"Men of Annapolis historical series continues with this entertaining story."

Lt. Trace Reardon, formerly of the Confederate Army, is now a teaching instructor at Annapolis Naval Academy and not the most popular teacher. While leaving one of the parties, where he's barely tolerated, Trace witnesses a maid being fired for her clumsiness. He decides to hire the woman, Susannah Partridge, to be governess to his four young daughters. He hopes that having a governess will get his aunt to leave.

Aunt Cellie is determined to stay with Trace until he's remarried. Trace's daughters take to Susannah immediately and start to blossom under a younger woman's care. Aunt Cellie keeps bringing home all the eligible young ladies of Annapolis as potential wives. Trace compares these candidates to Susannah and finds them lacking. Susannah has started to see Trace in a different light also. But she can't commit because she has her own secret that must be resolved.

This story is great with never a dull moment. The young daughters keep Trace on his toes, as well as having to dealing with prejudices against the South. The cockatiel Bilge's naval phrases and Susannah's talent for getting into trouble add some humorous touches.

Reviewed by Delia Larkins
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted December 10, 2003

No victory was ever sweeter than her love....

Summary

Set in the early days of the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Sandra Madden's Zebra historical series, Men of Annapolis, continues with THE LIEUTENANT'S WOMAN. The second book arrives in bookstores just in time for the holidays. In this brief excerpt from chapter one, the heroine, Susannah Partridge pauses at the door of Lt. Trace Reardon's home. She is debating whether to begin an adventure that will surely change her life.

Susannah's father used to say that the Lord worked in mysterious ways. Perhaps it was true, but Lieutenant Reardon did not appear to be connected with a Higher Power in any way. He looked more like the devil. An enticing devil with a charming southern drawl. But southern wasn't good. If Susannah hadn't found herself in dire straits, she might have turned Reardon down on the basis of his obvious Confederate roots. She'd been raised a New England Yankee.

Tall, dark and formidable, the man soon to be her employer towered over Susannah. She guessed the lieutenant to be at least six feet four inches. His rigid, military bearing hinted at formidable strength, a power both exciting and dangerous. His dark blue uniform strikingly displayed shoulders as broad as the city of Boston. A man in uniform could always make a woman's heart beat faster. In one hand Susannah carried a worn carpet bag containing her sole possessions. In the other she carried her irascible cockatiel who, although covered, squawked loudly each time she inadvertently swung his cage.

She was about to enter the unknown. Beyond his appearance, Susannah knew nothing about Lieutenant Reardon. She might have been hired to care for children spawned by the devil. If only she knew what waited for her beyond the walls of the big old house. But she had little choice. Summoning the last threads of her courage, she mounted the steps and pounded the brass door knocker.