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Southern Suspense #4
When Noonday Ends
When a new attorney accepts a pro-bono case of a woman suspected of attempted homicide, he ends up with more than he bargained for. She's the ex-wife of one of the oldest and wealthiest families in Ashville, and her in-laws will stop at nothing to conceal family secrets--even murder.
Unable to ignore his attraction, he gets closer than he should. But when all evidence points to the woman he's falling in love with, he will risk everything--his reputation, disbarment, maybe even his life to uncover the truth.
Unable to ignore his attraction, he gets closer than he should. But when all evidence points to the woman he's falling in love with, he will risk everything--his reputation, disbarment, maybe even his life to uncover the truth.
Kindle Edition
First published December 26, 2012
383 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
Carmen DeSousa
43 books648 followersReader Profile: First and foremost, I am a reader. From the moment I could hold a book, I've been fascinated with the written word. I enjoy almost everything, but lean toward romantic-suspense and magical realism. If you're looking for poor reviews, you won't find them here. The reason...life's too short to read bad books. If a book isn't at least three stars halfway through, I stop reading, and therefore, don't feel as though I have the right to review it. That's my policy! Please don't send me requests, though. If you are one of my cyber friends, I will eventually find you. :)
Author Profile: I write stories that overflow with romance, mystery, suspense, a hint of paranormal sometimes, and of course, tragedy. After all, what would a great story be without a tragic event setting the stage? All of my novels are sensual but not erotic, gripping but not graphic, and will hopefully make you cry, laugh, love, and hope.
New Series: Midnight Sons
#1 Sam's Folly
#2 Alex's Atonement
#3 Vince's Chance
The Southern Collection:
#1 She Belongs to Me
#2 Land of the Noonday Sun
#3 Entangled Dreams
#4 When Noonday Ends
#5 Split Decisions
Creatus Series (Paranormal Romantic Suspense)
#0 Creatus (They Exist) The Prequel
#1 Creatus
#2 Creatus Rogue
#3 Creatus Eidolon
#4 Creatus Animus
#5 Creatus Talis
Author Profile: I write stories that overflow with romance, mystery, suspense, a hint of paranormal sometimes, and of course, tragedy. After all, what would a great story be without a tragic event setting the stage? All of my novels are sensual but not erotic, gripping but not graphic, and will hopefully make you cry, laugh, love, and hope.
New Series: Midnight Sons
#1 Sam's Folly
#2 Alex's Atonement
#3 Vince's Chance
The Southern Collection:
#1 She Belongs to Me
#2 Land of the Noonday Sun
#3 Entangled Dreams
#4 When Noonday Ends
#5 Split Decisions
Creatus Series (Paranormal Romantic Suspense)
#0 Creatus (They Exist) The Prequel
#1 Creatus
#2 Creatus Rogue
#3 Creatus Eidolon
#4 Creatus Animus
#5 Creatus Talis
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
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March 15, 2013
When Noonday Ends is the sequel to Carmen’s romantic suspense Land of the Noonday Sun. I loved the first book so I snatched up the sequel as soon as it was released. What a fantastic read!
I’ve read every novel by Carmen DeSousa, in order of release, and I think I love each subsequent book a little more than the last.
When Noonday Ends presents us with a death, a possible murderer, and love that you are just hoping will last and won’t be destroyed by secrets and the past.
I love Tom. He is a great protagonist. I loved him as a secondary character in Land of the Noonday Sun and I love him even more as a lead character in When Noonday Ends. He is smart, but broken, and has you rooting for his happily ever after right from page one.
The plot is exciting and slowly reveals clues, but the ending has a twist that will leave you gasping in surprise, and loving every second of it. Carmen takes you on a ride with When Noonday Ends that you won’t forget.
Great characters, good plot, fantastic mystery and suspense has me giving When Noonday Ends 5 out of 5 stars.
I’ve read every novel by Carmen DeSousa, in order of release, and I think I love each subsequent book a little more than the last.
