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House of Cards #2
Jack of Clubs
In an attempt to find his missing half-sister, who mysteriously disappeared after a carriage accident, Captain Jack Endicott opens an opulent gaming parlor in London where all bets are off when a prim and proper schoolteacher named Allison crashes into his life. Original.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 7, 2006
8 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Metzger
93 books200 followersBarbara Metzger is the author of over three dozen books and a dozen novellas. She has also been an editor, a proof-reader, a greeting card verse-writer, and an artist. When not painting, writing romances or reading them, she volunteers at the local library, gardens and goes beach-combing and yard-saling.
Her novels, mostly set in Regency-era England, have won numerous awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA, the National Reader's Choice Award, and the Madcap award for humor in romance writing. In addition, Barbara has won two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine.
Source: http://www.barbarametzger.com/about_b...
Her novels, mostly set in Regency-era England, have won numerous awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA, the National Reader's Choice Award, and the Madcap award for humor in romance writing. In addition, Barbara has won two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine.
Source: http://www.barbarametzger.com/about_b...
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 12, 2018
I like the playful way this author tells her stories. She warms my heart and tickles my funny bone. Her characters are great company, especially on a dreary winter day.
April 7, 2017
Jota de treboles es el segundo libro de la trilogía "La casa de las cartas" Cuando leí el primero libro iba con la idea de que seria una historia buena de esas que te hacen sentir de todo, no fue desagradable leerlo pero tampoco es lo mejor como he dicho en su respectiva reseña.
Empezar el dos fue como imaginarse que superaría a su antecesor, para nada fue lo que imagine es decir la historia no esta mal, es una historia bastante fresca pero que no te da lo que necesitas para por lo menos subirla de nivel. Creo que la historia ha sido como escrita de manera rápido aunque pienso que con los personajes que tiene se hubiera podido crear una historia muy buena.
Los acontecimientos me gustan pero no me gustan como están escritos, la historia cuando inicia y por la mitad aun es lenta, me daba como cosa dejarla sin terminar por que si algo si me gusto de este libro fueron sus personajes, entonces lo acabe pero tuve que darle dos estrellas por que no en si la trama no es buena.
Capitan Jack Endicott: Me gusto mucho este personaje por que si bien la autora decía que era todo un mujeriego no vimos esa faceta de Jack, pero la manera en la que trataba a Alison me gusto, propio del respeto de esa fecha y todo lo que se hacia en esa época, me gusto mucho que Jack no fuera el típico intolerante que hace lo que quiere. La verdad este personaje si me enamoro, lastimosamente la historia en la que quedo no aportaba nada bueno.
Alison Silver: Me gusto su personaje aunque a veces quería matarla por que era muy santurrona, creo que se debe a la época en la que se encontraba pero igual no me llego a desesperar tanto como para odiarla, su manera de ser y su carácter fueron aceptables, una vez mas un personaje en una historia que no da mas nada.
Harriet: Esta niña parece un demonio, me encanto que haya habido este tipo de travesuras en la historia, le daba un plus bueno y fresco, pero de nuevo creo que la historia no ayudaba mucho a que este personaje saliera mas a la vista.
RECOMENDABLE: Creo que si te dan ganas de leerla no esta mal que lo hagas pero sencillamente no te aportara mas a la historia que ya conocíamos con Alex, que hasta el momento ha sido la mejor de los dos, no creo que siga con el tercero por que primero no lo conseguí y segundo, siento que sera mas de lo mismo. 2 ESTRELLAS por que siento que aunque teniendo personajes muy buenos que prometían mas la historia que tienen no hace sentir nada, no te aporta nada mas que solo una historia en donde dos personas se conocen y tienen un instalove.
Empezar el dos fue como imaginarse que superaría a su antecesor, para nada fue lo que imagine es decir la historia no esta mal, es una historia bastante fresca pero que no te da lo que necesitas para por lo menos subirla de nivel. Creo que la historia ha sido como escrita de manera rápido aunque pienso que con los personajes que tiene se hubiera podido crear una historia muy buena.
Los acontecimientos me gustan pero no me gustan como están escritos, la historia cuando inicia y por la mitad aun es lenta, me daba como cosa dejarla sin terminar por que si algo si me gusto de este libro fueron sus personajes, entonces lo acabe pero tuve que darle dos estrellas por que no en si la trama no es buena.
Capitan Jack Endicott: Me gusto mucho este personaje por que si bien la autora decía que era todo un mujeriego no vimos esa faceta de Jack, pero la manera en la que trataba a Alison me gusto, propio del respeto de esa fecha y todo lo que se hacia en esa época, me gusto mucho que Jack no fuera el típico intolerante que hace lo que quiere. La verdad este personaje si me enamoro, lastimosamente la historia en la que quedo no aportaba nada bueno.
Alison Silver: Me gusto su personaje aunque a veces quería matarla por que era muy santurrona, creo que se debe a la época en la que se encontraba pero igual no me llego a desesperar tanto como para odiarla, su manera de ser y su carácter fueron aceptables, una vez mas un personaje en una historia que no da mas nada.
Harriet: Esta niña parece un demonio, me encanto que haya habido este tipo de travesuras en la historia, le daba un plus bueno y fresco, pero de nuevo creo que la historia no ayudaba mucho a que este personaje saliera mas a la vista.
RECOMENDABLE: Creo que si te dan ganas de leerla no esta mal que lo hagas pero sencillamente no te aportara mas a la historia que ya conocíamos con Alex, que hasta el momento ha sido la mejor de los dos, no creo que siga con el tercero por que primero no lo conseguí y segundo, siento que sera mas de lo mismo. 2 ESTRELLAS por que siento que aunque teniendo personajes muy buenos que prometían mas la historia que tienen no hace sentir nada, no te aporta nada mas que solo una historia en donde dos personas se conocen y tienen un instalove.
February 9, 2024
These are so cheerful, full of interesting characters with convictions and all kinds of Heyeresque Sheakespearean romping. I object to not knowing more about the background murder mystery that leads to our heroine’s young charge being motherless, but I’m nearly certain that must be a story in a different book. Also missing is any explanation around the fire that burns down the school and necessitates the start of the story. But despite being less historically perfect than most, this is a pretty tame, pleasing romance with two characters who deserve eachother.
Still very happy to have heard of this author from a GR review.
Still very happy to have heard of this author from a GR review.
July 31, 2011
Jack Endicott has just returned home from the war and he’s at loose ends. He still feels he needs to prove himself to his older brother, the Earl of Carde, though Ace tells him it’s not necessary. Ace is proud of his brother and his exemplary military service and he’d give Jack the shirt off his back if need be. Both brothers still harbor some guilt over not yet finding their half sister as they’d promised their farther, so Jack decides to kill two birds, as the old saying goes.
He opens The Red and The Black, a high-end gaming hall, a business and an income of his own. His proceeds will fund the search for Lottie, which is the other half of his business at the club where young women are visiting in droves when the word is out about the search. What Jack gets along with all his success is an unexpected visit from Allie Silver, a teacher delivering to him his new ward, Harriett, the daughter of a fallen fellow soldier.
Allie is hopeful Captain Endicott will give Harriett a home and that he will also have need of a governess for her, because Allie has nowhere else to go. A woman on her own rarely has luck with employment and any alternatives scare her silly. Allie and Harriett do worm their way into Jack’s life and before he knows it, it’s like he’s never been without them. Even Allie and her prim ways and attitude are growing on him, and he’s handling Harriett like he’s always meant to be a father. Or so he thinks.
It’s Harriett and her antics that give this book its base for humor. She’s a sly manipulator, especially when she realizes that she can have a true home at last with Papa Jack and Miss Allie. Even with all that, though, this book fell a little short with the humor as compared with the first one. It has its moments, however; they’re just fewer. I enjoyed all the characters, especially the rag-tag team Jack hires to man his club. We actually get several romances ongoing within the larger picture of Jack and Allie’s romance with all his employees falling in love around him. A light and enjoyed read.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
He opens The Red and The Black, a high-end gaming hall, a business and an income of his own. His proceeds will fund the search for Lottie, which is the other half of his business at the club where young women are visiting in droves when the word is out about the search. What Jack gets along with all his success is an unexpected visit from Allie Silver, a teacher delivering to him his new ward, Harriett, the daughter of a fallen fellow soldier.
