Secrets of Sandpiper Shores: Hidden Embers

by Amy Rafferty

Coming soon...

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2026

About the author

Amy Rafferty writes uplifting, clean romance filled with heart, healing, and the kind of hope that lingers long after the last page. Known for her coastal settings, later-in-life heroines, and unforgettable family bonds, Amy's books offer second chances and emotional journeys wrapped in love and mystery. When she’s not dreaming up her next story, she’s sipping tea by the sea and treasuring time with her family.

I always love to hear from you and get your feedback. Email me at books@amyraffertyauthor.com and Follow Me on Amazon. https://amazon.com/author/amyrafferty

Sign up for my newsletter and get a free gift, here!
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/da0rxdf4jo

Follow me on my socials here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyrafferty...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyraffertya...

Join my 'Amy's Friends' group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/12573...

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some secrets stay buried for decades. Others catch fire.

When high-powered attorney June Carter is sidelined by a car accident, she retreats to the quiet beach town of Sandpiper Shores, Florida — hoping that a summer in the peaceful coastal community will bring healing and rest. What she doesn’t expect is to collide with the past she’s kept hidden for 37 years.

June’s first love, FBI Director Holt Dillinger, is also in town, turning her peaceful getaway into an emotional battlefield.

As wildfire season sets the coastal forests ablaze, the fire isn’t just on the horizon — it’s in their hearts. Tensions simmer, old wounds re-open, and a carefully kept lie begins to unravel.

In a town where everyone knows everyone and danger creeps in like smoke on the wind, June must confront the man she never stopped loving… and the truth that could shatter the family she’s fought to protect.

This contemporary Cedar Key second-chance romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building in Sandpiper Shores, Florida, where the sunrises and sunsets are majestically painted in vibrant hues across the sky, and characters who are resilient, captivating, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with secrets of Sandpiper Shores, second chances, seaside charm, a slow-burning mystery that ties generations together, family, forgiveness, and forever love that are always worth the risk, suspense that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, tension, secrets buried for decades, wildfire season that sets the coastal forests ablaze, danger creeps in like smoke on the wind, love/loss, heartfelt emotions/emotional depth that will leave readers in need of Kleenex/Puffs to wipe away the tears threatening to spill down their cheeks, action, adventure, intrigue, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with secrets of Sandpiper Shores and a small-town second- chance romance that is sure to transport readers into a world that is wildly emotional, intriguing, and unforgettable.

[Mary Ann Speel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series! For those who are reading this series more things are happening to a secondary H and h. The primary h and a secondary h are threatened. Another secondary h looses her business when it is burned down, and almost lost her life. Another minor H almost lost his life rescuing her. Another person is attacked and almost killed, requiring rescuing. Until that point I was thinking that person might be responsible for what was happening in Sandpiper Shores, but she is just another victim. The person who is responsible was prevented from killing another victim. Again we are left wondering what will happen next and who is responsible for all that is happening, along with the why of it all. As an aside the H and h confirmed to their son and daughter that they were previously married. But their entire story is yet to be revealed, the h has not told the H or her daughter that he is the biological father. Hope you will continue to read this series to the end, I know that I will. Enjoy!

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Rafferty has written an incredible page turning, series that you can't put down. This third book in the series advances the story picking up from book two. With so much happening from the first pages, this book is unputdownable. Is the past dangers replaying itself? Ten years ago, there were accidents and fires that claimed the life of June's daughter, Willa's husband and three other firefighters. Was the right person jailed for the acts? Someone is copying them and we find not only Lacey, Lucy, Margo, June, Willa, Rad and Holt in the line of sight of danger happening someone else has been brought in when she was an enigma when Holt looked into her. Mixed with potential romances coming to light, we are taken to the unbelievable cliff hanger! I can't wait for book 4 and the whole rest of the series as I read each with baited breath on the edge of my seat turning pages without a stop. I highly recommend this series if you like a well crafted mystery with a little romance. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Terry T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is a sweet clean small town, second chance, later-in-life, family secrets romance with a touch of mystery and suspense.
Some of the lines I really like --- "As everyone is moaning at how slow I drive lately… And because I’m tired of hearing that sloths and snails have been overtaking me, you can drive.” --- "We can’t keep working off pieces and half-truths. That’s how mistakes happen, or people get hurt or worse.” ---
Who's behind the strange accidents happening? Who deliberately started the fire? Was it the same person who started the fire 10 years ago or a copycat? What's Victoria up to? Who ran Lacey off the road? What happened to the evidence from Lacey's accident? Who tried to kill Lacey and Margo? What's Dr. Vernon up to? Who started the fire at Margo's Cafe? Who tried to kill Dr. Vernon? These and other questions will all be answered in books 4 - 6.
I loved June and Holt, Lucy and Tom, Lacey and Dean's, Carmen and Zane's story and I'm sure you will too. I've loved everyone of her books that I've read and I can't wait to read Book 4.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so enjoyable! There is a lot going on in Sandpiper Shores! I found myself reading this book in one day because I had to know what happened to June and Holt and those close to them. This book contains new warnings for those we’ve grown close to in Sandpiper Shores. Accidents abound as well as plenty of intrigue, suspense, and some hints at romance. It seems the circle is growing smaller and our characters now know they can’t be alone if they want to remain safe while June and Holt work to solve the case! I read this book as part of an ARC team and am offering my honest review.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is happening in the sleepy seaside town of Sandpiper Shores? In this episode, ( I look at each book as an episode in the total story) Lacey is still in hospital, the truck isn’t Lacey’s, but her sisters.

