JACK OF CLUBS

Author: Barbara Metzger ISBN: 0451218051 3/2006 HISTORICAL Publisher: NAL/Signet Eclipse
Time Period: 1815 Regency

Years ago, Captain Jack Endicott's young half sister vanished after a carriage accident. Now, hardened by fighting in the Peninsular wars, Jack sets out to honor his father's dying wish that he find the missing girl. Disdainful of "proper" gentlemanly pursuits and refusing to live off his noble brother, Jack makes a bold play. He'll open a lavish gaming parlor in London—and, by hiring only beautiful ladies to deal cards, possibly find his sister. All he needs is a little luck. Schoolteacher Allison Silver is at her wit's end. After an arduous journey escorting a precocious pupil to her grandparents in London, the old folks are not even home to take delivery! And the only possible alternate guardian is a known womanizer who runs a gambling house, of all things. Yet when the proud Jack meets the prim Allie, the odds are surprisingly even—and all bets are off in a wild game of romance…

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

JACK OF CLUBS is one of those great books that you pick up and do not put down for any reason. It has everything that a girl could ask for—a gorgeous, loyal-to-the-bone hero, a strong, self-sufficient, stubborn heroine, a good plot, and phenomenal secondary characters.

When Captain Jack Endicott comes home from the war, he decides it is time to put his resources to use and try to find his sister, who was abducted years earlier. He has this idea (which in all actuality seemed silly to me) to open a gaming hall in London to try to find his sister. The only reason that seemed a little silly to me is because on the off chance that his sister has not met with dire straits throughout the years and is still a respectable woman, she wouldn't go anywhere near that sort of establishment, thus, narrowing Jack's search enormously.

But, I digress. While I found it a tad silly, it still worked and made the book so much fun! Jack is unswervingly loyal—such an admirable trait. He hardly bats an eye when one disheveled, dirty Allison Silver arrives on his doorstep with a little urchin, claiming that he is said urchin's guardian due to the death of her parents. Not only does he not bat an eye at Harriet, he is wonderful to Allison from the onset of their relationship. I just love this man.

Allison is also a wonderful character. She is so defeated, so beside herself and at her wit's end when we begin the book—and yet she perseveres. Harriet is one to try everything she possibly can to expire a person's patience, and Allison handles it beautifully, all the while falling absolutely in love with this little trouble maker. I loved how Allison just took responsibility without question. She treated Harriet much as a mother would treat her child, putting the child before her very own self which gave the book a great warm and fuzzy feeling. She is also extremely attracted to Jack, and tries with all her might to deny the feelings, but with a man like Jack, who could resist?

Harriet quite possibly could be the star of the book. She is so funny, into everything, possibly the most obstinate child in creation and yet she steals your heart. She gives the book just the right edge, just the right sass, and keeps everyone on their toes while she does it!

JACK OF CLUBS is a definite keeper. Don't borrow it from a friend or family member—go out and buy it, because you will want to have it on hand to read over and over again.

Kristal Gorman