Allie is hopeful Captain Endicott will give Harriett a home and that he will also have need of a governess for her, because Allie has nowhere else to go. A woman on her own rarely has luck with employment and any alternatives scare her silly. Allie and Harriett do worm their way into Jack’s life and before he knows it, it’s like he’s never been without them. Even Allie and her prim ways and attitude are growing on him, and he’s handling Harriett like he’s always meant to be a father. Or so he thinks.
It’s Harriett and her antics that give this book its base for humor. She’s a sly manipulator, especially when she realizes that she can have a true home at last with Papa Jack and Miss Allie. Even with all that, though, this book fell a little short with the humor as compared with the first one. It has its moments, however; they’re just fewer. I enjoyed all the characters, especially the rag-tag team Jack hires to man his club. We actually get several romances ongoing within the larger picture of Jack and Allie’s romance with all his employees falling in love around him. A light and enjoyed read.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
October 20, 2008
Jack and Allie did not get off to a great start. They both thought the worse of the other, keeping to stereotypes. They both had their fair share of pride, which seemed to get in their way quite often. Then there was the orphan that tied them together. Not long after their association, it became obvious that there was an attraction. They both tried to stay away from each other, but in the end they just had to be together. As the second book in this trilogy, it picked up where the last left off. We now get a closer look at Jack. The plot of this particular tale is somewhat ludicrous. In an attempt to locate his sister, Jack opens of a gaming club to possibly have an encounter with her. Once Allie and Harriet arrive he seems to forget about this search and gets involved in their issues and his growing lust for her. It seems the Endicott boys only seem to look for their sister when they need to hide or fulfill some other thing lacking in their lives. For the most part it was an average story, but one that you could skip.
June 7, 2018
Captain Jack Endicott is back from the Napoleonic Wars and at a loss. His older brother, the Earl, makes some suggestions but none seem right. The brothers have spent years trying to locate their kidnapped young step-sister to no avail. Jack decides to continue the search by opening a high-class gambling club and looking for information from a different angle. Allison Silver, former teacher at a recently burned out girls school, must deliver Harriet Hildebrand to her grandparents and then look for another job. But both grandparents and uncle are not available. Their lawyer directs her to Jack who was left all Captain Hildebrand's effects. But Jack lives above the club and is single. Straightening out this mess in a proper manor without damaging reputations is the basic plot. Lots of humor and great side characters in this romance.
September 4, 2021
Frustrating
I like the extension of the characters from one book to another, although I 'd have preferred to see more of Ace and Nell and the other characters from the first book. What is the point of creating such characters and not seeing how they interact in different settings? I would love to see Aunt Agatha's ghosts throwing Jack's card counting for a loop. And the gradual unfolding of Queenie's story is frustrating. I enjoyed Harriet, it's nice to see a hellion who's good hearted and mostly needs some stability. I would love to see how Metzger would deal with her romance ten years down the line.
I like the extension of the characters from one book to another, although I 'd have preferred to see more of Ace and Nell and the other characters from the first book. What is the point of creating such characters and not seeing how they interact in different settings? I would love to see Aunt Agatha's ghosts throwing Jack's card counting for a loop. And the gradual unfolding of Queenie's story is frustrating. I enjoyed Harriet, it's nice to see a hellion who's good hearted and mostly needs some stability. I would love to see how Metzger would deal with her romance ten years down the line.
March 17, 2019
I went into book 2 with lowered expectations from book 1. Alas, I was disappointed. I am now remembering book 1 a little more fondly.
Allie and Jack just don't work together. Neither personality was fleshed out enough to care about - I was fonder of Harriet and Snake, to be honest. And while this book ended on a tiny cliffhanger, I don't feel like I can journey on to book 3, at least not now. This book was boring, and took forever to read.
I don't recommend this series at all, even if you need to read a book with a playing card on the cover. 1.5 stars, but rounding up because I have read worse books.
Allie and Jack just don't work together. Neither personality was fleshed out enough to care about - I was fonder of Harriet and Snake, to be honest. And while this book ended on a tiny cliffhanger, I don't feel like I can journey on to book 3, at least not now. This book was boring, and took forever to read.
I don't recommend this series at all, even if you need to read a book with a playing card on the cover. 1.5 stars, but rounding up because I have read worse books.
September 7, 2022
How I enjoyed this light-hearted Regency romp with Jack Endicott, the Earl of Cardes younger brother planning to open a casino in London as well as look for his half sister, Lottie. Problems surface when Allison shows up with his ward, Harriet, an 8 year old menace. Jack promptly begins to become attached to red-haired freckle faced Harriet and attracted to badly dressed Allie, Harriet's erstwhile governess. I recommend this wonderful sweet love story that just touches on sex.
August 10, 2017
3.5 stars. 2nd in trilogy. This one features a second son (soldier turned gambling house owner), a governess (pretty under that scraped back hair and dowdy dresses), and an 8 year redhead named Harriet who I just adore. Also a wonderful cast of secondary characters. And Joker, the lumbering hound.
February 17, 2019
Dashing? Light-hearted?
Allie, the rigidly respectable teacher; Jack, the younger son, ex-soldier and owner of a gaming house; eight-year-old orphan and terror Harriet: the plot twists and slowly spins. A minor thread: Jack's continuing search for his young sister, kidnapped 13 years ago. Entertaining, not enthralling.
Allie, the rigidly respectable teacher; Jack, the younger son, ex-soldier and owner of a gaming house; eight-year-old orphan and terror Harriet: the plot twists and slowly spins. A minor thread: Jack's continuing search for his young sister, kidnapped 13 years ago. Entertaining, not enthralling.
August 8, 2017
The premise is pretty slim and it doesn't advance the story line of the series very much, but an enjoyable read. I especially love the out of control little girl and the fact that the main characters love her even with large flaws.
Read
November 29, 2025I enjoy this author's writing but I put this down for quite a while, while I finished a ton of other books.
There is a typo on the cover, it says Barabara Metzger...
And there was a character whose name was either Patsy or Pasty.
There is a typo on the cover, it says Barabara Metzger...
And there was a character whose name was either Patsy or Pasty.
September 16, 2018
Jack ........
Better than the first one. Not great literature, not even a particularly good regency, but, better than the first one.
Better than the first one. Not great literature, not even a particularly good regency, but, better than the first one.
September 19, 2018
3.5
Not bad. Usual Metzger novel. No surprises. Entertaining read and characters 😊
Felt that dialogues and perception of the child was not child like.
Not bad. Usual Metzger novel. No surprises. Entertaining read and characters 😊
Felt that dialogues and perception of the child was not child like.
April 28, 2022
Three stars because I found the child in this story extremely annoying and not a bit funny. I shuddered to imagine what this spoiled brat would grow up to be like!
June 15, 2019
FYI: Be sure to read these books in order; they build upon each other (see list below).
Often, I think children detract from a story; that is not the case here. Harriett is a scream; she's manipulative and cunning ... and wonderful.
Captain Jack Endicott, out of the military, is looking for a way to find his sister, Lady Charlotte Endicott, who was lost (or died) in a carriage accident. Her mother (Jack and Ace's step-mother) was killed, along with all in and on the conveyance. However, Lottie was not found -- never a trace. The old earl begged his sons to find Lottie and bring her home.
Jack decides to create a high-class gambling house. He hired only beautiful redheads and dark-haired women to deal cards. There was another entrance for anyone having any info about Lottie.
To that other entrance comes teacher (and prude) Miss Allison Silver, with her charge in tow, eight-year-old Harriett. Through a will, a comrade of Jack's army days has left his child in Jack's care. As a womanizing bachelor, Jack is appalled; when he meets the child, he is horrified. He begs Allie to stay as her teacher -- and keeper.
Harriett loves her "Papa Jack" and soon decides she needs a family. To that end, she plots to get Allie and Jack together. Jack doesn't know if he wants to father Harriett but he gives it his all. This a comedy of the first order. I loved it.
House of Cards Trilogy
1. Ace of Hearts (2005)
** 2. Jack of Clubs (2006)
3. Queen of Diamonds (2006)
Often, I think children detract from a story; that is not the case here. Harriett is a scream; she's manipulative and cunning ... and wonderful.
Captain Jack Endicott, out of the military, is looking for a way to find his sister, Lady Charlotte Endicott, who was lost (or died) in a carriage accident. Her mother (Jack and Ace's step-mother) was killed, along with all in and on the conveyance. However, Lottie was not found -- never a trace. The old earl begged his sons to find Lottie and bring her home.
Jack decides to create a high-class gambling house. He hired only beautiful redheads and dark-haired women to deal cards. There was another entrance for anyone having any info about Lottie.
To that other entrance comes teacher (and prude) Miss Allison Silver, with her charge in tow, eight-year-old Harriett. Through a will, a comrade of Jack's army days has left his child in Jack's care. As a womanizing bachelor, Jack is appalled; when he meets the child, he is horrified. He begs Allie to stay as her teacher -- and keeper.
Harriett loves her "Papa Jack" and soon decides she needs a family. To that end, she plots to get Allie and Jack together. Jack doesn't know if he wants to father Harriett but he gives it his all. This a comedy of the first order. I loved it.
House of Cards Trilogy
1. Ace of Hearts (2005)
** 2. Jack of Clubs (2006)
3. Queen of Diamonds (2006)
May 13, 2014
Author: Barbara Metzger
First published: 2006
Length: ~4400 locations
Setting: 1815, London, England.
Sex: Heavy petting.
Heroine: School teacher. Orphan. Denied granddaughter of Earl.
Hero: Retired Captain now owner of gambling club.
Another good story that adds to the Search for Lottie sub-plot while giving a believable HEA for Jack and Allie.
A good but unusual use of respectability and its desirability as Metzger uses humour and creative sub characters to play on class barriers.
It's fun and easy to read.
But the ending is too pat.
And I'm getting rather frustrated with these brothers and their half-assed attempts to find Lottie.
These boys are very easily distracted.
A solid read but nothing special.
House of Cards:
Book 1 Ace of Hearts - Alexander "Ace" Endicott and Nell
Book 2 Jack of Clubs - Captain Jack Endicott and Allie Silver
Book 3 Queen Of Diamonds - Lady Charlotte Endicott (Queenie) and Lord Harkness
(Read as part of The House of Cards Trilogy).
References:
Author's websites: http://www.barbarametzger.com/
-CR-
First published: 2006
Length: ~4400 locations
Setting: 1815, London, England.
Sex: Heavy petting.
Heroine: School teacher. Orphan. Denied granddaughter of Earl.
Hero: Retired Captain now owner of gambling club.
Another good story that adds to the Search for Lottie sub-plot while giving a believable HEA for Jack and Allie.
A good but unusual use of respectability and its desirability as Metzger uses humour and creative sub characters to play on class barriers.
It's fun and easy to read.
But the ending is too pat.
And I'm getting rather frustrated with these brothers and their half-assed attempts to find Lottie.
These boys are very easily distracted.
A solid read but nothing special.
House of Cards:
Book 1 Ace of Hearts - Alexander "Ace" Endicott and Nell
Book 2 Jack of Clubs - Captain Jack Endicott and Allie Silver
Book 3 Queen Of Diamonds - Lady Charlotte Endicott (Queenie) and Lord Harkness
(Read as part of The House of Cards Trilogy).
References:
Author's websites: http://www.barbarametzger.com/
-CR-
June 7, 2010
Ok so I didn't know this was book 2 of a trilogy when I requested it from the library so now I have to get book 1 and 3. It was enjoyable and very little sex in this love story. Not surprising but delightfully sweet.
August 5, 2010
Amusing.
July 22, 2012
A little less predictable than the first of the series. I enjoyed the story.
Read
February 9, 2014fluff
December 22, 2014
Cute story. There's a wild child left in a will to the Jack of the title, and her school teacher to try and keep the little girl - demon spawn in control, and of course Jack.
December 2, 2019
Rounding up from 4.5 stars. The characters here were a bit more entertaining than those in Ace of Hearts.
March 13, 2023
Allie is too prim for gold-at-heart Jack. Ubiquitous hairy dog and cute little girl who blackmails. Passion overcomes all.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews