Jade Deveraux is beautiful, sexy and cool as a cucumber. She works as a hostess at a men’s club that once catered only to an elite crowd. However, after the club is sold, the new owner believes he needs to expand his clientele and allows those who expect more than platonic company while there. Jason (Jase) Vaughn is a detective investigating the murder of a former client who happened to be seen with Jade prior to his murder, making her the number one suspect. The attraction between Jade and Jase is explosive. Although Jade alludes that she does not have sex with her customers, everything seems to indicate that she does, especially when men end up dead shortly after her liaisons with them. Jase wants her for himself, but cannot believe that she is not involved in the murders when all information points to her. Can Jade convince Jase that she is innocent, and will Jase believe her and explore what is happening between them?

Jaded was as engrossing as the previous stories in this series. This story grabbed me from the very first page, and kept me guessing who was involved in the murders. The plot moved along at a fast pace, and the sexual tension steadily grew to a taut wire, waiting to snap at the first provocation. Jade uses her cool confidence to disguise her vulnerability, but can’t resist the sexy detective. He makes her want things she never thought she could have. Jase was an excellent hero. He may be a cop, but he is a man first. He sees through Jade’s outer shell to the woman inside, but tries to put business before pleasure, with little or no success. Jase is every woman’s idea of a strong, sexy alpha male. Karin Tabke continues to write stories that grip you at the beginning and hang on to the end.

Reviewed by: Chris P.