Night with a SEAL

Hot SEALs #1

by Cat Johnson

Ten years of dedication to the Navy taught SEAL Jon Rudnick one thing — he’s not afraid to risk life and limb for his country. But when navigating military red tape begins to present more challenges than the enemy it makes Jon question his future. So does Alison Cressly, the woman he can’t get out of his head.

When Ali’s life is threatened and military rules won’t allow him to intervene, Jon decides it’s time to take back control.

A team of sexy SEALs, a terrorist threat, and an attraction that can’t be denied... it all comes together in this launch of the new Hot SEALs romantic suspense series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author Cat Johnson.

Genres: Romance, Military Fiction, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Military Romance, Suspense

162 pages, Paperback

First published July 22, 2014

About the author

📚Find Series Reading Order and Book Lists at Cat's site CatJohnson.net

🎥 For Film/TV Inquiries Email Cat@Catjohnson.net

It all started in first grade when Cat Johnson won the essay contest at Hawthorne Elementary School and got to ride in the Chief of Police's car in the Memorial Day Parade...and the rest, as they say, is history. As an adult, Cat generally tries to stay out of police cars and is thrilled to be writing for a living. She has been published under a different name in the Young Adult genre, but released her first romance in 2006.

Today, she is a NY Times & USA Today best-selling, award-winning author of contemporary romance. A promo ho, she's sponsored real live bull riding cowboys and promoted romance using bologna.

--from the author's website

Reviews

[Kimberley C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just okay for me, but that being said, I will probably check out the other books in this series, as it had just enough to hook me.

Not too much of an actual love story in this one. I felt like it was setting up for the other characters in the series, which is fine. I was looking for something quick, and this fit the bill.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars - English Ebook

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in the Hot SEALs series by Cat Johnson. Alison Cressly and Navy SEAL Jon Rudnick meet at a cookout and are attracted. But Ali sees no future due to Jon being a Navy SEAL and doesn't really want a fling. But they connect anyway and Jon takes off to parts unknown.

This is a novella and I was tempted to give only 3 stars due to the fact it needed to be longer. But I'm trying to be fair. It was good. It felt more like a prequel though. Like it was getting us ready for the real series by introducing the characters and such. But there is a romance tucked in there. I'm pretty sure I'll check out more of the series.

[Timitra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Night With A SEAL

Night with a SEAL was an ok read for me. It's quick read with stereotypical characters. I enjoyed parts of it.

[✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

CAT JOHNSON - NIGHT WITH A SEAL
• Romantic Suspense Novella
- introducing the Hot SEALs Series (#1)
• release date: 22 July 2014 in the 99cent
► 12-Author-Hot-Alpha-SEALs-Box-Set ◄
(Night With A SEAL will be individually released mid August!)
• 1750 Kindle pos. (Novella!!!)
• Book #2 Saved By A SEAL will be out 16 September 2014







In this Novella we are introduced to Jon and his SEAL buddies.
Rick was the first one to leave the teams - due to a hurt knee. And the others are probably all slowly following him into civilian life. Zane, Chris, Brody etc.

In this first Novella Jon just met Alison - a friend of Rick's sister - at Rick's Fourth of July backyard BBQ.
She doesn't want anything to do with SEALs or with one-night-stands, but they can't keep their eyes off each other - their eyes and more....☺



They spend a few nice hours together but they decide to not keep in contact for the next six months - six months he'll have to spend in Afghanistan. They both try to deny that they felt much more for each other than you should normally feel for a one-night-stand.

Once Jon is back they feel a bit awkward towards each other and before they can start something, he's called away again - and then, Ali ends up in a very dangerous situation.
Jon can't legally help her - even though he's trained for exactly that!
Time for some new plans for his life - for his future!

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO JON & ALI???
WILL THE TWO OF THEM GET THEIR HEA???
WILL THERE BE A CLIFFHANGER??



I'm not telling you that of course ☺



___________________________________



This was the perfect novella to introduce us to an amazing new SEAL-Romance series!!

We meet all the future heroes and a future heroine ... and we know where the story will ultimately go - to the guys running their own security company.

But this novella is all about Jon & Ali - and it's really cute and sexy and a bit frustrating with all that waiting they have to endure until they can finally get together....

I am such a huge fan of everything Navy SEAL!!!!!
Total fangirl!!!



And our hero Jon is a really hot example of sexy SEAL-ness ☺☺☺



Phew o.O

The story and all the people in it .... is really adorable and interesting - you can't help but love the book and the coming series!
The most adorable thing is to see all those big bad warriors falling for their girls one after the other ☺

NiGHT WiTH A SEAL - was a really beautiful & sexy Romantic Suspense Novella!
You'll love it!!!!!

