and Cle...
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Let's Not Talk About Litzsinger

"The con has never taken him this far before." The Story Life since the Great War ended hasn't been kind to Rolf Litzsinger. Armed with only a clerical shirt and a dubious sob story, he roams the French countryside, slipping into churches---and slipping out with the offering plate. Easter morning in the sleepy village of Auvers-sur-oise should have been no different. But when the real priest suffers a sudden accident, Rolf's con takes him much further than he ever meant it to go. No matter; Rolf is sure he can wiggle his way free without drawing suspicion---espeically since everyone in the village seems to think he was sent by God himself--- Everyone, except Simone DuBois. A daring painter and self-proclaimed bohemian, Simone may not be as devout as her family, but she can spot a fake. She knows Rolf is no holy man---but Rolf knows a damning secret about her as well. After witnessing a clandestine kiss, Rolf leverages a deal: if Simone helps him steal a thousand franc...
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