We still don’t know who is behind all this, but one of the main suspects in my opinion is taken out of the equation and almost killed. We find out more about the big fire ten years ago and the culprit isn’t the culprit???

I can’t wait for the next book. This series is turning out to be one of the best I’ve read in a while.

[Pam Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

More action happens. Who is a suspect, and whose life is in danger? Is history from ten years ago repeating itself?

The secret Holt and June have been hiding is accidentally leaked to their children. It seems others are being targeted as a fire is set at Teacups cafe. Margo heads into the fire to rescue a trapped child. Rad goes in to help Margo, and they both inhale a lot of smoke. Holt decides to have dinner with Victoria to see if he can learn any information.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. This review is my honest opinion.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets of Sandpiper Shores, Book 3, is a suspenseful addition to this intriguing series. Accidents, mysteries, and threats are woven within the framework of this book. Holt and June's secret comes to be known as they continue to discover who is causing the danger to their family and community. Their families decide the safest place to stay is to remain together. This intriguing book is well written and ends in a cliffhanger.
I received a copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Troubling times.

Troubling times continue in Sandpiper Shores with an eerie similarity to events 10 years previously.  June, Holt, their families and friends are continually facing terror and tragedy as they try to piece together the mystery of who is behind the tragic events and why they are being targeted.  I highly recommend this book, series and author. 

I read this book as part of an advance reader team.  I am voluntarily writing this review.

[Paula Corregan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book with edge of your seat intrigue and a hint of romance! June and Holt are drawn deeper into the mysteries in and around Sandpiper Shores, including the near fatal accident of an acquaintance. The further they dig for information, the murkier things become. I highly recommend this book to other mystery/romance readers. I received an ARC of this book, and the opinion expressed is strictly my own.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as an ARC.

Ten yrs ago so many accidents happened and death. Things are happening again but it’s escalating quickly. Drs Lacey, Dr. Lucy, Margo, Dr. Judy, June, Willa & Rad are all in the crossfire of all theses tragedies. Will Holt be able to figure it out before the town is completely destroyed.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy knows how to weave a super mystery, full of near misses, tragedies, and secretly shared entanglements. Our main characters continue to work out the intricacies of this current misfortune before any more casualties occur. Tune in for the next installment to find where things are headed, both personally and as a community.

[Roslyn Simonin Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can this plot get any thicker?
Another fire, Margo and Rad stuck in the burning Bakery bathroom.
Another horrific car accident....how much brain damage?
More notes!
Lucy and June?
And, in all the turmoil, love is in bloom all around.
Amy you are killing me with all the suspense.
ANOTHER GREAT READ!

I received this ARC from Amy and this is my honest review.

[Melonie Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is so very good! So much happens in this one. Secrets are revealed and every time you think you have a clue more information comes out and you have to re-think it again!!! Love it.
The characters are amazing. I love that Amy Rafferty's book make you feel like coming home to visit old friends. I can't wait to see how the rest of the story unfolds.

[Danette Fowlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the pieces of this great puzzle fall into place, we find out more on the fire 10 yrs ago and how it is connected to now. This is quite the mystery and a delightful series to read. I enjoy each one more as I read.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jan Tomalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is full of mystery and suspense. There are also a few relationships going on, whether the couples acknowledge them or not. Still looking for who is responsible for the fires. A book you just can’t put down!
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[DeeDeeWReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot thickens

When we think we know what’s going on, another curveball is thrown at us with high velocity.

More questions than answers, but for sure I know I don’t like Victoria one bit.

I see many budding relationships that I hope will come to fruition.

Recommend this author and series wholeheartedly.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton]

This series is fantastic! I love the anticipation of turning those pages to find another secret, twist, surprise, danger or romance. It's full of action, unknowns and cliff hangers. Amazing writing with an interesting cast of characters. This twisty, multi layered mystery has kept me guessing the whole way. I'm ready for book 4!

[Barbara Kaake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a awesome story about June and Holt and accidents that are happening and who is behind this mystery that is going on and kept me on the edge of my sweat and who is responsible and wait to read the next book. Thank you for this excellent story.

[Virginia L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets of SANDPIPER SHORES book 3 leaves me anxiously awaiting book 4. The mystery and suspense deepen. Terrible things keep happening in Sandpiper Shores with no idea why or who could be behind it all.

[Roxy Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

While it would benefit from some gentle editing, this is an enjoyable book. Definitely a series that needs to be read in order. Love the complex characters and nuanced relationships. Reading Sandpiper Shores is immersive and satisfying! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Vickie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story. Can't wait for the next book.

[Christine Schrodt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is fascinating. It moves quickly and expertly, and even throws in an intriguing new character occasionally. The series keeps me wanting more...I'm excited for the next book!

[Lisa L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic addition to this series. The twists and turns are great.

[B E · Rating 4 out of 5]

What’s happening in Sandpiper shores? June and Holt continue to investigate, why are they being targeted?

[Nicole Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really good book. I just can’t deal with how dragged out it is! Like please give me the conclusion of the story, this is too much!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was probably the best of the series so far, even better written.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book that will draw you into the character’s lives. Theres romance, secrets and more to intrigue you. Can’t wait for the next book.

[Linda Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series. Even those you thought could be the suspect are severely targeted.
There’s serious danger in town and the emergency services are kept busy. The hospital is almost another character. Don’t forget…must be read in order.
Intriguing suspense and mystery. Highly recommend.