Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Hot SEALs #0.5

Desire in D.C.

Rate this book
They couldn't be more different, but sometimes opposites attract so strongly, there's nothing that can keep two people apart. Not even a deadly terrorist hijacking.

Peter Greenwood expected to have to work hard and prove his worth to rise in the ranks of politics. What he didn't expect was that he'd have to work so hard to get his dream girl.

Martha "Marty" Vanderbilt and Peter are opposites in every way. She's rich from old family money and he couldn't be more middle class. She's a liberal journalist and he's an aide for a Republican senator. She's loud and opinionated and he mostly keeps his mouth shut and his head down.

But sometimes opposites attract so strongly, there's nothing that can keep two people apart. Not even a deadly terrorist hijacking . . .

Long before he became the Senator from Virginia, long before his daughter Missy fell in love with and married Navy SEAL Zane Alexander, Peter Greenwood was a young, driven legislative aide in Washington D.C. during the turbulent 1970s trying to build a career and earn the heart of a woman. Read how it all went down in this Hot SEALs series origin story.

Please note that Desire in D.C. was included in the DANGER AND DESIRE anthology.

167 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 11, 2020

44 people are currently reading
210 people want to read

About the author

Cat Johnson

364 books1,764 followers
📚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

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
75 (55%)
4 stars
34 (25%)
3 stars
17 (12%)
2 stars
8 (5%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Siobhan.
5,037 reviews596 followers
December 1, 2020
Desire in DC was a three-point-five-star read, but I ended up rounding down to a three-star rating due to my conflicting feelings. I had hoped to round my rating up, but I couldn’t quite bring myself to do so.

The first half of this story hooked me, and I was quickly pulled into events and fell for the characters. Although I enjoyed the second half of the story, things happened too quickly for me to love them. After the build-up of the first half of the story, I had expected more. As it was, I enjoyed watching the events play out, but I had been hoping to see more action.

Although this wasn’t quite everything that I had hoped it would be, it did leave me curious about the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Cat.
Author 364 books1,764 followers
Read
September 26, 2020
I was thrilled to be one of the authors included in the limited run romantic suspense collection Danger and Desire (now off sale). If you had a chance to grab the anthology, I hope you enjoyed it!

If you did, would you please take the time to leave a review for my individual story? And if you didn't read my novella in the anthology, you can get DESIRE IN D.C. (A Hot SEALs Origin Story) by Cat Johnson in eBook & Print at:

APPLE BOOKS https://apple.co/344deCK
GOOGLE PLAY https://bit.ly/3cJRFf3
KINDLE mybook.to/DesireDCKindle
KOBO https://bit.ly/3kJ7jd8
NOOK https://bit.ly/36gv0p4
AMAZON PRINT http://mybook.to/DCPrint
BARNES & NOBLE PRINT https://bit.ly/2RjKLDd
WEBSITE at http://catjohnson.net/desire-in-dc
Profile Image for Diane (Books and Tequila Blog).
1,519 reviews71 followers
September 9, 2020
I’ve read a few Cat Johnson books including Saved By A SEAL, so I was excited to read this novella. It is a standalone but tells the story of the parents of Missy Greenwood, Saved By A SEAL’s heroine.
Peter is aide to a republican senator and clashes with Marty the first time they meet. But when Marty is in danger, they both realize life is too short. I enjoyed this exciting story and liked the tiny Missy & Zane teaser at the end.
-4 Stars-
Profile Image for Dorel.
4,345 reviews38 followers
September 8, 2020
This is the 1st book I read by Cat 🐱 Johnson. I loved ❤ this book's storyline. The dialogue in this story made me laugh 😂. I loved ❤ the hot 🔥 & steamy scenes. I loved ❤ Peter's character. I loved ❤ Marty's character. I felt scared for Marty. I loved ❤ the ending. Awesome job Ms. Johnson.
2,365 reviews12 followers
September 11, 2020
5 stars
I received a copy of the steamy post military novella Desire in DC: A Hot Seals series Origin Story novella: Peter and Marty by Cat Johnson in the Danger and Desire eight book anthology and this review was given freely.
Just as the title suggests, this is a fast paced literary flashback to the controversial 1970's and the origin of the Hot SEALS series and crossover series. A well written opposites attract romance with touches of suspense and steam this novella has a heartwarming ending while providing a hint into the future.
Pennsylvania transplant now career focused Washington D.C. Republican legislative aide Peter Greenwood egged on by his highschool best friend and Navy SEAL Tim meets the woman of his dreams, The Washington Post's liberal journalist Martha "Marty" Vanderbilt only to almost lose her twice.

Profile Image for Ellen Anderson.
1,251 reviews
October 15, 2020
Desire in D.C.

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I love the fact that it took place in the 1970's, when I was a young, teenaged wife and mother. While I wasn't into politics, so many of the events mentioned brought back memories for me. Peter being a bit of a geek, and Marty a strong advocate for women's lib made a truly enjoyable story. Thank you Cat Johnson for writing this book.
Profile Image for Delaine Mclafferty.
513 reviews2 followers
September 10, 2020
I loved the story of Peter and Marty. Even though they have very different backgrounds they fit together. Their views on politics and world events differ but they work though it. The story is about love, greed, anger and how a person can get caught up in a tragedy by just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It does have a happy ending and I would recommend this book to everyone.

I was given an arc for a honest review. This book is part of the Danger and Desire Anthology.
Profile Image for Linda.
217 reviews
October 14, 2020
I previously read "Desire in D.C." as part of an anthology. It was my introduction to Cat Johnson ( a new to me author). I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. Loaded with action and intrigue.
Profile Image for CarolKat.
2,280 reviews29 followers
October 13, 2020
I read this as part of the Danger and Desire limited edition anthology.

I was a teenager in the 70's so I remember the things in this story that may make younger folks scratch their heads in confusion. There were no cell phones or computers or internet. If you read Cat's Hot SEALs you'll know Zane Alexander's wife Melissa. This is her parents story.

Marty meets Peter at a bar and as they talk he mentions the senator he works for. That was then end for her, angry and appalled he could work for someone with no moral code.

She was more than surprise to see him at the Greenpeace rally. Peter had tried to tell her his politics and his bosses weren't the same, but she wasn't going to listen at the bar. Now she does and she's more than a little impressed that his roommate is one of the main speakers.

The peaceful rally erupts into violence and chaos, and Peter takes charge to get them away safely.

This is the beginning of their relationship, that quickly heats up. However it's while she's on vacation that Peter realizes just how much he cares about her.

The becomes even more apparent when her flight home is hijacked.

Marty finds herself just hoping to make it home alive, to tell Peter she how she feels about him. I love that Peter finds a way to monitor the situation up close and personal. Also using his contacts to see her before her parents can take her away.

A wonderful throw back story with everything on point.
Profile Image for Kristen Lewendon.
8,429 reviews63 followers
September 13, 2020
This story is an emotional roller-coaster. Buckle up and prepare to be taken for a ride. Love at first sight is a real thing, and they say opposites attract. While that isn’t perfectly true for Peter and Marty, it certainly makes for an interesting Meet Cute for the pair. My initial reaction to Marty wasn’t altogether positive. Her strident ‘if you’re not with me, you’re against me’ attitude rubbed me the wrong way. Rather, I very quickly fell in love with Peter and his social awkwardness and peacemakers’ soul, and couldn’t understand how Marty could resist him. It hurt my heart to watch such a turbulent part of world history play out again, but I loved seeing how the heightened tensions brought our leading couple together.
Profile Image for JigsawGirl.
4,162 reviews
September 14, 2020
This book had a couple of interesting twists and turns in it. As Peter's character was introduced, he came across as kind of timid and wimpy. Marty, on the other hand, started out as a force to be reckoned with.

Over the course of the book, Peter stepped up his game. I would never consider him an alpha male, but he lost the wimpiness. I still felt like he was always waiting for Marty to make the first move in the relationship.

The best part of the book waa the plane ride and Marty's experiences on her way back from Athens. There was action, danger, and romance in this book. I would give it 3.5 stars.

I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book received as part of the Danger and Desire 8 book Anthology.
2,520 reviews42 followers
October 15, 2020
Senate intern Peter Greenwood finally works up the courage to introduce himself to the woman who has caught his eye. When he finds out her name is Martha “Marty” Vanderbilt, he knows that she is way out of his league. Besides, she is a liberal and he works for a Republican senator that she can’t stand. There is no way this will work…or will it? Marty realizes that she is very attracted to Peter and could be falling in love with him. They had reached the decision to pursue their relationship, when her airplane is hijacked by terrorists. He can’t lose her now, he just can’t. I enjoyed this story that takes place during the 1970’s and was part of the Danger and Desire Anthology which I purchased. (by paytonpuppy)
Profile Image for Jane A.
335 reviews2 followers
October 7, 2020
An interesting trip down a historical memory lane cleverly woven into the story of Missy Greenwood’s (Saved by a SEAL) parents. Peter Greenwood is a hard-working political aide when he sets eyes on Martha ‘Marty’ Vanderbilt. A definite case of opposites attract for quiet, conformist Peter who keeps his head down and rich liberal Marty who’s loud and opinionated and jumps into what she believes in head first. A case of the heart wants what the heart wants with a protest rally that turns violent, a terrorist hijacking thrown in and of course an early Seal making an appearance to complete this fun story.
Profile Image for Dawn Myers.
1,301 reviews2 followers
October 25, 2020
This is the first time reading a Cat Johnson story. I absolutely loved it! I found she mixed real events and friction and made it her own. In my opinion I got steamy and suspense I look for in a story. This was a story of opposites attract. I liked Pete and his geeky self. I liked that he went after what he wanted. I loved Marty she is strong, principled, independent and stands up for what she believes in. I was a little surprised with ending and the fact adoption wasn't considered. I read in Danger and Desire Boxed Set.
1,925 reviews5 followers
September 27, 2020
Marty is a reporter. Peter is an aide for a Senator. He can't stop staring at her at the bar. His buddy convinces him to go talk to her.
Marty and Peter hang out while she gets ready to head to Greece. On her way home, her plane is hijacked.
Peter uses his ID to get himself into the FBI to get information on how they are going to bring her back since he can't get any information from his buddy.
Will Peter ever see Marty again?
Profile Image for Jennie Fortna.
2,548 reviews29 followers
October 15, 2020
Desire in D.C. by Cat Johnson is a Hot Seals orgin story that starts back in the 1970’s with Peter Greenwood, aide to a Republican senator, working his way into politics and Martha “Marty” Vanderbilt, liberal journalist, old family money and wants nothing to do with him until she is taken hostage and he will do whatever it takes to get her home and into his arms forever. Awesome read!!

Received this as part of the Danger and Desire anthology that was released for a limited time!
87 reviews
September 13, 2020
Peter Greenwood and Martha Vanderbilt couldn’t be more opposite, he comes from nothing and has had to work his way up and now is an aid for a US senator. Martha comes from old money and is very rich, and being very political and hates the senator and all that he supports that Peter works for.
This is a very cute story.
Profile Image for Belinda .
1,298 reviews8 followers
October 14, 2020
Cat Johnson's Desire in DC could be considered a prequel as it is the story of how Missy Greenwood of Saved by a Seal's parents met. Two people from different backgrounds, Peter and Martha (Marty) meet and begin a relationship only to have Marty's plane hijacked. Suspenseful romance at its best. A good standalone book. I originally read this in the limited Desire and Danger Anthology.
Profile Image for Quinn Fforde.
3,293 reviews15 followers
October 14, 2020
I loved the mix of humor, sex, and suspense in this story. Marty and Peter had excellent chemistry and were a lot of fun to read about. I also appreciated the atmosphere of the 1970s in here. While I was a bit too young to remember this hijacking, I remember others after it and the feelings surrounding them. This felt realistic to me (without being too graphic). I will be rereading this!
780 reviews
October 14, 2020
Suspenseful and Satisfying!

I liked this story. It was a back in time romance with danger amid the ‘70s D.C. politics. And it had a lot of laugh out loud moments.

I read this book as part of an anthology of other romantic suspense stories. It is a little bit of the backstory of Cat Johnson’s Saved By A Seal in her Hot Seals series.
1,542 reviews2 followers
September 15, 2020
A girl who knows what she wants and knows when that changes.
At first glance Peter and Marty don’t seem to have anything in common but their time together is intense and eventful. Nothing like danger to help you see your priorities more clearly.
Profile Image for Susie.
280 reviews1 follower
September 19, 2020
OMD! Absolutely loved it! What a great opposites attract story! Being a fan of Cat's Hot SEALs series, I wasn't sure I'd like going back in time to Missy's father's love story but it was wonderful! 5*'s!
Profile Image for Michelle.
631 reviews33 followers
September 19, 2020
It was fun getting to go back and read about Missy's parents getting together and seeing the reminder that our parents weren't always parents. What a fun (and for a few moments heart pounding) how I met your mother story.

*Read in the Danger and Desire anthology
Profile Image for Nicole Geddie.
Author 2 books4 followers
October 23, 2020
I’ve read a lot of novellas, but this is the first time I felt the author was rushing to get a whole story in a short novella. There was no build up to anything, it was insta love, insta predicaments, insta resolution. It felt like the entire thing was on fast forward.
Profile Image for Selina Durio.
2,523 reviews12 followers
February 27, 2021
Flashback

As a reader of this long running series this flashback was a great treat. Missy and Zane were one of the first Hot SEAL couples and the get a glimpse into how they actually came into existence was wonderful.
Profile Image for Margaret Yelton.
2,140 reviews43 followers
September 14, 2020
I enjoyed this short Novella in the Danger and Desire Anthology book. I believe this is my first book by this author, but will check out more of the books.
2,533 reviews
books-boxed-sets
September 15, 2020
In boxed set - "Danger and Desire: A Romantic Suspense Anthology"
Profile Image for Madeleine.
352 reviews4 followers
October 13, 2020

I enjoyed this story. It’s a sweet romance with a little bit of suspenseful moments. All in all a good story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.