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Vindicator

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When Melinda Walsh witnesses her father's murder, she doesn't think twice about going to the cops or trusting the lead detective to keep her safe. Two months later, after she and Nick have formed a special bond, someone in the department turns traitor and gives away her safe location. The devastating and deadly consequences of that night send her fleeing back home, refusing to put her life on the line again until the mole is caught.



Eighteen months later, Nick Rossi discovers the witness he had failed and never forgot is nearby, determined to fend for herself after learning the man who killed her father was released from his drug sentence. This time, Nick vows nothing will stop him from keeping Melinda safe from Cortez, including her stubborn refusal to believe he isn't the one who betrayed her at the safehouse.



Nick goes to extraordinary lengths to regain Melinda's trust and she caves to an attraction that hasn't dwindled despite time and miles of separation. When an arson attempt indicates Cortez has found Melinda on his ranch, Nick enlists the help of new friends to ensure her safety and their future.



Publisher's This contemporary western romance is intended for adults only. It contains elements of mystery, suspense, danger, sensual scenes, adult themes, and power exchange. If any of these offend you, please do not purchase.

370 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2022

58 people are currently reading
18 people want to read

About the author

B.J. Wane

68 books704 followers
I live in the Midwest with my husband and two dogs, enjoy spending time with my daughter, babysitting her two dogs, reading and working puzzles. We have traveled extensively, but I much prefer being a homebody.

I began writing erotic novels with an emphasis on erotic spanking five years ago never dreaming that I would get published. I just celebrated the release of my eleventh title and am very thankful to my publisher, Pink Flamingo, for taking a chance on me and giving me the opportunity to enjoy a fun career. While my earlier books lean more towards straight erotica that will appeal to only a very select audience, my last five books are erotic romances. I enjoy hearing all comments from readers. You can reach me at BJWane@cox.net.

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5 stars
218 (72%)
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64 (21%)
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Kristen Lewendon.
8,429 reviews64 followers
October 23, 2022
This book held me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. The chemistry between Nick and Melinda crackled from the page, making everything they did fraught with an extra layer of tension. I enjoyed seeing Melinda’s fierce independence in action and I loved that her attitude meant that Nick had to show up as his best self and prove his worth. Now, the ending to the book sounds suspiciously like the completion of the series, but I’m personally hoping that it’s not all the way over. Because I’m in no way, shape, or form done with these characters and I want to keep reading about them for many more stories to come.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.
Profile Image for Rhonda Hicks.
4,684 reviews85 followers
October 2, 2022
'Vindicator' is the seventh and final book in Bj Wane's "Doms of Mountain Bend" and, I for one, am sad to see this series end. If you've read the blurb then you already have a brief synopsis of the storyline. What you don't have are all the emotions, the drama, the angst, the friendships, the comradery, the loyalty, the betrayal, the chemistry, the scenes, and the love that manages to form. Each of the scenarios and the emotions that go with them is palpable as they come to life with Ms. Wane telling the tale. I absolutely loved this series and each of the Doms and their submissives we were introduced to. This book, along with the rest of the series, is highly recommended.
Profile Image for Kathy Heare Watts.
6,993 reviews175 followers
September 22, 2022
TRUST NO ONE

I have enjoyed this seven-book series—with this being the final story in the Doms of Mountain Bend. There are several authors whom I read everything they write, and Ms. BJ Wane is one of them. She has a way of bringing life to her characters, emotions, and interactions while writing a mystery, suspense with romance. Add in dominant men, smart but feisty females, a touch of danger, a healthy dose of eroticism within a relationship, add in the spice of BDSM scenes, and you get a perfect blend within a story. In this latest story, there will be a murder mystery that will be solved at the end.

Melinda Walsh will travel from her home in California to Wyoming with the intent of meeting her father. He supported her mother financially but was absent from their lives. What a shock for Melinda to walk into his office, hear a disagreement and witness a cold-blooded murder. Escaping, she will go straight to the police, where Detective Nick Rossi will interview Melinda. She wants to see justice for the senseless murder of her father and agrees to go into police protection.

The story’s plot was another great addition to this series, and I loved the natural chemistry between Nick and Melinda. What starts out as a protection detail included them trying to stump the other with movie trivia. Both are equally matched, and all the trivia in the story is interesting. As you can guess—right before the killer goes to trial, trouble interferes, a life is lost, trust is shattered, people are hurt, and the stakes are too high. Melinda is done; she leaves Wyoming along with seeing justice for her father. Someone is dirty in the police force, and she has lost her faith in the law doing the right thing—she needs a clean break.

The story will keep the pages turning as it unfolds, with new connections and experiences, a mystery with a touch of danger and suspense, and so many uncertainties and unanswered questions. I love a good story that keeps you guessing as the story unfolds, add two strangers who become close friends, as Nick and Melinda do—and then tragedy, adding a layer of mistrust and angst. Yes, this includes a second chance, new beginnings, a new location, and plenty of danger. Whom do you trust? How far are you willing to take another chance? Will Nick be able to win Melinda over? Will she learn to trust him to keep her safe this time? What about the attraction that is still there and stronger than before? Will they act upon it?

