Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Cracked Blue Sky

Rate this book
Cracked Blue Sky is an enemies-to-lovers, pitch dark romance about a werewolf cowboy and a hellbent detective, set in 1950s Wyoming.

A quiet ranching town in the mountains is plagued by brutal murders. While the sheriff’s department shakes the deaths off as mere animal killings, witness accounts of men crawling from the bodies of wolves and carrying their prey through the forest build up a conspiracy that reality as the town knows it might be far from the truth.

Werewolf and WW2 veteran Wright Lindal is looking for escape on a ranch in Jackson, trying his best to bury his demons, when a night at the bar turns into him meeting the woman who will shake his world from its very foundation. Deputy Howie Black Elk is the only female sheriff in the Teton County Sheriff’s Department, and the only person who believes there might be more to the town’s recent deaths than meets the eye. When she meets Wright, she’s shocked to encounter a soul-shaking lust for the man with rough hands and dirty boots. But she never could have imagined how the night would end: with his bite on her lip, with him behind bars, and with the seed in her mind that he might be the killer she’s looking for, which means he’s not truly human at all.

Howie is determined to prove Wright’s guilt while navigating the fierce power structures and tradition-fueled corruption in her department. Wright seeks redemption in the eyes of the woman he can’t stop thinking of, but after a series of blackouts that link with the timeline of the murders, he’s not so sure of his own innocence. Only one thing is certain: they can’t seem to keep themselves away from each other, and every time they meet ends in heat and explosive, death-defying passion.

The hunter becomes the hunted in this suspenseful tale of underground societies, small town secrets, feral love, and second chances that continues The Lindals series. While Then, Earth Swallowed Ocean occurs first chronologically, this can be read as a standalone.

Unknown Binding

Published October 31, 2023

6 people are currently reading
385 people want to read

About the author

Shiloh Sloane

7 books155 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
114 (57%)
4 stars
51 (25%)
3 stars
21 (10%)
2 stars
7 (3%)
1 star
4 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Profile Image for Tatianna.
298 reviews95 followers
November 4, 2023
A dark, thrilling and deeply romantic masterpiece — 5 stars is not enough. This left me absolutely awestruck.

Truly, I'd been salivating for this release since falling head over heels for Then, Earth Swallowed Ocean and Like Neon Mornings earlier this year. Shiloh Sloane's writing is consistently breathtaking, captivating and so original. This book has only solidified my faith in her creative brilliance and insane writing ability. This was a phenomenal experience — probably one of the best books I've ever read.

Cracked Blue Sky is a dark paranormal romantic suspense novel set in the 1950's. It is the sequel to Then, Earth Swallowed Ocean (TESO), but it can technically be read as a standalone. I definitely recommend reading Then, Earth Swallowed Ocean first as it will provide some valuable context and give the best reading experience, in my opinion. (It's also simply an amazing story and I highly recommend!)

"I'll be your monster, Howie. S'long as I'm yours somehow."


Cracked Blue Sky picks up right where TESO leaves off, and if you've read it you'll know that means shifting to an entirely different landscape. Wright Lindal — werewolf and WW2 veteran — is trying to outrun his inner demons by moving to Jackson, Wyoming to do some honest work on a ranch and find some peace. Though he's lived his whole life hiding in plain sight and feeding only according to his code, he suddenly finds himself under the watchful gaze of the only female detective in the Teton County Sheriff's Department: Howie Black Elk. While there is an undeniable, overwhelming spark of infatuation between them, Howie can't deny her intuition: he's hiding something. As she vehemently investigates a string of gruesome and animalistic murders, she starts to worry that Wright is the culprit... and that her relentless pursuit for justice might have put her in grave danger.

"They can't look at each other like this.
They do just to damn themselves."


When I say this is a story about a werewolf soldier turned cowboy, I feel the need to say with conviction that it's the complete opposite of cheesy. This story is dripping with poetry, culture and an emotional depth that is not easily captured in fiction. It also has an intense and passionate romance with spice that is hot as sin and and horror elements that are gory, gritty and EVERYTHING I want from a realistic portrayal of werewolves.

While I was completely enraptured with the tension and chemistry between Howie and Wright, the suspenseful plot also had me in its iron grip. This story is a wild and unpredictable ride.. in the BEST WAY! It unfolded like a movie in my mind, my jaw truly dropping at some of the twists. It's been awhile since I've read such a perfectly paced book with such a flawlessly executed plot.

"Now I know the taste of you, I'll crawl from the fuckin' grave for it."


Howie Black Elk has to be, hands down, one of my favourite female protagonists of all-time. She is EVERYTHING — resilient, strong, relatable and steadfast with an unwavering commitment to her family and identity despite relentless harassment and pressure to be anything but true to herself. Full disclosure here: I am not Native American. But I personally felt Howie's representation was depicted in the most respectful, intentional and sensitive way. I want to give Sloane a standing ovation for how incredible this character is, and how much nuance and impact her history and heritage added to the story. Outside of the cultural aspects, she is simply a fierce and inspiring, badass female character that felt like the perfect match for Wright. Their darkness dances together in the most swoon-worthy way and I cannot get enough!

"It's enough to make him question his belief in God because how can He be the only deity when her warmth makes a magnet of his knees to the earth?"