When Noonday Ends presents us with a death, a possible murderer, and love that you are just hoping will last and won’t be destroyed by secrets and the past.
I love Tom. He is a great protagonist. I loved him as a secondary character in Land of the Noonday Sun and I love him even more as a lead character in When Noonday Ends. He is smart, but broken, and has you rooting for his happily ever after right from page one.
The plot is exciting and slowly reveals clues, but the ending has a twist that will leave you gasping in surprise, and loving every second of it. Carmen takes you on a ride with When Noonday Ends that you won’t forget.
Great characters, good plot, fantastic mystery and suspense has me giving When Noonday Ends 5 out of 5 stars.
January 25, 2013
For all of you Carmen DeSousa fans who have read Land of the Noonday Sun, you've already meet and fallen in love with one of the supporting characters, Tom Turner, the best friend of Chad Wilkinson. As you know, Tom was not left in a happy place. Per fan request , Carmen wrote another novel, just for him, and the fans!
In Land of the Noonday Sun, readers we meet several secondary characters that leave you guessing as to 'whodunit'. The writing is so masterful that it's hard to decide who's the real bad guy. Just when you think you've figured it out, some plot twist pops up sending you in another direction, or the character you thought was the bad guy ends up being saving the day. In this case, that was Tom (okay, that was a mini spoiler, but believe me, there's enough unmentioned characters to keep you guessing!). Saving the day left him with a broken heart and alone. Not to mention a memory that will haunt him for the rest of his life.
Which brings us to When Noonday Ends, the second book in the Nantahala Series.
Tom Turner is an attorney just out of law school and in the process of getting his feet wet. He doesn't have a long list of winning major cases under his belt, and quite frankly, would rather be doing something else than be an attorney. But as most of us have done in our lives, we follow the dreams our parents set before us and look longingly at the job or dream that would make us happy. For Tom, it's getting back to nature and doing the one thing he did as a college student in the summer: be a white water rafting guide at his best friend, Chad's business, or better yet, hike the Appalachian Trail. Anything to get away from the memory that haunts him.
Who knew the opportunity to escape his life and find love with come with representing a beautiful woman who's charged with attempted murder?
Weird, huh?
Once again, Carmen has written a story filled with colorful characters mixed with a beautiful back drop marred only by murder, mystery, longing, desperate decisions, and family secrets. If you love suspense, romance, and happy endings a character has to work for, pick up a copy today. You'll be glad you did!
M.J. Kane- Author of A Heart Not Easily Broken, Book One of the Butterfly Memoirs
In Land of the Noonday Sun, readers we meet several secondary characters that leave you guessing as to 'whodunit'. The writing is so masterful that it's hard to decide who's the real bad guy. Just when you think you've figured it out, some plot twist pops up sending you in another direction, or the character you thought was the bad guy ends up being saving the day. In this case, that was Tom (okay, that was a mini spoiler, but believe me, there's enough unmentioned characters to keep you guessing!). Saving the day left him with a broken heart and alone. Not to mention a memory that will haunt him for the rest of his life.
Which brings us to When Noonday Ends, the second book in the Nantahala Series.
Tom Turner is an attorney just out of law school and in the process of getting his feet wet. He doesn't have a long list of winning major cases under his belt, and quite frankly, would rather be doing something else than be an attorney. But as most of us have done in our lives, we follow the dreams our parents set before us and look longingly at the job or dream that would make us happy. For Tom, it's getting back to nature and doing the one thing he did as a college student in the summer: be a white water rafting guide at his best friend, Chad's business, or better yet, hike the Appalachian Trail. Anything to get away from the memory that haunts him.
Who knew the opportunity to escape his life and find love with come with representing a beautiful woman who's charged with attempted murder?
Weird, huh?
Once again, Carmen has written a story filled with colorful characters mixed with a beautiful back drop marred only by murder, mystery, longing, desperate decisions, and family secrets. If you love suspense, romance, and happy endings a character has to work for, pick up a copy today. You'll be glad you did!
M.J. Kane- Author of A Heart Not Easily Broken, Book One of the Butterfly Memoirs
April 9, 2013
Carmen DeSousa's books keep getting better with each one that she writes. I enjoy all of her characters and the way she neatly ties in past characters with each new story. Each of her main characters have a good, strong, moral attitude that is refreshing to find in a romance. I for one am glad to see abstinence being shown as a good quality to have again. Each story is well though out and there is always a twist or two to keeps you guessing. I am a Huge fan of all her books and am eagerly awaiting the next!! I do encourage anyone who likes a good thrilling romance to but her books. You won't be disappointed!
I realize that I gave all her books 5 stars but that is because in my opinion, they were all that good and I would read them again.
I only give 5 stars if I truly love the books!
I realize that I gave all her books 5 stars but that is because in my opinion, they were all that good and I would read them again.
I only give 5 stars if I truly love the books!
February 24, 2013
I am amazed at how well Carmen relates her stories to us as readers of her imagination! She absolutely blew me away with this one! I didn't even see this one coming! Thank you again Carmen for a fabulously written book! Can't wait for the next one...please tell me it is on the way!!!!
January 18, 2013
In this story of the Nantahala series we read about hero Tom Turner and heroine Shelby Castle. Tom was involved in the first book so if you haven’t read Land of the Noonday Sun, I highly recommend you read that one first, as things will make a little more sense in this one.
Tom sees Shelby for the first time in a courtroom and is drawn to her immediately. His friends and family think it’s because she looks like his ex-fiancé. Tom sees something in Shelby that no one else sees – innocence. He has to decide whether or not he wants to take her case. However, once he has made up his mind to defend Shelby, her ex-husband Carlin (whom she is accused of killing) is released from the hospital and drops the charges. Tom assumes his job is done and that is the last time he will see Shelby.
The plot thickens. Next thing we know Carlin does in fact die and Shelby is once again arrested. From here the story continues to take twists and turns that you don’t expect. Carlin’s father, Clayton will do anything to protect Shelby and his grandson so he hires a hot shot attorney to represent Shelby. While Tom really wanted this case, he is okay with it because now he can act on his attraction to Shelby. We are also are introduced to June, Shelby’s crazy ex mother-in-law as well as Shelby’s protective, older brother, Andy who actually admits he killed Carlin to try and get Shelby released from jail the second time around.
Shelby is a woman who has been physically abused by her ex-husband and is sick of all these men trying to run her life. She just wants to get away from everything and protect her two-year-old son Justin. She finds comfort and safety in Tom. He falls hard and fast for Shelby and treats her with nothing but love and respect, which is different than she is used to from a man in her life.
Carmen does a fantastic job of balancing the romance and mystery of the story. You will find yourself reading as quickly as you can to get to the end of the story and figure out who committed the murder and what will happen to Shelby and her son. I loved all the surprises in the story and thought the ending was perfect. I enjoyed revisiting old characters such as Chad, Cassandra and Michelle. I hope we get to see Michelle’s story next! There were lots of teasers about her love life in this one. If you are looking for a romantic mystery that keeps you wondering until the end of the book, I recommend you try When Noonday Ends!
Tom sees Shelby for the first time in a courtroom and is drawn to her immediately. His friends and family think it’s because she looks like his ex-fiancé. Tom sees something in Shelby that no one else sees – innocence. He has to decide whether or not he wants to take her case. However, once he has made up his mind to defend Shelby, her ex-husband Carlin (whom she is accused of killing) is released from the hospital and drops the charges. Tom assumes his job is done and that is the last time he will see Shelby.
The plot thickens. Next thing we know Carlin does in fact die and Shelby is once again arrested. From here the story continues to take twists and turns that you don’t expect. Carlin’s father, Clayton will do anything to protect Shelby and his grandson so he hires a hot shot attorney to represent Shelby. While Tom really wanted this case, he is okay with it because now he can act on his attraction to Shelby. We are also are introduced to June, Shelby’s crazy ex mother-in-law as well as Shelby’s protective, older brother, Andy who actually admits he killed Carlin to try and get Shelby released from jail the second time around.
Shelby is a woman who has been physically abused by her ex-husband and is sick of all these men trying to run her life. She just wants to get away from everything and protect her two-year-old son Justin. She finds comfort and safety in Tom. He falls hard and fast for Shelby and treats her with nothing but love and respect, which is different than she is used to from a man in her life.
Carmen does a fantastic job of balancing the romance and mystery of the story. You will find yourself reading as quickly as you can to get to the end of the story and figure out who committed the murder and what will happen to Shelby and her son. I loved all the surprises in the story and thought the ending was perfect. I enjoyed revisiting old characters such as Chad, Cassandra and Michelle. I hope we get to see Michelle’s story next! There were lots of teasers about her love life in this one. If you are looking for a romantic mystery that keeps you wondering until the end of the book, I recommend you try When Noonday Ends!
June 4, 2013
If your reading Carmen's books,(if your not I recommend them) then you know Tom. Tom is a new Attorney and looking for a new case when he sees Shelby walk into the court room. She's accused of hitting her ex husband over the head with a cast iron pan. Tom knew he shouldn't take the case because Shelby was beautiful and seemed like trouble for him. He asked her questions and said he wanted to be her attorney. Shelby's in-laws are the castles, a old family with money and lots of secrets. Can Tom help Shelby? Should Tom help Shelby? You will only know if you go hit that button. Carmen's books are mysteries, love stories and full of adventure. Very well written, thought out stories.
June 2, 2020
My Gosh, I don't even know where to start. This was such an amazing book, so full of twists and turns that it's hard to write about.
Shelby is accused of killing her husband. Tom agrees to be her lawyer, but another lawyer is hired for her, so Tom, more or less, helps her through her rough spots …... Sorta.
There are so many surprises in this book. Ones you would think that never could be, but are.
People that are who you think they are, but isn't. Lots and lots of surprises in this book.
This is the first one I have read, but you can be sure, it won't be the last one.
I didn't tell you much about what happened in this book, because I wouldn't spoil it for anyone. I will say that this is one of the best mysteries I have read for a while.
Carmen DeSousa wrote a wonderful book. A book that I didn't want to put down.
Thank you Carmen
Shelby is accused of killing her husband. Tom agrees to be her lawyer, but another lawyer is hired for her, so Tom, more or less, helps her through her rough spots …... Sorta.
There are so many surprises in this book. Ones you would think that never could be, but are.
People that are who you think they are, but isn't. Lots and lots of surprises in this book.
This is the first one I have read, but you can be sure, it won't be the last one.
I didn't tell you much about what happened in this book, because I wouldn't spoil it for anyone. I will say that this is one of the best mysteries I have read for a while.
Carmen DeSousa wrote a wonderful book. A book that I didn't want to put down.
Thank you Carmen
May 4, 2019
For Tom being an attorney made his parents happy, but taking hardship cases can wear one out. What he would like to do is get away from it all, and just hike by himself. Now he took a pro bono case of a woman accused of trying to murder her ex husband. After reading the files, he feels she is innocence, but needing to talk with her before deciding to take the case,
Justin a two year son, who the dad said if she didn’t do what he wanted, he would take a hand to the boy For. others and Tom and Shelby they have been used, could there meeting become one of healing for them.
The plot deals with abuse, and how others are draw into to help if they could
Justin a two year son, who the dad said if she didn’t do what he wanted, he would take a hand to the boy For. others and Tom and Shelby they have been used, could there meeting become one of healing for them.
The plot deals with abuse, and how others are draw into to help if they could
October 16, 2020
4 stars
This is the first book in the series I’ve read. I did enjoy it, but I must admit at about 30% I was questioning why I started reading this without reading the rest of the series. I am glad I persisted, but I feel my experience, understanding and potential ‘love’ of Tom turner could have been greater if I read the others in the series.
Having said that though, I did enjoy this book and the mystery was intriguing and wasn’t obvious.
