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A Field of Poppies
A work of Women's Fiction
Two families. One Secret.
Separated by a river and twenty years of lies.
Two families. One secret.
Separated by a river and twenty years of lies.
Five minutes changed Poppy Sadler’s life forever. Tick. The hospital called. Her mother’s battle with cancer was finally over. Tock. The police showed up at her door. Her father’s body has just been pulled from the River. Tick. Murdered.
Tick, Tock. Five minutes and a secret is coming undone.
Across the river, Justin Caulfield’s vast fortune can buy him anything but more time. Tick. A deadly disease is stealing his daughter’s life. He needs a miracle. Tock. The person he never doubted names the price he never knew he owed. A price more than one man can pay. Tick. Betrayed. Tick, Tock. Twenty years of lies may cost him his very soul.
Two families. One Secret.
Separated by a river and twenty years of lies.
Two families. One secret.
Separated by a river and twenty years of lies.
Five minutes changed Poppy Sadler’s life forever. Tick. The hospital called. Her mother’s battle with cancer was finally over. Tock. The police showed up at her door. Her father’s body has just been pulled from the River. Tick. Murdered.
Tick, Tock. Five minutes and a secret is coming undone.
Across the river, Justin Caulfield’s vast fortune can buy him anything but more time. Tick. A deadly disease is stealing his daughter’s life. He needs a miracle. Tock. The person he never doubted names the price he never knew he owed. A price more than one man can pay. Tick. Betrayed. Tick, Tock. Twenty years of lies may cost him his very soul.
450 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
167 people are currently reading
591 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Sala
280 books2,306 followersBiography
Sharon Sala is a Native Oklahoman and still lives within a two hour drive of where she was born.
First published in 1991, she is a New York Times/USA Today, best-selling author with a 135 plus books published in seven different genres, including Romantic suspense, Mystery, Young Adult, Western, Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Non-Fiction.
Industry Awards include:
Eight-time RITA finalist. (Romance Industry award)
The Janet Dailey Award.
Five-time Career Achievement winner from RT Magazine.
Five time winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award.
Five time winner of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence.
Heart of Excellence Award.,
Booksellers Best Award.
Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award RITA, presented by RWA.
Centennial Award from RWA for recognition of her 100th published novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
November 10, 2013
I gather this was a self-published book and it's obvious why. Poor writing and total unbelievability abounds!
I might be feeling more forgiving towards all the problems if I felt like any effort had gone into the story or its presentation. But the amount of language glitches suggests the thing was never proofread, and aside from the things that are outright wrong, some of the metaphors are ridiculous. 'Her smile went viral' is my favourite. The author also refers to 'diary posts' in a real-life journal, which suggests all sorts of things about where the author might have been spending way too much of her time in recent years.
The author is apparently a NYT bestseller, which obviously doesn't count for as much as I'd thought. I was astounded to see there were so many sparkly glowy reviews for the book online. It is sort of readable but not a particularly good book. I feel like the reviewers must know the author personally or are already committed fans.
I might be feeling more forgiving towards all the problems if I felt like any effort had gone into the story or its presentation. But the amount of language glitches suggests the thing was never proofread, and aside from the things that are outright wrong, some of the metaphors are ridiculous. 'Her smile went viral' is my favourite. The author also refers to 'diary posts' in a real-life journal, which suggests all sorts of things about where the author might have been spending way too much of her time in recent years.
The author is apparently a NYT bestseller, which obviously doesn't count for as much as I'd thought. I was astounded to see there were so many sparkly glowy reviews for the book online. It is sort of readable but not a particularly good book. I feel like the reviewers must know the author personally or are already committed fans.
March 27, 2015
This was pretty different from Sala's regular style. I expected a romance but while Poppy fell in love it was only one element of this book. I would really consider this more of a drama. There were a lot of characters and nearly everyone got parts in their POV. There were a couple of characters who got a significant page time. Mostly Poppy and her biological father. Frankly I liked him better than her. I did enjoy that he was written as a well rounded character rather than a stereotype of an older man finding his previously unknown child and trying to connect with her. Of course he was only about 36 or 37 and Poppy was his daughter with his childhood sweet heart.
So if you go into it not expecting a traditional romance and you're open to some melodrama, you should enjoy it.
So if you go into it not expecting a traditional romance and you're open to some melodrama, you should enjoy it.
July 30, 2017
I was captivated by this romantic suspense from start to finish even though the majority was who-done-it and the last section was the romance. There were lots of heart-tugging moments especially at the beginning and the end. Poppy learns that her mother just died of cancer then five minutes later she is told her father was murdered.