I WOULD SOOO LOVE IT if someone would make a movie/tv-series out of this book - just so we could stare and fangirl at hot SEALs all day long!!!!




Now I can't wait for the other books in this series!!!
Saved By A SEAL will be book #2
It will be Zane's story!!!! ☺☺☺

Zane Alexander was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but the rebellious bad boy traded it in for a Navy SEAL trident.
Now, Zane’s teammates are depending on him to get the startup capital they need to open their security company and he’s gambling on his skills at covert operations. For a million dollars, he’ll fake interest in Missy Greenwood, the Senator’s daughter his father wants him to date in exchange for the investment.
But when Missy is kidnapped and Zane and his team are sent to Nigeria to rescue her and the schoolgirls being held, bullets as well as sparks of attraction start to fly. There’s no more faking when both the danger and the emotions are all very real.

[Danielle Gypsy Soul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Night with a Seal was an introduction to a new Series about a securiy team. This book introduces how the Security Team gets it's start. It centers around Jon a Navy Seal who decides he wants a change for few reasons. He decides to team up with a few other Navy Seals and start a new security company.

Jon meets Ali right before his last deployment and they what is suppossed to be a one night stand. However, they both have feelings for each other (or so we are told). I personally never felt much of a connection between Jon and Ali and maybe it's because they didn't spend much time together. They met at a party, had one night of sex and then Jon deployed. They didn't keep in touch with each other the entire time he was gone and when he returned he basically ignored Ali except for one drunk kiss.

Theres a story where Ali is in danger from someone who is holding hostages at the bank she works at that is resolved fairly quickly. Overall, the writing was done well and the hot factor was pretty good. However, the relationship just didn't work for me but I will probably give the next one a try if it's full length.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating military romance...

"Don't let the tattoo fool you. I'm no angel."

NIGHT WITH A SEAL by Cat Johnson is a captivating military romance. It was so enjoyable that as soon as I finished listening to this first installment, I jumped right into the next audio in this series, SAVED BY A SEAL This first installment was a relatively short listen at just under five hours, but there was a lot packed in those precious hours including a brisk, steamy romance and some high-stakes action that had me on the edge of my seat.

This book introduces us to a slew of hot, highly trained alpha Navy SEALS. It appears that each of them will be featured in a future installment. I can't wait to read each of their stories. NIGHT WITH A SEAL also sets the wheels in motion for the formation of a group of mercenaries made up of this close-knit group of Navy SEALS.

This was the story of Navy SEAL Jon Rudnick and civilian Alison Cressley. They had a quick one-night stand. Neither forgot the other though there was no further interaction between them until Alison's life was put in danger. Their story was told from both Jon's and Alison's POV - alternating between each - so the reader understands what is going on in each of their heads and why they behaved as they did. I look forward to reading more about this couple in future installments.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Craig Jessen, who has a clear, crisp voice. This was the first time I've ever listened to him. He delivered a solid performance with pacing that was right on and with both male and female genuine-sounding voices. He differentiated between the characters to where I always knew who was speaking from his voice. I thought his performance was a perfect fit for the story. Based on this introduction to his vocalizations, I would not hesitate to pick up another audio performed by him.

I'm so glad I was introduced to Cat Johnson and her addictive books at the CY2016 Coastal Magic Convention. I'd already fallen in love with her cowboys and now her Seals have stolen my heart. This book kept me riveted from the beginning to the end. If you enjoy macho military guys who exude off-the-wall chemistry in well-plotted stories abounding with high-stakes action, I highly recommend that you check out Cat's Hot Seals series!

My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Please check it out there: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

4 STARS

Review copy provided for an honest review


Reviewer’s Note: Night With A Seal is being initially released as part of the Hot Alpha Seals Military Romance Mega Set available right now for 99 cents.

I enjoyed Cat Johnson’s previous military series Red, Hot & Blue so when I was asked to review the first book of her new Hot SEALs series I was more than happy to oblige. Night With A Seal as you can imagine starts out a one night stand between SEAL Jon Rudnick and a woman, Alison Cressly, who is best friend’s with his best friend’s little sister. Even calling it a one night stand is generous; it was more like about a 45 minute stand at most. That being said, they both knew going in that it wouldn’t be more as Jon was going on a 6 month deployment, but what I found interesting is they both were a little hurt that the other didn’t try to make contact the entire time.
Six months, a deployment later, many fond memories of their one night, seeing each other again proves the chemistry is still as present as even but neither wants to own up to it. When Jon finds out that Alison is in a perilous situation he knows that he wants to make changes in his life that include spending more time with her.
This was a fast yet sexy story and while I would have loved to have more time with this couple, it was still extremely enjoyable and as this is the beginning of a new series, I’m hoping we’ll see more of them in the future.

[Tyra Berger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat Johnson not only writes hot cowboys, but her military men are Alpha with a capital A! This is the first book in a new series and it's a great foundation. We get to meet some of the players and get some hints at possible future couples, all while falling into the sexual vortex that is Alison and Jon.

Jon is a SEAL through and through and doesn't really plan on doing anything else, so he is a confirmed bachelor. Then he meets Alison at a friends house one 4th of July, and they set off some fireworks of their own. Now six months in the desert and all he has been able to think about is their one night together and Jon thinks it might be time to start planning for a future.

Alison knew going in that one night with Jon was all she was going to get; and what a night it was. She get's on with her life but never forgets the sexy SEAL.

We have backyard BBQ's, fireworks, hot sex, and hostages...yep that sounds like a great beginning to a series to me! If you are a fan of strong character's and stories with some spice then be sure to pick this up!

[K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trigger warnings: war, explosions, mentions of terrorism, hostage situation.

3.5 stars.

I literally only picked this up because I'm in (by my standards) a reading slump, this was like 160 pages, and it was on Scribd so it didn't really cost me any money. And, like, it was FINE? It's a miliary romance featuring a one night stand before he gets deployed and they can't stop thinking about each other blah blah predictability ensues.

The hostage situation was definitely something I didn't see coming, and added some unexpected action. Would it have been better for me as a full length novel where the characters could be better developed? Uh, yeah. Was it also quite a reasonable read as it was? Sure. Bonus half star because the heroine is a US size 12.

[Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~]

11/24/16

DNF @ 67%

I tried this one again as a second-chance book for a challenge. I did get further along, but that was with a lot of skimming. My original assessment was pretty accurate. We barely get two sentences between the Ali and Jon before they're having amazing phenomenal sex (because of course - I skipped the scene because I didn't care enough to read but they both think of it enough in the following chapters that it was almost like I was there anyway) and then they're separated again for chapters, each one going over all the reasons they can't be together but still obsessing about each other and that one hot night (because of course). Then they see each other again, talk for two sentences, and that's it. They're separated again. Then Jon's coming back from a mission to find out that Ali's a hostage in a bank robbery by a maybe terrorist who just happens to speak a language Jon kind of knows from his deployments, and you know you can't trust those S.W.A.T. people to do their jobs which means it's probably going to be up to Jon and the SEAL team (because of course - who cares about actual law enforcement procedure and jurisdiction when the MCs need their HEA!) and that's the point this story got too stupid for me to even continue skimming.


12/22/15 - Original review

DNF @ 10%

This was one of the free books with the ARe app. The writing was subpar and the characters one-dimensional. Didn't hold my interest.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was free on Amazon. It is a novella and tells the story of Ali and Jon, a Navy SEAL. The two meet at a party and have a one night stand. Given Jon is about to deploy again, they agree to keep things casual. But neither of them can forget the other. Shortly after jon returns to town, Ali is held hostage at the bank where she works by terrorists (not just armed robbers but terrorists). Jon thinks the swat team is made up of a bunch of idiots so he gets a bunch of his SEAL buddies together and they save the day. After that, they all quit the Navy and and start a security company which leads to the remaining books in the series. The two main characters have zero chemistry and there's not much that is entertaining about this book.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/6/2019)! 🎁

[Chalice · Rating 3 out of 5]

The couple: Jon and Alison

Romance trope: military; one-night-stand
Series: Hot SEALs
Length: 162 pages

Plot: Alison meets Jon through one of her friends. He's a Navy SEAL, like her friend's brother used to be, but Alison isn't looking for a military man or a hook-up. Against her better judgment, though, she has a one-night-stand with Jon, and then he leaves for Afghanistan. They don't communicate during that time, although they are each thinking of the other. Then Jon comes back, there's some communication and a lot of awkwardness, but when Jon leaves this time, Alison finds herself in danger and Jon finds himself questioning what he wants to do with his life.

Commentary: Military, one night stand, crisis - both physical and existential. This one was okay, but I never really warmed up to Jon. He's not really all that charming or appealing:

When they packed all their gear in three days—or tomorrow or the next day for all he knew—he needed his head to be firmly in the game, not on some piece of ass back in the States waiting on him.

He obviously appealed to Alison in some way, but I really think that's because she didn't know what he was thinking.

Next book in the series: Saved by a SEAL

[Deanie Nelder · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Hot SEALs series, and as another reviewer mentioned, it does feel a little like a prequel -- how the guys decided to come together to form their security agency. It's a little light on the plot. The only major "action" sequence, the bank robbery, started and ended without any input from our military guys (though that did give them the idea to go out on their own). The relationship between the characters was good and I'm interested in reading more about them. Otherwise, it's a fairly standard romance novel.

[Denise Vasak · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not really sure what Cat was trying to write here. There was a CRAP TON about Navy Seals in this book. I'm not sure most of it was accurate, but there was an abundance of it. So much so I wasn't sure if this was a romance or some guide to the Navy Seal's thought patterns. It was a short book that seemed to take forever to get ANYWHERE. The setup was great, but I kept waiting for the stuff from the description on the back cover to come into play. When it finally did, it was over in no time and guess what? NO seal knowledge was necessary. WTH?

The romance was short-lived and not super descriptive. I'm done with this series since this one left me scratching my head and being annoyed I'd spent the few hours I did reading it.

[Ndulgent Bloggers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me get right to the point. This was a great read! I picked it up went outside during my lunch and couldn't wait to pick it back up again. Just like the rest of the world I love me some men in uniform but alot of times I get into a book and it gets blogged down with military details and I lose interest. This book had it balanced just perfect for me. Another high mark for this book is that you meet Jon's "brothers" and it gives you something to look forward to.




I give this book 4 chocolate dipped strawberries.

Thanks to all that serve our country past and present.

PEACE

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I 100% get why it was free

[Lula Pantoofle · Rating 3 out of 5]

So bank clerk Ali meets Navy Seal Jon at a party. He’s pretty hot. They have a pretty basic conversation. He gives her a lift home and suddenly a one night stand is on the cards.

Say what? That felt… quick

I didn’t really feel it personally; they just hadn’t spoken enough to each other. You get far more interaction with his seal buddies on manoeuvres than between him and the love interest.

Anyhow, Jon is off back to his warzone the next day and tells Ali that he has to have 0 distractions so he won’t be writing or calling. Great! He’s obviously a keeper!

Of course, he comes back months later for a new year’s eve party, speaks to Ali for 2 minutes, then hoys off to chat with his mates all night. There may have been the odd long stare but these two were not really chatting or desperately catching up. He did decide to kiss her at midnight and then… it just fizzled out. She left! Great reunion guys!

I just felt this whole reunion lacked major feels.

Luckily, there is a peril situation which makes Jon realise that Ali is his future and he launches into action.

Say what?

I am not sure where Jon’s sudden turn about happened but it still didn’t involve a whole lot of conversation, it was more like:

John: ‘I’m quitting the forces.
I’m moving home.
I think we should be together’

Ali: ‘OK’

I mean it wasn’t quite like that, but that’s how it felt to me. Such is life with the limited word count of the novella. It’s probably just me. Give it a go, it isn’t much of a time commitment. Let me know what you think.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will never forget when I watched the movie Men of Honor, which was inspired by the true story of the first African American master diver in the United States Navy, Master Chief Petty Officer Carl Brashear. I couldn't BELIEVE the training that these men were/are put through. And, with Mr. Brashear being African American, he wasn't welcomed with open arms and he was put through extra hell that, I believe, would've made most men drop out. But not Brashear, the hero of the movie. Ever since watching that, I've admired the Navy Seals like no other! (This book has nothing to do with the movie. lol)

Jon is a Navy Seal about to leave for deployment the next day to Afghanistan. The night before leaving, he meets Alison. Even though neither "wants" to get "involved" the night before Jon leaves, they do anyway and have a one-night-stand. However, when Jon leaves for Afghanistan, he literally cannot get her off his mind. He's not a relationship type of guy so this is all new to him. When he returns, he hunts her down and they grow their relationship. This wasn't full of all the back and forth "no I shouldn't...he is a jerk" or "she is too good for me" and then they keep going back and forth. It was a short, sweet, hot romance book and the Navy Seal made it that much hotter for me...just don't tell my hubby. lol (Although, he's not the jealous type.)

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and loved SEAL Strong by this author, and decided to give this series a try. Boy am I glad since it exceded my expectations.
The story centers around Navy SEAL Jon Rudnick, known for his one nightstands, and no committments and Alison Cressly, a woman not interested in one nightstands.
When the meet at the home of a mutual friend, the sparks fly and Ali breaks her rule. But Jon leaves shortly after for unknown parts.
Jon didn’t forget her , but he doesn’t need the distraction of a woman during his missions.
But when he returns and her life is in danger, rules go out the door.
The story moves seamlessly , is action packed, with interesting and well develop characters and the promise of a very entertaining and engaging series.
I would like to add that in the audiobook edition, the narrator did an excellent job and we always knew who was the individual “talking”.

[Charlotte Witney · Rating 3 out of 5]

If your in the market for something short, steamy and action packed?

Night With A SEAL has all of that.

Cat Johnson has written a SEAL romance that starts off as a one night stand and after a long time apart the Hero and Heroine finally admit their feelings but not before a tragic attack that they never anticipated.

Night With A SEAL managed to fit a lot in for such a short book but understandably it was brief and I wanted everything to provide just a bit more. I loved the chemistry between the two characters and how upfront the Heroine was with her emotions.

The boy gang that's going on in this story has my heart. I absolutely love boy groups in romances and I cannot wait to dive into the rest of the series.

[Elizabeth Bennet · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me. I found this was on the free list and I did feel her writing had promise. It was the the execution that did not work for me. The heroin, Ali, was weak to me. She read like a push over and door mat. Jon, the seal, is your typical boy trapped in a mans body. He has the muscle, courage, knowledge to please a woman but puts everything into his job at some blind attempt to stay young. At least that’s how I took him. I should have known better when reading the title because for me stories like these aggravate me. The story flips between duty in the field and coming home and at 50% I confess I tossed in the towel. It became obvious to me that it wasn’t a story I personally would enjoy!

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a freebie from Amazon I got in 2017! Just got around to reading it.

First book in the series, which apparently goes on for many books. I wanted to like this. The writing wasn't bad & the dialogue was ok. The story was just very dull. The H/h aren't even together enough to call this a romance. There's a couple of sex scenes. The big action scene was a bust. The hero has nothing to do with the rescue.
I guess the rest of the team gets their own stories, but I'm not interested enough to go on.

[Dorel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I read by Cat 🐱 Johnson. I liked the hot 🔥 & steamy scenes. I couldn't get into the storyline or Ali & Jon.

[Issabella Olson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a fan of the 3rd person pov since I’m used to first person. Other than that, it’s a good short story to read.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series by author Cat Johnson. Jon Rudnick has been a Navy guy for 10 years. A Navy seal to be precise. It took a lot of work to get where he is and his body has paid the price for it. Home on a break a couple of his buddies, former Navy seals have a get together where he meets Alison Cressly. Even though they know it was a set up by one of Jon's buddies sister he still feels a instant attraction. If Alison's reaction is anything to go by she feels it too. After giving Ali a ride home their attractions sizzles into a quick fast sexual encounter that leaves both wanting more. Jon can't subject a woman to the kind of uncertain life he lives so he walks away. When Ali's life is threatened and all his Navy Seal training means nothing when he's not allowed to get involved he questions why he kept Ali at arms length and what being a seal means to him. I liked this book because i felt i could fit in with this group of people. The details of the military situations felt real. I felt the connection between John and Ali but could understand also why Jon held back. You can't spend years in the military and not know that your life is not always your own. Spouse's and significant other's have to deal with that on a daily basis. In the end Jon made the decision that was right for him. To that end a new venture is formed which i am guessing will play into future books in this series. Night with a Seal is a nice base to hopefully a great series. Can't wait to see where Cat Johnson takes us!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really interesting, if brief start to the series. I am excited to read more of these smexy SEALs. Jon and Ali have a quick one night stand that builds to more over time.

The narrative is mixed between the two leads, alternating POV smoothly. I prefer this method, because you really get to see into the characters. Jon tends to keep his feelings on lockdown, he is rather serious. Ali is a great match for him because she brings levity to his somber moods. I will enjoy seeing more of them together as the series progresses.

Lots of supporting cast here as a few hints at future pairings. There is great potential in this series and where the stories can lead.

Yes, it is hot and smexy. Could have been hotter, as their time together was hurried. I would love to have a really nice long drawn out encounter. Sure they had that, but it was a case of tell and not show. I wanted to be there in every steamy caress of the reunion!!

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Craig Jessen, who has a great voice. I really enjoyed the timber of his read throughout. The men's tones are deliciously deep, while the women tend to be breathy. I did enjoy his pace, it moves the story along at slower moments.

A quick listen and tease for the series. I want more!!

Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.