Book Review: The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith

The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Synopsis: In 1911 New York City, seventeen-year-old Frances Hallowell is grieving the death of her brother and trying to survive her days as a seamstress. Everything changes when she accidentally kills a man who tries to attack her. Instead of being arrested, she is whisked away to Haxahaven, a school for witches that promises safety, guidance, and a new beginning. But the more Frances learns about magic, the more she realizes the school is hiding secrets about her past, her powers, and her brother’s death. What begins as refuge quickly becomes a search for truth in a world filled with dangerous alliances and hidden agendas.

Want a story with dark magic, secret societies, and girls learning to reclaim their power? This book might be right up your alley. Frances is a stubborn, grieving, determined protagonist who is tired of being pushed to the side. She wants answers and she wants control of her life, and honestly, same girl, same. Frances is trying to stay low-key, but life is like, nope, time to face who you really are.

So let us get right into it. Smith starts strong with a murder, tension, and a mysterious rescue, all within the first chapter. You are immediately tossed into Frances’s world, which is gritty, emotional, and so easy to visualize. Once she gets to Haxahaven, things slow down in a good way. We meet the girls who become her found family, and they keep the story grounded. I loved the friendships in this book. They felt real, protective, and complicated in the best ways.

This is a historical fantasy that does an excellent job at worldbuilding. Early twentieth-century New York mixed with witchcraft gives the book a unique vibe. The author does not dump everything on you at once. Magic is sprinkled throughout the story, and you pick things up as Frances does. As someone who loves fantasy, this worked perfectly. The school, the city, the magic circles, all felt layered and atmospheric.

As the story progresses, Frances grows too. She becomes braver, sharper, and more willing to risk everything for the truth. Her friendships help shape her, and those girls are truly the heart of the book. I love a strong female cast in fantasy, and The Witch Haven gave me exactly that.

So you may wonder, hey K, why not the full 5? A few parts in the middle slowed down for me, and there were moments where the story felt pulled between different plots. It did not ruin the experience, but it made me want a tighter focus at times. The ending was strong, though, and definitely set up for the sequel.

Overall, The Witch Haven is a magical, atmospheric, girl-powered fantasy that gives you mystery, emotion, and a gorgeous setting. If you love witches, sisterhood, and historical vibes, check this book out.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Welcome Back to Inksoaked Page

 Hey everyone, welcome back to Inksoaked Page! It has been a couple of years since my last post, and I am so excited to finally be back. When I first started this blog, it was all about sharing my love for writing, books, and photography. At some point, I thought I needed to “finish” it, but I’ve realized that creativity isn’t about finishing. It’s about exploring, learning, and sharing along the way.

For 2026, I want to focus on embracing hobbies, creativity, and the things that make me happy. On this blog, you can expect a mix of writing excerpts, book reviews, photography, and thoughts on the creative process. I’ll also share a bit about my doctoral journey and my future plans for creative writing.

This space is for celebrating stories in all their forms—books that inspire, writing that challenges, and images that capture moments. I hope it becomes a place where readers and writers alike can find a little inspiration, connection, and joy.

Thanks for being here, whether you are returning or new. Let’s make 2026 a year full of creativity, exploration, and storytelling.

Goodbye Inksoaked

 Welp! The title may throw you for a shock but yes I am closing this chapter of my life. This is a decision I made way back in January, and thought hmm it will be ten years since I started this blog and I think this might be the end. 

Currently, I am in a new chapter of my life where I am too deep in my career to focus on my hobbies. As much as my goal was to be a published author, that is a dream that can happen later in the future. Right now I am in a doctoral program, and I want to finish up my studies to earn my degree. That is my main focus besides my family and friends. 

After getting inspo from my best friend J, who told me Writing is my talent but it's no longer my dream, and that it's okay to let go. Which if you know me that is hard to do but I get it. He's an amazing singer but an even better Pediatrician.

I want to thank all my followers, readers, and friends for inspiring me to start this blog and support me over the last ten years. Maybe one day I will come back, maybe I won't, but this archive for work will live on in the interwebs for beyond me. 

Thank you!

 

Story Excerpt: Temptation - Chapter 1

It's been a while since I uploaded a story excerpt, almost three years! I thought it was time to update you guys one! Here is the first chapter of a story I wrote merely for fun and with no hopes to publish. Welcome to Temptation

______________________

        She didn't expect to be handcuffed to a table in a cold windowless room but there she was. Twenty-five, and now with a record that will follow her for life. She jiggled the handcuffed but it was no use, she was stuck. No officers had come in since the arresting officer but she didn't care. She just had to find a way to get out of there. However her thoughts were disrupted by a door opening, and she looked up to see a man that looked semi-familiar.

