What do you think?
Rate this book
Butterfly
A woman in the wrong place at the wrong time must rely on a tough-as-nails cop in this romantic thriller.
Pregnant and homeless, China Brown isn’t a threat to anyone. But when she accidentally witnesses a murder, the killer attempts to silence her too. Although China survives, she loses the baby who meant more to her than her own life. Distraught and alone, she finds herself turning to an unlikely source of comfort.
Hard-bitten Det. Ben English is on the case, and he thinks the victim—a celebrity photographer—was killed for the scandals his camera could expose. But there’s something even more intriguing to Ben than the secrets at the heart of the the star witness. Undeniably drawn to China, Ben vows to keep her safe. But as they grow closer to each other, they also grow closer to the killer.
Pregnant and homeless, China Brown isn’t a threat to anyone. But when she accidentally witnesses a murder, the killer attempts to silence her too. Although China survives, she loses the baby who meant more to her than her own life. Distraught and alone, she finds herself turning to an unlikely source of comfort.
Hard-bitten Det. Ben English is on the case, and he thinks the victim—a celebrity photographer—was killed for the scandals his camera could expose. But there’s something even more intriguing to Ben than the secrets at the heart of the the star witness. Undeniably drawn to China, Ben vows to keep her safe. But as they grow closer to each other, they also grow closer to the killer.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2003
232 people are currently reading
646 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Sala
281 books2,311 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
March 15, 2026
Great story! Had a twist of an ending that I totally did not see coming!!
July 22, 2018
4.25 stars.
June 1, 2009
China Brown had been abused from childhood so when she is shot and left for dead, it seemed only right. But Detective Ben English doesn't feel that way. He doesn't know why he connects with China but it's more than that she is the only witness to a sensational murder. What China sees in Ben is that he keeps his promises. The mystery story is very interesting, the twists and turns rather unexpected. The relationship between China and Ben, while lovely, feels a little forced, or at least not entirely realistic. China blooms a little too quickly considering all that she has endured.
November 2, 2015
While this was well written, I just didn't love it. I felt like Ben English just fell in love too quickly and with an image and nothing else. Seemed a bit obsessive in my opinion. Though I could totally understand China's fascination with the first man to ever show her any love and affection. The story kept me guessing with all those red herrings. An interesting ending indeed.
February 27, 2018
O suspense supera a história de amor entre Ben e China. O casal não me convenceu. E tinnha todos elementos para dar um excelente história. Faltou algo para me fazer sentir cômoda com a história deles...
September 18, 2025
Which law enforcement agency allows a victim to be on-site at the arrest? Even if she is the girlfriend of the detective? Maybe especially if she is the girlfriend of the detective.
August 26, 2023
3.5 stars
China is pregnant and homeless. She's looking for a church when she comes upon a woman. A photographer starts taking pictures and the woman shoots him. Then she turns the gun on China and shoots her. China loses her baby and is in a medical induced coma.
Ben is the detective that catches the case. There's something about China that draws him to her. He sits and visits with her and looks for the killer. When China awakes, she can describe the killer and Ben decides to not let the public know that there is a witness. Ben takes China to his mom's ranch to hide her until the killer is found. Ben has already fell head over heels for China but can she trust and open her heart to him?
Let me say this book kept me on the edge of my seat! The reason I only gave 3.5 stars was because there was too many point of views. The dialogue of the different characters was all bunched together. I would have to reread to understand who was saying what. But I will say I was totally shocked who the killer was!
China is pregnant and homeless. She's looking for a church when she comes upon a woman. A photographer starts taking pictures and the woman shoots him. Then she turns the gun on China and shoots her. China loses her baby and is in a medical induced coma.
Ben is the detective that catches the case. There's something about China that draws him to her. He sits and visits with her and looks for the killer. When China awakes, she can describe the killer and Ben decides to not let the public know that there is a witness. Ben takes China to his mom's ranch to hide her until the killer is found. Ben has already fell head over heels for China but can she trust and open her heart to him?
Let me say this book kept me on the edge of my seat! The reason I only gave 3.5 stars was because there was too many point of views. The dialogue of the different characters was all bunched together. I would have to reread to understand who was saying what. But I will say I was totally shocked who the killer was!
