Johanny Ortega | Have A Cup Of Johanny LLC
The Ordinary Bruja
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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Mrs. Franchy’s Evil Ring: A Fresh Spin on Christmas Tales
Read more: Mrs. Franchy’s Evil Ring: A Fresh Spin on Christmas Tales“Mrs. Franchy’s Evil Ring” is a refreshing take on Christmas tales, filled with suspense, adventure, and valuable life lessons. Set during a frosty Massachusetts winter, it follows the journey of a brave nine-year-old, Isla, who faces her biggest fear – her stepmom. Along the way, Isla and her family learn to let go of long-held…
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Echoes of Despair: A Glimpse into Gaza’s Crisis Through an Outsider’s Eyes
Read more: Echoes of Despair: A Glimpse into Gaza’s Crisis Through an Outsider’s EyesThus Far: An Overview On October 7, 2023, an act of violence broke through our subconscious and enlightened most to see something that has been going on for 75 years. Hamas, a rebellious group from Palestine that has been categorized as a terrorist group by various countries, attacked and killed Israeli civilians attending a concert.…
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The Meaning Behind The Ordinary Bruja Title Explained
Read more: The Meaning Behind The Ordinary Bruja Title ExplainedWhen I first started writing The Ordinary Bruja, I didn’t know that would be the title. I had ideas—working titles, vibes I was chasing, folders full of poetic options—but nothing stuck. Then one day, after writing a particularly raw scene, the words “ordinary bruja” landed in my mind like a whisper from the page. And…
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How to Effectively Build Habits Without Burnout: It’s Not Punishment, It’s Rhythm.
Read more: How to Effectively Build Habits Without Burnout: It’s Not Punishment, It’s Rhythm.Some mornings I wake up with fire. Other mornings, I wake up feeling like a soggy tortilla. That’s just real life. But here’s what I’ve learned after years of trying to force myself to do all the things: consistency doesn’t mean punishment. It means rhythm. I used to think that showing up meant pushing myself…
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How Patriotism Feels for Immigrants Today
Read more: How Patriotism Feels for Immigrants TodayThere was a time when I saw the Fourth of July as fireworks, grilled food, and the hum of freedom in the background. I grew up with the promise of “liberty and justice for all” drilled into my head—like many of us did. I believed in the ideals. The symbols. The songs. Even the flag.…
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Beyond Papers: The Human Cost of Immigration Policy
Read more: Beyond Papers: The Human Cost of Immigration Policy“They knew what they were doing” – five words that cloak inhumanity in the disguise of justice. Every time I hear this phrase used to dismiss the suffering of immigrants caught in our broken system, something inside me recoils. Not just because it’s callous, but because it’s incomplete. Today’s episode cuts through the rhetoric to…
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In Defense of the “Bad” Review: Why Honest Criticism Matters
Read more: In Defense of the “Bad” Review: Why Honest Criticism MattersLately, I’ve noticed something odd creeping into the literary corners of the internet—this unspoken tension around reviews. Not from readers, mind you, but from authors. We’ve become soft, and dare I say, too precious about our work. I say this with love, as an author myself: we have got to stop treating every critical review…
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When Fiction Isn’t Fake: Why My Books Carry My Truth
Read more: When Fiction Isn’t Fake: Why My Books Carry My TruthDriving on autopilot, somewhere between self-edits and another podcast draft, it hit me—again—how deeply personal my writing is. Not just inspired by my life. Not “based on a true story.” But infused with my lived experiences, every line laced with truth, emotion, and memory. I take own voices to a whole new level. I don’t…
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