Wolf of Crimson: The Crimson Flame Series, Book 1

by Whitney Thorn

Shifter romantasy fans, this one’s for you—dominant Alpha FMC, steady Beta MMC, snappy banter, nonstop action, and plenty of heat. Dive into Wolf of Crimson, book one of a thrilling three-book shifter series.

A rare power. A broken bond. A mission that could burn them alive.

Dana Johnston, born into a conservative southern wolf pack in Mississippi, was never destined to be ordinary. On her 18th birthday, Dana's inner wolf awakens… and it's unlike anyone else's. She is a crimson wolf, a rare and powerful being marked by fire magic and blazing red eyes.

Betrayed by the boy she believed was her fated mate, Dana walks away from the only life she’s ever known. She joins the Moonborn Pack’s elite werewolf military and has to claw her way through the ranks, earning respect as Commander. When she’s assigned to investigate the disappearance of women from a secluded Canadian pack, she suspects the mission is more punishment than promotion. What she doesn’t know is that destiny is calling her north for something much greater.

Ajax Blackclaw has spent years running from the shadows of his past. As a battle-hardened lycan for the supernatural task force known as The Guardians, he’s no stranger to secrets. Sent to spy on his former home pack, Ajax expects danger. What he doesn’t expect is her—the fierce, untouchable Commander who turns his world to ash with a single glance.

When they meet, sparks fly, but so do buried truths. As Dana and Ajax are drawn deeper into a conspiracy they are hoping to unravel, they must Can love truly conquer bloodlines, politics, and the ghosts of their pasts?

Enemies are watching.
Desire is rising.
Can they overcome the odds, or will they go down in crimson flames?

Trigger Women's abduction/trafficking. Mention of suicide. Sexual content and explicit language.

This book ends on a cliffhanger.

408 pages, Paperback

Published November 26, 2025

About the author

Corporate professional by day, smutty adventure writer by night, but only after her kids are in bed. As a former reluctant reader, she grew up in special education classes, convinced that books weren't for her until one fateful encounter with a paranormal romance changed everything. Whitney lives in the Midwest with her fated mate, two spirited children, and cats. When she’s not writing, she can be found surrounded by friends, family, and far too many holiday decorations.

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Reviews

[Haili McCulloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y'all! This book!!!

Anytime I read the first book published by any author I go into the reading with tempered expectations, mild hopes, and really no clue what I'm getting into. This book absolutely BLEW ME OUT OF THE WATER. And I'm not usually one for shifter romances, either.

Dana, our FMC, is a badass wolf shifter. She's quippy, tough, but also a totally loveable character. As with anyone, she's got her hang-ups and challenges, but her history doesn't become a focal point in the story without moving the plot forward. I mean, how would you handle your fated mate rejecting you to CHOOSE another? That's bound to complicate things moving forward.

Enter an unlikely counterpart in Jax, the obviously handsome and impressive lycan. These two should never have developed a friendship, let alone anything more, based on the prejudices their packs hold against the other. What blossoms is a realistic companionship that turns spicy (but not cringey) and keeps you hanging on to the next page. Dana and Jax find themselves both engaged in solving a mystery that crosses pack boundaries and will challenge everyone to reconsider if what they see is really what it seems.

This story ends on a huge cliffhanger. I was aghast. I knew a cliffhanger was coming, but when I tell you I was NOT ready for it and I cannot hold on until the next installation comes out - I could not overstate it. Wolf of Crimson is a fantastic debut novel from author Whitney Thorn. I cannot wait to see what comes next!

[Trevor Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was an ARC reader so I got the book free in return for a honest review. The book was fun and fast paced. I love anything with werewolves. The characters were developed well and the world building was good.

Dana is a fiesty werewolf Commander who is sent on a mission to Canada. There she meets her mate, Jax, who is a Lycan spy. The book navigates their relationship as they work to solve a case of missing women, while not knowing Jax is actually spy for a military operation called The Guardians. The Guardians are lead by the Guardians Angels of Earth. This book ends on a cliffhanger so the case of the missing women is not resolved.

Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Plot:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Alesha Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not a big reader, so when I do decide to read, the book better be good. Wolf of Crimson was the perfect choice for my current read! The book has the sexy smut side, but also an emotional story that keeps you hooked. I can’t wait for the next book to come out!

[Thomas Upham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book ends on a cliffhanger as noted in the description. I still really enjoyed the book. The characters were well developed and the banter was fun. Gold star for the side characters. I loved Miguel.

[Suzi Kossel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great first book! The main character is a spicy, unapologetic, baddy of a woman werewolf shifter. The love interest is a hot lycan shifter, the smut is smutty, the shifts are shifty. The side characters are so loveable. And the clifhanger!!!! Where’s the next book already!?!?

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

So amazing!!! Could not put the book down! Can’t wait for the second book to come out!!!

[Casey (bestiesreadbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book ended on a huuuge cliffhanger, so I'm excited for the next one!