Richard Robbins’ novels explore the complexities of family dynamics to address important moral questions, while imparting a strong sense of location. His first novel, Love, Loss, and Lagniappe takes to the streets of New Orleans and New York City to explore the journey of self-discovery after heartbreaking loss, while revealing the scientific basis for the meaning of life. His second novel, Panicles, covers the lives of two intertwined families in and around Washington DC, while addressing the price of fame and fortune.
His new release, The Tormenting Beauty of Empathy, follows Hana, a young Guatemalan immigrant mute from childhood tragedy, as her quiet life is upended by the birth of a daughter who turns out to be different. And special. The kind of special that soon draws worldwide attention, for the better, and worse…
Richard was named Louisiana Independent Author of the Year for 2020, and his works have won numerous awards, including the Feathered Quill Book Awards and the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards. He lives in New Orleans and New York City with his wife Lisa, near their beloved grown children.
WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:
Website: www.Robbinsbooks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.robbins.7737
Thanks for stopping by! What attracted you to the literary fiction genre?
Literary fiction allows me to address the larger moral issues, such as the price of fame, man’s search for meaning, or the nature of spirituality. And I find that family dynamics is the best and most relatable source of drama
and tension, so I like to focus on that. Each work begins as a spark of inspiration, sometimes as small as exploring the relationship between a boy and girl who were best friends since childhood, and the story grows from there.
Do you write in any other genres?
I am working on my first work of historical fiction, which has been fun and interesting. But it too will address moral issues, family dynamics, and choices with consequences.
What inspired you to write The Tormenting Beauty of Empathy?
Like many others, I have been troubled by the anger and tribalism in today’s culture, and the inability of some to empathize with the plight of other human beings. I have also felt that some of those who claim to be the most righteous or religious are actually the least kind and tolerant, behaving directly counter to the teachings of the major religions. I have tried to address those issues in this work. Hopefully it will cause at least one person to reevaluate their motivations and actions, and perhaps open themselves emotionally and spiritually to the needs of others.
Can you give us your book blurb so others can find out what your book is about?
Certainly…
One mute peasant woman flees Civil War-torn Guatemala for the
United States, and soon—and forever—changes the world as we know it.
Hana, a young Guatemalan woman who fell mute from a childhood
tragedy, flees the brutal Civil War ravaging her country in search of a better
life in the United States. Soon after arriving, she discovers she's pregnant,
and is banished from her new home and sent to live in a Mayan community in
Indiantown, Florida.
There, she settles into a peaceful life of embroidery and raising her child, a daughter who turns out to be... different... and special—the kind of special that soon draws worldwide attention, for the better and worse.
How can readers discover more about you and your work?
https://www.facebook.com/richard.robbins.7737/
You can visit me at….
I’m in New Orleans most of the year, and in New York most summers. Contact me through my website with questions, comments, or for appearances. I love to hear from and correspond with readers!
Where can readers
buy your book?
On Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Richard-Robbins/e/B07H7TRBHX/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-tormenting-beauty-of-empathy-richard-robbins/1138730795?ean=9781622538256
Evolved Publishing https://evolvedpub.com/team-member/author/richard-robbins/
Or at my website www.Robbinsbooks.com
You can pick up a
copy of my book at…
Amazon, Barnes and Noble online, a number of independent bookstores, as well as through the website of my publisher, Evolved Publishing.
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview. What’s next for you?
I’ve just finished
the first draft of my next book, currently untitled, which is my first work of historical
fiction. It is based on the formation of the American Mafia in New Orleans,
which few people realize, occurred earlier, and perhaps more advanced than in
New York City. It’s based on the real-life story of a family of Sicilian wine merchants
who come to America to pursue an honest living, but find themselves drawn into conflict
with the emerging Mafia, as well as its nastier stepchild, The Black Hand.
THE TORMENTING BEAUTY OF EMPATHY is available to purchase at Amazon.
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