Father Mine

I bought this through B&N’s Nook browser thinking I was getting the entire Insider’s Guide since that was the title. DON’T BE FOOLED IF YOU’RE ORDERING THROUGH B&N! It is only the story Father Mine not the entire Insider’s Guide.

I highly enjoyed this story despite feeling duped by B&N. I recommend reading this after reading Lover Enshrined because you risk running into spoilers. With that said please don’t continue reading this review if you haven’t read Lover Enshrined. :)

What I loved about this novella is that it helps to fill in the blanks of Nalla’s birth during Lover Enshrined and the epilogue of Lover Awakened. Zsadist and Bella have always been my favorite couple, mostly because of Z and Bella’s love and show more respect for each other. I’m always a sucker for a tortured hero and Z fills that bill in nicely. In the regular books we know that Z has had to overcome a horrendous past in order to be with Bella, but we never see how much further he needs to go in order to be a father to Nalla. Father Mine helps fill in that gap of how Z was able to at least begin his journey to fully letting go of his past.

Zsadist’s journey to letting go is not an easy one and it takes an army of supporters like Doc Jane, Mary and some of the brothers to help him along the way. It is great to see these characters in action coming together to help Bella and Z out. Bella, as well has her own journey to go through. Apparently, vampire mommies, like humans, go through post-partum depression and need to learn how to balance being a mom and a wife. Together these two really make a perfect couple with Bella’s tough love and Z’s willingness to do anything for her. I love that this novella story makes their story come full circle and helps readers fill in some time while waiting for the next book. show less

In this Black Dagger Brotherhood novella, Bella isn’t happy with her marriage. Zsadist still suffers from horrendous nightmares and thinks about his time as a blood and sex slave far too often. She gives him the space he needs, but he’s withdrawing from her and their infant daughter, Nalla. Though he’s protective of them, he no longer kisses Bella, and he refuses to hold or even touch his daughter. The rest of the Brotherhood and the shellans in the household adore Nalla, but Bella is prepared to leave Zsadist for good if he doesn’t shape up and be the hellren and papa Bella needs him to be.
This is such an emotionally charged story. Zsadist has grown a lot from his introduction in the first book, Dark Lover, and even more from show more his main story, Lover Awakened. He’s still on the road to recovery, but his fear is dragging him back to the darkness in his mind.
For first time readers, I really think you should read the prior books to understand this one. However, for readers of the series, you won’t be missing anything if you skip this novella. Still, I recommend it because it’s a sweet story. I love this couple!
5 Stars show less

[b:Father Mine|5153799|Father Mine (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #6.5)|J.R. Ward|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1533627559l/5153799._SX50_.jpg|5220803] by [a:J.R. Ward|20248|J.R. Ward|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1437768069p2/20248.jpg]
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Suspense
3.75 Stars

Although I love Zsadist, there is something about Bella that puts me off everytime.

This story is sweet & sad and heart wrenching.

Z looks into his child's eyes and all he sees is his slave tattoos.
He sees himself as unworthy & dirty.

This is the story of how his shellan and those who love him helped him to see himself the way they do.
As a warrior.
A good man.
A Male Of Worth.

So while there was a lot here to tear show more my heart out and piece it back together.
A lot that I loved.

Well, there is also Bella.
I don't hate her.
I just don't think she is worthy of Z. show less

These books are campy, cheesy, adventurous, and original. I hate that I love reading these.

It reminds me of when I go to the grocery and buy something like fiery hot Cheetos, or bacon flavored SPAM. Or even those cheap pot pies in the frozen section, or a bag of pork rinds. I have to shop produce first because then I can...or ONE can hide them under the healthy food. You don't want people to know that you love those things but you can't stop buying them from time to time, or in this case, reading them.

So I've heard....

Now that the baby was born and was healthy, Bella was sure that Z would come around. As time went by he was actually getting farther away from her and Nalla. So far away from them that Bella considered leaving him, if he couldn’t be a father to their precious Nalla, she didn’t think she could stay and watch him be so distant from them.

Book 6.5 ….. Short story stuck in the middle of this great series. I am not complaining. I loved revisiting Zsadist and Bella’s love, so many unanswered questions about Z and his history and this provided a good look into his healing process.

Short and sweet, this Novella expands just a bit more into the relationship of Zsadist and Bella. Cute, still has some moments of pure badass vampire greatness and you can get through it easily in a matter of a few hours! It does add to the story, which I also love!! This world keeps expanding, and I want to live in it!

Loved this look into the birth of Nalla, and Zsadist's insecurities about fatherhood.