And Wright Lindal. BIG SWOON. I loved him in TESO with his tragic backstory and very obvious inner demons and his hopelessness that made me ache. Unlike his brother Ridge, Wright's inner animal has almost always been caged. He's constantly aware of his own collateral damage and the morality of his way of life. In Cracked Blue Sky, we are given a story where some of the clouds of his haunting past are cleared away. We get to see what Wright looks like with a sense of hope ... where letting his animal out of the cage is worth the consequences. He becomes an obsessive and possessive, dirty-talking, panty-melting werewolf cowboy that will stop at nothing for his lover. The devotion he shows and the things that come out of his mouth... I'm melting all over again just thinking about it.

HIGHLY recommend this series to any dark paranormal romance readers or horror erotica readers that want something refreshing albeit depraved, and appreciate true enemies to lovers, rich and evocative writing and creative storytelling! I am obsessed!

Listing potential triggers below as some could be considered spoilers:
.
.
.
.
.
.
Potential triggers: mentions of suicidal thoughts, abuse, violence, blood and gore, murder, grief and loss, non-con between love interests, antisemitism, mentions of genocide, abuse of a minor, PTSD representation, non-consensual medical experimentation, prejudice and harassment.
Profile Image for witchy_book_babe.
455 reviews51 followers
October 31, 2023
This book, whew:

Phenomenal, Original, Could not put down, Insane, Mind blowing.... I feel like I could go on and on. Shiloh Sloane really did the rarity in producing a sequel/follow up to it's predecessor and fkng nailed it. Honestly, it's quite difficult for an Author to be able to write a secondary book, in a world previously created, and have it hold it's own as hard as the first one did. If I had any power in giving out awards, I would gladly honor Shiloh with one. I am thoroughly impressed.

I was lucky enough to ARC read this story and truth be told, going into this I didn't have much love for Wright (MMC). I met him in Then, Earth Swallowed Ocean-but Cracked Blue Sky is a stand alone- and I loved him until I didn't. So, going into this book I had no expectations. I was just in it for the ride and to simply enjoy Shiloh's beautiful and artistic approach to writing. So, for her executing this story with such a solid delivery that then made me fall in love with Wright? To have him redeemed, when I thought there was no redemption....that's impressive in my eyes!


Also, Howie (FMC) deserves some major spotlight because there was thought and intent into creating Howie's character. I loved the representation not only on diversity, but with Howie's possibly perceived "difficult" personality. Depends on your perspective...but, I feel it's safe to say that Howie is not easy to love and to create a character as such without you wanting to kill them is another accomplishment. As well as some serious writing chops.


I can NOT wait to see what else Shiloh has in store for us. Her talent and artistic expression with descriptions has made her in a league of her own.
Profile Image for Monica Cook.
115 reviews78 followers
October 29, 2023
I have held Shiloh and her work to such astronomical expectations after I completing my first ever read by her in 'Then Earth Swallowed Ocean'. I am happy to report that I feel even more strongly and even, intimately about her books upon finishing Cracked Blue Sky.

This world that she has created with the Lindal brothers and their women who, are also so extraordinarily written, surpasses any and all hopes I may have had before opening and experiencing these characters and their stories.

As I stated before, Then Earth Swallowed Ocean quickly became one of those books for me that I thought about daily even after months had passed after finishing it the first time around- and I absolutely adore introducing others to Shiloh and all of her masterpieces.

Cracked Blue Sky is arguably the most intimate storyline that I have witnessed in Shiloh's novels.
Howie is an absolute force to be reckoned with. Girl crushing big time on her. Lol. She pairs so sweetly with Wright and all that he is and all that he has to offer someone. I feel like we saw so much of Wright and his demons and insecurities he harbored in TESO, and being able to see such incredible character development in him in CBS made this book all the more enjoyable.

He deserved everything good that came his way. So did Howie.

I will never stop loving introducing and recommending people to this author and her unique ways in which she portrays these positively gorgeous stories.

Infinity stars. As always, girl ❤️ & thank you so much for allowing me to read and be a part of this magnificent journey with you.
Profile Image for AEdras.
20 reviews3 followers
October 27, 2023
This book has me in an absolute chokehold. Very rarely to a love a sequel more than the first book in the series, but Wright and Howie make it easy. This book is action packed, full of character growth, and there are 1 or 2 characters that Sloane is able to make you hate viscerally before you even really know what they’ve done. I will no longer say I want to be loved like a Hozier song, it’s Wright Lindal or bust. I will be recommending this book to every person I see!
Profile Image for Serial Romance Librarian.
1,191 reviews296 followers
December 29, 2023
Loved this book more than the first. Sloane’s writing voice is so creative and beautiful. Beautiful prose and imagery. I really enjoy the third person omniscient narrator.

Howie grates on my nerves a bit with her recklessness and jumping to conclusions. She also acted jealous of a child which was a little weird. Loved Wright. Loved the Native American representation. It was a dark read, but I couldn’t put it down. Loved the author’s foreword and afterward too. Really provided a personal connection to the story.

Posting notes and highlights below because they didn’t transfer from Kindle for some reason because this app is glitchy.

