The Inn at Misty Lake

Misty Lake #2

by Margaret Standafer

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.

Genres: Mystery, Romance

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2015

About the author

I have been in love with reading since I was old enough to pick up a book. From helping Frodo save Middle Earth to screaming at Scarlett O’Hara to hurry up and realize Rhett Butler was the only man for her, books have taken me on countless adventures.

It took me much longer to realize I also love writing. For years I ignored my husband’s subtle and not-so-subtle hints that I should give writing a try. He was convinced I could do it. I wasn’t. When I finally sat down and started to put some of the stories in my head down on paper, I discovered not only could I do it, I discovered a whole new world of possibilities and adventures…a world where I could control the outcome. I’ve never been happier!

It is my sincere hope that you enjoy my writing. I’d love to hear from you whether it’s about something I’ve written or about something someone else has written and that you’ve read and loved. That’s the great thing about Goodreads…I can be a reader and a writer!

Reviews

[Stjepan Cobets · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writer Margaret Standafer elegant writing style draws the reader into a story full of strong feelings. Susan is the girl from Chicago who buys an old farm near the lake in Northern Minnesota. She worked in Billingsley hotel decided to leave Chicago and start his own business. Since the farm in bad shape she decides to hire Riley McCabe for remodeling and restoration. Susan is so full of ideas that Riley sometimes cannot follow, which sometimes leads to discussion. But soon the progress of arranging farm their relationship becomes more than the ratio of employee and employer. The writer is slowly drawn into the world connected with the main characters in which we get to know a lot of their friends, relatives and many residents of the small town in which the story is set. The reader can easily identify with the characters and his destiny. Love sometimes makes miracles, because love itself is a miracle.

"Copy provided courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review."

[Tara Woods Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Inn at Misty Lake was a wonderful read and introduced me to characters I will be on the lookout for. To say this was a cozy romance/mystery would be an understatement - almost everyone in the story was someone I would actually want to know. I grew up in a small town in NC so a lot of these characters did remind me of people I am familiar with, which may explain why I felt so comfortable with the story line from the very beginning. I appreciated the fact that Susan was bright and determined without being too plucky or annoying. To be honest, when an author tries to hard to make her heroine spunky it often grates on my nerves, like a Meg Ryan-esque level of perky perfection. Susan, on the other hand, is accessible and fleshed out. Her motives and the ambition that drives her to make a success of the bed and breakfast are grounded and you find yourself pulling for her all the way. I'm also glad the author took the time to go into detail about the renovation aspect of the story because i personally find remodels to be fascinating so that was an extra treat.

As for Riley I loved his character and found him to be a good fit for Susan, temperamentally. This was also refreshing. When a romance comes across as authentic you fall for the plot and get swept up into the story organically.

Having said that the only thing I really could find fault with was the mystery aspect, and actually, only the conflict at the end. It almost seemed like the author doesn't have it in her to make anyone truly malevolent enough to pose any real danger or threat but she was determined to create some conflict for her characters. The nature of the conflict was original and I was onboard but the resolution left me dubious. But it wasn't enough to deduct an entire star and there's no half star system so I am still comfortable giving this five stars.

This cozy romance/mystery delivers double time on the feel good we all need sometimes in our escapism but even with its warmth and charm it introduced us to characters so real that you didn't have to suspend reality to really get into the book. I very much recommend The Inn at Misty Lake and will be catching up on the author's back catalog, as well.

[Laura Bullock · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and engaging story. I liked the dynamic of the restoration and the interraction between Susan and Riley. It leads to love and then doubt and back again. It was a good light read that helped me escape into the world of Misty Lake. I was given a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kay (Brigidsmomma) Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

More a love story than a mystery, but also a wonderful read. I love the setting and the reno work they are doing on the old farmhouse. The mystery is a minor one, but still has its anxious moments. Well worth the read.

[Maggie Larche · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for what it is -- a cozy, clean romance with the tiniest bit of mystery thrown in. The main character is restoring an old B&B, and I really enjoyed all the details the book went into. I felt like I was practically a partner in the restoration. I kept reading much later than I should have, which I think is a sure sign of quality. There is one problem with the book that almost lost it a star -- there are lots of references to and characters from a previous story in the series that are not explained in this book. I read this book out of order, so it would have been nice to have some sort of orienting information each time an old character came back. Still, though, a really good read. I enjoyed it and think I'll probably pick up the first book in the series as well.

I received a free copy for my honest review.

[edith haskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome book.

I am really into this series and I love all the characters. I especially love the closeness of the families. And I love the dogs!

[Donnalu Loman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoping to read more of Misty Lake. Have the next one on order.

[G.J. Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Inn at Misty Lake was a very enjoyable read with characters and a plotline that I found both real and very believable. I have read the first book in the series and knew some of the characters here but I think this novel could almost be considered to be a stand-alone, so complete is the story from beginning to end. There are elements of woodworking, DIY and restoration in both books that particularly took my interest. Susan is hoping to restore an old farmhouse into a B&B with Riley in overall charge of the building work. However, quite aside from this I have found the quality of Margaret Standafer’s writing to be exceptional in that she has portrayed the two central protagonists, Susan and Riley, perfectly. Each has their own distinctive traits and qualities such that we see conflicts, arguments and occasional flirtatious behaviour between them implying all the time that they are meant to be “together” – but there are doubts enough throughout the story to make the reader wish for a happy ending despite these. I say this as one who very rarely picks up a “cozy romance” by choice since Standafer’s books are more than just romances and I was left wanting more at the end!

There are all the elements of small town life: gossip, mundanity, awareness of everyone’s business, support and possible condemnation. The author skilfully mixes this with many twists and turns by introducing her own elements of a mystery that slowly builds until it becomes the main focus towards the end. There were few tear-jerking moments and no gratuitous sex or violence – thankfully! Standafer’s underlying development of the relationship between Susan and Riley, the credible dialogue and realistic scenarios did not need such extremes. The writing was so well done that, when one compares it to a lot of contemporary new authors, I found it a quite refreshing change. It is to be hoped that there will be many more books from this accomplished writer – in whatever genre.
I received a free copy of this book

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't wait to read The Inn at Misty Lake. I was so anxious to find out what was going to happen between Riley and Susan. This book did not disappoint! The author does a fantastic job creating a strong female character. Susan is determined, tough and independent, but also selfless and understanding. The love story between Susan and Riley was sweet and romantic, but also very believable. The mystery that eventually causes conflict between the main characters kept me guessing. I didn't want to stop reading! I also really love how she included a special dog in this story. I highly recommend The Inn at Misty Lake.

[Sonal Panse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Taylor moves from Chicago to Misty Lake, a small town in Minnesota, with a laidbaid ambience. A relaxed lifestyle is just what Susan is seeking and she buys an old farmhouse with the intention of converting it into a profitable Bed & Breakfast; she has the requisite business experience from having worked at the Billingsley Hotel in Chicago. She hires her cousin Sam's brother-in-law, Riley McCabe as a contractor to do the project and the two of them are drawn together, even though they keep clashing on her ideas about the restoration and renovation.

It is an easy-going, slow-paced romance story, quite refreshing, and with a mystery to spice things up.

[Julie Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A read that will take you away

A few minutes is all I was going to give this book. But, I read it til the end. Nice job, Ms. Standafer. You must love life. It comes through in your books along with your love of dogs and, of course, people, you truly have a deep and profound love and understanding of people. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[Liz Ondrejko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it I guess

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[Debra Sissom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading The Inn at Misty Lake.

I liked that it has family, adventure, romance and a few twists and turns. I know that this is nay the second book, but I like that each book leads you into the next.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than the 1st book. I do like stories set around inn's. I would like to give it 4.5 stars really.

[Barbara D. Mason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just average. A little too much drama, making it a bit far fetched.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable story with characters who you would want as friends. A bit of a mystery and a good love story with a few lessons about friendship, family, and responsibility.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun continuation of the series.

[Janesmcdowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love conquers all

This is a story of love deceit,danger. A complicated tale that was a cliff hanger at times.once the mystery was solved the truth came out.

[Diane McIntosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series

Real people, real problems, surprise solutions in a beautiful setting make me want to vacation there!
What a delight to experience!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful

Nice story friendship,business,family,romance ❤️,and a great story at the end with a catch!!I really enjoyed every page, loved the family and also the puppies

[A.J. Culey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had conflicting reactions to The Inn at Misty Lake by Margaret Standafer. First, the cover left me confused as to what to expect, in terms of genre. I expected a cozy based on the cover, but I wouldn't call this a mystery, let alone a cozy. There was a minor (very minor) suspense element, but it was so underdeveloped for the majority of the book, it was practically non-existent until the very end. In fact, because the suspense was such a minor element in the story, I also wouldn't necessarily call this romantic suspense (the other possible contender for genre based on the book's description). In the end, I might call it contemporary romance, though I found the romance to be excruciatingly slow moving. There were elements of women's fiction and at times, the effort reminded me of an early Nora Roberts (which millions of readers would say is a good thing).

Beyond the genre confusion, there were other elements that kept me from fully engaging in the story. First and foremost, there was a tendency to head hop in one scene, sometimes in a single paragraph. This was often jarring and disrupted the flow of the reading. Secondly, at times it felt as if I was missing vital pieces of information. This may be due to this being the second book in a series, but unless books 1 & 2 occur concurrently, there were entire scenes and issues alluded to, but never fully developed, with many threads left hanging in this installment (though it is a complete novel).

Additionally, I found it difficult to connect with Susan. She often would tell how she felt about something (for example, her feelings of loneliness and missing her family around the holidays), but I didn't actually believe it. I'm not sure why, but often when Susan was emotional, I felt nothing. When she cries about the past to Riley, when she feels homesick and sad, when she bonds with Riiley's mother as she shares her feelings about not being with her family, the most I felt was a sense of impatience. Even worse, toward the end, when Riley really needed her to stand by him, I found Susan to be self-centered and undeserving of his love. Ultimately, I honestly just couldn't connect with the heroine, which significantly impacted my reaction to this novel.

Having said all that, The Inn at Misty Lake was well-written and as the story progressed toward its conclusion, I was increasingly engaged and interested to discover how the story would end. One of the better written characters, in my opinion, was the young boy, Ryan. He was incredibly believable and endearing. I also loved the dogs because who wouldn't?

Overall, I would call this a very strong effort. I think perhaps others might enjoy it more. It simply failed to fully engage me.