Book Review + Q&A: Say That to My Face

Title: Say That To My Face

Author: Bernard Maestas

Genre: YA thriller

Book Blurb: 

Alex is a throwaway teenager in New York, pitfighting for scraps. Ted is a bored suburban high schooler in Illinois making a profit on changing grades and pirating movies.Together they become international mercenaries, battling for their own profit, occasionally stumbling on doing the right thing, and taking sarcastic jabs at each other along the way. 

Using their collective talents, they rob a crooked bank president, rescue the kidnapped daughter of an oil tycoon and hunt high value insurgents in Iraq for the bounties on their head. They train government troops in one African country to crush the tribal government of a neighboring country and then train the tribal militia opponents of the adjacent country. In Russia they hunt down a wanted war criminal on the run from the UN, exposing a human trafficking operation. 

Realizing that they are at their best together, they go into business for themselves, picking the jobs they want, when they want, and reaping all the profits

Reviewer: Aly

Review:

This was definitely a fun read. The quotes that were chosen show that before you ever read the first word of the book! The author also made a lot of intricate descriptions. They always make you feel as if you are there, even if you might not want to(and believe me there was at least one scene that just from the description you would not want to be in). Due to these descriptions, you feel as if you can experience the scene with all of your senses. Even smell. And that was one description I could do without many times.

The metaphors used are simple and easy to understand. It wasn't hard to realize what the author meant when they were using metaphors.

Alex was my favourite character to love and hate at the same time. He's worry and sarcastic(keeps things interesting) but he also seems to have anger issues, be an adrenaline junkie and seems to have a bit of a death wish(the scary, hated part). But the easy banter with Ted seems to balance things out.

We don't get as much interaction with Ted as we do Alex but he seems to have some of the same flaws as Alex(an adrenaline junkie for example) but he's also a little more easygoing when Alex does something silly or stupid. He almost seems to keep him from going off the rails...too much.

Say That to my Face is filled with action scenes as well as some gruesome scenes. If you've ever watched the T.V. show Leverage, you would definitely appreciate the humour of the duo and the dynamics between the two. It was also a nice change to read a book that was about a friendship and growth of two characters with absolutely no romance at all. It was a step out of my comfort zone, one that I was glad to have taken!

Rating:

And now....here's quick 10 Question Q & A with Bernard Maestas! A quick bio regarding the author before we begin:

Bernard Maestas lives in paradise. A police officer patrolling the mean streets of Hawaii, he has a background in contract security and military and civilian law enforcement. When not saving the world, one speeding ticket at a time, and not distracted by video games or the internet, he is usually hard at work on his next book.

1. What's your favorite part about writing?

Dreaming up the story and the characters, then watching it like a movie in my head! Putting it down on the page is the easy part.

2. What's better--reading or writing?
Jeez, that's like asking me to pick between eating and sleeping! I suppose eating as long is it's not chicken breast and kale... Oh, right, wrong question. Hmm... I'll go with reading, if it's a well-written book. If done right, my mind shouldn't have to exert itself. I can let the author paint the picture for me and just sit back and enjoy the show.
3. What's the most challenging aspect of writing?
Having fun with it! It started out as a hobby, something I did for fun, long before I ever considered making money at it. Now, sometimes, I have to remind myself not to ever let it become "work."

4. If you could have three wishes, what would they be?

Without cheating and asking for infinite wishes... First, to surround myself with my friends and family all the time. Second, a big house in which to do that. And third, to be able to retire and write full time! ...That, or a Ferrari.
5. If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be?

Aw, I can only pick one? Hmm... I guess I'd have to pic Cal Leandros from Rob Thurman's the eponymous hero of Rob Thurman's urban fantasy series. I think we would get along, our senses of humor seem to click. And maybe he can show me a few tricks with a gun I haven't learned yet!

6. Is there something you must do/have (ie. cup of coffee) when you write?

I've taken to writing places other than home, so I'm fairly adaptable, but when I write from home, things must be just so. I have a big comfy recliner that I sit in, I need the TV on in the background (if not, Pandora will be playing on my laptop). I always need something to drink on hand and, though I probably shouldn't admit this, I enjoy an adult beverage or three when I'm writing. I'm definitely from the school of thought that it lowers your inhibitions and lets the words flow more freely from you. That or I'm just a lush...

7. Who/what inspired you to write?

I started reading adult books in grade school. I don't remember most of them, but "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card stuck with me. That's one of the big ones that connected the dots for me and made me realize I could do something with the stories in my head besides acting them out with G.I. Joes. Before that (and continuing on throughout my life) it was comic books! Tina: Just read Ender's Game myself a few days ago--sooo good!

8. Chocolate or vanilla?
Chocolate, of course!
9. Any tips for aspiring writers?
Start writing, write a lot, write often and never stop writing, no matter what. Writing is a skill like any other and it takes practice to turn your talent into something that works for you. Take your time, be patient, and above all, don't quit! You'll probably have a lot of hurdles to jump over, face a lot of rejection, hear some harsh words for a lot of critics, but never give up!

10. Anything else you would like readers to know?

Thanks so much for reading and your support! There's lots more to come from and, especially, from Alex and Ted! Like my official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/BernardMaestasOfficial) for the latest news, teasers and more!