Notebook Export
Cracked Blue Sky: a dark werewolf romantic suspense (The Lindals)
Sloane, Shiloh
Foreword
Highlight(blue) - Page 5 · Location 58
In the beginning, I was desperate to see my two love interests have their own biological child.
Highlight(blue) - Page 5 · Location 60
I miscarried a week later.
Note - Page 5 · Location 61
😭
Highlight(blue) - Page 5 · Location 63
We know from the first book that he can’t have children, that his biological mate has died along with his only son. So many romances get the pretty bow of a successful conception and pregnancy, and I understand the desire for all that because I want it for myself. This book, however, does not include pregnancy or birth.
Highlight(blue) - Page 6 · Location 72
Because nothing screams warmth more than those who choose to love, when the other options are easier.
1. Howl
Highlight(blue) - Page 12 · Location 152
He stills and lets the night crawl into his ears.
Highlight(blue) - Page 13 · Location 166
Thinks that maybe joy is like faith. It has no texture to it, and its existence is a promise to himself. But he feels it in his chest all the same.
3. Carolina Stallion
Highlight(blue) - Page 24 · Location 307
Most, including Wright, experienced a bit of queerness overseas.
Highlight(blue) - Page 26 · Location 335
Her very presence kills him. He’s dead. Shocked still and gutted by the mere existence of a stranger.
Highlight(blue) - Page 27 · Location 339
Wright glances back towards the woman and swears to himself he can see the air around her warp like a magnetic field. He’s never felt any draw so strong.
4. Butter
Highlight(blue) - Page 29 · Location 364
to. Meaning, the men at the station are looking to fight strangers or fuck women who don’t go to the same church as their wives.
Highlight(blue) - Page 32 · Location 407
He’s handsome because he looks relentlessly masculine, but she’d prefer to call him beautiful. Not like a woman. Not like a flower. Like the jagged granite face of the highest mountain in the Tetons, like moonlit ice in the winter, like the kiss of death and the air when you turn away from it. His gaze is so vibrant it bolts through her the second she catches it.
6. Don’t
Highlight(blue) - Page 43 · Location 540
But despite talking openly with Howie about everything he’s done, he doesn’t tell people who he is and he sure doesn’t show them, either. In fact, only reason he told Howie is because he figured she wouldn’t believe him, and he lost any intelligent thought in his mind the second he got close to her.
Highlight(blue) - Page 44 · Location 556
and if that bullet pierces his skull he’ll be out for a few hours and wake up in a morgue somewhere, punch his way out of a refrigerator, and hightail it out of town,
7. Deputy, not darling
Highlight(blue) - Page 49 · Location 632
“Maybe just turn around then,” he says. “I can make good use of my hands under that skirt. Lick my fingers clean after.”
9. Something someone can do
Highlight(blue) - Page 63 · Location 794
When a ghost is born, there’s an energy to it, whether that ghost is a spirit or a memory. The earth holds onto everything, and a house is earth shaped differently.
11. Show me
Highlight(blue) - Page 92 · Location 1193
“If you pulled up that skirt,” he says. “I could taste the last time you felt fear. With my tongue on you, I could drink up every memory of your week. That’s what I want, Howie. I want to learn every fuckin’ part of you. Never felt more starved from not knowin’.”
Highlight(blue) - Page 95 · Location 1241
“I’ll be your monster, Howie,” he murmurs as her pleasure builds. “S’long as I’m yours somehow.”
12. Can’t
Highlight(blue) - Page 99 · Location 1288
he thinks if he ever marries again, it’ll be her.
Highlight(blue) - Page 100 · Location 1298
that he knotted in her, the first time since his wife, since before the fucking war.
Highlight(blue) - Page 102 · Location 1337
She’ll send him into the cold without even the shirt on his back, after fucking him.
Highlight(blue) - Page 104 · Location 1364
All communions he’s taken have been nowhere near as holy as the delicious satin she pushes into his mouth.
15. The width of the bruises
Highlight(blue) - Page 131 · Location 1717
He looks reverent, almost, like a man standing atop a mountain and looking at the world around him. That’s how he looks at her. Like she’s every beauty the world could offer.
17. A suspect
Highlight(blue) - Page 154 · Location 2037
That more than anything is what makes him want to turn his back on her, because a woman like her should be reflected in a hundred generations and he can’t give her that.
Note - Page 154 · Location 2039
🥹
Highlight(blue) - Page 156 · Location 2073
“You fucked me, Howie,” he says. “You’ll know when I fuck you.”
Highlight(blue) - Page 161 · Location 2144
“You put me in cuffs again, I’ll wrap ‘em around your neck when I fuck you.”
Highlight(blue) - Page 162 · Location 2151
there are many nights he doesn’t remember, and not a single one of them had him waking with the flesh of a kill in his teeth. Evidence doesn’t require memory as proof.
18. Breaking
Highlight(blue) - Page 165 · Location 2186
She’s somewhere between the best song he’s ever heard and a deadly parasite. She lives between his ears.
Highlight(blue) - Page 167 · Location 2215
He doesn’t need to have fantasies in his mind about sex with the woman who told him she’d put him in a cage for the rest of his life.
22. Fucking or killing?
Highlight(blue) - Page 203 · Location 2704
Howie tried to kill him. He has to keep reminding himself of that every time he remembers how soft her skin feels underneath his palms.
Highlight(blue) - Page 215 · Location 2870
“You’re monstrous,” she hisses. “All of you is monstrous.” “Yeah?” he growls, notching his head at her entrance. “You’re gonna fuckin’ take it anyway.”
Highlight(blue) - Page 218 · Location 2927
it’s impossible not to love her and it’ll be the thing that kills him but he’s lived a long life.
26. Wasting water
Highlight(blue) - Page 256 · Location 3433
“You’re my god,” he growls. “I’d burn this fuckin’ town and take you in its ashes.”
Highlight(blue) - Page 259 · Location 3476
He pulls her so tight to his chest that he’d have to slice himself open to fit her any closer.
35. Home
Highlight(blue) - Page 310 · Location 4122
“Darlin’,” he says. “I’ve fallen in love with a dozen women, but I never hated one of ‘em ‘till I met you.”
39. Test it
Highlight(blue) - Page 335 · Location 4440
She’d like the heat of an iron if it meant the promise of his name, but it would be reckless to tell him such a thing here.
Highlight(blue) - Page 339 · Location 4500
“Quiet?” she repeats, astounded. “Don’t you tell me to quiet, ever.”
Note - Page 339 · Location 4501
Howie’s chip on her shoulder and petulant behavior is getting annoying.
41. Fight me like a wolf
Highlight(blue) - Page 351 · Location 4655
again. He might act like she’s easy to love but she can’t be, can she?
Note - Page 351 · Location 4656
No she’s pretty horrible
43. Fault
Highlight(blue) - Page 373 · Location 4940
“Wright’s alive. If no one kills you or yours before I get there, we can get to know each other. For now, do what you can to get my brother. It’s your fault he’s in this.”
49. Best done outside
Highlight(blue) - Page 441 · Location 5855
So yes, he’s loved before, but he’ll be damned if he lets Howie feel an ounce of jealousy. This is incomparable.
Acknowledgments
Highlight(blue) - Page 467 · Location 6194
They say that of all the ghosts that haunt women, the strongest is the memory of a former best friend. I’m glad Howie keeps hers. And I’m glad to have known you, even if you never read this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jasmin E Reads.
607 reviews15 followers
July 31, 2024
Shiloh Sloane bookvoice is "unstoppable"

