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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Blog
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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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When Love Tries to Conquer Death: Anne Rice’s Grief in Interview with the Vampire
Read more: When Love Tries to Conquer Death: Anne Rice’s Grief in Interview with the VampireIn *Interview with the Vampire*, Claudia asks Louis to transform the grieving Madeleine into a vampire, and into the mother Claudia desperately needs. Their connection offers both women a replacement for what they are losing, but it also reveals something darker: love stretched beyond its limits, demanding immortality as protection against grief, abandonment, and death.…
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The Horror of Louis Still Seeing Himself as Human
Read more: The Horror of Louis Still Seeing Himself as HumanLouis’s deepest conflict in *Interview with the Vampire* may not be his hunger, but his refusal to accept that his human self is dead. By judging Claudia, other vampires, and himself through a human lens, Louis becomes trapped between two identities that keep him from returning to humanity and unwilling to embrace what he has…
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How Interview with the Vampire Turns Love and Grief into Horror
Read more: How Interview with the Vampire Turns Love and Grief into HorrorIn *Interview with the Vampire*, Anne Rice uses Claudia to transform love, grief, and parenthood into something deeply unsettling. Through Louis and Lestat’s possessive devotion, Claudia becomes both a beloved daughter and a weapon in their fractured relationship. Her tragedy reveals one of horror’s darkest truths: love can be sincere and still become monstrous when…
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Meet Isadora Espinal: New Character Art for The Forgotten Bruja
Read more: Meet Isadora Espinal: New Character Art for The Forgotten BrujaIsadora Espinal has finally stepped out of my imagination. I commissioned this beautiful character art from @suiatsea, and I am obsessed with how it captures a crucial moment from The Forgotten Bruja. Every detail connects to Isadora’s journey, the land of Willowshade, and the legacy she cannot escape. Want to be part of the official…
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Listening for the Story: My August Update on The Forgotten Bruja
Read more: Listening for the Story: My August Update on The Forgotten BrujaI am listening to Act One of The Forgotten Bruja for the second time, and the story is finally beginning to move the way it should. In my latest writing update, I’m sharing how I revise each act as its own mini-story, how the mystery pulls Isadora toward her destiny, and why listening to my…
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What My First Slasher Market Taught Me About Selling Books in Person
Read more: What My First Slasher Market Taught Me About Selling Books in PersonI attended my first official vendor market at Slasher Market in Redlands, and despite the 110-degree heat, it was an incredible experience. I sold four books, tested my first bundle, met fellow horror lovers, and learned exactly what I need for my next event. Read the full lessons-learned recap on the blog.
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