Lyndsay is determined to outshine the memory of her mother’s illustrious career. As head of the marketing department of the exclusive Freeman Hotel, high up in the rarified mountain air of northern Washington, she grapples with her rival, the charming newcomer, Lucifer Furey Pierse.
No one knows much about Luke except that he could turn a murder into a side-splitting comedy routine and he has an eye for women, including an inexplicable attraction for the prickly, definitely not-interested Lindsay.
It starts with a bet that goes horribly wrong. When Luke wins the bet and Lyndsay is forced to pay the price, she learns more about him than she thought existed…and the process of discovery for both of them becomes a bittersweet journey through their personal histories as they learn why they are the people they have become. Then life hands them an unexpected twist they must deal with, one that tests both of them to their limits.

Betting With Lucifer by Tracy Cooper-Posey
Contemporary Romance
ebook, novel length
Cerridwen Press
Book received from author

Lyndsay is head of the marketing department for a hotel chain and she is very ambitious in her career goals. Her mother held the same position years ago and then moved even further in the company and Lyndsay feels an urgent need to obtain those same positions. Because of the bad economy, the company is not bringing in the money it used to and it is in need of a big client. Fortunately, Lyndsay hears of a big medical company looking for a place to hold it’s convention and she knows this is the client she needs to land. However, Lucifer, aka Luke, a co-worker who has surpassed her in sales this year, also has his eye on this company. That is not the only thing Luke is eyeing. He likes Lyndsay but she wants nothing to do with him. He intimidates her and has never treated her with respect. Luke proposes a bet and Lyndsey finds herself agreeing to it- if Luke lands the client, Lyndsay has to go out on a date with him. If Lyndsay wins, Luke has to go back to New York for good. As they battle professionally, their feelings start to battle as well.

Betting with Lucifer is just a middle of the road read for several reasons. First, Lyndsay is a big-time marketing professional but her people skills are horrible. She admits to this fact, yet I can’t buy that she would progress so far in the company with the issues she has. She goes into panic attack mode when she has to mingle with clients. I really don’t see how she could have climbed the ladder in this profession, without some decent schmoozing skills. Next, Luke is one of her best salesmen, and although he intimidates her, in this bad economy they are not making a lot of money, why would she want him out of the company as her side of the bet? That doesn’t add up.

I did enjoy Luke and his good natured goading of Lyndsay throughout the book. I found his character to be quite enjoyable but that side of him clashes with Lyndsay’s description of him. At the beginning of the book, Lyndsay was almost scared of him, yet we never see that side of Luke in the book. I take it as she is more scared of him professionally than personally, but he never acts like anything less of a gentleman.

The sex scenes felt a bit rushed and I wish they would have been explored a bit more. There are a couple twists and turns that occur that I did not see coming but not enough to make this book a satisfying read.

Rating: 2 1/2 Stars

Recent Reviews:
Love Romance Passion – 2.5 Stars
I Do Not Want to Wait, I Want the Book Now – Highly recommended
Book Junkie – Highly recommended

Tracey Cooper-Posey’s Website