Gratuity Not Included (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780979675539)

Ricardo Estrada was born in Lima, Peru. When he was eleven years old his family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, "The Sunshine City". There he grew up enjoying the sun and surf and was a member of Boy Scouts Troop 207. Ricardo graduated from St. Petersburg High School where he wrestled in the school team. After graduating from St. Petersburg Junior College, Ricardo moved across Tampa Bay to Tampa, "The Cigar City", and attended the University of South Florida. He majored in psychology, counseling, and education. Ricardo moved to New York City in 2002 and is self-employed in the rehabilitation field. Because of his training and experience as a psychotherapist and rehabilitation counselor, Ricardo's novels depict individuals facing adversity and celebrate the triumph of the human spirit. The inspiration for his first novel Sticks of Fire: The Turning Point, a novel of recovery and redemption, came from his work experience in the alcohol/drug addiction field. Ricardo spends his free time going to the gym as he has since high school, and writing, sometimes until the crack of dawn. On weekends he enjoys the arts and cultural events in New York City, as well as the different cuisines available in the Big Apple. Ricardo is working on his third book.