A Ghostly Light (Haunted Home Renovation)

Started reading this series just a few days ago. Enjoyed them so much that I have already read the first seven books. Absolutely love the ending. It was so touching that I teared up twice. Can't wait to five into book 8. I hope that this author will be writing more in this series.The teaser chapters from her Witchcraft Mystery series sound intriguing. I plan on reading the first one in that series after I finish this one.

This lighthouse holds more than just light.A Ghostly Light by Juliet Blackwell this is one of my favorite series. I truly love the mix of history, home renovation, paranormal, mystery and the quirkiness of San Francisco and the bay area.The world that Ms. Blackwell has created by mixing fact and fiction is so believable. Honestly, I would like to hire Turner Construction just to be a little part of this world.I really think that Mel is shining in this addition. It’s nice to see her with her new man Landon. She is so happy. She still has things to work on (such as her recent fear of heights but don’t we all. She is finally working through all of her jobs: ghost, construction or murder. Landon is extremely supportive. It’s so sweet.Mel has two mysteries to solve: the recent murder that her friend has been accused of and the mystery of the lighthouse ghost. Ms. Blackwell does such a great job keeping the whole thing moving through the past, present and glimpses of the future.I adored the lighthouse history that was included with the story. The treasure maps were so thoughtful. What a wonderful way to teach and entertain your child, so much better than handing them a cellphone to play with.I found this quote online and thought it was such a great fit for this story. “Books are lighthouses erected in the great sea of time.” ~E.P. WhippleMy rating is 5 stars, of course. If you haven’t read the other books you should try the first book in the series, Home Renovation or you can just start with this one. I guarantee you will want more. Mel and her entourage are worth your time.If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.

Mel Turner is a general contractor who restores and renovates historic houses and buildings in the Oakland/San Francisco area. She has taken over the business from her father. In this 7th book, her business has been hired to restore a lighthouse and the lightkeeper's house. The house will be an inn. The lighthouse is close to San Quentin.A murder takes place early in the book when body comes tumbling down the steps of the lighthouse. It is not an accident as there is a knife in the body. Mel's friend who hired her for the job is a main suspect. There are several ghosts on the island.I pre-ordered this book as I like the series very much. When thinking about why I like it above some other cozy mysteries, there are several reasons. First is the character of Mel Turner. She is nontraditional and humorous. I really like the family scenes when Mel, Caleb (her stepson) , Mel's boyfriend, Stan (a family friend) and Doug/Dog gather for a meal in Mel's dad kitchen. Mel's dad can really cook up a storm. There is always room for anyone else who drops in. Many do drop in and they are always welcome. It has a very cozy family feel to it.I did not have the mystery solved as to who the murderer was and other questions about what happened to a five year old boy from the past until the author disclosed it. The book is a light paranormal. I think all series are best when read in order but I think you could jump in with this book and not feel lost. The author does a good job of updating the readers. I am looking forward to the next book.

In this story, Mel is suffering from vertigo. It is a carry over from the last book. Her project in this story is redoing a lighthouse and the surrounding buildings on the property. Characters are a carry over from a previous book. A very rich man and his assitant have bought the lighthouse and want to turn it into a B&B. Alica's (the assistant) ex-husband turns up on the island. His body is soon found stabbed and bloody at the bottom of the lighthouse stairs. Mel is trying to go up the stairs to meet Alica when the body comes down. Mel has vertigo and can not make it up to the top. When Alica comes down, she is covered in blood and admits that she tried to take the knife out of Thorn to help him. She found him like that at the top of the stairs. No one else is around except for a bodyguard and he is outside. There are reports of a ghost in the lighthouse. Did the ghost do it? Can the ghost communicate who did it? Who is the ghost and why are they still around?All questions (including Mel's new boyfriend) will be answered. Read the book and see for yourself.

I love this series! These are real people with families and jobs. There are just a few ghosts and murders thrown in for interest! The main character, Mel, is a smart, strong women who has taken over her dad’s business of home renovations, a very difficult job to have for a woman trying to be a professional in a man’s world. She has also discovered that she can see ghosts, which occurs often since she renovates older home in the San Francisco area. The book’s storylines have an easy flow and all meld together beautifully. The author’s descriptions of the settings make you feel like you are there. This book deals with Mel’s new job of renovating an island lighthouse. Of course ghosts show up, a murder occurs and a friend is unjustly accused of the murder. There’s a lot of historical facts presented about the San Francisco area, which I loved because we used to live there about 40 years ago. The whole book brought back fond memories. If you like strong women as the main character, finding out interesting things about the San Francisco area and surprise endings, then you’ll probably like this book too!

I'm a huge fan of all of Juliet Blackwell's series and the latest installment in the Haunted Home Renovation series is a terrific addition to a fun series. Mel Turner is working on renovating a lighthouse - a haunted one, of course - into an inn, and helps to solve two mysteries, as usual: one ghostly and one real one.I surprised myself by guessing the murderer, however, but then second-guessed myself and was pleasantly surprised when I realised I'd been right (I generally can never figure it out). Mel is a great character and her family and friends are well written, sympathetic and have real-life concerns, problems, luck, love, etc. Ms Blackwell is a great observer of people and can capture a character beautifully.I pre-ordered this one but only just got around to reading it the past couple of days for one reason or another. Perhaps it's because I like to keep my favourites until last, in some misguided belief that I can savour them better that way. I'm not sure, however, because once I've started I simply don't put them down until I stop. Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will hope that Ms Blackwell can just write faster so that we don't have to wait so long for the next one. ;)

As per description

Like catching up with a long lost friend, really enjoyable and looking forward to next time

A real page turner - excellent

Excelleny book