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 ancestor 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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Dominican Bruja Representation in Fiction Explained
Read more: Dominican Bruja Representation in Fiction ExplainedLet’s get one thing straight: The Ordinary Bruja isn’t just a story about magic.It’s about Dominican magic. And yes—there’s a difference. Not the kind of magic that shows up in viral TikTok spells or aesthetic alter setups (though no shade if that’s your jam). I’m talking about the kind that’s handed down in whispers, in…
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How to Reframe Failure for Personal Growth
Read more: How to Reframe Failure for Personal GrowthI’ve seen it too many times to count. The panic in someone’s eyes when they make a mistake.The awkward laugh they give, trying to save face.The long-winded explanation to justify why something didn’t go as planned. And I get it. Failure is scary. Especially in a world that treats failure like proof of incompetence, laziness,…
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Mel Robbins Let Them Theory Explained for You
Read more: Mel Robbins Let Them Theory Explained for YouThere’s a theory I came across recently—one that cracked something open inside me. It’s called “The Let Them Theory.” Mel Robbins popularized it in her book, and the idea is simple: if people want to misunderstand you, let them. If they want to leave, let them. If they want to doubt you, let them. It’s…
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Invisible Prisons: How We Let This Happen
Read more: Invisible Prisons: How We Let This HappenImmigration detention is supposed to be civil not punishment. But across the U.S., immigrants are being held in jail-like conditions under a patchwork of outdated and inconsistent standards, many without ever being charged with a crime. In this episode, Joa pulls back the curtain on a system designed to look like bureaucracy but feel like incarceration.…
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Self-Doubt and Generational Silence Explored in The Ordinary Bruja
Read more: Self-Doubt and Generational Silence Explored in The Ordinary BrujaMarisol Espinal doesn’t think she’s magical.She doesn’t think she’s brave.She doesn’t think she’s worthy of being the hero in anyone’s story—not even her own. And that’s exactly why I wanted to write her. Because self-doubt doesn’t usually make the headlines. It doesn’t get the center stage in stories about witches and chosen ones. But it…
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How to Return After Creative Burnout with Ease
Read more: How to Return After Creative Burnout with EaseWe hear it all the time: “Reinvent yourself.” As if the only way to move forward is to become someone else entirely. But I want to offer a softer truth—one that feels more real to me: you don’t need a reinvention. You just need a return. A return to your rhythm.A return to your voice.A…
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