Thursday 12 December 2013

Blog Tour and Giveaway - Staying on Top (Whitman University #4) by Lyla Payne







 




Sam Bradford has it allhes the #2 tennis player in the world, plenty of girls want to date him, and hell never want for money. At least, thats what he thought until his accountant stole everything and disappeared. Interpol has no idea where to start, and neither does the American F.B.I., so Sam figures hell just have to take care of his body and play a few extra years to make it back.

When Blair Paddington, the accountant
s daughter and a friend of a friend at Whitman, shows up and claims she can help Sam get his money back hes torn between wanting justice and the very real possibility that Blair is just as big a con man as her father. When she promises not only money, but justice, Sam agreesbut only if he can go along on the search.

The two of them set off on an adventure neither rich kid is prepared for
cheap hostels, the same clothes three days in a row, and nothing but a backpack of possessionsso they can fly under the radar as college lovers on a winter break. In spite of Blairs shady family, her daring and resourceful personality strike Sams interest and he finds himself falling for the one girl he shouldnt.

When they finally find her father, the truths that come to light not only make Sam question his affection for Blair, but could cost him more than money
if they cant work together one last time, neither of them may be going home. Ever.
Review by Janeane - ARC received for an honest review

I am a real fan of the Whitman University series, and Sam is one I have really been waiting for.

Sam and Blair met in Be My Downfall while on break in St Moritz.  Sam was keen, Blair - not so much (really, Blair, really??).

In Staying on Top, we find out why she kept her distance - her dad was in the process of embezzling $30 million from him, and she was in on the con.

Her dad is the king of the long con, and has involved Blair since she was a cute kid with a toothless grin, and she can't get away from him - at least until she finished school.

I don't know about you, but if someone stoll $30 million from me, I'd go ballistic.  Sam seemed a little too calm about it for me. And to find out I knew someone involved - there'd be hell to pay.

I can understand Blair's reluctance to get involved with Sam - especially when we find out her involvement in the scam - but her flip- flopping between helping Sam and helping her dad started to irritate me.

Their trips through Europe chasing her elusive dad felt a little like a Contiki tours - minus the alcohol!!  I also had to wonder about Sam blindly following Blair all across the continent, getting into some not so legal activities.  Not sure I would be so trusting and willing (but this may just be me).

The did visit some beautiful places though, on this flight of fancy, including here
SANTORINI 
 And then here
SKOPJE

I did feel a couple of things got wrapped up a little too quickly and easily, but then again, this may just be me also. 

 Do Sam and Blair ever catch up with the father?  Does Sam get his money back?  Can they have a relationship after all the lies that have been told?


For all this and more, you are going to have to read Staying on Top for yourself.

With all that I have said above, I did enjoy this story, I just felt that it lacked the punch of some of the others in the series.

 3.75 stars




Lyla Payne Bio:
Ive long had a love of stories. A few years ago decided to put them down on the page, and even though I have a degree in film and television, novels were the creative outlet where I found a home. Ive published Young Adult under a different name, but when I got the idea for Broken at Love (my first New Adult title), I couldnt wait to try something new and Im hooked.  In my spare time I watch a ton of tennis (no surprise, there), play a ton of tennis, and dedicate a good portion of brain power to dreaming up the next fictitious bad boy wed all love to meet in real life.

STALK LYLA

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