The story has a great cast of characters, plenty of angst, and things that make you think about who the culprit could be. The story has lots of emotions, issues, passion, and a budding romance. The unknown and distrust of people you believed in leaves bitterness amongst friends, and hopefully, the truth will set them free and lead to healing. The story does have scenes of intimacy, including BDSM inside a club called Spurs. Everything is consensual.
Profile Image for Beverly McCall.
Author 2 books28 followers
July 13, 2023
Vindicator is the final installment in BJ Wane’s Doms of Mountain Bend series. In it she chronicles the romantic journey of Melinda Walsh and Nick Rossi. They met when he was a police detective with the Cheyenne police department and she was the eye witness in a murder case. He was part of her protective detail. From their first encounter an attraction was sparked. The night before the trial of Anthony Cortez, man who killed Melinda’s biological father, an attack on the safe house ensues. One detective wounded and the other and Melinda kidnapped. Found in a deserted warehouse, Melinda is brutally attacked with a knife. She survives, but her face is scarred. The other detective, Mike, is murdered. Melinda disappears. Destiny brings them back together in Mountain Bend. Melinda temporarily settles there after going on the lam again. Unbeknownst to her this is where Nick has settled. What happens when they realize they are in the same town? Will the old sparks ignite? Will they pursue it this time? Can they find happiness? What of the threat of Cortez? To discover the answers to these questions and others, you must read this book.

Yet again, Ms. Wane catches her readers’ attention from the start with this suspenseful contemporary romance. This book is a captivating read as it captures the magnetism of true love. She possesses a remarkable skill for creating diverse and appealing characters, who can be strong and independent, yet vulnerable. The main characters have chemistry between them. This book is beautifully written with great dialog, a dual POV, and descriptive scenes that lends credibility to this HEA romance. It is bittersweet to see this series end. Looking forward to reading more of Ms. Wane’s work.
2,060 reviews3 followers
November 7, 2022
This is the final story in the series but like all of the others can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. There is no ongoing story arc from previous books and there is a HEA.
I loved almost everything about this book. I loved the scenario, I loved the interaction between all of the characters (both romantic and otherwise), I loved the use of a wounded horse as a mirror to the wounds carried by Melinda and the way she needs to learn to trust again. I loved the drama and suspense (the 'why' and 'how') of this story. I loved that Nick knew early on what he wanted, and patiently waited for Melinda to catch up. I loved the background that we got with Melinda, her relationship with her mother. The only thing that could have pushed it up into a 5* is that I would have loved to have read more of the change of profession for Nick from law enforcement to working with horses. After so many years and losing his partner, it's not too unreasonable to expect him to carry his own scars. I would have loved more insight into Nick.
Profile Image for Rhonda.
3,775 reviews63 followers
September 25, 2022
Out of all the books in this wonderful series, I think this is my favorite one. There were parts where I was literally holding my breath to see what was going to happen next. Melinda witnessed her father's murder by a drug lord so she gets put into witness protection until the trial. But you know things are gonna happen and they do...........with devastating consequences! It sends her running for her life. Nick feels horrible about what happened and ends up quitting the force and going to Mountain Bend. Imagine both of their surprises when they run into each other again. Can Melinda put her trust into Nick again after what happened? And the killer getting out just amps things right back up in her life. The suspense, the drama, the mystery............all of this made an incredible story. And since this is the final book in this series, I loved seeing how everything was wrapped up with the guys and Father Joe!! Perfect ending to what has turned out to be one of my favorite series!
Profile Image for KnottyGirl Reviews.
880 reviews56 followers
October 13, 2022
BJ Wane has finally released book seven in her Doms of Mountain Bend series. Vindicator gets your heart racing from the beginning of this sexy, romantic suspense book. It starts out with our main characters, Melinda, who witnesses her father getting shot, and detective Nick Rossi, who ends up being one of her protectors when she agrees to testify against the drug lord who killed her dad. But things go sideways.

Later, Melinda moves to Mountain Bend after the drug lord is released. She runs into
the sexy detective, but she doesn’t quite trust him after what happened at the safe house. The very dominant Nick is determined to keep her safe and get her back.

This has been an awesome series, and the book had me glued to my seat. If this is the last book in the series, then I’m totally amped to see what she comes up with next!
325 reviews4 followers
September 22, 2022
I can't emphasize how much " Doms of Mountain Bend " series is good , interesting and well written. The last book " Vindicator " is no exception. There is always a simple story of how the main characters met, some backstory suspense or action, a twist near the end and a good love scenes. The chemistry between Melinda & Nick is off the charts especially with my favorite concept of frightened heroine and protective hero. Some BDSM is also involved though Bj Wane books are light on this issue ( from my POV at least as I usually read heavy BDSM books) . All in all, recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kathy Jambois Hayden.
245 reviews
September 24, 2022
What a ride.

Nick meets Melinda when she bravely goes to the police station after witnessing her
father's murder. She is the key to putting a dangerous drug dealer away, if they can keep her safe. They can't tragically and Melinda leaves, refusing to testify or have anything to do with Nick. Neither one can get the other off of their minds, but fate intervenes and their paths cross when the dealer emerges to exact his revenge on them both. Well written and a perfect story to wrap up the series. Even though it is the last book the author keeps telling an engaging, well defined story as you have come to expect.
Profile Image for Darcy.
1,708 reviews9 followers
October 18, 2022
I've enjoyed each of the books in this series and Vindicator doesn't disappoint. Melinda is strong in her convictions and after being betrayed by someone in her witness protection detail, she doesn't know who to trust. Mike was killed, Owen severely wounded and Nick, the man she was beginning to fall for, was left standing unharmed. Fast forward and she finds herself being hunted again. I loved the new life Nick built for himself and how the residents of Mountain Bend came together to protect Melinda as one of their own. My only issue with the story was Melinda continuing to hold on to her mistrust of Nick for a little too long. It seemed out of place after a while.
Profile Image for Merry Jelks-Emmanuel.
13.5k reviews155 followers
October 23, 2022
This story is filled with exciting twists and turns that kept me glued to the pages. Nick is assigned to protect Melinda after she witnesses the killing of her father. There is a mole in the police department that has Melinda striking out on her own to keep safe. She and Nick reconnect the feelings are still there between them, but the danger still lingers for Melinda. Will Nick and his friends be able to keep Melinda safe this time around?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,284 reviews20 followers
November 3, 2022

Suspenseful and Spicy

Melinda witnessed a murder; in order to keep her safe, she goes into a safe house with Detective Nick Rossi as one of her protectors. Years later, they meet again in Mountain Bend, and Melinda is again in danger. I loved the smouldering chemistry between these two - sure Nick is commanding, but Melinda sasses back when she needs to. The whole gang at Mountain Bend make an appearance - it was great to have a reunion with this bunch of great characters.
897 reviews1 follower
October 24, 2023
This is a little bit murder. Procecutor and witness police protector. Its not so much a mystery just a protection detail gone horribly wrong... The abused horse Merry and the assault victim Melinda build a bond over time and Merry gets a staring role in catching the bad guy. In this one the guys may want to protect the girl, but the girl has had enough she and her horse ruin the baddy. Its a good story.
501 reviews2 followers
September 26, 2022
What a great series!!

This was another terrific story about family in the series that started out with three boys and a girl in a terrible foster home. It has been great seeing each story unfold and to now include other characters that act like family even though they aren't really related. I loved the epilogue that revealed some good news about Father Joe.
1,066 reviews5 followers
November 9, 2022
Vindicator

What a wonderful series, I have enjoyed every book in this series. You cannot but help to fall in love with people in Mountain Bend. The richness of the characters and the beauty of Idaho and Montana are a real pleasure to read about. I highly recommend this book and series to Cowboy lovers xx
81 reviews2 followers
September 22, 2022
Outstanding end to a great Series

I absolutely loved every character in all this series. Each story unique with strong women and caring men. Each respected each other and made the stories better.
I can't wait for the next series.
Profile Image for Kerri.
154 reviews2 followers
September 25, 2022
Amazing

BJ Wane, another great book in the series and the best way to end this series. I love Melinda and Nick's story. I love that you had Father Joe think about where the boys came from to where they are now, that was a perfect ending.
526 reviews1 follower
October 21, 2022
Great characters and suspense

This was another great read in this series. I loved the characters and the suspense. It starts a little slow, but stick with it and you'll be rewarded with a great story.
203 reviews
November 7, 2022
Nick and Malissa

This was a fantastic story. I enjoyed each and every book in this series and wished it would go on and on. I recommend this author to anyone who would love a great love story with a little kink in between
5 reviews
November 15, 2022
The End?

I liked books 6 and 7 in this series. I really hope it did not just end here as ther are others (at least 1 couple) where it looked like it might be next but then it ended not saying 1 way or another. A LIL more suspense would make this series a 5 star for me.
Profile Image for Patti.
1,467 reviews10 followers
September 24, 2022
Fabulous end of series book that will have you begging for more!! Murder, suspense and steamy love scenes will keep you glued from start to finish!! Grab this book and enjoy this fabulous ride!!
Profile Image for Wickedly Sweet & Synful Book Blog Janet Lysk-Wolf .
101 reviews17 followers
October 7, 2022
This was a perfect way to end this series, I absolutely loved it. I am so sad to see this series end. Nick and Melinda had a wonderful story of their own. Ms. Wane brought all of the books together in the middle with a picnic and tied up the ending with the original three characters and Father Joe. I was so excited by the ending. I can't wait for her next series.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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