January 26, 2012
This was a new area for Sala to write in and her very first self pub book because her publishers did not think her fans would accept her going into another genre. But from reading the reviews on facebook all of her loyal fan have purchased the book and have liked it.
Overall the book was very good. And I look forward to read more books by Sharon in this area as well as in her romantic suspense books and I love.
Overall the book was very good. And I look forward to read more books by Sharon in this area as well as in her romantic suspense books and I love.
March 25, 2024
Gloom, despair, and agony on me
Deep, dark depression, excessive misery
If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all
Gloom, despair, and agony on me
So yeah, that song popped into my head when I was reading this book. The main character Poppy was such a sad sack and had a lot of bad breaks. She gets a call from the hospital that her mother had finally succumbed to cancer that she had been battling for awhile. And just as she is reeling from that blow, she gets a visit from the police who tell her they just found the body of her father in the river where he had been thrown after he was murdered. Added to that, her brother had abandoned their family and she's all alone. Added to that her father had been fired a week before so his family would not get his pension money or the insurance that would pay for the last of the horrible hospital bills her mother;s treatment had racked up.
Poppy herself is a waitress at a diner, with no friends, living on the wrong side of the tracks. With all that, I really should have felt really bad for Poppy. But I honestly, I had a hard time with Poppy. Yes there was an air of gloom hanging about the early part of this book, but the numbness and shock that the author wrote for Poppy kinda translated as somewhat of a distance between the reader and the character as well.
As is true in many Sharon Sala books, we get a few other side stories told from multiple POVs. One that I found much more interesting than Poppy's was the story of the rich man who was her father's employer whose daughter was in the hospital slowly dying and needing a kidney transplant. But no one in their family is compatible so it is a race for time.
And then there was the investigation into Poppy's father's death.
Since all these side stories are in the same book they kind of dovetailed in an interesting way. I easily figured out the murder, but there were some other revelations that I kinda got close to but not quite. So that was fun.
I finally did turn the corner on Poppy but it was really late in the book. I just had a real hard time warming to her and found her somewhat rigid and unforgiving to someone in a way they did not deserve. And the romance was not really convincing. But this book was saved by all the supporting characters and the other storylines that made it interesting and kept me invested.
Deep, dark depression, excessive misery
If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all
Gloom, despair, and agony on me
So yeah, that song popped into my head when I was reading this book. The main character Poppy was such a sad sack and had a lot of bad breaks. She gets a call from the hospital that her mother had finally succumbed to cancer that she had been battling for awhile. And just as she is reeling from that blow, she gets a visit from the police who tell her they just found the body of her father in the river where he had been thrown after he was murdered. Added to that, her brother had abandoned their family and she's all alone. Added to that her father had been fired a week before so his family would not get his pension money or the insurance that would pay for the last of the horrible hospital bills her mother;s treatment had racked up.
Poppy herself is a waitress at a diner, with no friends, living on the wrong side of the tracks. With all that, I really should have felt really bad for Poppy. But I honestly, I had a hard time with Poppy. Yes there was an air of gloom hanging about the early part of this book, but the numbness and shock that the author wrote for Poppy kinda translated as somewhat of a distance between the reader and the character as well.
As is true in many Sharon Sala books, we get a few other side stories told from multiple POVs. One that I found much more interesting than Poppy's was the story of the rich man who was her father's employer whose daughter was in the hospital slowly dying and needing a kidney transplant. But no one in their family is compatible so it is a race for time.
And then there was the investigation into Poppy's father's death.
Since all these side stories are in the same book they kind of dovetailed in an interesting way. I easily figured out the murder, but there were some other revelations that I kinda got close to but not quite. So that was fun.
I finally did turn the corner on Poppy but it was really late in the book. I just had a real hard time warming to her and found her somewhat rigid and unforgiving to someone in a way they did not deserve. And the romance was not really convincing. But this book was saved by all the supporting characters and the other storylines that made it interesting and kept me invested.
December 12, 2018
What an phenomenal book of deception, murder, and family secrets.
Sharon Sala has an amazing ability writing books that not only throws unexpected twist into the mix, but the uncanny ability to grab her readers heartstrings in a turbulent storyline.
Family secrets can and will destroy, but what’s worse are the dirty hands playing a chess game of deception with everlasting destruction.
Truths hidden out of malice can’t be forgiven, but remember secrets have a way of resurfacing.
Ms. Sala definitely brought A Field Of Poppies to reality, I could see it as a true story being told. Cudo’s for writing such an amazing book that should be a movie for those who have been kept in the darkness.
Love conquers all, God is Good, all of the time.
Sharon Sala has an amazing ability writing books that not only throws unexpected twist into the mix, but the uncanny ability to grab her readers heartstrings in a turbulent storyline.
Family secrets can and will destroy, but what’s worse are the dirty hands playing a chess game of deception with everlasting destruction.
Truths hidden out of malice can’t be forgiven, but remember secrets have a way of resurfacing.
Ms. Sala definitely brought A Field Of Poppies to reality, I could see it as a true story being told. Cudo’s for writing such an amazing book that should be a movie for those who have been kept in the darkness.
Love conquers all, God is Good, all of the time.
March 28, 2017
A FIELD OF POPPIES
Poppy learns of her parents deaths from different causes, one cancer, one murder, virtually at the same time. Her world is spinning out of control, while trying to solve the murder the rug is pulled out from under Poppy. Poppy is a wonderful character, the story focuses on how she survives and thrives.
Poppy learns of her parents deaths from different causes, one cancer, one murder, virtually at the same time. Her world is spinning out of control, while trying to solve the murder the rug is pulled out from under Poppy. Poppy is a wonderful character, the story focuses on how she survives and thrives.
April 10, 2012
3,5 stars ^^
Drama, family drama always be my comfort zone. Add a bit mystery and romance, then I'll be a sucker.
In that rainy morning, Poppy's life changes in less than five minutes. A call from hospital tell that her mother died, then 2 cop in front of her door tell that they just pull out her father's body from the river. All these bad circumtances lead her into finding the truth about her mother and herself.
At 40% of this book I've already know how'll this story going to be, but I'm too caught up with the story and the characters to put it down. Because, for drama, it's have quite fast pace.
At first, I like Poppy, she's though and determined. With all that bad news at once, her first comment was "How can I manage back and forth from work and burry them" (kinda ^^). But It's not that she's a hertless girl, more that she's knew that she's have to deal everything by herself, so it's no use for her to drag on her mourning.
But, as the story goes, Justin takes my sympathy. He's the one who most devastated here. Watching his only daughtes dying, and then when the secrets wich envelops his life for years one by one reveals, he have to confront his mother, refused by his true daugther, and probably will losing his daughter. Yet, he can survive all that.
And eventhough I knew what'll happens, it's still make me sheds tears, yeah sloppy me ^^
But, I think the last scene on this story was too dramatic. Oh come on... two people meeting half away in a field of poppies? :))
Drama, family drama always be my comfort zone. Add a bit mystery and romance, then I'll be a sucker.
In that rainy morning, Poppy's life changes in less than five minutes. A call from hospital tell that her mother died, then 2 cop in front of her door tell that they just pull out her father's body from the river. All these bad circumtances lead her into finding the truth about her mother and herself.
At 40% of this book I've already know how'll this story going to be, but I'm too caught up with the story and the characters to put it down. Because, for drama, it's have quite fast pace.
At first, I like Poppy, she's though and determined. With all that bad news at once, her first comment was "How can I manage back and forth from work and burry them" (kinda ^^). But It's not that she's a hertless girl, more that she's knew that she's have to deal everything by herself, so it's no use for her to drag on her mourning.
But, as the story goes, Justin takes my sympathy. He's the one who most devastated here. Watching his only daughtes dying, and then when the secrets wich envelops his life for years one by one reveals, he have to confront his mother, refused by his true daugther, and probably will losing his daughter. Yet, he can survive all that.
And eventhough I knew what'll happens, it's still make me sheds tears, yeah sloppy me ^^
But, I think the last scene on this story was too dramatic. Oh come on... two people meeting half away in a field of poppies? :))
February 9, 2014
This is the first book of this author's that I have read and from other reviews, I understand that it is different from her usual genre. This book seems to have a bit of everything: murder, crazy homeless people, illicit affairs, long buried family secrets, haves and have-nots separated by a river into two sides of a city, loss, illnesses, death, and redemption. Though at times the story was very moving, and at other times shocking, I found it hard to suspend my inner cynic. The plot seemed so improbable and almost too tangled for me to believe it. The author seems to put her main characters through terrible trials just to show that they can learn from their suffering and show the reader that the human spirit is resilient. At times the prose seemed almost preachy, and there are many references to God and faith. At other times the characters speak strangely formally. How many siblings address each other as " brother" and "sister" instead of using first names?
Overall, I enjoyed mainly the characters of the story and thought that Poppy and Callie were interesting and feisty young women. Mike and Johnny were great guys but I sometimes found Justin almost too good to be true. The plot of the story tried to include too much for my taste, and ended up with a soap opera feel to it with a Hallmark movie message. It was a solid effort, but didn't do it for me. There are no overt sexual scenes, just kissing, in this book, but there are references to sex and to affairs,etc..,there is some mild profanity and some violence. 3 1/2 stars
Heat factor moderate.
Overall, I enjoyed mainly the characters of the story and thought that Poppy and Callie were interesting and feisty young women. Mike and Johnny were great guys but I sometimes found Justin almost too good to be true. The plot of the story tried to include too much for my taste, and ended up with a soap opera feel to it with a Hallmark movie message. It was a solid effort, but didn't do it for me. There are no overt sexual scenes, just kissing, in this book, but there are references to sex and to affairs,etc..,there is some mild profanity and some violence. 3 1/2 stars
Heat factor moderate.
August 26, 2012
What I love most when reading a Sharon Sala book is guessing who the suspect/killer is in here novels. Her stories never failed to give me goosebumps specially when I read it with my bedside lamp as my only companion. She portrays her heroine not by the stereotypical damsel in distress but as a strong, independent woman capable of handling things on her own and at the same time capable of such strong emotions it never failed it make me cry. And for that this novel earned the perfect 5 star and place in my heart as one of my favorite ever.
February 17, 2014
"A departure from the "norm" for Sharon Sala, Field of Poppies was turned down by the big-name publisher, because of fear that Sharon's fans wouldn't "follow" her into an another genre." Crazy thought because Sharon's Sala's style always feels like home. There is such a genuine honesty to her storytelling that you literally feel the breath of her characters. This book may be outside the "norm" but true Sharon Sala fans will follow her down whatever journey her brilliant imagination wants to take us.
July 17, 2012
I love Sharon Sala. I have never been dissapointed by her work. This was not my favorite. But, it was very good. The book had my attention from the very beginning. I do think it was a little predictable, but I still liked it.Did anyone else have a problem with the dates of when Poppie was born and when her mother was born? Maybe it was just an error since I downloaded it on my Nook. Petty, I know. But, things like that drive me nuts.
May 8, 2014
This one of those books that give you a book hangover. It was heartwrenching, it was healing and it was a truly spectacular book. The author weaved so many story lines off one main one that it keeps you reading just so you can out how it all comes together. All the characters were amazing composed, their lives touchable. This author has ability to do what other authors sometimes miss. Looking forward to reading more from this author
April 30, 2020
This could have been a 5 star book, but I didn't like Poppy. At all. She was such a bitter, hating woman, I couldn't wait till it ended.
I love all of Sharon Sala's books. I love all of the characters she creates. I disliked everything about Poppy. Even when the little sister tries to be reach out to her, she is cold and mean to her. Mike, the cop, likes her. But, I can't understand why. She is the worst character Ms. Sala's has ever written.
I love all of Sharon Sala's books. I love all of the characters she creates. I disliked everything about Poppy. Even when the little sister tries to be reach out to her, she is cold and mean to her. Mike, the cop, likes her. But, I can't understand why. She is the worst character Ms. Sala's has ever written.
June 3, 2019
A superb read although the timeline was slightly off in places and had me scratching my head and going back to work out characters ages. But apart from this A Field Of Poppies was vintage Sharon Sala.
February 16, 2012
I loved this book..It made me laugh and cry..It's a story about love,loss,trust and learning to forgive..Would highly recommend it!!
September 27, 2014
Boring, ridiculous plot and predictable. A waste of time reading this dull book.
July 9, 2012
What a wonderdul book- it has just been honored with a B.R.A.G.Medallion!
November 23, 2023
Poppy lost her mother to terminal cancer and her father to murder in the same day, so I started this book with a heap of empathy for her. She went through a heck of a lot and my mind kept wanting to find excuses as to why I found her so unlikeable. She wasn’t very nice to anyone outside of her brother and then later Mike. I don’t know, but this book felt choppy to me and it annoyed me more than entertained. I hated Poppy and I felt the whole murder part which was solved earlier in the book, wasn’t creative and a bit of a mess. I mean really, what cops plan a covert operation and arrest but fail to research the killer beforehand? That idiocy stayed in my head for hours.
The person that I really felt for was Justin. He was the best part of this book and the only reason I stayed til the end. His decency and love for his kids had no bounds.
I have read two other books from this author and I liked those enough to try this one, so I am just going to say not every book is for me.
The person that I really felt for was Justin. He was the best part of this book and the only reason I stayed til the end. His decency and love for his kids had no bounds.
I have read two other books from this author and I liked those enough to try this one, so I am just going to say not every book is for me.
October 21, 2023
First, I seldom give five stars for a book so consider four as terrific. I liked the direction Sala took in the book. She focused on the complex and interesting twists and turns of the story rather than dwelling on the typical romance stuff. Yes, as usual, she mentions how tall big and strong the hero is. And, of course, the heroine is also gorgeous and tall etc etc but thank heavens we didn’t have to go through a blow by blow of their first love making experience. But the story carries it. Love of father to daughter is very powerful. I liked the book
July 6, 2025
It started out with a whole lot of heart breaking tragedies that led to the coping of it all. But actually, it was planting seeds that led to life's biggest challenges and hardest lessons in trusting God will help us through it all if we let Him. Suspense, multiple mysteries, a race against time as more than one life hangs in the balance, & romance. Lots of tears shed on this one! Much more than I thought it would be!
October 21, 2025
A full array of emotions
Wow..I will read this book again..i0 ot went too fast and i d o not w a nt to lose these People..
From sorrow to profound tragedy to
Every other emotion you have ever
Felt..life and death..illness and conquering death..people who suddenly move into your life and you wonder how you lived without them.
I read until 430am..could not stop..
Please enjoy this book as much as I
d id....
Wow..I will read this book again..i0 ot went too fast and i d o not w a nt to lose these People..
From sorrow to profound tragedy to
Every other emotion you have ever
Felt..life and death..illness and conquering death..people who suddenly move into your life and you wonder how you lived without them.
I read until 430am..could not stop..
Please enjoy this book as much as I
d id....
February 28, 2021
This is a keeper!!
Sals has done it again. She can pluck a heartstring from a mile away. This is at least a 2 hankie story, maybe more. Secrets always come out, particularly the older they are and usually at the most inopportune times. Sala’s magic however, renders this story memorable and one of her best.
Sals has done it again. She can pluck a heartstring from a mile away. This is at least a 2 hankie story, maybe more. Secrets always come out, particularly the older they are and usually at the most inopportune times. Sala’s magic however, renders this story memorable and one of her best.
August 25, 2023
Sharon Sala always delivers!
In "A Field of Poppies," Sharon Sala takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster from heartache and heartbreak to love and acceptance. She shows why lies and secrets, especially in a family, can be extremely detrimental, and that the live of a father never wavers.
In "A Field of Poppies," Sharon Sala takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster from heartache and heartbreak to love and acceptance. She shows why lies and secrets, especially in a family, can be extremely detrimental, and that the live of a father never wavers.
May 5, 2024
Time heals all wounds
This is a story of love, heartache, pain, loss and family. The story takes a person through all kinds of emotion. There is mystery, suspense, and laughter. I really enjoyed this book. It shows that people do not have to be related in blood to become family.
This is a story of love, heartache, pain, loss and family. The story takes a person through all kinds of emotion. There is mystery, suspense, and laughter. I really enjoyed this book. It shows that people do not have to be related in blood to become family.
July 11, 2024
Totally heart wrenching story.
All sorts of emotions and actions in this story. One of the best I have read in a while. Everything from murder to love. Great action throughout the whole book. And the ending is perfect.
This is another awesome story by this author. Glad I bought it so I can read it again.
All sorts of emotions and actions in this story. One of the best I have read in a while. Everything from murder to love. Great action throughout the whole book. And the ending is perfect.
This is another awesome story by this author. Glad I bought it so I can read it again.
November 20, 2016
This was an okay read for me. Nothing really special in my opinion. The murderer was revealed very early in the book, and once that was done, that was it for me. I struggled through the rest, which was basically the various' characters attempts at family reconciliation.
April 20, 2018
A Field of Poppies
This should be a Hallmark movie. It made me cry more then any book I have ever read. It has mystery, drama and heart felt love. I think most girlfriend's would love this book. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
This should be a Hallmark movie. It made me cry more then any book I have ever read. It has mystery, drama and heart felt love. I think most girlfriend's would love this book. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
May 27, 2020
Sharon Sala never disappoints,
Sala paints a picture of family pain and struggle followed by redemption and love. True Sala style a crime is solved well. She never ends a story before it’s time. Well done,
Sala paints a picture of family pain and struggle followed by redemption and love. True Sala style a crime is solved well. She never ends a story before it’s time. Well done,
June 2, 2020
Very Good Book!
This is the second Sharon Sala book I've read, I enjoy her writing very much. Must say, the story in A Field of Poppies is very unusual with that touch of romance I so enjoy.
This is the second Sharon Sala book I've read, I enjoy her writing very much. Must say, the story in A Field of Poppies is very unusual with that touch of romance I so enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews