The time it was about Micah vs Max

I think by now everyone knows my undying love and affection for Paula Stokes, right? Not only does she write some of the best book boyfriends stories, she’s an amazing person and hasn’t filed a restraining order on me yet.

Today’s post is a pretty awesome comparison of two of her latest boys: Micah from The Art of Lainey and Max from Liars Inc. Before we get to the survey the boys answered, let’s check out their books.

Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her—no reasons, no warning, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.

And that’s when the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, they’re sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey’s arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous. After a few “dates”, it looks like her plan is going to work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game.

What’s a girl to do when what she wants is totally different from what she needs? How do you figure out the person you’re meant to be with if you’re still figuring out the person you’re meant to be?

and

Max Cantrell has never been a big fan of the truth, so when the opportunity arises to sell forged permission slips and cover stories to his classmates, it sounds like a good way to make a little money and liven up a boring senior year. With the help of his friends Preston and Parvati, Max starts Liars, Inc. Suddenly everybody needs something and the cash starts pouring in. Who knew lying could be so lucrative?

When Preston wants his own cover story to go visit a girl he met online, Max doesn’t think twice about hooking him up. Until Preston never comes home. Then the evidence starts to pile up—terrifying clues that lead the cops to Preston’s body. Terrifying clues that point to Max as the murderer.

Can Max find the real killer before he goes to prison for a crime he didn’t commit? In a story that Kirkus Reviews called “Captivating to the very end,” Paula Stokes starts with one single white lie and weaves a twisted tale that will have readers guessing until the explosive final chapters.

They sound good right? And now let’s welcome Paula and the boys:

Micah vs. Max: a not-so systematic comparison of my contemporary book boys

Paula: So marketing types will tell you that to be successful you have to have a brand, you have to be a romance writer or a mystery writer or a writer of slightly speculative cyber-thrillers, but not all three. Whoops. Call me a rebel. But one day when I was sitting around wondering if my lack of commitment to a genre was going to sink my publishing career, someone told me that a brand can be a lot of things—like a certain voice or prose style or setting, etc. And so I’m pretty sure my brand involves the creation of hot book boys. Yep, I have you covered for the next few years whether you like punk-rockers, surfers, tennis pros, soldiers, stunt guys, or adorable Danish palace guards. You’re welcome.

Below, widely adored Micah from THE ART OF LAINEY faces off with newcomer Max from LIARS, INC. in what we can all agree are extremely essential categories. Be gentle. Max doesn’t have a mohawk so he’s clearly at a disadvantage to start with.

                                                                         

Cover thoughts?	Whose idea was it to use a picture of me from 9th grade?	Those are Pres’s shoes, but that’s not my scary shadow—I swear.
So then what do you actually look like?	I’m like 5’ 8” with a dark brown mohawk and hazel eyes. And tattoos. And an eyebrow ring.	I’m about 6’1”, with brown eyes and messy brown hair. I wear a shark’s tooth pendant that my real dad gave me.
Where do you live?	Hazelton. It’s a (fictional) suburb of St. Louis, MO.	Vista Palisades. It’s a (fictional) beach town outside of L.A.
Tell me about your girlfriend.	She’s a socially clueless soccer star, with a big heart.	She’s a morally flexible martial arts badass, with a big heart.
And what about your fam?	Just me, my mom, and my little sis, Trinity.	I’m adopted, so there’s my parents, Ben and Darla, and my three little sisters, Amanda, Ji Hyun, and Jo Lee.
Your classmates voted you…	Most likely to get arrested. (My classmates kind of suck).	Most likely to drop out of school and become a roadie for the all girl hardcore band Kittens of Mass Destruction.
When you’re angry or upset you…	Get something pierced.	Go surfing.
Your bad habits are…	Smoking, tagging things, saying stuff that’s supposed to be funny but sometimes ends up being mean.	Lying, falling asleep in class, saying stuff that’s supposed to be funny but sometimes ends up being mean.
Your claim to fame is…	I got in a fight with the school security guard in fifth grade and was suspended until the end of the year.	I lived on the streets for almost a year after I ran away from a foster home.
Your favorite Taylor Swift song is…	You’re kidding me, right?	The one that goes: “Weeee are never ever everrrr getting back together.” What? My sister is 11. She listens to Taylor in the car on the way home from school.
When you grow up, you want to be…	A pastry chef.	Uh, I’m not sure yet. Maybe a surfing instructor?
At a party, you’re the guy who…	Takes over the DJ duties.	I don’t go to very many parties.
The last time you dressed up for Halloween you were…	Iron Man	About 8 years old.
The first time you kissed a girl you were…	15	Terrified.
For your birthday you want…	I think Lainey would punch me if I answered this honestly…	Not to go to prison for something I didn’t do.
Oh, and last but not least, your best feature is…	Um, the HarperTeen people told me I should stop talking about that in public ;)	Probably my girlfriend. Or my family. But I don’t know. Read my book and tell me what you think!

Paula: Other than the mohawk, I feel like this is a pretty fair fight. Yes, Micah is adorably tattooed and pierced, but Max has that fresh from the ocean look about him. And he doesn’t smoke. And both boys are fantastic kissers and super-sweet to their little sisters, so basically you can’t go wrong.

Stacee: But Micah bakes…Plus, I’m a huge fan of his three best features, so I think he wins.  Also, he’s mine, I have proof.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Paula Stokes is half writer, half RN, and totally thrilled to be part of the world of YA literature. She started out writing historical fiction under a pen name and is now branching out into other YA genres.

When she’s not working (rare), she’s kayaking, hiking, reading, or seeking out new adventures in faraway lands. She’s petted tigers, snuggled snakes, snorkeled with stingrays, and once enjoyed the suction-cuppy feel of a baby elephant’s trunk as it ate peanuts from her palm. Her future goals include diving with Great White sharks, learning Krav Maga, and writing a whole slew of novels, not necessarily in that order.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Huge thanks to Paula and the boys for taking the time. Make sure you’re checking out Paula’s blog {she posts a lot of awesome things}, following her on Twitter and Instagram, liking her Facebook page, and adding all of her books to your Goodreads TBR shelf. There’s also a pretty epic website for Liars Inc.

And now for the giveaway! Paula is so graciously donating one of her books.  Winner gets to choose between The Art of Lainey or Liars Inc.  US winner will get a signed copy, international winner will get a copy from The Book Depository and a signed book plate. Additional giveaway rules are here.

**Good Luck!!**

a Rafflecopter giveaway