Father Mine: Zsadist and Bella's Story

A Black Dagger Brotherhood Novella

By: J. R. Ward

Narrated by: Jim Frangione

Length: 3 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's Summary

Ever since the birth of his daughter, Nalla, Zsadist has been regressing further and further into the life he led before he met Bella, his beautiful shellan. He has been waking up in cold sweats due to nightmares from his past, hasn't made love to his wife, and won't hold his baby girl, for fear that he might hurt her. While Nalla's presence had consisted of only joy and excitement in first couple months of her life, now it seems to be driving the couple apart. Bella is afraid that she and Nalla just may need to leave her hellren.

But then Zsadist gets injured on a mission to fight the lessers and because he hasn't been feeding from Bella, almost loses his life. Could this near-death experience create the motivation to pull this couple back together? Or has the gap between them spanned too far for redemption?

©2008 J.R. Ward (P)2020 Penguin Audio

SHORT YES, BUT PACKED FULL O’ FEELS

I’ve devotedly followed the BDB since the very first book.. addicted to JR Ward’s unique style of narrative, her creative world-building, her dedicated alpha warrior heroes and strong independent heroines, their romantic yet difficult and very different struggles and the bloody war against the evil Omega and his Lessers. And they’re all long weighty multi-scened stories from multiple POV’s.. but this little story digs deep and touches your heart as Bella and Zsadist struggle with a broken relationship in crisis. The birth of their daughter Nalla has brought Z’s dark demons of being a hundred year blood slave back with crippling results. But, through this gifted author’s emotionally raw tale, Z’s near-death end-date after a battle with Lessers, gets him back on track to seek the help, love and support that heals his physically and emotionally tortured mind, body and soul before it’s too late. And what shines throughout is love.. love for his chosen mate, love for her tortured mate and love for their new baby daughter Nalla and, as the pieces are skilfully put back solid, a father lovingly holds his baby for the first time. Jim Frangione IS the talented voice of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and I truly can’t imagine anyone else bringing these loveable dominant vampire warriors and their rollercoaster stories to life. WORTH A CREDIT? Emotionally intense, heartbreaking, heartwarming, sensual, uplifting, beautiful, passionate, pure, compelling and YES, IMO, definitely creditworthy.

Father Mine

Heart breaking but also soul mending. Zsadist has so much pain in him, I didn’t fault him for not being able to give more of himself even to his own child right away. He was protecting her and that is what a true father does.

Bella was as understanding as she could possibly be but I had to agree with her choice and it was just the thing to wake Z up. He might have come around on his own but it could have taken a lot longer.
I loved the first time he holds Nalla it was magical.

Great story so, so glad we finally got to hear it on audio with Jim as he is the Brothers to me.

The Best Novella

OMG!!!! I’m lost for words I love this couple. Zsadist is definitely one of my favorites ❤️❤️❤️

Black Dagger Brotherhood

Loved this book!! I love every BDB book that has come out. Even the side stories are amazing. the only one I struggled with is the one with Angel s in it but I didn't give up and it really paid off. Got to know a new main character, Devina. Can't wait to see what she is going to do. so I would read that series in order of the BDB. Just look up the reading order. Anything relating to Zsadist and Bella is great!!!!!

A True Look At Truama and Healing

I must admit that this book gives deeper. broader look not only into the relationship between Zsadist and Bella right after the birth of their daughter, but also a look into the struggles both Zsadist and Bella faced in their relationship and as parents because of a traumatic event that marked Zsadist both mentally and physically. I am glad that in the end, Bella did not leave Zsadist (Taking Nalla), and he was able to work through this trauma not only for his sake, but for his Shellan and Nalla's. Good Book

Even the Shorties are great!!

Another great book ! Truly enjoy JR Ward `s Black Dagger Brotherhood Series. Preparing now to listen to A Warm Heart in Winter, which I know will be excellent!!!

Another great one

I love these stories from the very first they grab you and hold you on every word. This was a great story

Love this one!

This is a fantastic little slice of life story from the BDB. Love it so much!!

Well done to the author on another great read.

Love this. It's a short story that gives you a deeper look into Z and how he copes after Nalla's birth. It lets you dive a bit further into the handsome, fearsome, dark brother's inner thoughts. It gives you a chance to get to know him more than you already do. It also allows you some time to learn more about Bella, their relationship and his relationship with their daughter. I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to reading more of the series.

Below are my thoughts while reading. **Contains some spoilers.**

My heart is breaking for Bella and Z right now. Z is just as obsessive as Phury sometimes, though his obsession come from a different place. Z needs to wake up to reality before he loses everything.

It's not just his insecurities, though. Bella is dealing with her own insecurities as a result of her childhood and Z's distant behavior.

Wow, that's a hell of a dream.

So glad that Z is willing to get better in regards to Nalla.

Sad that the laser treatments didn't work on Z's tattoes, but hopefully he'll be able to move past his hangups now.

I could have done without a lot of the content in chapter nine, mainly the run-on info about the doctor, TW. I mean, I like a little background but there was a lot more than that. I think the detailed description about the office was a bit too much. However, I liked the scenes between TW and his wife. I wonder if having so much info about him means he'll be back in another story later in the series.

Hearing the scene where Z held Nalla for the first time made me smile and I admit I shed a few tears in happiness.

It's interesting to see how many issues the two were able to discuss and come to terms with throughout this story.

It's interesting that Z said that Wrath outlawed slavery as a mating gift to him and Bella. I thought it was said in an early story that it was already illegal. I guess I could be mistaken.

I like how Mary got him through the talk by simply asking him questions.

I like how the story ends six months later, showing that Z did in fact get better and that his sessions with Mary had continued.

Love BDB

Zsadist story is such a sad story but well written. Zsadist and Bella's story is one of a women in love and a male torn and broken. Her love saves him, and the baby is a bonus. I love this series and have listened to the entire series (several times). I am currently listening to "The King" as I type.

The voice of the narrator has captured my heart and does the story justice. If you want to spend your credit's wisely the BDB series is well worth your time.

Sadist and Fellas story

Think I've read it before as it sounded very familiar, great story about the two of them and their daughter Nala. My escapism