December 16, 2024
I liked the book but thought it was too long. The author could have cut about 50 pages and not lost anything.
I thought China was rather weak. She got better toward the end. Ben seemed to fall in love at first sight. He went to go overboard with the endearing words.
There was little action. Weeks, even months would pass between scenes.
I would have liked an extension with the epilogue. Make it maybe 18 months into the future with Ben and China married and they discover that China is pregnant. I think that would be a good conclusion to China losing her first baby.
There appears to be an editing problem when a 'n' follows a 'r.' They run together. Therefore, burn becomes bum. I know this is not an editor nor the author's fault. It is just a problem with the print. I have noticed this in other books as well. I guess the only way to fix it would be to use a different font.
I thought China was rather weak. She got better toward the end. Ben seemed to fall in love at first sight. He went to go overboard with the endearing words.
There was little action. Weeks, even months would pass between scenes.
I would have liked an extension with the epilogue. Make it maybe 18 months into the future with Ben and China married and they discover that China is pregnant. I think that would be a good conclusion to China losing her first baby.
There appears to be an editing problem when a 'n' follows a 'r.' They run together. Therefore, burn becomes bum. I know this is not an editor nor the author's fault. It is just a problem with the print. I have noticed this in other books as well. I guess the only way to fix it would be to use a different font.
December 10, 2019
China Brown was pregnant, homeless and destitute
The father of the baby had taken all the money, never paid the rent and the landlord was throwing her out in the cold snow. Walking and looking for a church she was pointed to a Mission.
A tall woman bumped into her just as she saw a flash. The woman screamed, pulled a gun and shot the man holding a camera, he fell and she grabbed the camera. Pointing the gun at China she said “no witnesses” and shot her twice.
Great twists and turns. Loved the book..
The father of the baby had taken all the money, never paid the rent and the landlord was throwing her out in the cold snow. Walking and looking for a church she was pointed to a Mission.
A tall woman bumped into her just as she saw a flash. The woman screamed, pulled a gun and shot the man holding a camera, he fell and she grabbed the camera. Pointing the gun at China she said “no witnesses” and shot her twice.
Great twists and turns. Loved the book..
October 27, 2020
Great reading!!
Sharon Sala always write close to the heart and this is no exception. This is a 1 hankie story because it will pluck your heart strings. A woman down on her luck found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, caught up in a deadly situation and paid the price. Surviving, but afraid of retribution, she is taken in by one of the policeman who helped her. No spoilers! Enjoy it!!
Sharon Sala always write close to the heart and this is no exception. This is a 1 hankie story because it will pluck your heart strings. A woman down on her luck found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, caught up in a deadly situation and paid the price. Surviving, but afraid of retribution, she is taken in by one of the policeman who helped her. No spoilers! Enjoy it!!
September 1, 2023
I LOVED THE CHARACTERS NAMES BENNETT ENGLISH & CHINA BROWN (really cool). THIS REMINDED ME A LITTLE OF THE OLD MOVIE "LAURA" (one of my fav's) IT WAS A GOOD COMBINATION OF NEW LOVE AND OLD LOVE. THIS WAS PUBLISHED MARCH 26, 2015, BEFORE THE WORLD WENT INSANE AND POLITICS BECAME BATSHIT CRAZY. THINKING BACK TO 2015 WHO COULD HAVE GUEST JUST HOW INSANE EVERYTHING WAS GOING TO GET. THIS HAD A SURPRISE AND TWISTED ENDING, I LIKED IT. ;D
February 19, 2024
A very interesting story of murder, secrets and love. China Brown’s worse day of her life was the day photographer Chaz Finelli was gunned down right in front of her and then was shot herself because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Detective Ben English was the first one on the scene and saw China’s face and secretly fell in love with a total stranger who was probably going to die on the way to the hospital. Good story with a great twist.
August 18, 2019
Love this book
This the second time I have read this book and it just as good as the first time. This story were sad and it ended beautifully. If you have never read one book by Sharon Sala you are missing out big time. This author writes from the heart and she's amazing story teller. One of the best.
This the second time I have read this book and it just as good as the first time. This story were sad and it ended beautifully. If you have never read one book by Sharon Sala you are missing out big time. This author writes from the heart and she's amazing story teller. One of the best.
September 29, 2017
Wow! This is my first Sharon Sala mystery, but it won't be my last. Butterfly has suspense, pathos, romance, and a plot twist that has the reader saying, "Oh, yeah. Of course." This book made me laugh, made me cry, and made me keep turning the pages.
July 12, 2018
Good one with a surprise I did not see coming. That's pretty good because that type of plot twist rarely gets by me. I usually can guess the bad guy pretty early on. In this case, the obvious suspect was obviously not the one, but the real one was a surprise- I like it.
January 27, 2020
Another brilliant book by Sharon Sala. A lot of hard moments that you need to have the tissues handy for. Love the story line of having to over come a tragic loss. One of the main characters has to overcome her poor self image to overcome and fall in love.
February 14, 2022
Another hit
Whenever I am feeling like I wont enjoy another good book Sharon Sala comes along and hits me right in my feels. A wonderful story. Highly recommend to anyone who lives a good thriller romance.
Whenever I am feeling like I wont enjoy another good book Sharon Sala comes along and hits me right in my feels. A wonderful story. Highly recommend to anyone who lives a good thriller romance.
September 5, 2023
the best crime mystery I’ve read in years
I read this book in one sitting and was not bored for a minute. Great characters great writing, twists and turns I didn’t see coming- very entertaining!
I read this book in one sitting and was not bored for a minute. Great characters great writing, twists and turns I didn’t see coming- very entertaining!
September 15, 2024
Suspenseful read
Another good book that kept me turning the pages to get to the next exciting happenings. I haven't found a book by Sharon Sala that enjoyed immensely. High recommendations for all. Will be starting another good book of hers soon.
Another good book that kept me turning the pages to get to the next exciting happenings. I haven't found a book by Sharon Sala that enjoyed immensely. High recommendations for all. Will be starting another good book of hers soon.
January 24, 2025
I usually read longer books, but this short story was beautiful. Very sweet. I have never read Sharon Sala, so this is a good introduction to her books, & I look forward to some of her other books, including her series. I absolutely just love a heartfelt romance.
November 15, 2025
Love Ms Sala
Ever since the first book that I've read of hers I have absolutely adored her writing. I find myself oooing and aweing thru the book. Thank you for the quick read good story
Ever since the first book that I've read of hers I have absolutely adored her writing. I find myself oooing and aweing thru the book. Thank you for the quick read good story
March 14, 2017
BUTTERFLY
Very fast romantic read, a little bit of a mystery, and a couple of good characters. I like most of Sharon Sala's books, this one was a little light, but enjoyable.
Very fast romantic read, a little bit of a mystery, and a couple of good characters. I like most of Sharon Sala's books, this one was a little light, but enjoyable.
April 9, 2018
Great. Book
I loved this book ironic ending. Great grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat Book reflect loved it.Great Great Great Great Great book. Great Great great.
I loved this book ironic ending. Great grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat Book reflect loved it.Great Great Great Great Great book. Great Great great.
September 29, 2019
Butterfly
What an entertaining story. I love the way all of the suspects were high profile characters. Not sure which I loved more, Ben or China.
What an entertaining story. I love the way all of the suspects were high profile characters. Not sure which I loved more, Ben or China.
November 4, 2019
Loved this read! Good from cover to cover!
Read
July 8, 2020Love Sharon Sala and she did not disappoint In this book either. Loved the twist and turns. Great read
August 26, 2020
Butterfly
China was homeless and pregnant. Then she was innocent victim of a crime and got shot. She lived but her baby died. Kathleen Ryan
China was homeless and pregnant. Then she was innocent victim of a crime and got shot. She lived but her baby died. Kathleen Ryan
November 2, 2020
A great read:)
Very intriguing & lots of twists & turns.Keeps you guessing until near the end!!!:)
Very intriguing & lots of twists & turns.Keeps you guessing until near the end!!!:)
October 29, 2022
Terribly writing… lame.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews