Review: Bad To The Bone by Karin Tabke

29 October of 2015 by Deb Markanton

Reviewer's Rating: 5

5.0Overall score

Bad Is Oh, So Good!

Bad To The Bone By Karin Tabke

Contemporary Erotic Romance

Released September 25, 2015

Self-Published

Series: Bad Boys of the Bay, Novella

Reviewed by Deb

Whatcha gonna do when he comes for you?
Sergeant Vaden Holbrook and widow Olivia Connor’s chemistry is off the charts hot, but incredible sex isn’t enough for Olivia. She wants it all.
Vaden Holbrook has met his carnal match in Olivia Connor. He wants her all to himself but knows that can’t be. Not when he finds himself at the center of an IA that could ruin them both.
Will Vaden’s inability to commit push her into the arms of another man? Or can he overcome his past to become the man Olivia needs, the man he wants to be?

Bad Is Oh, So Good!

Sergeant Vaden Holbrook is the epitome of an alpha male. Rugged good looks, ripped body, sinfully sexy, arrogant, and totally commanding. He also has a reputation for being a player, and a cop of questionable integrity. Vaden is bad to the bone, and he’s just what Olivia Conner wants.I love a fast-paced, well written, hot-as-hell novella that I can devour in one sitting and still be totally satisfied. Ms. Tabke certainly delivers! Bad To The Bone reels you in with a jaw-dropping, panty melting opening scene that will leave you breathless. If you aren’t living vicariously and thinking, I want me some of that! …I need to smack some sense into you. It also deliciously sets the tone for Vaden and Olivia’s characters. Halfway through the scene I knew without a doubt there was no way I was putting this book down!

At twenty-nine, Olivia is much too young to be a cop’s widow, but it’s already been a year since her husband died. She and Tommy got married right out of high school and, even though it may not have been a passionate marriage, it was safe and predictable. After ten years of safe and predictable, Olivia wants some reckless passion. Sure, she’s heard all about Vaden’s reputation. He and Tommy worked together. Hooking up with Vaden isn’t a forever thing. He is just supposed to confirm that life exists after Tommy. The problem is, Vaden makes her feel things. Wicked, shameless, naughty things she never knew existed. Unfortunately, after only two months, Olivia finds herself falling hard for a man who doesn’t do relationships.

Vaden has never been one to tow the line. At thirty-six he’s still a sergeant because he speaks his mind and doesn’t care who he pisses off. Maybe that’s why Internal Affairs has it out for him. Even so, we get the feeling he’s a good cop. He’s never been interested in relationships, but Olivia is everything a man could want, and he’s having a hell of a time keeping it casual. Taking more from Olivia means giving more as well. When she finds out just how damaged he is, he’s certain she’ll run the other way.

Ms. Tabke has given us two charismatic and believable characters in Vaden and Olivia. I loved them both. The true Olivia blossoms under Vaden’s attention. She revels in it even though there’s a good chance her heart will be shattered in the process. Vaden is torn between his desire for Olivia and the need to protect her from his increasingly dangerous life.

I can’t even say I was disappointed at how fast and furious this novella played out and then just…ended. It was perfectly crafted, giving us just enough to satisfy but wish for more. And, I’m holding out hope Ms. Tabke will give us more Vaden and Olivia in the near future.