About the Book
Book One of the Blood & Dust Duology.
Cowboys. Witches. Werewolves. A love fierce enough to outlast death itself.
When novelist Norah Blackwood discovers a photograph in a Wyoming archive—a rancher from 1929 with storm-gray eyes and snakeskin boots—her body remembers what her mind cannot: the man she loved more than a century ago.
Cole McKinnon shouldn’t exist. Buried in 1886 after a werewolf attack, he clawed his way from the earth reborn—no longer mortal, but a guardian forged in rattlesnake venom, molten silver, and shamanic blessing. For 140 years, he’s protected the land and mourned the witch who once loved him under the cottonwoods.
Now she’s returned—mortal, luminous, and unaware of the power sleeping inside her.
As a storm of dark magic and wild wolves descends on the prairie, Norah must awaken the witch within her and face the past life she buried—or lose Cole and herself to the shadows that want them both.
In the valleys of Wyoming, old enemies are stirring. An alpha werewolf seeks vengeance. A corrupted shaman hungers to unravel the magic that binds Cole’s immortal soul. And as the copper-and-silver bond between them reignites, Norah and Cole must fight together to break the curse that destroyed them once before—or lose each other to the darkness all over again.
“It’s my new obsession. I’ve never read anything quite like this. Cowboys, witches, and magic woven into a love story that feels both epic and intimate — Whiskey & Fangs is haunting, beautiful, and utterly addictive.”
What Readers are Saying About Whiskey & Fangs
“Whiskey & Fangs is like a fever dream: wild, cinematic, and impossibly romantic. The perfect mix of grit and magic. I can’t stop thinking about this book.”
“The atmosphere of this book grabbed me by the throat. I could smell the sagebrush and whiskey, feel the dust and the danger. I’m obsessed with this world and these characters — especially Cole. I will never recover.”
“Whiskey & Fangs is like a fever dream: wild, cinematic, and impossibly romantic. The perfect mix of grit and magic. I can’t stop thinking about this book.”
“The atmosphere of this book grabbed me by the throat. I could smell the sagebrush and whiskey, feel the dust and the danger. I’m obsessed with this world and these characters — especially Cole. I will never recover.”
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About Me
Hi, I’m McKinley Wylde, and I write gothic western romantasy set where dust meets divinity.
I live in Wyoming, where the wind always sounds like a story.
After years in the corporate world, I finally traded spreadsheets for storytelling to chase the dream that wouldn’t let me go. Now, I spend my days writing from the wild heart of the American West—blending grit and grace, myth and magic, and love that refuses to die.
I’m married with two kids, two fluffy cats, and one bulldog who snores like an outlaw. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me dancing (badly), reading under the cottonwoods, or exploring this rugged, beautiful land with my family.
My debut duology, Blood & Dust, begins with Whiskey & Fangs—a haunting tale of cowboys, witches, and a love fierce enough to outlast death. Once the duology is complete, I plan to keep building worlds filled with green witches, druids, and the kind of immersive magic that makes reality feel just a little more enchanted.
© 2025 McKinley Wylde. All rights reserved. All content on this website, including text, images, artwork, and design elements, is the intellectual property of McKinley Wylde and may not be reproduced, distributed, or used in any form without written permission from the author. “Blood & Dust,” “Whiskey & Fangs,” and all related characters, titles, and artwork are trademarks of McKinley Wylde. Unauthorized use or reproduction is strictly prohibited.
© 2025 McKinley Wylde. All rights reserved. All content on this website, including text, images, artwork, and design elements, is the intellectual property of McKinley Wylde and may not be reproduced, distributed, or used in any form without written permission from the author. “Blood & Dust,” “Whiskey & Fangs,” and all related characters, titles, and artwork are trademarks of McKinley Wylde. Unauthorized use or reproduction is strictly prohibited.