Butterfly

Evicted after her boyfriend skipped out with the rent money, pregnant China Brown starts walking to the mission but encounters a tall blonde woman who's being photographed by Chaz Finelli, the paparazzi pix guy. Blondie shoots Chaz, takes his camera, turns and shoots China, the only witness, and leaves her for dead. Homocide detective Ben English arrives to find that China is barely alive and he follows the ambulance to the hospital, hoping she can identify the shooter. Thus begins Ben's strange attraction to China, that becomes more understandable when we learn his family background. Beautiful China, who was told she was ugly as a child and believed it, tries to die because her baby was killed by one of the bullets fired at her. But while (in her life after life experience) her dead mother takes the baby, a little girl, she sends China back. This book is for those who like tender. Ben is all man but a gentle one. He keeps his promises and it is this thread that China clings to as she slowly regains consciousness. But the plot revolves around the shooting, who and why, and this part of the plot elevates this book from a ho-hum romance to an edge-of-the-seater. Power, privilege, the nouveau riche...it's all here. If I did not know some Texans who fit some of these roles, it would be less believable but I do and they do. Some may feel there are too many subplots but Sala makes them work. And just when we think China will never realize her delicate beauty, she does realize it by watching a butterfly crawl from its ugly chrysallis. Ben had already proposed to her, so she turns the tables and proposes to him. And the shooter? You wouldn't believe it if I told you, so read the book.

Poignant and emotional, Butterfly is one of Sharon Sala's all-time best romances. The love story is sweet and touching, and I found Ben English to be one of the most endearing heroes I've come across in recent memory. The tender and protective way he nurtures China until she believes she is truly beautiful both inside and out had me reaching for the Kleenex more than once. A keeper for me!

A poignant story of China Brown, a woman who's the only witness to a murder. She's shot and left for dead, and loses the baby she was carrying. Detective Ben English sets out to find the murderer and protect China at all costs. This woman who appears so fragile has a soul of steel and captures his heart. This is more than just a case, this the woman he loves. Sharon Sala tells a great story about love that was destined to be, and a murder mystery that will leave you guessing right up until the end.

Romantic suspense books has always been a favorite of mine which was one of the reasons I picked this book up. But, I was very surprised how fast Ms. Sala grabs you and keeps you reading. But, beware, if you are an easy cryer, you will definitely want to keep you kleenxes handy. Some might think it was a bit hooky that Ben takes one look at China and is hooked; but I liked it. Ben was tough and strong, but too me his sensitivity is was got me. You know that he is the type of guy that will always be there for you. And China, with the blows she was dealt, she could easily have been a whipping post, but as they say "that, that does not kill you, makes you stronger." Definitely a book I would recommend.

This was another winner from author Sharon Sala, her books always keeps me glued to the pages from beginning to end and this one was no exception. It is full of emotion as you go through the struggle with China Brown to recover from the horrible crime that she almost dies from. Because of Miss Sala's wonderful way of writing, you can feel every thing that her characters go through. The hero in this book, Ben is a man every women hopes to meet in their life time. He is a man full of love for this women that he has just met, thier bond is instant and their love story is packed full of emotion and as always in Miss Sala's writing there are some suprises. This is a book not to be missed and it will stay with me for a long time !