LET’S WELCOME JOE SICCARDI AUTHOR OF: WISDOM FROM A FATHER

LET’S

WELCOME

JOE SICCARDI

AUTHOR OF:

Rad-Reader:  I saw that you wrote your book from your blog.  Any reason you chose the year 2012?

Joe:  That's when I started blogging, figured I would start at the beginning.

Rad-Reader:  When you first start writing or posting on your blog.  Did you ever think it would take you to publish a book?

Joe: No! Never! I'm just so appreciative people seem to enjoy the little stories about life.

Rad-Reader:  Did you find your posting/writing helped you as you were writing or as you went back to see what you wrote for the day?

Joe:  I went back and updated the information, making sure I noted the circumstances at the time.

Rad-Reader:  Were your thoughts done in the morning or just whenever you thought to sit down that day to post?

Joe:  I wish I could say I was a disciplined writer, but I'm not. Some were written in the morning, but more in the afternoon or evening after my workday "inspiration."

Rad-Reader:  How did you come up with the catchphrase: Thought to Remember?

Joe:  It just evolved. I wanted to share some positive message with each post, so I started collecting them as I went along. By far, those little add-ons are the most popular part of the book and the blog.

Rad-Reader:  Did you have an idea that you would touch on so many topics when you first wrote your “Thought to Remember”?

Joe:  No. I just wanted to add something positive to each post, even if the post itself wasn't.

Rad-Reader:  The few entries that you had that dealt with music: “Beer with Jesus” – “The Wonder” by Dion – That whole section about Dion was something I did not know.  (Though I did know the song & “The Day the Music Died” – I don’t know what we were to get from that, but I got redemption?

Joe:  I  can't carry a tune in a bucket, but I do appreciate good music. It's part of my life. Good music -- whatever genre -- evokes an emotion. Dion's story was a story of redemption. A lot of country music is also about redemption or at least pointing to redemption. The entire book is really my journey of blessing, grace, and redemption. Music is part of that.

Rad-Reader:  Was it your idea to put the last one in about the expiration dates with food?  Side note:  I thought the same thing.  My wife and daughter keep telling me, NO!

Joe:  I drive my kids crazy. I guess you could say I'm a hoarder so I ended up collecting food -- especially spices -- for recipes, using just a teaspoon or so and just adding the remaining container to my collection. I just don't take life too seriously. As long as it doesn't smell rancid or have little green fuzz growing, I'm good. Maybe it's a guy thing.

Rad-Reader:  What does your family think about your daily writings becoming public?

Joe:  They're generally supportive. Although they may be the focus of a particular story, they know I  would not publicly embarrass them. I love them bunches.

Rad-Reader:  Do you encourage them to do the same in order to get some peace or clarity during difficult times?

Joe:  I do. My oldest daughter actually set up my blog because I was procrastinating. She currently blogs and is in the process of writing her own book. 

Rad-Reader: You have five children, 18 grandchildren, and three great-granddaughters. Do you get to see them much?

Joe: Not nearly enough. I'm actually expecting great-granddaughter #4 in the fall. We try to get together at least once year, although we've missed the past few years. December 2017 was spent with me on the road visiting each of them and their families in New York, Ohio, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Massachusetts, with side stops in Indiana, Florida and New Jersey to visit with friends and other relatives. The kids weren't particularly happy with my decision to retire to Maine so I was instructed to Messenger them every day to let them know I was fine. I guess they thought I couldn't take care of myself by myself. We stay connected throughout the day with Messenger so we stay pretty close and try to help each other out through any "calamities" of the day ... even if it's a simple "I love you!"

Rad-Reader:  What is your next project and when is it coming out?

Joe:  I'm really excited. In March 2018 I published a novella -- Heaven Shining Through -- based on a "community" writing project that ended up being a community of one. It was met well, but often with the comment, "It should have been a novel." So I started writing a novel based on the novella, My Name Is Sam ... and Heaven Is Still Shining Through. It is available at Amazon. The actual release date was June 30 and a Facebook Live book launch was July 2  and archived on my Facebook author page, @wisdomfromafather

Rad-Reader:  Where can our readers buy your books?  Links

Joe:  All three books are available on Amazon is both e-book and paperback versions. Wisdom From a Father is at amazon.com/Wisdom-Father-dads-thoughts-life-ebook/dp/B07KB7JKVM/(e-book) and amazon.com/Wisdom-Father-dads-thoughts-life/dp/1727315316/ (paperback). Heaven Shining Through is at amazon.com/Heaven-Shining-Through-Joe-Siccardi-ebook/dp/B07BRZYRCD/ (e-book) and amazon.com/Heaven-Shining-Through-Joe-Siccardi/dp/1545624569/ (papeback). My Name Is Sam is available at amazon.com/My-Name-Sam-Shining-Through-ebook/dp/B07SRX1HGV/ (e-book) and [paperback link is still pending my acceptance of the proof copy, which is expected June 14. I will forward when available.] I also have them listed on my blog, wisdomfromafather.wordpress.com where I offer signed  copies for buyers.

Rad-Reader:  Where can our readers find you on the Web?  Links

Joe:  My web presence is my blog, wisdomfromafather.wordpress.com  I also have a Facebook presence @wisdomfromafather and a Twitter account, @joesiccardi

Joe,
Thank you for hanging in there with us... We were having a bad time there and you were so kind to wait for us to read and do this interview.  Thank you for doing that with us. This was just what my husband needed during this time.
Thank you,
Char

Riding Hard (Bennett Boys Ranch #2)

RIDING HARD                                        LAUREN LANDISH

As the eldest brother, the responsibility for the family ranch now rests on Mark Bennett’s broad shoulders. He wouldn’t have it any other way—he loves being in charge. Working hard on the land helps him stay focused and keeps him from noticing what’s missing in his life—what he’ll never allow himself to have for fear that one small taste will break his careful control.

But a sweet blue-eyed blonde has just arrived in town, and the attraction between them is undeniably hot. So Mark tightens the reins around his heart—how can he tell her what he really wants?

Events planner Katelyn Johnson’s new gig is the wedding of a rodeo superstar. Right now, it’s tough not to focus on the rider’s tempting older brother. So far, getting beneath Mark’s gorgeously gruff exterior has been a pleasure.

What she needs to do is go a little deeper. But the closer they get, the more Mark pulls away. Katelyn’s not afraid of a challenge, though. Whatever deep desires he’s hiding, she wants in on his secrets.

All she has to do is get past his legendary reserve. With all her body, heart, and soul, there’s nothing she can’t handle.

PAT'S REVIEW

This was such an interesting book where you get to see the alpha male go through a major transformation. Still keeping his alpha male card intact but realizes that with the help, love, and strength of a good woman he can come out of his own darkness. The darkness where he had self-appointed himself a freak and a monster. So, Mark was known in town as the asshole loner who only nodded, stared, and growled or grunted at peopled. But never leaving the ranch except for ranch business and stopping into Hanks a bar for a beer and a meal before heading home that was it. Maybe going to see his little brother the world champ in bull riding too. Giving him no people skills. Yet, he was always polite. Would date every blue moon but they always wanted more than he could give like communication always. Then comes Katelyn the new events planner at the resort where his little brother James is getting married. When he rushes into the office hitting her with door and nearly knocks her on her behind. Luckily, he catches her and the connection between them has many sparks. Katelyn notices Mark yanked her chain which was not funny at first but when chatting she realizes he has a warped dry sense of humor and more stoic it is funny. So, she used her people skills to get a better read. When she catches another little quip of his. As the story goes you find out that Mark was severely scarred by his ex and first real girlfriend mentally and sexually. Making him feel his type of sexual urges were ugly and wrong. Therefore, he is not loveable, and he and Katelyn shouldn’t be together no matter what. Even with how much they care for one another. I loved the interaction between the brothers. I especially loved how three big trees for men and alpha at that would shake in their boots if Mama Lou was not happy. Her word was law. Very enduring and funny. Most of all, I loved the relationship between Katelyn and Mark to see the walls between them fall away. Yes, there was some vanilla BDSM, but their interaction was only with one another and it was with each others consent and done with total trust and consent. Not for everyone but it worked for them. They were just a sweet couple. I give this: 5 stars. Provided by netgalley.com. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

Not Your Mother's Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook: More Than 150 Recipes for One-Pan Meals for Any Time of the Day

NOT YOUR MOTHER'S CAST IRON SKILLET COOKBOOK    LUCY VASERFIRER

Modern cooks are realizing that grandma's had it right when she cooked with the big cast iron skillet. Cast iron has the incredible ability to spread heat quickly and evenly to create a crispy, seared surface that locks in freshness and flavor.

Author Lucy Vaserfirer knows how to work magic on cast iron, and in Not Your Mother's Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook she shows you how to prepare more than 150 recipes that are definitely not the kind of fares your grandmother cooked up. You'll get to see how to cook up vegetables (something previously thought to not be possible on cast iron); see how cast iron is the perfect vessel for cooking all types of fish and shellfish; and even how you can use your skillet for baking.

Not Your Mother's Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook is loaded with recipes that keep up with specialty diets like paleo and no meat, and even includes unique ways to bring your cast iron directly to the table as a serving vessel. So don't wait, just because your grandmother swore by her cast iron doesn't mean it's boring!

PAT'S REVIEW

This was a good book with a lot of information at the beginning of the book about how to take care of the cast iron. I myself have been cooking with cast iron my whole life. My father cooked with them I got his when he passed. I added those to what we already had. Different sixes liked she spoke of in the book. I will say not all of her recipes were ones that I might try but I did like her desserts and some of her breakfast ideas. I just found that this is a good book for those who want to start using cast iron. The people like myself who have been using them for close to 50 years I will try new things but Brussel sprouts still never touch any of my cooking wear I don’t how you want to cook them. Cooking s’mores in cast iron I do and have done for my children and they love it. Overall not a bad book. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 3 stars Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

July Flames: A Rock Star Bodyguard Romance (Wilder Irish #7)

JULY FLAMES                                          MARI CARR

He'll risk everything to keep her.

He’s going from military hero to bodyguard? Well, that might not be so bad. The money will be good anyway. But then Fergus meets the woman he’s hired to protect. A former teen pop star? Please God, no.

After being taken advantage of repeatedly through her career, the music diva is used to pushing people away. But her sexy bodyguard’s need for control is eventually impossible to resist. Who is she to fight when he insists on being much closer than arm’s length?

And keeping the sexy hero close isn’t such a bad idea, considering she’s got a stalker. 

PAT'S REVIEW

Fergus comes from a big family and after leaving the military he and his cousin decide to start a security business. The first client wants them to protect and find the person sending threating mail and doing harm to people around the star. The star is a former teen pop star named Aubrey Summers. She has fired everyone hired to protect her and though at first Fergus does not want to take the job, he agrees. The first meeting between the two of them set the tone for the rest of the story and you are wondering how or when will either one will let their guard down at all. Each one has their one issues and the author does a good job of weaving a storyline of the mystery of how the person could be threatening her and the two of deciding if the can and should trust someone in their life. A wonderful story with really good characters and plenty of good writing to keep the story moving along. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars follow us atwww.1rad-readerreviews.com