destroying me for future reading - unless Ms Sloane releases more of this world.

Dont be fooled by the cover....it provides no indication of the story telling wealth, the solid
romantic suspense bones and of words spoken to disarm and detect what lies in the dark truth between Howie and Wright. It vicious - chk tws cws.

I found this on KU, I'm going buy this book outright to relive this mature suspenseful angsty well written shifter story (bout time - the genre needs some of Ms Sloanes talented shock & awe inky bite - its off the charts spicy its sexually charged with power imbalances by both MCs that was refreshing - when she shoved her ### into his ### You need to read and find out how sexually strong Howie is)

dark early 50s Western, a era of change, Hes War vetern his kind is hidden, Shes local deputy in era where her kind cant marry in certain states or walk into anyplace without checking entry conditions. as an asside all the details in this book like females requiring to wear skirts and pantyhose (heels yes) may have been the norm then but this continued in female policing roles in many parts of western world continued well into the 1990s - Im really digging the questions readers may ask in many other aspects in this read. Weirdly I felt utmost respect for Wright when he gave her some dignity with even his cutting words used were masculine like callin her bastard instead of a b!tch....as I said great writing craft and creating a shift in these subtle moments... words do have power - there are so many layers here.

it is what it is read. Howie & Wright are my kind characters this needs to be made into movie or tv series - so many characters converge interestingly to intrigue and evolve the mystery.


I will be updating this review as these are my unedited first thoughts before I tidy it up with clarity and empasis this read has earned from me as reader RESPECT - I cheekily started with book 2 its a standalone series and it held up perfectly well...but I want more of this world Im cut theres only the book 1 standalone around..

you can really feel the Author burnt the candle at both ends to get there with her writing craft.

If this was an audio book with the right voice actors crooning out this dark chaos. It would be certainly arousing... "Darlin" - As im certain im going to Dream what Wright sounds like tonight.

Jasmin E Reads
Profile Image for Kris Haines.
Author 8 books256 followers
October 30, 2023
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy from the author and man, if you thought "Then, Earth Swallowed Ocean" was a wild ride...

I loved this continuation of Wright's story and his journey with Howie (who is now on my all-time favorites list of badass FMCs) is engrossing, passionate, FERAL, and gorgeously written.

The spice is DARK and gory and it does not disappoint, delivered through some of the most poetic and sensual prose I've ever read. This is enemies-to-lovers done oh so right, and I am a fan for life! I can't wait to see what Shiloh has in store for us next!
Profile Image for Elizabeth Cate.
46 reviews2 followers
October 30, 2023
Absolutely stunning!
I loved everything about this book! It felt it was written just for me with all of my favorite things
✨1940/50’s
✨Winter in the Teton Mountains
✨Bad@ss Native American heroine
✨Growly he-falls-first Hero
✨Cowboys
✨Werewolves
✨Violence

I absolutely adored this story. I knew Wright was where my heart was at and Howie is his perfect match! The story line is so unlike anything else I’ve read, nothing about this Wyoming western werewolf love story gives cheesy vibes in the slightest when, let’s be real, those three w’s together totally make me cringe. The characters are perfection. Wright hands down is one of my favorite book boyfriends. He knows the value of what he wants and is ready to sink his teeth in and never let go if that’s what it takes. Literally. Howie is everything. I loved that she’s a Native American woman working in a male run work force. Her strength in standing up to Wright is admirable but at one point I really wanted to smack her upside the head when she turned a gun on MY MAN 😹 (that scene was *chefs kiss*

I’m a little sad it’s over, I’m hoping for more in this world. Shilohs’ writing style immerses you in this feral world of werewolves who you just can’t help but to love despite the risk of them actually snacking on your flesh lol
Profile Image for readsbyandrea.
107 reviews3 followers
January 27, 2025
I'm on the floor, this was incredible. The writing is beautiful and so moving, like every single sentence feels both effortless and meticulous. The story is instantly nostalgic, HBO-esque, it feels so big and so small at the same time. The spice is to die for, jesus christ. The characters are so damn good, like Wright Lindal could eat me alive in his wolf form and I would thank him for blessing me with a minute of his time.

