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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.

December 24, 2023

by

Johanny Ortega

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…
Read more: Mrs. Franchy’s Evil Ring: A Fresh Spin on Christmas Tales
December 21, 2023

by

Johanny Ortega

Echoes of Despair: A Glimpse into Gaza’s Crisis Through an Outsider’s Eyes

Thus 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.…
Read more: Echoes of Despair: A Glimpse into Gaza’s Crisis Through an Outsider’s Eyes
September 25, 2026

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Johanny Ortega

Salem, Witches, Cemeteries, and the Trip That Almost Broke Me Before It Began

There is something almost comical about planning a trip to Salem, Massachusetts, only for the journey there to immediately descend into chaos. Almost. I was traveling with both of my cats, which probably tells you everything you need to know about the level of difficulty I voluntarily added to this trip. Normally, traveling with them…
Read more: Salem, Witches, Cemeteries, and the Trip That Almost Broke Me Before It Began
September 17, 2026

by

Johanny Ortega

BIPOC Stories Aren’t Niche—Their Marketing Is

During Latine Heritage Month, we talk a great deal about visibility. We celebrate seeing ourselves onscreen, hearing our languages, and recognizing the complicated families and communities that raised us. But visibility is not only about creating BIPOC stories. It is also about whether studios give those stories a genuine opportunity to be discovered. While I…
Read more: BIPOC Stories Aren’t Niche—Their Marketing Is
September 16, 2026

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Johanny Ortega

The Kind of Cultural Pride I’m Trying to Unlearn

Latine Heritage Month starts tomorrow, and I want to begin by talking about something that feels very Latina-coded to me: pride. Not only pride in our culture, our language, and where we come from. I’m talking about that other kind of pride, the “I cannot ask anyone for help” kind. I don’t know whether this…
Read more: The Kind of Cultural Pride I’m Trying to Unlearn
September 15, 2026

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Johanny Ortega

The Horrors I Shine a Light on in The Ordinary Bruja: Assimilation and the Loss of Language

When my son was little, I took him to an appointment to discuss his developmental progress. I was a young, twenty-year-old mother with dreams of building a personal library, reading beside my child, and encouraging him academically, just as my grandmother had encouraged me. A speech specialist told me my son was behind in the…
Read more: The Horrors I Shine a Light on in The Ordinary Bruja: Assimilation and the Loss of Language
September 13, 2026

by

Johanny Ortega

The Armor We Carry: What The Reformatory Teaches Us About Privilege, Courage, and Racial Inequality

I recorded a video yesterday while listening to The Reformatory by Tananarive Due, and there was one scene I could not stop thinking about. But first, a small digression, because apparently I am incapable of getting to the point without taking the scenic route. I am a huge believer that we can learn from fiction.…
Read more: The Armor We Carry: What The Reformatory Teaches Us About Privilege, Courage, and Racial Inequality
September 12, 2026

by

Johanny Ortega

Diarra from Detroit Season 2 Finale: The Real Treasure Is a Change of Course

Diarra has spent Season 2 on a quest. Superficially, that quest was about finding a missing armoire and the treasure hidden inside it. But this is Diarra we are talking about, so naturally, the search became tangled up with a gang war, a murder investigation, several hot men, multiple near-death experiences, and enough promises to…
Read more: Diarra from Detroit Season 2 Finale: The Real Treasure Is a Change of Course

Johanny Ortega | Have A Cup Of Johanny LLC

The Ordinary Bruja

For Bookstores & Libraries

Bring The Ordinary Bruja to Your Shelves

Mrs. Franchy’s Evil Ring: A Fresh Spin on Christmas Tales

Salem, Witches, Cemeteries, and the Trip That Almost Broke Me Before It Began

BIPOC Stories Aren’t Niche—Their Marketing Is

The Kind of Cultural Pride I’m Trying to Unlearn

The Horrors I Shine a Light on in The Ordinary Bruja: Assimilation and the Loss of Language

Diarra from Detroit Season 2 Finale: The Real Treasure Is a Change of Course

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