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Under the Kissing Bough
A Dashing War Hero Falls in Love with a Penniless Orphan
When Colonel Henry Fitzwilliam arrives at Rosings Park and reconnects with his cousin Anne’s lady companion, Ophelia Hampton, he can hardly believe she is the same person as the unprepossessing eight-year-old he teased as a teenager. Now, despite himself, he is enchanted by the accomplished but penniless orphan. To his dismay, Sir Thomas Wainwright, a landholder in the district, has also shown a marked interest in the young woman. During a ball at Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s house in Kent Ophelia disappears, and Fitzwilliam and his cousin Darcy must undertake a desperate race across country and against time through the depths of winter. But will they be able to keep her from being married over the anvil at Gretna Green?
A Season of Invitations
In a glittering Season of Invitations, society’s most sought-after house parties open their doors to dukes, debutantes, and dangerous secrets. From elegant estates to intimate country gatherings, each invitation promises scandal, temptation, and unexpected romance, with stories ranging from clean to gently steamy, where whispered wagers, hidden pasts, and carefully arranged matches may lead not to ruin, but to love.
When Colonel Henry Fitzwilliam arrives at Rosings Park and reconnects with his cousin Anne’s lady companion, Ophelia Hampton, he can hardly believe she is the same person as the unprepossessing eight-year-old he teased as a teenager. Now, despite himself, he is enchanted by the accomplished but penniless orphan. To his dismay, Sir Thomas Wainwright, a landholder in the district, has also shown a marked interest in the young woman. During a ball at Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s house in Kent Ophelia disappears, and Fitzwilliam and his cousin Darcy must undertake a desperate race across country and against time through the depths of winter. But will they be able to keep her from being married over the anvil at Gretna Green?
A Season of Invitations
In a glittering Season of Invitations, society’s most sought-after house parties open their doors to dukes, debutantes, and dangerous secrets. From elegant estates to intimate country gatherings, each invitation promises scandal, temptation, and unexpected romance, with stories ranging from clean to gently steamy, where whispered wagers, hidden pasts, and carefully arranged matches may lead not to ruin, but to love.
- GenresRomantic Suspense
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2026
About the author
Sharon D. Michalove
31 books175 followersSharon Michalove grew up in suburban Chicago. She received four degrees from the University of Illinois because she didn't have the gumption to go anywhere else, and spent most of her career at the university, eventually earning a PhD, working in departmental administration, publishing and libraries. Her specialties are 15th-16th century European history, polar exploration, and food history. She may be one of the few people in America to never live outside her home state.
In graduate school, she met and married the love of her life. They shared a love of music, theater, travel and cats. He died in 2013.
Sharon also loves hockey, reading, cooking, writing, and various less elevated activities like eating cookies and sampling gins and single malts. After spending most of her life in a medium-sized university town she moved back to Chicago in 2017 so she could go to more Blackhawks games and spend quality time at Eataly. She hopes to accomplish a lifetime goal by publishing a book this year. Unfortunately her other lifetime goal, to be English, is likely to remain unfulfilled.
In graduate school, she met and married the love of her life. They shared a love of music, theater, travel and cats. He died in 2013.
Sharon also loves hockey, reading, cooking, writing, and various less elevated activities like eating cookies and sampling gins and single malts. After spending most of her life in a medium-sized university town she moved back to Chicago in 2017 so she could go to more Blackhawks games and spend quality time at Eataly. She hopes to accomplish a lifetime goal by publishing a book this year. Unfortunately her other lifetime goal, to be English, is likely to remain unfulfilled.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 26, 2026
Colonel Henry Fitzwilliam has returned to Rosings Park and is surprised to see Ophelia all grown up. She may be an orphan but to Fitzwilliam, she is captivating. But he’s got competition as Sir Thomas Wainwright has also taken a keen interest in Ophelia. At a ball hosted by Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Ophelia disappears. Enlisting the help of his cousin Darcy, they believe Wainright has kidnapped Ophelia to force her to marry him at Gretna Green. Time is of the essence as they race at a breakneck speed to rescue Ophelia before she’s forced to become Wainright’s wife against her will. For Fitzwilliam wants to court and marry Ophelia for his own. Will they get there in time or will the villain outrun them?
Under the Kissing Bough is a historical romantic suspense I couldn’t put down. I’ve been a huge fan of Sharon Michalove’s books for years. Normally writing contemporary romantic suspense, I was interested to see how she writes historical romantic suspense. The characters are familiar to me because I adore Pride and Prejudice vagaries. I was so impressed by Under the Kidding Bough. Sharon Michalove writes a story that Regency romance readers will love with splashes of suspense thrown in. The descriptive narration is immersive. The tension and high stakes are palpable and had me whipping through the pages. The characters are so well-written, they leapt from the pages and into my heart. The romance is simply divine and is balanced by the suspense. If you’re looking for a historical romance with danger, intrigue and Austeneque characters, you must read Under the Kissing Bough.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Nancy
This review first appeared: https://substack.com/@nnlightsbookhea...
Under the Kissing Bough is a historical romantic suspense I couldn’t put down. I’ve been a huge fan of Sharon Michalove’s books for years. Normally writing contemporary romantic suspense, I was interested to see how she writes historical romantic suspense. The characters are familiar to me because I adore Pride and Prejudice vagaries. I was so impressed by Under the Kidding Bough. Sharon Michalove writes a story that Regency romance readers will love with splashes of suspense thrown in. The descriptive narration is immersive. The tension and high stakes are palpable and had me whipping through the pages. The characters are so well-written, they leapt from the pages and into my heart. The romance is simply divine and is balanced by the suspense. If you’re looking for a historical romance with danger, intrigue and Austeneque characters, you must read Under the Kissing Bough.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Nancy
This review first appeared: https://substack.com/@nnlightsbookhea...
June 30, 2026
Fans of Jane Austen and steamy Regency romances are in for a treat in Sharon Michalove’s Under the Kissing Bough.
Meet Ophelia Hampton, orphaned niece of a familiar Austen face: Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Ophelia is reunited with another de Bourgh relative, Colonel Henry Fitzwilliam, whom she had not seen since her childhood. Now, Fitzwilliam is smitten! Unfortunately, there is a rival for Ophelia's affections. His motives become shockingly evident and more dastardly as this good-versus-evil story progresses.
Michalove’s extensive knowledge of Austen, her works, and the time radiates. Readers will be transported to Pemberley, Rosings Park, and the English countryside to rejoin Darcy, Elizabeth, Anne, and Georgiana, who play pivotal roles, holding treachery to account. The author’s skills at description and at moving a plot along at a gallop are on full display from cover to cover. You will wildly ride this one to its intense conclusion and, no doubt, want more outings with the cast. Watch social media for Michalove's short story, where she will place the protagonists in Venice with Lord Byron!
Meet Ophelia Hampton, orphaned niece of a familiar Austen face: Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Ophelia is reunited with another de Bourgh relative, Colonel Henry Fitzwilliam, whom she had not seen since her childhood. Now, Fitzwilliam is smitten! Unfortunately, there is a rival for Ophelia's affections. His motives become shockingly evident and more dastardly as this good-versus-evil story progresses.
Michalove’s extensive knowledge of Austen, her works, and the time radiates. Readers will be transported to Pemberley, Rosings Park, and the English countryside to rejoin Darcy, Elizabeth, Anne, and Georgiana, who play pivotal roles, holding treachery to account. The author’s skills at description and at moving a plot along at a gallop are on full display from cover to cover. You will wildly ride this one to its intense conclusion and, no doubt, want more outings with the cast. Watch social media for Michalove's short story, where she will place the protagonists in Venice with Lord Byron!
July 3, 2026
Want to enter Jane Austen’s world? Sharon Michalove makes the period come alive with her historical romance, Under the Kissing Bough. All the period details are there—even the language. As well as some of Jane Austen’s characters. She expertly evokes the culture of the day, where women had to find a mate for economic reasons and not for love. That meant carefully meeting and managing suitors. But her heroine, Ophelia, has no apparent inheritance and will be stuck as an old hag serving the sickly children of tyrannical governesses. However, she is beautiful and talented in the arts, which attracts Colonel Henry Fitzwilliam. He won’t let money deter him from love. But there are secret schemes afoot and evil men who want to take advantage of her. Will she be able to escape and marry her true love? Michalove expertly carries the reader to the novel’s thrilling conclusion. A charming book.
June 18, 2026
As he lies dying in India, Little Ophelia Hampton’s father entrusts his friend Sir Thomas Wainwright with her fortune and care. Sadly, she’s left alone to be raised by relatives and relegated to being the companion of the sickly daughter of the imperious Lady Catherine De Bourgh, who caused havoc in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. When Sir Thomas shows interest in Ophelia now that she’s a lovely young woman, no one foresees his evil intentions. Unless Mr. Darcy (happily married to Elizabeth) and his cousin Henry Fitzwilliam can save her, her life will be ruined. Under the Kissing Bough is a beautifully written romantic thriller in the style of Jane Austen, but with the benefit of a trained historian’s attention to period language, details, and sensibilities.
June 30, 2026
I was swept deep into Regency England with Michalove’s vivid portrayal of the time, place, mores, and language. It was fun to see Austen's characters in a new situation and lesser ones taking center stage. From hovels to ballrooms, we experience a wide expanse of life in that period. I especially enjoyed a multi-day chase scene along the length of a snow-covered England as nefarious villain and virtuous hero race to get to Gretna Green just over the Scottish Border. Although the chase plays out over days, as it must for that era, the urgency never sags. This story, set during the Christmas season, delivered a great combination of romance, suspense, and all things Regency.
June 20, 2026
An engaging Pride and Prejudice variation filled with historical romantic suspense. Sharon Michalove pairs a dashing Colonel Fitzwilliam with the accomplished, penniless Ophelia Hampton. When she mysteriously vanishes during a winter ball, a thrilling race to Gretna Green begins. Regency romance fans will thoroughly enjoy this fast-paced, dangerous holiday adventure.
June 24, 2026
The Pride & Prejudice characters come to life again in this thrilling tale of romance and mystery. I highly recommend this book for fans of Jane Austin and Regency Romance. Sharon Michalove is a master of mixing genres. Her dialogue and settings are expertly crafted to take you back to that era. A must read!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews