For fans of Mexican Gothic and The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina, The Ordinary Bruja is a psychological horror and magical realism novel about grief, ancestral secrets, Dominican brujería, and one woman’s fight to reclaim the magic her family tried to bury.
When strange messages appear in mirrors, and the scent of cigar smoke follows her through her small Ohio hometown, Marisol Espinal must confront the ghosts of her past, the truth about her mother’s death, and the family curse waiting for her on Hallowthorn Hill.
Her family buried the magic. Now it wants out.
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When I’m drafting gothic horror, my watchlist starts looking a little suspicious. Not just because I’m watching horror movies or creepy shows, though yes, there’s plenty of that. It’s because I start gravitating toward stories that carry the same emotional rot I’m trying to dig into on the page: women being hunted, dismissed, desired, underestimated,…
Every now and then, I pick up a book for research and end up getting completely swallowed by the story. That is exactly what happened with Muñeca by Cynthia Gómez. I went into this book for two reasons. First, Muñeca takes place in 1968, which is the same time frame as The Forgotten Bruja, the…
There are some author milestones that feel extra tender because they mark something bigger than a date on a calendar. For me, the 29 Palms Book Festival, happening November 13–15, 2026, is one of those milestones. This will be the first time since its publication that The Ordinary Bruja will be at a public event.…
Born in the Dominican Republic, Johanny Ortega’s childhood was enriched by the magic of books, igniting her imagination with each page turned. Her move to the U.S. only fueled this passion, as she mastered English to dive deeper into diverse literary worlds. However, a striking realization hit her: the absence of characters echoing her own experiences. This gap propelled Johanny from an eager reader to a dynamic storyteller, crafting narratives that echo her Dominican heritage across genres and age groups. At “Have a Cup of Johanny LLC,” she’s not just an author but a champion for BIPOC voices, ensuring underrepresented narratives get their spotlight. Writing under two aliases, J.E. Ortega for adult fiction and Johanny Ortega for younger readers, she weaves tales that transcend boundaries, each character a vibrant testament to Dominican strength and spirit. 📚🇩🇴✨
When: 8 August 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 5: 00 PM
Where: Riverside County Fairgrounds
Indio, California
When: 13-15 November, 2026
Where: 6547 Freedom Wy, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
My sister Laura is navigating a difficult divorce while managing chronic illnesses and medical bills. Your support can help her move into a safe home and continue her treatment.
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