This book follows the events of Then, Earth Swallowed Ocean, but it also works as a standalone. I loved the first book, but this one is just next level. I mean - just listen to this premise: A werewolf cowboy paired with a badass Native American detective in the 1950s, dancing around a small town murder mystery while falling in love. Sign me the fuck up. I loved every minute and every page. Even though I just finished it, I can already tell that this has crawled into a corner of my brain and will stay there for eternity. Unforgettable.
Profile Image for Bianca Rose (Belladonnabooks).
922 reviews108 followers
October 13, 2024
I enjoyed this but it didn’t have quite the same impact as the first book did. Unfortunately I didn’t feel as invested in Wright and Howie’s story.
Still obsessed with this world and Shiloh’s writing!
Profile Image for Karlenys.
57 reviews24 followers
November 2, 2024
Im addicted to Shiloh’s writing. Its so beautiful and raw and this story makes me so excited for the next gen Lindals! But I don’t know, Wright Lindal is going to be hard to beat, he was everything!!
Profile Image for Monyca Tamang.
35 reviews
September 30, 2025
WOW!!! Absolutely breathtaking!!! The writing is so beautiful I wanted so much more. Just Wow. Can’t wait to read more from her.
Profile Image for noosha.
292 reviews6 followers
September 5, 2025
this was INCREDIBLE. for as much as i loved TESO, this was one million times better in every single way. howie is such a good heroine, wright is hot as fuck big daddy bae, and the mystery and pacing and atmosphere were all perfect. howie was pissing me the fuck OFF at times but i forgive her <3 not everyone is a diehard romantic like me and sadie
Profile Image for Chaos & Courtships~ Lauren.
205 reviews
January 6, 2024
Since finishing Cracked Blue Sky, I’ve been trying to conjure up the right words to pay proper homage to this masterpiece. It’s a fools errand, really, because there just aren’t any words that can accomplish that. But I’ll do my best.

CBS is the follow up to the cult favorite, Then, Earth Swallowed Ocean. And just like TESO, this book reads like a dark, gritty, beautiful poem. Every single damn line is meticulously crafted- each word perfectly impactful, and not a superfluous syllable to be found. Yet her prose are lyrical, effortless and flowing, smooth as honey from the comb. And the story is raw, real, and compelling, despite it being a paranormal romance.

We follow Wright Lindal to 1950’s Wyoming, where he works as a cowboy, and tries to find his way in the world after the events of TESO. He exists, and starts to find purpose… and then life as he knows it truly begins anew when he meets Howie, a local Native deputy.

Howie is a brave, sarcastic, fiercely loyal, deeply determined woman. She is one of my favorite FMCs- someone I’d like to share a bottle of Pappy with, while exchanging war stories and telling jokes. I found her to be utterly endearing, and I was in awe of her character and strength. But grief has made her angry, and there’s a thread of violence running through her, threatening, at any moment, to breach the surface, and demand its pound of flesh. So when she collides with Wright, a deep, passionate connection is forged. When the bodies of half-eaten women start turning up, Howie launches an investigation, of which Wright is the main suspect. And an enemies-to-lovers tale for the ages ensues.

Wright becomes consumed with thoughts of Howie- he wants to devour her and protect her in equal measure. He’s slightly unhinged in this one- and it’s a good look on him. The relationship he had with Sadie in TESO opened his heart, and now he’s ready to find a true match in a woman whom he chooses, rather than a biological mate. But Howie is battling her own demons. She’s jaded and jagged, covered in sharp edges, looking for a fight. The push and pull between Wright and Howie is delicious and addictive, and an absolute emotional high. As the investigation unfolds, and they dance around each other, you can’t help but be drawn in and fully engrossed in this exquisite tale of second chance love.

In addition to her impeccable writing style, all of Ms Sloane’s cherished hallmarks are present in this book: the depravity, the filth, the gore. And it was all working for me. This is debauchery that feels real, and impactful and intoxicating. Not an ounce of it put forth for shock value. Not a moment of it that doesn’t fully ground you into the experience, and add to your understanding of the story and characters.

And let’s not forget about the spice… the spice was immaculate. Dirty, raw, luscious and all-consuming. The scenes are like heaven- the descriptions so real and visceral, you’re on those pages, in those positions, feeling all of those things. The mouth on Wright… 🥵 Damn, if that man didn’t have me melting.

There is also a deep, poignant, emotional connection that I felt with this story. The sentiments of loss and grief, the fear of living… these are all things that hit me hard, and gripped me tightly. I laughed out loud, I damn-near fainted a time or two, and I choked on my fear, as my heart palpitated, and my tears flowed freely. All good things.

This was hands-down, one of the best books I have ever read, and it will live rent free in my head along with TESO, Like Neon Mornings, and I’m sure any and all future works by this author. Just do yourself a solid, and read these damn books.

