Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
Kindle Price: $3.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Follow the author

Jayne Davis
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Curlew's Call: A Regency Romance Kindle Edition

by Jayne Davis (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 545 ratings
See all formats and editions

After nearly five years of marriage, Ellie is finally with child. There’s just one problem. Her husband is not the father.

Bound for home after a family funeral, Ellie's mood is matched by the stormy weather. Her husband does not desire her, and now there is no chance for her to have a family of her own. She feels valued only for her usefulness to others.
When the stagecoach crashes, Captain Tom Allerby stops to help the passengers to a nearby inn for safety.
Ellie finds it easy to talk to the captain, and also senses something else: a spark of attraction that she has never felt for a man before. And he desires her, as her husband never did.
They share one night together, and do not expect to see each other again. But neither can forget their brief time together.
Especially when Ellie finds she is with child.
Two years later, Tom returns to England to recover from a battle wound. This is his chance to find Ellie, who he has never forgotten.
When the two meet, they realise that the attraction they felt has not faded. But Tom believes that Ellie is out of reach, while Ellie’s hard-won contentment with her life is replaced with yearning for what might have been.
Is there a way for Ellie and Tom to be together?

Previous page
  1. Print length
    381 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    September 23, 2022
  5. File size
    2597 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
Next page

From the Publisher

Beta reader verdicts:

Watercolour of woman on moorland

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B8F24K63
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Verbena Books (September 23, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 23, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2597 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 381 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 545 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Jayne Davis

Jayne Davis

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

I was born in England, near the Welsh border, and lived in several places while I was growing up, including a spell in Singapore and in Malta. Malta was where I got hooked on historical romances - my parents rented a furnished house, and the owners had left most of their books there, including a whole set of Georgette Heyer novels.

Loving Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, I longed to write similar novels myself. I toyed with the idea several times over the years, but real life intervened and I've had several careers, including as a non-fiction author under another name. That wasn’t quite the writing career I had in mind…

So here I am, finally publishing my stories. I hope you enjoy them.

Find out more at: www.jaynedavisromance.co.uk

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
545 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

SusanCz
5.0 out of 5 stars The Curlew's Call....
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
....Had little to do with the story but piqued my interest enough to find a video on YouTube where I could hear the bird's call. Not at all like the seagull sound I was expecting.
This is a lovely, somewhat bittersweet, story that pretty much turns out at the end as one would expect, but a lot of good story between the first and last page and a lot of really good characters on all those pages. I certainly recommend this book.
Helpful
 Report
Laurie
4.0 out of 5 stars horses and heritages
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2023
The author has done her research, portraying life for a returning soldier and a troubled farmer's wife around the time of the Napoleonic Wars. Romance is suggested, not explicit. Some hint of gay themes. Fluent dialog and believable psychology. Villain is seen at a distance, and people of all classes are portrayed. No ball-rooms or ball gowns, just hay-making, hunting, and horses.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good read
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
Liked thus very much the characters are realistic and human. Families are difficult but they are still loved even in the most difficult times. Very good read.
Helpful
 Report
Savi
5.0 out of 5 stars Ellie, Martin, Tom
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
A lovely story and very realistic. Congratulations on tackling topics that do not fall into the usual romantic tale.
A three way love story. A tender portrayal of a passionate night with an unmarried man. A warm, affectionate marriage between a woman and her gay husband. A child loved by both men. And a happy but realistic ending married to her lover.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Montana Mackay
3.0 out of 5 stars Unconventional
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is my second Jayne Davis novel and I did enjoy it, although it seemed a little drawn out -- lots of carriage and gig and coach rides hither and yon. The touchy social issues -- adultery and LGBTQ stuff -- were a surprise, and I admire Davis for taking these on. From the 2 books I've read, I feel one of the most noteworthy thing about Davis's style is that her stories have a rustic, domestic quality with many homespun details.

I confess I read Regency books to get away from controversy and to sink into a pleasant fantasy ("Should I wear the sprigged muslin or the silk moire?"), so this book did not provide me with that relaxing, dreamlike quality I often seek for bedtime reading. While I thought these sensitive topics were well-managed, it did seem odd to read about "verboten" social issues in a book set in the early 1800s. Davis is a bright and flexible author so I may go on to another of her books; just not sure.
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting handling of difficult topic
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2022
I always enjoy reading Jayne Davis’s books. This book dealt with some issues that aren’t usually brought up in regency romance books. An attribute I prize highly in Davis’s works is that they are clean and well written. In this book, there is infidelity on both sides of a marriage. Due to the extenuating circumstances, which are central to the plot, and due to the time period the book is set in, I can understand why the infidelity was “necessary,” but I don’t believe adultery is ever excusable. That being said, I felt that Davis handled the situation as well as the time period allowed and there were some really good people in very difficult situations, who didn’t always make the best decisions. That made it feel much more real to me. It was thought provoking, and it argues for kindness, forgiveness, and integrity, all of which I truly appreciate.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Editor in transition
5.0 out of 5 stars Maybe her best
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
An unusual situation and excellent writing and storytelling make this an exceptional read. This may be Davis's best novel. She keeps the story tight and the suspense high. Will our two lovers ever get together? I couldn't put the book down for needing to know. And Davis doesn't waste words. Nicely done.
Helpful
 Report
Modern woman with a Regency soul
5.0 out of 5 stars Unusual and touching!
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2022
Verified Purchase
The Curlew's Call does not follow the usual Regency plotline or play in the aristocratic sandbox. Our heroine is the unloved wife of a farmer, our hero a military man whose family only was able to buy his commission in the army because of a lucky bet on a horse race.
Moreover, the story starts with a one-night stand and later deals with a main character who is homosexual.
There is little sexual description and no glorification of these things however. The h and H both regret their affair, which results in her pregnancy, and yearn for one another. They are all, including the homosexual, basically moral human beings having trouble fitting in a highly restrictive society. Neither the h nor the H has any intention of conducting a continuing affair. Life has other ideas. I would be giving spoilers to say much more. It is a sensitive and caring portrayal. I highly recommend it.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
La veneziana
5.0 out of 5 stars Il richiamo del chiurlo
Reviewed in Italy on April 11, 2023
Verified Purchase
Questo di Jayne Davis è davvero un romanzo regency insolito e ben strutturato.
Lontano dai salotti del bel mondo e della Londra della Stagione, qui siamo in un quieto angolo dello Yorkshire tra persone non titolate e dove l'unica figura poco realistica è quella del "cattivo" che a paragone degli altri personaggi è un pochino troppo sopra le righe.
Ellie, figlia di un severo vicario, è sposata da qualche anno con Matthew, un prospero allevatore di cavalli e abita in una fattoria in cui lavorano persone che oggi definiremmo "svantaggiate".
Entrambi i coniugi sono persone per bene che trattano con dignità i loro aiutanti e vengono ripagati da stima e affetto.
Ellie quindi non può certo lamentarsi e ciò nonostante è un poco amareggiata perché il marito da tempo non la cerca più e in otto anni i figli non sono arrivati; e intanto la vita va avanti sempre uguale.....
Poi improvvisamente di ritorno da un funerale in famiglia, la diligenza ha un incidente e tutti i passeggeri devono cercare rifugio in una locanda per la notte.
Il Capitano Tom Allerby non può non notare quella che crede una vedova (dagli abiti da lutto) che, con molta presenza di spirito aiuta gli altri passeggeri e quando cade la notte accetta volentieri di trascorrerla nella sua stanza.
Il giorno dopo Tom riprende la sua strada per ritornare al suo reggimento e Ellie ritorna alla sua vita di sempre.... in compagnia di un figlio.
Da qui si dipana una vicenda che ha ben poco di scandaloso o irrealistico, e se si esclude l'antagonista, tutti i personaggi, per quanto poco presenti fra le pagine, risultano persone decenti che fanno del loro meglio per vivere bene e far vivere bene.
Vi sono alcune tematiche spinose: la disonestà, l'infedeltà e l'omosessualità, ma queste vengono trattate in un modo coerente con la sensibilità dell'epoca e, per fortuna dei lettori l'autrice non ricorre al trucco dei fraintendimenti o del silenzio per creare la tensione. I personaggi parlano fra loro, sia pure con difficoltà e non pochi scrupoli etici e ciò che viene fuori è una vicenda molto interessante.
Poi c'è anche il lieto fine, e ciò non guasta.
Bella prova
Report
Dawn
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 25, 2022
Verified Purchase
Another brilliant book by Jayne! The plot and storyline was very well written and the characters were well developed. Loved Ellie and Tom and I had a real soft spot for Finn.

Well done Jayne x
Report
Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Read in one sitting.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 24, 2022
Verified Purchase
An eventful story, well rounded and well described characters, a good balance of action, description and introspection. I read this in one sitting. I didnt want to put it down.
Report
Peachy
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this novel. Loved the characters and locations and look forward to reading more from Jayne Davis in the future.
Report
MH
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly Enjoyable
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 27, 2022
Verified Purchase
A really interesting story, with an intriguing plot and well drawn characters who drew the reader in to empathise with their situation. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report