Margaret Standafer

Margaret Standafer was born, raised, and still resides in the suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Being surrounded by ten thousand lakes means a love of all things water-related...and a deep hatred of mosquitos. After years spent in perpetual motion juggling a family and a career and loving every minute of it, some pesky health issues led to mandated down time and eventually resulted in her grabbing the laptop and putting some of the stories that had been alive and well—but relegated to a small spot in the recesses of her mind—down on paper. The outcome of that endeavor was her first published novel, Misty Lake.

When Margaret isn’t writing, she’s busy teaching middle school, hiking, cooking, gardening, travelling, or reading. Actually, she’s always reading and has devised ways to incorporate it into all the aforementioned activities. It is Margaret's sincere hope that you enjoy her writing.

Misty Lake: Book One in the Misty Lake Series

Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Fiction

Samantha Taylor has lost all those dearest to her…her parents, her brother, and now the grandfather who raised her. When his will is read and some of his secrets come to light, Sam finds herself back in Misty Lake, Minnesota, a place that holds countless happy memories but, as she quickly discovers, just as many questions.

Jake McCabe, Misty Lake’s sheriff, is as curious as anyone about the town’s newest resident but it isn’t until Sam becomes the victim of a particularly cruel vandal that he meets her and gets a look at the house that has everyone in town talking.

As Jake races to keep Sam safe from the escalating attacks, he also works to break down the wall she has built around herself and to convince her that a life without love isn’t a life at all.

The Inn at Misty Lake: Book Two in the Misty Lake Series

Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Fiction

Susan Taylor needs a fresh start. Tired of Chicago and especially of her job at a posh hotel, she figures she’s found the perfect solution to her problems in Misty Lake. Converting an abandoned farmhouse into a bed and breakfast means she will finally have the chance to be the one calling the shots.

Riley McCabe has his doubts about the project Susan proposes. As a contractor, it’s hard to refuse a long-term, good-paying job, but the house has so many problems, he’s convinced it would be smarter to just tear it down. However, he quickly learns that when Susan makes up her mind, it’s awfully hard to change it.

When Riley’s past suddenly becomes his present, Susan is forced to fight for her inn, her life, and the man she is hoping will be part of her future.

Misty Lake in Focus: Book Three in the Misty Lake Series

Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Fiction

For Cassie Papadakis, a lonely childhood inevitably led to a lonely life. Trusting no one, she threw herself into her work and avoided relationships at all costs. Until she met Frank McCabe and everything changed. Two weeks with him taught her what happiness was. But then, in an instant, her world was shattered.

Frank never understood why Cassie disappeared so suddenly from his life. Seven years had him moving on, but not forgetting the woman who’d stolen his heart. When the two are unexpectedly reunited, he realizes his feelings for her are as strong as ever. He is determined to learn what happened, and to win her back.

But Frank isn’t the only one who wants Cassie.

Anchored in Misty Lake: Book Four in the Misty Lake Series

Clean romantic suspense, romance, contemporary fiction

Shauna McCabe has lived her life in the shadow of four older brothers, trying to keep up while trying to make her own mark. Now, with all her brothers married, nieces and nephews on the scene, and a family that seems to grow every day, she feels like an outsider looking in. Needing to stretch her wings, to have something that’s all her own, she develops a sure-fire plan.

Cortland Mackenzie is used to getting what he wants. A wealthy businessman from a powerful family, Cort has his sights set on Misty Lake, but his plans have him on a collision course with Shauna.

Amidst heartbreak and secrets, Shauna and Cort navigate a bumpy road that takes them from Misty Lake to New York City and finally to a decision that will determine their fates.

Sunset Over Misty Lake: Book Five in the Misty Lake Series

Clean romantic suspense, romance, contemporary fiction

Karen has the life she's always wanted...a loving husband, a growing family, and a career that both suits and challenges. Then, with a few words, a text sends that life crashing down around her.

At first confused, then frustrated, and finally devastated, Joe doesn't know what to do or where to look in order to help his wife and save his family. Turns out, he doesn't have to look far.

You've seen the McCabes rally around one another, supporting and protecting, but you've never seen them like this. When the one who's always been there for them is threatened, nothing will keep the McCabes from showing her what family means, what family does.

I Know an Old Lady: A Coming of Age Novel

Coming-of-age, Young Adult, Historical Fiction

It’s the summer of 1972, and Kansas wheat fields are baking under the relentless sun. Teenagers are celebrating the first taste of freedom as they line their pockets with newly printed driver’s licenses and long-awaited paychecks. Days off are spent at the town’s only lake, nights under the yellow lights of the drive-in restaurant.

But Billy Tupper’s life is a far cry from that of other teenagers. One mistake too many lands him in front of a judge who sentences him to a summer working for Old Lady Baxter, the victim of his latest carelessness…and the rumored child killer of Munroe, Kansas. As Billy sweats his way through endless months of mowing her lawn, weeding her garden, and painting her house, he also searches for the evidence to prove she’s guilty, but what he finds, and what he learns about himself, will change his life forever.

I Know an Old Lady is a touching coming-of-age story of loss and redemption, of understanding and compassion, and of a family torn apart and slowly put back together.

I Know an Old Lady is Billy Tupper’s story.

Sample I Know an Old Lady