The Wolf and the Lion: A Mason Series Thriller (Book 1): A SpecOps Warrior Battles a Biker Gang

by Rex Holloway

A booming cannabis empire. A ruthless biker gang. One explosive showdown.

In the lawless underbelly of Montreal, loyalty is earned in blood. After a violent motorcycle theft leaves one brother disfigured, siblings Raison and Rage are pulled deep into the unforgiving world of outlaw biker gangs.

As they rise through the brutal ranks of the Dead Wolves Motorcycle Club, they clash with Big Machine, a secretive criminal organization with ambitions to dominate the underworld.

When a hit squad leaves the Dead Wolves reeling, Raison strikes a high-stakes deal to earn favor with their enemies. The price: orchestrate a dangerous heist in Denver targeting the cash stores of the booming cannabis industry, protected by elite private security.

Standing in their way is Mason, a war-scarred Delta Force veteran fighting his own demons, and Detective Kim Wright, a sharp investigator balancing motherhood with a growing conspiracy.

As worlds collide, what begins as a strategic job spirals into a deadly war. With bullets flying, secrets unraveling, and lives on the line, the battle for control pushes each character to their limits.

The Wolf and the Lion is a relentless, gritty crime thriller about power, vengeance, and the ties that bind and break.

Truth, loyalty, and cash, all going up in smoke.

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2024

About the author

Rex Holloway writes action-packed crime thrillers that blend gritty realism, relentless pacing, and high-stakes drama. Drawing inspiration from masters of the genre such as David Morrell, Robert Ludlum, Lee Child, Ian Fleming, James Patterson, and Sidney Sheldon. Holloway crafts stories where every page turns like a ticking clock, and every character hides a secret worth killing for.

His acclaimed Mason Series, including The Wolf and the Lion and Gladiator Farm, throws readers into a world of betrayal, violence, and redemption. With his third installment, A Fire Devours, arriving on Amazon KDP in late 2025, Holloway pushes the boundaries even further, combining explosive action with themes of faith, loyalty, and the cost of survival.

A veteran entrepreneur, consultant, and ex-gang member, Holloway’s own experiences, spanning corporate boardrooms to the darker corners of society, fuel the authenticity in his work. His novels are written for readers who crave the intensity of crime thrillers but demand depth, heart, and unforgettable twists.

When he’s not working or writing, Holloway lifts weights, draws portraits, and spends time with his wife.

Reviews

[Desi Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, I requested this arc to try to broaden my reading scope. I was surprised at how I enjoyed this book because it is so different from my typical genre pick.

This is an action/suspense story through and through. The characters are well thought out. I specifically enjoyed getting to know Mason’s character, reading about Kim and her son’s shenanigans, and seeing the relationship between Caleb and Mason play out. There were multiple points of view happening during the same timeline which added to the complexity of the story.

As far as the writing itself, it was well done! A plethora of descriptive words in this title helped me visualize everything from the people to the locations, down to the bikes and weapons but never went over into too many details. Yah, a bit of the weaponry was over my head (I have no understanding of different pistols and rifles, etc) but for someone who is knowledgeable, I could see where these details make the book a great read, and I actually learned a lot about securing a location, lol.

The story line was engaging and didn’t lose momentum. The ending was realistic. I was not disappointed. Yes, there was the political controversy weaved tactfully the book about legalized marijuana and played a little into the idea that bikers are criminals, but overall this did not specifically detract from the book in my personal opinion. It felt more like something that could have happened instead of the author making a statement.

Please be aware this is not a happy ending for everyone type of book, and there is descriptive violence and murder portrayed.

Thank you for the arc Hidden Gems and Rex Holloway

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. However, I was slightly disappointed in the ending. I was expecting a little more.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good book

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this awesome book in two afternoons because I couldn't put it down! Amazing storytelling, and the author lends an artist's careful and scrutinizing eye to every scene. The action is gripping and unrelenting. I also feel like I learned so much about motorcycles, combat, and weaponry, all subjects I know almost nothing about previously. I can't wait for the next book in the Mason series. This is destined to become a movie!

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new author for me which I enjoyed reading my first book. This is a story that is full of romance and suspense. I enjoyed how the author used details to make the story and characters pop off the pages. The characters are engaging, connectable and I had no problems picturing myself as part of the story. This is also a story that has some twists and turns that had me turning pages fast just to see what would happen next. I also enjoyed the chemistry and attraction throughout the story which made it easy to read. This is a fast paced, hard to put down story and one you don't want to miss. I look forward to seeing what is next for this author and this series. I highly recommend this book.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a MC Mystery/Thriller, and this is the first book in A Mason Series/A SpecOps Warrior Battles a Biker Gang series. I found parts of this book hard to follow at times, and I also found it hard to connect to the characters. I think the writing style was just not for me, and I also think because the point of view that this story was written in made it hard to really get into the characters. I also feel this book jumped around a lot which made it hard to follow. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two different groups are about to meet with deadly force. Two brothers join a gang when their brother is disfigured. Meanwhile two others are trying to deal with their demons. Unfortunately the two groups will connect with violence and the battle gets deadly. See where it will lead
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a fast paced action read

[Kristen C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid and captivating read that balances tension, heart, and strong character work. The writing feels confident and immersive, pulling you right into the story’s atmosphere. There’s a great emotional undercurrent throughout, and it keeps you invested from start to finish. A few pacing dips aside, it’s a well-crafted and enjoyable book.