Arc review
6 reviews
October 29, 2023
I didn’t think anything could come close to TESO but here we are. The amount of highlighted quotes I have in this book is obscene. Every other line had me sitting there like god dammit that’s so good, that’s so clever.
Wright and Howie are two broken pieces of one effed up whole. Their love is explosive, blood soaked, and oh so sexy.
Just do yourself a favor and read this, and Then Earth Swallowed Ocean as well.
Profile Image for Tayler  Reads.
231 reviews21 followers
May 5, 2024
HOLY FUCK. That was a wild ride and not like anything I expected.. it was so much more. Shiloh is so underrated. A thriller dark romance with werewolf shifters set in the 1950s Wyoming with a southern speaking cowboy and an indigenous native woman deputy?! The twists. The turns. The spice. The poetry. Just.. wow. 🫠

full review to come
Profile Image for Julie.
1,523 reviews44 followers
January 25, 2024
5 *You’re Mine. I’m Yours.* Stars

"I'll be your monster, Howie," he murmurs as her pleasure builds. "S'long as I'm yours."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I love Wright Lindal. He was the werewolf cowboy I didn't know I needed...and the true heart of this story. {He's mine. Just wanted to put that out there.}

This book picks up right where TESO left off. Wright finds himself on a ranch in Wyoming. He herds the cattle and is quite the horse whisper. There he meets Deputy Howie Black Elk who becomes his world, when he was hopeless to ever find any kind of joy again. And Howie has quite the same outlook on life. It hasn't been kind to her and, neither wants nor needs, to expand her family/friend circle.

These two find a solace in each other when they least expect it. One that Wright is ready to immerse himself in, but the very thing that Howie fights all along the way. I think they were perfect for each other. Howie was tough inside and out and that is just what Wright needed.

While TESO was all about fated mates and raw, visceral, obsessive love, this book was completely different. There's still love, but there's a mystery. There's suspense. It's more story driven, but the story ties in so intricately with these two figuring out what they mean to each other.

TESO is still my favorite of the two, but that is only because I'm not really an angst girl and this was full of angst. Howie is a strong, independent woman. And while I appreciate that and she was written specifically to be what Wright needed, the back and forther/hot & cold got to be a bit much for me. I wanted her to hold out to stay true to herself, but I also wanted her to give in to him a bit sooner than she did.

In the end, it didn't hinder my love for this book or Shiloh Sloane's writing. She's a great story teller and creates wonderfully deep rich characters. Highly recommend this if you enjoyed Book 1. I can't wait to read more from her.

Endearments/Nicknames: Darlin'

"Wright," she acknowledges, her heart racing. He smiles his crooked smiles.
"Highlight of my day, seein' you."

"Please, for the love of god, call me Wright."
"Why does it matter what I call you?"
"I need to hear it," he growls. "My name on your lips."

He glances down at her and she sees something like marvel on his face. Not many men get to see her naked, but she wishes everyone who did looked at her like this. Like she's a goddess. The lust on his face feels like its own tide when it pulls her in.

He's never met someone who feels things so openly, so raw. Completely unrestrained. Where other women have been tea and honey, she is bourbon and gunpowder.

She's the storm to the ship of his body and no one is steering.

In an animal moment, he licks across her mouth. It's filthy. But, God, his iron on her lips tastes like ambrosia.

In this moment, everything is perfect. Because everything is him.

He kisses her just to taste the damage she wrought. This scar, she knows, Wright will wear with pride. It's more than the one that slices across his chest. It's a claim given back to him, nothing he's ever found for himself.

"With all due respect, sir," Wright says. "She's safer with me than she could be with anyone, includin' herself." "You're a wolf." "I'm her wolf," Wright says.















Profile Image for Jewel.
854 reviews24 followers
February 4, 2024
Then, Earth Swallowed Sea is one of my favorite novels of all time, so I was incredibly excited to read its sequel following Ridge Lindal's brother. Unfortunately, instead of finding the writing beautiful like I did in the first book in this series, I found it to be confusing and overwrought. There's a fine line between good prose and purple prose. Cracked Blue Sky had way too much of the latter.

I will definitely be checking out Shiloh Sloane's next book though. She's a brilliant author, but this book was a miss for me.

(However, I did love how fierce and protective Howie was toward Wright. I definitely want more female leads with that sort of energy toward the MMC. I like when protectiveness goes both ways in a romance)

TW: mild dub con, cannibalism, racism, misogyny, graphic depictions of murder, child abuse
Profile Image for Darkromancerobyn.
77 reviews6 followers
June 1, 2025
Shiloh gave us another gritty, dirty, and absolute feral romance between Wright and Howie. Her writing never ceases to amaze and intrigue me. Her writing hits so different and some quotes just leave me in awe. She made me fall in love with Howie. I was already in love with Wright from TESO. I feel like we really saw his wilder and untamed side in Cracked Blue Sky, and I ate. It. Up.

When a local police officer (Howie) starts finding half-eaten women, her #1 suspect is a new cowboy in town (Wright). Unlucky for Howie, she can’t get this man out of her head since she first met him at a local bar. She’s convinced he’s the monster behind the murders, but could there be other monsters lurking in the woods? 😨 I recommend reading Then, Earth Swallowed Ocean to get more of Wright’s backstory, but it’s not necessary. Shilohs *romantic moments* were some of the best, dirtiest, filthiest, feral scenes I’ve ever read 🥵


Excuse me, darlin’, I need a minute after this one 🤤

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!!!!!
Profile Image for Kayla Burt.
14 reviews1 follower
November 5, 2023
I won't even try to describe Shiloh's clever, atmospheric, painfully gorgeous writing style because nothing I say here would even do justice.

The lives she's created for the Lindal brothers are soul-stirring and tortuous in the best way. I inhaled the first book back in the summer and still think about it, so -- of course -- I jumped into the second one as soon as I could.