This is the first book in the series I’ve read. I did enjoy it, but I must admit at about 30% I was questioning why I started reading this without reading the rest of the series. I am glad I persisted, but I feel my experience, understanding and potential ‘love’ of Tom turner could have been greater if I read the others in the series.
Having said that though, I did enjoy this book and the mystery was intriguing and wasn’t obvious.
February 7, 2018
There are dysfunctional families and then there are the "Castles". This family will make all your family drama seem boring. All the characters are well-written, and the leading man is a true "Keeper". The plot has twist and turns that will certainly keep you interested and guessing. Rating 4.25
May 24, 2019
Wish I had known this was book 4 and should have read previous ones first.
Suspenseful plot with sympathetic characters. Surprised by some unexpected twists. I do rather hate getting a free book only to discover it's not the first of the series.
Suspenseful plot with sympathetic characters. Surprised by some unexpected twists. I do rather hate getting a free book only to discover it's not the first of the series.
July 6, 2019
Love it!
This story will have you on the edge of your seat. Or sitting straight up in bed... Mystery combined with romance, need I say more? I would gladly recommend that you read books written by this author.
This story will have you on the edge of your seat. Or sitting straight up in bed... Mystery combined with romance, need I say more? I would gladly recommend that you read books written by this author.
May 12, 2020
Loved Every Word!
It has been too long since I have had such a refreshing, enjoyable, mysterious adventure with a happy ending. It was much needed during this global pandemic of Covid19. I cant wait to read all of your books!!!!
It has been too long since I have had such a refreshing, enjoyable, mysterious adventure with a happy ending. It was much needed during this global pandemic of Covid19. I cant wait to read all of your books!!!!
July 10, 2020
Very enjoyable reading
Bought this on a whim and glad I did. Haven’t read a book with so many twists and turns in a long time. Highly enjoyable read and looking forward to the next book in the series
Bought this on a whim and glad I did. Haven’t read a book with so many twists and turns in a long time. Highly enjoyable read and looking forward to the next book in the series
September 16, 2020
Going to have to go back and read all the prior books of this series because this one was great reading . The many unexpected twists and turns at the end just makes me want to know more about the characters .
May 27, 2019
Good
This book is one that brings two people together after several deaths and a .murder.the book has many different chabges.
This book is one that brings two people together after several deaths and a .murder.the book has many different chabges.
January 30, 2020
Fast paced. A good read.
Book 4 in the series but a good read as a stand-alone.
Book 4 in the series but a good read as a stand-alone.
May 7, 2020
A pleasant read.
May 7, 2020
Great characters and ending. very enjoyable read
May 9, 2020
Romance, suspense and murder, yum!
A well written page turner combining intrigue, love of family and innocence all rolled into one. Couldn't put it down!
A well written page turner combining intrigue, love of family and innocence all rolled into one. Couldn't put it down!
May 10, 2020
For the first 2/3 you can read one out if every 10 pages and then there is actually a story and you can read every 2 to 3 pages of the remainder.
May 14, 2020
I loved this book! All the locations mentioned are within an hour of my home. This book had romance and mystery.
May 15, 2020
It was an ok read.
August 1, 2020
Not G rated.
Well written compelling story with the murderer a surprise to me. Unfortunately, steam downgraded the book for me but if you like steam, it's a good read.
Well written compelling story with the murderer a surprise to me. Unfortunately, steam downgraded the book for me but if you like steam, it's a good read.
August 2, 2020
Read the series
I found the story developed with a twist at every turn. The characters were true and relatable. Another author to follow.
I found the story developed with a twist at every turn. The characters were true and relatable. Another author to follow.
September 17, 2020
Variety of triggers - Very upsetting
DNF
DNF
April 28, 2021
Just no.
May 13, 2020
I really liked this book
This was such a good story. I enjoyed the characters and the setting. It was a little predictable, but in a good way. I would highly recommend this as an easy read on a cold afternoon.
This was such a good story. I enjoyed the characters and the setting. It was a little predictable, but in a good way. I would highly recommend this as an easy read on a cold afternoon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews