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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 family 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

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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
May 19, 2020

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Johanny Ortega

The Marginalized Mindset

https://play.ht/articles/e9c6055d8439 Photo by Miguel Bruna on Unsplash When everyone around you is telling you who you should be is hard to prove them wrong. Because at one point, you start believing the lies they whispered to you that got inside your head. You know they are lies because when you look in the mirror, you don’t…
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May 16, 2020

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Johanny Ortega

Past the Halfway Mark, Wanting to Give Up

Embarking on the journey of writing a novel can be a lonely and challenging road. Discover the struggles and triumphs in the process of creating a literary masterpiece.
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May 15, 2020

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Johanny Ortega

Grandpa the Ghost

When Abuelo died I dreamed of him Photo by 🇸🇮 Janko Ferlič on Unsplash I was dead. But I didn’t know for how long. The ethereal wisp of a body gave it away. The easy movement as swift as air was a dead giveaway. I talked to people, and they didn’t talk back. That gave it away…
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May 13, 2020

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Johanny Ortega

Revising My Plan for the Next Pandemic

Three things to keep, and three things to add Created with Adobe Spark. Photo by Anshu A. https://play.ht/articles/7ba3cf95171d I’m a prepare for the worst kind of person, and that has served me well. When I was running after a toddler in the playground, I was that mom with the bottomless bag and a million things inside. Extra…
Read more: Revising My Plan for the Next Pandemic
May 8, 2020

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Johanny Ortega

Dear Quarantine Diary: Day 53

The Musings of a Complicated Woman When are we going to understand #blacklivesmatter? https://play.ht/articles/1caefa14811d Courtesy of blklivesmatter IG I’m not black. I’m white-skinned Latina with serious curls. But you will not hear me say brown lives matter or all lives matter. Instead, I say #blacklivesmatter. It’s a conundrum, you see. Well, not really. It’s simple.…
Read more: Dear Quarantine Diary: Day 53
April 27, 2020

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Johanny Ortega

I Couldn’t Write One True Sentence, Now I Can

I was letting fear hold me back Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash https://play.ht/articles/545d620ed448I get my best ideas in the shower. Today I got the worst. I caught myself in a loop, thinking about the same question in many versions. What would happen if my coworkers read my articles? What would they think of me? Would they…
Read more: I Couldn’t Write One True Sentence, Now I Can

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

The Marginalized Mindset

Past the Halfway Mark, Wanting to Give Up

Grandpa the Ghost

Revising My Plan for the Next Pandemic

I Couldn’t Write One True Sentence, Now I Can

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Johanny Ortega | Have A Cup Of Johanny LLC

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