Shiloh could write about anything, and I would gobble it up and beg for more. Her unique, emotional prose blows me away! I didn't even know I wanted a WW2 veteran cowboy werewolf in my life, but she gave me exactly what I needed.
Profile Image for Kelly Wright.
81 reviews7 followers
June 7, 2025
This book was so original, unique, and I loved it so much!!! My second Shiloh Sloane book and I’m officially a huge fan!!! Her writing style is like nothing I’ve ever seen! It’s immersive, engaging, and so deep that I truly felt all the emotions!! This book is definitely graphic and dark but I absolutely LOVEDDDD it!! Wright Lindal is perfection in every way!! 🔥🔥🔥
If you’re wondering if you should start it, DO IT!! It’s a wild exciting ride!
Profile Image for Marieta.
347 reviews4 followers
April 22, 2024
I’m thinking between 4 and 5 stars. I was literally reading this for 12 hours straight. But honestly, last 20% of the book exhausted me, I was confused half the time and the ending was little bit off
Love the crazy energy tho
Profile Image for Cifa.
294 reviews14 followers
February 20, 2024
“What’s your name?”
“Your friends didn’t tell you?” she teases.
“Why would I ask my friends when I could hear you say it?” he asks.


Shiloh Sloane I finally see your vision. I didn’t before, but I see it now.

You’ve undone all the wrong of creating Ridge Lindall by giving us Wright Lindall and Howie Black Elk.

Howie Black Elk is an incredible, strong, capable and thoughtful main character— everything I wanted Sadie to be. I can’t speak to how perfect her Indigenous representation was, but I did appreciate that the author didn’t shy away from the brutality and carceral nature of Indigenous Residential schools. I’d read a whole series about Howie if I could.

Wright Lindall.

What a man.

How could a man as thoughtful, as warm and rough and tortured as Wright be related to Ridge?

“I think about you all the fuckin’ time, Howie,” he hisses. “Where’s the room for anyone else? You don’t feel that? You don’t think about me?”

They hate each other’s natures but they can’t help themselves and the torturous angst of watching their desires supersede rational thought was *chef’s kiss*

“If I lose you, I’ll lose myself.”


I’m converted. I’ll read anything Shiloh Sloan puts out (as long as I never have to see any iteration of Ridge Lindall ever again).

I can’t fathom how Shiloh wrote both the best fucking (book hangover-inducing) characters (Howie and Wright) that I’ve ever read about, and also the worst character I’ve ever had the misfortune of reading (Ridge). But, I also think it’s an artistic feat and ode to the author’s skill, creating a character that is so singularly repulsive to me, personally .

One of my favourite quotes in the book:

— “Ridge is a whole lotta evil… he’s got a graveyard full of women who’ll face him if he ever dies.”

I love that Wright admitted it about his brother, and that Howie doesn’t like Ridge at all. It warms my heart and makes me love them even more. 🫶
Profile Image for Soph.
228 reviews4 followers
December 31, 2023
5⭐️

This is Sloane’s magnum opus and the top tier werewolf romance book. Rarely are sequels better than the first book in the series and this one to me, is the heart and soul of her story line and this world she built. Omg some of the sentences and paragraphs….10/10 the best dark romance 😩 BRAVO
Profile Image for Imani Chestnut.
192 reviews13 followers
December 13, 2023
Just her scent over the whiskey and spilled beer and worn leather. Just the outline of her face in profile. Just those things, and he forgets his own name.

//

I was originally personally given an ARC version of this book a week before Halloween, but due to personal matters, the holidays--and to be honest, my own nervousness over how high my hopes for this novel would be given how much its predecessor "Then, Earth Swallowed Ocean" meant to me--I ended up personally buying this--all before postponing reading this until December 10--when I finally looked at myself and told myself that I *owed it* to Shiloh and to my heart to crack myself open to this work. To witness it, fully. As of right now, it is December 13, at 12:16 in the morning, and I'm going to be honest. Reading this book broke a part of me, that frankly, I don't want back.

This book was so many things. It was all at once a murder mystery, a story about family--both bound by blood and heart--grief, rage, healing, and of course, love. This book has so, so much love in it. But as Wright once says, "No, their love might not be innocent, but it's pure. It's the most honest love he's ever felt." And I believe him.

When we first meet Wright in "Then, Earth Swallowed Ocean," he is but a shell of a man. He'd long given himself over to years' long grief, left to simmer like a pot on the stove, resentment at his younger brother, Ridge, and the comforts of the bottle to keep going on, even if the only thing that kept him living despite his own wishes was his wolf. His blood.

When we meet Wright at the beginning of "Cracked Blue Sky," however, he is a much, much different man. He's sober, for one. And although he's no longer chasing Death, and his wounds aren't fresh, they're just a tad scabbed over. But even still, Wright absolutely *shines* in this book. He's so much more silver-tongued and sassy than he was before, and when he meets Howie, he's true to form in how quickly he falls for her. But it's the aftermath of that which is different. He's a Lindal after all, and for as lethal as they are, they really are lovers at heart.

Howie is a force of nature. She's striking, quick as a whip, and just as deadly. But when she meets Wright, she's been practically choking from how much the pressures of society have gotten to her. From being a woman, to being native, to being a divorcée, to being the only female officer at the Sherrif's Department, to being the only person at said department that actually cares about the women who start to show up dead around Jackson, Wyoming...Howie has had enough. But with Wright, she manages to find a mirror to her anger, and love in his solid ground. Even if she tries to fight off the effects he has on her guarded heart with tooth and nail, and then some.

