May Day

Hallow Haven #5

by Mara Webb

Sadie Alden has been having a tough week. A huge question mark hangs over her relationship with Miller and things only seem to be getting worse.As Hallow Haven prepares for the May Day celebrations, Effie and Kate are trying their best to keep Sadie busy. They can only distract her for so long. Sadie quickly learns that the first day of May is significant in the witch calendar, and for some residents it is important for all the wrong reasons.In an effort to turn things around, Sadie tries her hand at a spell for good luck, but she’s not used to practicing magic by herself and seems to have made a mistake. In the hours that follow the spell, Sadie finds herself caught up in the dark side of the summer festival. A mysterious woman’s arrival threatens to disrupt the dynamic between Sadie and her guardians, a missing sister might provide a way out, and a ticking clock reminds them all how little time they have left. May Day is the fifth book in the Hallow Haven Witch Mysteries series.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Fantasy

Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2023

About the author

Mara Webb graduated from a child with a vivid imagination and a love of all things magic, to a professional writer. Mara writes cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist, and delights in concocting new and unusual ways to murder characters in her books.

Reviews

[Willow Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all the books in this series. So far I like this one the best. It was a good book. Well written and full of suspense.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shannon White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I'm so glad I stuck with this series each book has gotten better and better! I can't wait to start the next book!

[Jae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadie has gone from having two bickering guardians to having none. Miller, whom she was beginning to think of as her boyfriend, has disappeared, and Ryder seems to be avoiding her. While the rest of the people on the main island are gearing up for May Day celebrations, Sadie tries to change her fortunes by casting a spell for good luck. The spell goes awry, however, and Sadie ends up on the mysterious Dark Island after nearly drowning in the sea. Something about the island seems off. The women she meets are mysterious, and there seems to be very few men around. One man she does notice is Miller, and Sadie learns he's about to be married! In the meantime, one of the island inhabitants appeals to Sadie as the peacekeeper to help locate her missing sister. As if that wasn't enough, Sadie learns that the highlight of Dark Island's May Day celebration will be a ritual sacrifice, and she's it.

This story was just all over the place. Not a lot of it made sense, and not everything was resolved. Certain things that were building and building were resolved with precious little fanfare, which felt like a bit of a cheat. Sadie seems to have decided on Miller, yet she still ends up all a'twitter around Ryder. Sadie learned new things about her family, which leads to one of the most annoying aspects of this series: nobody will f*cking tell her what's going on. She spends a lot of time in a state of confusion, but people around her who could explain things never tell her anything. It's maddening.

Not this author's best effort: two stars

[Mike Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series

This is an entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series. A great cast of characters with an entertaining storyline. Sadie grew up in the human world at a time in her life when everything is going to pot. Just sides to buy a small café on a tropical island. She packed everything up and moved to this new home. Once she arrives she begins to realize not everything is as it seems. She’s been here before. She also soon discovered that she is a witch. She also seen finds out that everything was set in motion when her cousin who is the peacekeeper for the supernatural of the island had been killed. So now as she returns to the island her powers I have returned and she is the new peacekeeper. Along with some new friends the ghost of her cousin and the local sheriff she goes out and sells the different supernatural crimes and mysteries about the island. With help with the sheriff and other witches and supernatural. Are unique and entertaining twist on the storyline. Check it out

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadie has a problem. Is Miller cheating on her or not? Meanwhile Kate is dressed in a Victorian outfit, Effie is a kitchen witch and Greta is a ghost.

Sadie ends up in a funny task of putting a basket of flowers on a random house, ringing the doorbell and running away. Although it doesn't quite work out as she falls and gets hurt.

Then a woman shows up who is a bureaucrat and no one knows what will come of that.

Sadie's nautical adventures don't work out either as she ends up on an island where some odd things seem to be going on, least of which is Miller being there and being in a situation she didn't expect.

It's Dark Magic island and guess who is scheduled to be a human sacrifice?

So, all she has to do is find a way off the island, rescue Miller and escape this rather odd group which seems to be mainly woman.

A very strange story. One good thing about Sadie is that she's not an ultra-powerful, never makes a mistake type of heroine. That makes the book more real.

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If it wasn't for bad luck, our heroine might not have any luck at all. Or at least that is the way it seems to our fledgling witch.

This is book five of the series, but it works just fine as a standalone.

This is a cozy witch mystery with a very nice tropical setting. The story is well written, easy to read with a great setting filled with mystery and intrigue. The characters are well developed and definitely the star of the show as they bring all the action, mystery and humor to the fore. The mystery is also a good one with enough twists and turns to keep the reader entertained. Overall, another great entry in the series and I look forward to seeing more.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.

[Shanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is highly addictive. The moment I finish one book - I immediately need to start the next. The cliffhangers between the books generally leave me with my jaw dropped as I am waiting for the next one to download.

I know that I have been frustrated with no one telling Sadie about her past - but I am starting to realize that for at least some of the people involved there seems to be a magical reason they can't tell her. They don't remember. Which is intriguing. So I am still really anxious to find out the truth about Sadie's family, but I no longer feel like her friends are holding out on her (or at least not all of them).

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadie is just learning about being a witch and is not sure what kind she is, yet, so her studies are all over the place. Doing spells alone get her into some situations she is not ready for. The May Day celebrations are not going as planned and the dark side of things is in the way. The characters are fun and quirky. The storyline has some twists and surprises that keep it on the edge. Loved how it all came together at the end. Can not wait to read more about this group.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jodi Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to just shout out how much I loved this book! I wish I could really write everything that I loved about it, but I don’t want to give anything away. It’s just too good and the twists and turns are just so much fun to go through. This series is amazing! And I know the next book will be even better because the ending… wow!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am re-reading this series and am enjoying it as much as idid the first time around. I like the continuing plot line, the characters and their interactions. The books are a fun and easy read. I have one little pet peeve and, maybe because I am reading them back to back, the repeated use of “gonna” when all the rest of the grammar is fine, just stands out. Other than that I highly recommend the series.

[Aimee Bower · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was interesting read. You will be introduced to an island that lives by their owns rules. Miller ended up there trying to find a cure. You find this ideas an interest view and what they plan on doing to is beyond crazy.

You will enjoy the story the author has written

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Helena Mendes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this series, wonderful characters and great storylines, Sadie is still trying to figure out what are her with powers but keeps getting involved in mysterious events and facing trouble. I recommend this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janet L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite book of the series so far. Sadie tries to do some magic on her own and things go horribly wrong and she ends up on the island where all the dark magic witches live and that is where she finds Miller. Everything gets figured out but not without some glitches. Looking forward to the next book.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good paranormal cozy mystery.. I liked it.. It is unique and fun to read, with an interesting mystery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Penny Perse · Rating 5 out of 5]

May Day

Thought they were stuck on the island and now there’s two peacekeepers? Oh boy drama billed all over the place.

[Matthew Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed

I really enjoy reading all your books your characters,humor and the story line are fun and interesting to read and I am looking forward to your next book.

[JANE VAN HORN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This is another great book in the Halloween Haven Witch series by Mara Webb. I can't wait to read the next book.

[BMW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly Girl, follow the receipe

Okay this lack of briefing is getting old.
Grandmother, father, cousins, dark, light, Bureau, - really!
Somebody talk to the poor girl.

[Pedre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good 1 hour read

Luv the storyline quick read, not a lot of filler words. Recommend reading books in order, as some plots continue on into the next book!

[Karl Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent

Great little read, got a good story to follow, making it exciting to get the next in the series. Entertaining funny and intriguing.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Proofreading?