Reviewed by: Sue Eaton
TITLE: Blood of the Damned: Thorn
SERIES: Vaughan Winery #1
AUTHOR: JP Sayle
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 231 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 26, 2025
BLURB:
Sommelier Ledger Rain is running from his past mistakes. What does Vaughan Winery have to offer him? Everything.
Ledger unexpectedly gains an unusual mate, his boss, Thorn Vaughan, and life swiftly becomes a roller coaster ride full of dips, heights, twists and turns. Extinct vampires with stunning wings, a proposal, a wedding—and babies. And as if that isn’t enough, his carriage on this particular ride is about to be derailed when he discovers his mate’s secret.
Thorn is gay, but unfortunately vampire dhampirs—their mates—are female. Or so he believes until he gets a male mate. Now he’s in uncharted territory, and what will result from their mating, nobody knows. When Ledger becomes pregnant one question needs answering. How are baby vampires born?
Ledger is going to find out—the painful way.
REVIEW:
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a sommelier fleeing a creepy ex-boyfriend crash-landed in cowboy country and accidentally mated with a brooding vampire boss who thinks his soulmate should be female… well, welcome to Blood of the Damned – Thorn, where wine isn’t the only thing fermenting under pressure.
Ledger Rain, our wine-savvy protagonist, arrives in Bayfield expecting Napa vibes and instead finds dust, denim, and dhampir drama. He’s running from a past relationship that included heat blockers and emotional manipulation, and lands a gig at Vaughan Winery Vaughan, run by Thorn Vaughan a vampire with a secret and a serious case of “I’m not supposed to be gay, but oops, I’m mated to a man.” Thorn’s internalized vampire lore insists mates must be female. Ledger’s divergence (he can’t shift into an animal like his family) already makes him feel like the odd one out. Add in extinct vampires with wings, a surprise pregnancy, and the existential question of “How are baby vampires born?” and you’ve got a recipe for chaos with a twist.
Ledger’s pregnancy begins with confusion, denial, and a complete lack of biological feasibility. One minute he’s arguing with Thorn about mating bites and destiny, the next he’s waking up with a glowing stomach and a vampire midwife explaining that his womb is now active.
Thorn, bless his emotionally constipated heart, reacts to the pregnancy like someone just told him his wine cellar is haunted. He’s horrified, confused, and convinced that Ledger must be mistaken. Because clearly, the centuries-old vampire knows more about dhampir anatomy than the dhampir himself. Cue the awkward “Are you sure?” conversations, as if Ledger accidentally swallowed a watermelon seed and now regrets it. Ledger’s pregnancy is a rollercoaster of hormonal chaos and vampire politics. He’s craving weird foods, dealing with mood swings that could level a small village, and trying to figure out how to raise a baby that might have wings. Yes, wings. Because the vampire lineage Ledger’s carrying is extinct and apparently part bat, part drama queen.
Ledger’s refuses to be reduced to just a magical womb. He demands respect, autonomy, and emotional honesty from Thorn. He’s not just carrying a baby; he’s carrying the weight of being chosen, of being loved, and of being seen as more than a biological anomaly. And he does it with flair, snark, and a wine bottle always within reach. Also, let’s not forget the moment Thorn tries to “protect” Ledger by keeping him in the mansion like a sparkly hostage. Ledger, being the snarky badass he is, responds with sass, sarcasm, and the occasional threat to bite Thorn back.
By the end, Ledger’s pregnancy becomes a symbol of transformation, not just for him, but for Thorn. The vampire who couldn’t accept a male mate ends up proposing, marrying, and co-parenting with Ledger. Their romance is a full-bodied blend of snark, confusion, and steamy tension. Thorn’s resistance to fate is matched only by Ledger’s refusal to be anyone’s second choice. Watching Thorn unravel his assumptions while Ledger holds firm to his worth is like watching a wine tasting turn into a bar brawl, messy, emotional, and weirdly satisfying.
This book is like popping open a bottle of blood-infused bubbly unexpected, fizzy with feelings, and just a little bit wild.
RATING: 
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