But Wright is patient, and he sees her. Sees the strength of her, all the way down to the vulnerable parts of her that only her family, and her partner, Brooks, see. The total beauty of it. And especially after knowing everything Wright went through in "Then, Earth Swallowed Ocean," to see him with Howie is a beautiful thing. In my notes, there is a line Wright says, "'Deputy, if it could have only been you I'd have let it," he continues. 'If I'd known, I'd have taken that truck when it was in better shape, brought it all shiny for you to scoff at, Howie, it's...'," and I get it. I really do. Because Jess was of his youth, and Sadie, my darling girl, had been of his grief, and sorrow, and the only guiding light he had in the dark. But Howie? Howie is of *him*. And he's hers, too.

This book was utterly magnificent, just as this series was, and I truly, truly hope, that one day everyone can experience the fierce beauty of it, too.

//

"I'll be your monster, Howie," he murmurs as her pleasure builds. "S'long as I'm yours somehow."
Profile Image for Crookedhouseofbooks.
374 reviews43 followers
November 4, 2023
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book gave me life 😩👏

First things first: this is part 2 of a duet: The Lindals.

Book 1 is Then, Earth Swallowed Ocean.

These books are "dark werewolf romantic suspense".

I would not classify them as "shifter romance" because of how dark the elements are and how it reminds me so much of the werewolf sub-genre in H0rr0r. The plot just had so much development in it, truly making it a "thrilling experience".

Before delving into fantasy and paranormal romance, I was an avid H0rr0r reader and it was always so difficult to find good werewolf books. These particular books exceeded my expectations in every single way.

The author's writing is pure poetry. The prose, so hypnotic in its detail and revery.
As a reader, I felt transported instantaneously to the setting and the dialogue is so specifically curated to each individual personality.
Everything, as a total package, just made the book a cinematic experience for me.

The MMC, Wright, was completely swoon worthy. The words and filth that poured out of that man's mouth had me melting.

"You own me. Be a good girl and I won't bite that gorgeous hand, but Jesus. You moan so pretty when I do"

And the FMC, Howie... I'm having trouble forming the words for her.
She's honestly one of my most absolute favorite characters ever.
There was such a complexity in her development.
So many layers to her.

And the fact that she's a Native American woman trying to live her own life in the 1950s...I just had so much pride for her and for how the author handled that particular character arc so respectfully.

Here's a couple excerpts that described her:

"She has got a way of drawing as much anger out of him as she does lust, and his desire for her is an ocean"

"Where other women have been tea and honey, she is bourbon and gunpowder"

The spice was off the charts.
It had some of the absolutely hottest scenes I've ever read and it came fairly early on.
It was kinda like, we got the smut layered on early and then it switched gears by unfolding a riveting plotline.

This is from one of the hottest scenes I have ever read in my life 😂:

"Pulling away, she touches his lips. Pushes her fingers into his mouth and he opens at the pressure on his jaw. All communions he's taken have been nowhere near as holy as the delicious satin she pushes into his mouth. Her gaze lifts to his. Amen, he'd like to say, to the night sky that lives in her dark eyes "

I couldn't put the book down at any single, particular point.

I, quite literally, wanted to drown myself in it.

"It's always a battle, this thing between us.

All that's left is hunger.

This love is a violent kind.

This isn't sex; this is murder"

This book...this duet, is without a doubt, one of my top reads of the year.

I highly recommend it to anyone who likes:

Enemies to lovers
Dark romance
Werewolves
Strong FMC
Filthy mouthed MMC
Cowboys/western setting 1950s/ historical fiction
Lots of spice
Found family
He falls first
Profile Image for Jasmin E Reads.
607 reviews15 followers
July 31, 2024
Shiloh Sloane bookvoice is "unstoppable"

destroying me for future reading - unless Ms Sloane releases more of this world.

Dont be fooled by the cover....it provides no indication of the story telling wealth, the solid
romantic suspense bones and of words spoken to disarm and detect what lies in the dark truth between Howie and Wright.

I found this on KU, I'm going buy this book outright to relive this mature suspenseful angsty well written shifter story (bout time - the genre needs some of Ms Sloanes talented shock & awe inky bite - its off the charts spicy its sexually charged with power imbalances by both MCs that was refreshing - when she shoved her ### into his ### You need to read and find out how sexually strong Howie is)

dark early 50s Western, a era of change, Hes War vetern his kind is hidden, Shes local deputy in era where her kind cant marry in certain states or walk into anyplace without checking entry conditions. as an asside all the details in this book like females requiring to wear skirts and pantyhose may have been the norm then but this continued in female policing roles in many parts of western world continued well into the 1990s - Im really digging the questions reader may ask only many aspects in this read. Weirdly felt utmost respect for Wright when he gave her so some dignity with even his cutting words used masculine like callin her bastard instead of a b!tch....as I said great writing craft and creating a shift in these subtle moments... words do have power.

it is what it is read. Howie & Wright are my kind characters this needs to be made into movie or tv series - so many characters converge interestingly to intrigue and evolve the mystery.


I will be updating this review as these are my unedited first thoughts before I tidy it up with clarity and empasis this read has earned from me as reader RESPECT - I cheekily started with book 2 its a standalone series and it held up perfectly well...but I want more of this world Im cut theres only the book 1 standalone around..

you can really feel the Author burnt the candle at both ends to get there with her writing craft.

This as an audio book with the right voice actors crooning out this dark chaos. It would be certainly arousing - As im certain im going to Dream what Wright sounds like tonight.

Jasmin E Reads
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.