Showing results by author "Robert E. Kearns" in All Categories

At the Orchestra School of Music in Waterford, with the help of Tommy, Tina is getting her students ready for an Easter concert that is to take place in a local castle. Tommy, having suggested an Easter egg hunt for afterwards, wants to help Tina with the hiding. But she's having none of it and hides them herself. However, the following morning, when she returns to the castle, the eggs have disappeared. With Tommy again by her side, the pair follow a trail of tin foil which leads them to the culprit, Hugo, a chocolate eating, music loving bunny. Hugo's Easter Concert is another delightful ...

Set against the backdrop of 1980s Dublin, The Tan Yards by Robert E. Kearns weaves a haunting narrative of tradition, tension, and retribution. In a forgotten tract of land known as the Tan Yards, (a relic of a former village's extinct tanning trade), local youths gather each October to build a Halloween bonfire; a ritual that binds their community in primal celebration. Amidst the flickering flames and fleeting alliances, the story unveils the dark legacy of the Prizeman family, whose brutish presence looms large over the neighborhood. When Victor Prizeman, a volatile and feared outsider, ...

Beneath the dew-covered fields of Ireland’s sunniest county lies Cloisters, an ancient seminary built from the ruins of a cursed abbey. Here, eighteen-year-old Fergal Kane arrives to train as a priest. But the hallowed halls of this former monastery, scarred by the blood of slain monks and defiled by other nefarious activities, harbor secrets that whisper in the shadows. As autumn’s icy grip tightens, Fergal’s faith is shaken by a chilling presence in the seminary’s out-of-bounds annex. There, amidst echoes of debauchery and betrayal, he encounters Deirdre—a beguiling beauty with ...

Born of Texas oil wealth, Ash ‘Sweet’ Afton is a man who has it all—charm, power, and a silver tongue that closes deals and breaks hearts. But beneath his polished exterior lies a ruthless narcissist who is adept at weaving webs of deceit that snare everyone around him. From his long-suffering wife, Heidi, to his string of lovers, which includes the tenacious Amanda Brighton, Ash manipulates with a smile and leaves in his wake, a trail of shattered hearts. When, through a DNA test, Heidi uncovers a shocking secret, the fragile veneer of her marriage crumbles. Then, fueled by betrayal,...

In Victorian London, Margaret Brink, in search of a better life, arrives by train from the countryside. While at the outset she gains employment, after some misfortune, she soon falls by the wayside. Told in the form of a letter, an inquiry from a relative of Margaret's is answered by a minister who did what he could for her. The Troubles of Margaret Brink is a short, but evocative tale from Award Winning author, Robert E. Kearns

From award winning author, Robert E. Kearns (Hy Brasil: Island of Eternity, Crabb, Carnivore, Freedom is For the Few, Ossuary, Embers and A Donnybrook Affair, comes an unforgettable collection of Humorous Poems, Entertaining Short Stories and Hilarious Sketches. In this wonderful edition, Kearns makes fun of both the clichéd and the mundane of everyday life through the medium of poems he refers to as gibberish. Then, using his sketches to great effect, he again delves into the regular occurrences of humanity with writing that will elicit more than the single laugh. To finish, Kearns ...

In the rugged heartland of old Texas, the township of Clover thrives on luck and laissez-faire, where the Brazos River creates dreams and disputes alike. When the beloved, booze-soaked Sheriff 'Old Ned' meets his demise, the town faces a crisis: who will uphold justice in a place that loathes taxes and loves its freedom? Enter Darlene Nightingale, a sharp-witted, sharpshooting woman who defies convention to claim the roles of sheriff, judge, and jailor. With her husband Tom cheering her on, Darlene trades petticoats for pistols, earning respect with her steady nerve and deadly aim. But as ...

Lemuel Plant is a hard-up private investigator working out of a shabby downtown office. He's ready to quit, and is determined that his next case will be his last. Plant is visited by the beautiful Florence Joiner, who wants to collect evidence against her husband, who she alleges is having an affair with his secretary. On the job, Plant follows Harold Joiner, the managing partner of a successful firm. But he also follows his client, which leads him to the affluent suburb of Donnybrook and its country club. There, Plant discovers there's more to the story than what she disclosed Intrigue, a ...

In the heart of Waterford City, Peadar Deegan’s life unfolds with the quiet resilience of a man shaped by humble beginnings. From the drafty outhouse of his childhood home to the gleaming modernity of an indoor bathroom, Peadar’s journey is one of small triumphs and steadfast dreams. With a steady hand and a love for learning nurtured in an unlikely place—the restroom—Peadar discovers a hidden talent for art and earns his place as a skilled crystal glass cutter at Waterford’s iconic factory. As he carves out a life of purpose, from apprentice to master craftsman, Peadar navigates ...

For generations, in the shadowed heart of a small Irish town, O’Leary Funeral Directors have been renowned as the silent custodians of death. Their name synonymous with solemn expertise and an eerie, unbroken lineage of undertakers. But beneath their impeccable suits and stoic facades lies a chilling legacy that defies the natural order. When twin brothers Christopher and Andrew are born, the family’s rigid traditions begin to fracture. One boy embraces the macabre with a fervor that borders on obsession. The other recoils from the darkness that defines their trade. As the twins come of...

In the heart of Dublin’s cutthroat housing market, Alice Foley, fresh from graduating college, embarks on a desperate search for a place to call home before starting a new job. With time ticking and her budget stretched thin, she navigates a maze of grim apartments, shady landlords, and questionable roommates. Just when hope seems lost, a peculiar newspaper advertisement leads her to a stunning Georgian townhouse in the city centre offering a room at an incredibly low price. The catch? Its enigmatic owner, Mr. McArdle, a charming yet oddly formal gentleman who speaks of the house as a ...

A Trophy Life: A Tale of Discovery and Redemption When Allister, a retired Englishman with a penchant for routine, sets out for a morning walk with his spirited dog Digger, he expects nothing more than the usual jaunt through familiar lanes. But a glint of silver on a garden wall changes everything. A discarded golf trophy, etched with the names of forgotten champions, sparks an unexpected obsession, drawing him into the enigmatic life of Edward McEvoy, a man whose past is as elusive as it is intriguing.. As Allister polishes the tarnished cup and uncovers its history, he’s haunted by ...

A humorous sketch from Robert E. Kearns (author of A Donnybrook Affair, Crabb, Hy Brasil, Freedom is For the Few, Carnivore, Ossuary and Embers) which explores our frustrations with customer service departments and their apparent understanding of those frustrations. Fun and imaginative, perfect for the staging of a short play or a quick read. For anyone who has ever gone around in circles with a representative, this is the piece for you.

Ronald Byrne, a teacher in in a 1980s Dublin school is the debating society's founder. He is fastidious in appearance, reliable, and never out sick. He dyes his hair, and almost always looks the same. However, he also possesses the condition of being unmemorable. Everyone knows little-to-nothing about his private life. Plus, they aren't the least bit inquisitive. Fr. Noel O'Loughlin, is an art teacher in the same school. He is cruel and sadistic, and punishes anyone who appears to have blemished the white walls of his classroom, which he paints himself. On the night of the season's opening ...

Orla lives a carefree and contented existence. She enjoys visiting the library and taking strolls around town. She talks to herself and laughs aloud at whatever she finds humorous. As well, she likes to write; her stories a mashup of song lyrics and film plots the narrator finds most entertaining. Sometimes, Orla comes up with the idea for a play, and these, she takes to theatres all over Dublin. The staff in every establishment have gotten to know her, and have learned how to deal with her, then send her on her way. But one day, she encounters a manager who is new in the job. He invites ...

Another beautiful collection of Poems & Short Stories from Award Winning Author Robert E. Kearns (1st Place 2019 Pencraft Awards for Hy Brasil: Island of Eternity) With Poems & Short Stories volume 2, Kearns gives us a further edition of his thought provoking poetry along with several of his highly entertaining short stories. If prose and poetry are your thing, this is the book for you.

Dive headfirst into the smoky, raucous pups of 1970s Dublin with The Feathers Flew, a wickedly sharp short story that’ll grab you by the collar and drag you into the predictable world of Paddy Keenan—a man whose heart belongs to a pint of stout and the hum of barroom banter. By day, he’s a working-class everyman; by night, he swaps his wife’s nagging and the chaos of his rowdy kids for the warm glow of the public house. But when a quacking, waddling oddity—a pet duck—crash-lands into the Keenan’s backyard, Paddy’s routine of a chat over a few scoops takes a wild turn. As ...

Scampy is a new-born puppy on the Jones farm. All the animals love him even though he's a mischievous sort. He gets in everyone's way and seeks adventure every second of the day. Then one afternoon a stranger arrives and Scampy's idyllic life in the country is changed forever. His new owner, Boss, mistreats this adorable puppy with the fur of pure white, but Scampy is determined to escape. An extraordinary adventure and a wonderful tale of redemption, Scampy's Merry Christmas is another masterful story from award winning author Robert E. Kearns.

Step into Middle Third, a beguiling suburban enclave in Dublin where the air is sweeter, the sun shines brighter, and a majestic an unusual tree stands as the heart of an almost magical realm. In this little slice of paradise, where cottages bask in an eternal spring, young Concepta Arkin is born under extraordinary circumstances. Her life is intertwined with the mystique of her home, yet beneath the idyllic surface lies a shadow waiting to strike. When Concepta’s first day at school turns into a harrowing encounter with a sadistic nun, the sanctuary of Middle Third is shattered by an ...

In the bustling heart of 1920s Dublin, Rita Reilly is born into a life of modest privilege; her family’s thriving shop promising a bright future. Raised in comfort and educated for success, Rita’s world is upended at fourteen when a violent assault shatters her innocence, leaving her pregnant and forced to confront a society that shuns her. Sent to a remote convent in Offaly, she endures isolation and judgment, giving up her daughter to an uncertain fate. Returning home, Rita finds her once-vibrant family crumbling under the weight of shame, financial ruin, and her father’s descent ...