“Ivelisse Hernandez,” He drawled and threw a folder onto the table.

He slammed the door behind him, and Ivelisse recoiled slightly as he approached the table. 

He towered over her, and she could hear his labored breathing as he tried to intimidate her. Instead, she raised an eyebrow in question, and he sneered. He plopped himself into the other chair and it screeched against the floor. Normally, this would bother other people but not Ivelisse. Instead, she studied his moves and made her own mental notes. 

“25 years old, and now you're in a police station. It is not looking good for your Ivelisse, but your friends call you Ivy right?” He asked. 

“Sure Officer …” Ivelisse trailed off and assumed that working with the police would work in her favor. 

“Reynolds, Captain Reynolds,” He said. 

“Sorry, Cap'n,” Ivelisse said with a smirk. 

“You enjoy that? Making light of a serious situation? Do you even know why you're here?” Captain Reynolds asked and leaned forward. 

“Clearly I don't, I don't know why you thought having a bunch of cops break into my condo and pull me out of bed! It's like what four in the fucking morning. Don't I get a phone call, or is that just TV magic?” Ivelisse asked 

“You will get a call when I am done with you,” Captain Reynolds. 

“Shouldn't a detective be grilling me, and not the captain?” Ivelisse asked.

“I personally wanted to talk to you! I have had my team on you for a while now,” Captain Reynolds said and opened the folder. 

“Ivelisse Hernandez, twenty-five, Ph.D. student at NYU, very impressive for someone of your background,” Captain Reynolds said. 

“Was that a racial dig?” Ivelisse asked.

“Was it? I mean you are the Social Psychology major. With Carter Lucas?” He said with a smirk.

Ivelisse seized up at the mention of the name and glared at him.  

“Twin brother to Romeo Hernandez, daughter to Julian Hernandez, investor to Temptation Lounge, that's where you work right?” He asked. 

Ivelisse didn't answer him, he already knew the answer to that question. Clearly, he knew a fucking lot. Instead, she drummed her fingers onto the table and Captain Reynolds flipped through some more papers. He stopped on one and scanned through the words before he smirked. 

“Tell me about your mother,” Captain Reynolds asked.

“Look, why am I here? Why am I arrested? Do you have any legal right to keep me here?” Ivelisse asked but Captain Reynolds didn't say a word. 

“You have to tell me,” Ivelisse demanded.

“I don't have to tell you shit. I can keep you here for forty-eight hours with no word on what your next steps are, so let's talk about your mother,” Captain Reynolds gritted.

“I want a lawyer,” Ivelisse snapped. 

“I guess you said the magic words, but know this Ivelisse once somebody walks in here, we cannot work out a deal. You would be on your own, whereas we can work together and make some middle ground. Doesn't that sound like a smart idea?” Captain Reynolds said and leaned back in his chair. 

Ivelisse thought for a moment but she knew her answer wasn't going to change. He clearly had enough information about her, if he was serious about this threat. Something would have occurred, he wouldn't be pushing about her mother of all people. 

“I'll take my chances,” Ivelisse said. 

“Fine, have it your way,” Captain Reynolds said. 

He shoved the chair back and it screeched across the floor. Ivelisse moved to cover her ears but she couldn't. She had to endure all the sounds that came with Captain Reynolds. As he stopped up, he leaned down towards her. 

“One last chance Ivelisse,” Captain Reynolds muttered. 

“Lawyer,” Ivelisse said. 

Captain Reynolds nodded and raised his hands out in defeat. He turned and walked out the door he came in. Ivelisse looked up at her reflection in the mirror, which she knew was two-way. She stared passed her reflection and at whoever was on the other side of the mirror. 

“Whatever you want from me, good luck,” Ivelisse gritted and glared.

She looked at her hands and leaned her head down on the metal table. 

On the other side of the mirror, stood Captain Reynolds with a grim look on his face. 

“She's one tough cookie to crack,” He muttered.

“I know,” 

“Are you sure you want to do this? Are you sure she knows more than you think?” Captain Reynolds asked. 

“I know her, I know her better than anyone, and she's lying,” 

“Are you sure because you know I got the feeling she isn't,” Captain Reynolds said. 

“She’s lying, I know it,” 

“I’m doing you a favor and-”

“I know my sister Reynolds, and she is a lot worse than you think, we are twins you know,” Romeo Hernandez said and sighed.

“My sister,” he whispered.

Winter 2021/2022

As I was thinking of something to post, I realized it had been a while since I posted one of my seasons of the year. Winter being my favorite, because I love snow, I thought I post the latest two snow storms we had in New York City. 

Seriously isn't it breathtaking? 

Blogger doesn't do this video justice, but here is a winter wonderland walk one morning! Sound removed for safety reasons.

Book Review: In the Midst of Magic by Christian Cura

 

In the Midst of Magic by Christian Cura

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Synopsis: Meet Kara Hartman, a young painter who is hiding her magic from the world. Traumatized by the loss of her brother, she wants nothing more to do with magic. But just as her art career takes off and she has found new love, it becomes apparent that the universe has other plans for Kara. When she discovers that an old foe has broken out of prison, hellbent on destroying her new life, Kara has no choice but to embrace the only power that can stop her.

Want a story with a strong female lead? This book may be just for you! Kara Hartman is a bonafide badass who is trying to keep it all together. She may be a badass but she is definitely trying to keep it under wraps and hold her shit together. Kara is trying to keep a major part of herself hidden which is proving to be harder than she expected since life is like Nah sis, this is who you are, embrace it.  

So let's jump right into the story, which is what Cura does. Within the first chapter, you are thrown right into a giant conflict between Kara, and her bestie or ex-bestie Charlotte. (I have a soft spot for that name). Charlotte is delving into the dark arts and playing with magic she shouldn't be. Kara just wants what is best for her, and tries to help her as a friend. However, shit goes left and all hell breaks loose. Cura does an amazing job at captivating you in those first 25 pages or so, and you just have to keep going. Especially since there is a time jump, and you're all like we need to unpack what the freak just happened. 

This was a great fantasy book, that does an excellent job at world-building. We are thrown into a world unlike our own, or at least my own. There is no magic over here my friends. Cura doesn't shove all of this new knowledge into your face but sprinkles it through so it's digestible for the reader. As someone who is a fantasy lover, it was pretty quick to understand and enjoy. If you read my other reviews, you'll know I am a sucker for worldbuilding, and if you do it right, A+ my friend. 

As the story progresses, so does Kara and that is just a selling point for me. Sometimes in fantasy books, you get all wrapped up in the world, and all the awesome things people can do. In this book, Cura makes sure we know this is Kara's story and we are growing with her. She is coming out of her shell and is friends with all these other amazing peeps. Seriously, they are awesome for her. 

So you may wonder, hey K why not a full 5, you are right there? Well, at some point the story felt as if it were two different storylines because of other characters. When that happens, it pulls me out of the story and makes me wonder which story is truly being told. While the other plotline doesn't still the limelight it is quite pulling. Another thing is the ending. It sets up to be another story, and when something like that happens, I want to be sure there will be another one. Not sure if there is. Is there Christian? I love stories to finish as if they are stand-alone, and if there is another great, but tie up those loose ends, please. 

Overall great fantasy book, with some amazing women empowered characters. If you are into fantastical worlds check this book out! Also that cover? GORGEOUS!  

This book will be available in Summer 2022. 

I received this ARC in exchange for a review.

Goodbye My Friend!

Credit to PBS Kids

 Saying goodbye to my childhood happens today! Today, PBS Kids is ending the famous cartoon Arthur, and it simply breaks my heart! I’ve watched Arthur religiously since I was about six years old. Growing up without cable, watching PBS Kids was a common thing in my household. Something that was routine for me became my life. Even now at my older age which I will not mention 😂 I watch it with my daughter. We curl up, play a few episodes, and talk about what we learned. It’s a cartoon I don't have to worry about adult situations or inappropriate content. It does touch on some great topics, autism, gay marriage, different cultures, and worldwide events such as 9/11 (April 9th) and Hurricane Sandy (Shelter from the Storm). Lessons are a major aspect of the show and they’re great to teach kids. Why not explore this world with children, and begin conversations that would have been too hard before. 

After 25 years, the final season aired today! Four episodes and we are getting a flash-forward to see our favorite friends grow up. I’m simply excited, especially to see some of my faves (Fern, Arthur, and Sue Ellen). During the pandemic, it’s been great to watch something that doesn’t deal with that trauma. A reminder that there is hope still in the world. So escape to Elwood City and be reminded of what it’s like to be an eight-year-old! 

What a wonderful kind of day!