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.

Start Reading

For Bookstores & Libraries

Bring The Ordinary Bruja to Your Shelves

Independent bookstores, libraries, educators, and book clubs can request access to the wholesale catalog

Request Access here

Balancing Worlds: Embracing Heritage and Adapting to New Cultures with Johanny Ortega

by

Johanny Ortega

Image displaying the cover of "Under the Flamboyant Tree" alongside text that reads, "Balancing Worlds: Embracing Heritage and Adapting to New Cultures with Johanny Ortega." The image includes a background of a quaint house and a Flamboyant tree.

Have you ever felt torn between two worlds, struggling to hold onto your roots while adapting to a new culture? I know that feeling all too well. Join me, Johanny Ortega, as we dive deep into this emotional and enlightening journey in this episode of the Have a Cup of Johanny podcast. We’re peeling back the layers of my personal story, one that’s interlaced with my Dominican heritage and my life as an immigrant.

Podcast episode cover with a whimsical Halloween-themed background, showcasing the logo of Have a Cup of Johanny. The text reads: "Season 4 Episode 38 - Balancing Worlds: Embracing Heritage and Adapting to New Cultures with Johanny Ortega." this Post

In this podcast episode, I’m sharing how my own experiences shaped the themes in my upcoming novel, Under the Flamboyant Tree. This story isn’t just fiction; it reflects my home country, the Dominican Republic. From heartwarming to heart-wrenching moments, I’m opening up about how my journey to embrace both my Dominican and American sides has fueled my storytelling and my sense of self.

We’ll go back to my childhood and the moments that made me who I am today. I’ll talk about a particularly transformative encounter with my aunt in Brooklyn. It was a moment that gave me a pause and one I would look at to reconnect with my roots. This moment is a powerful reminder of where I come from and the beauty of my heritage. It’s these personal anecdotes that remind us all of the importance of understanding and embracing our cultural identity, no matter where life takes us.

As we explore Bianca’s journey in Under the Flamboyant Tree, you’ll see how I poured my own struggles and revelations into her character. It’s about finding a balance, about celebrating the traditions, language, and values that make us who we are. This episode isn’t just about me or my book—it’s a celebration of all of us who have ever felt the push and pull between two cultures and who have strived to find a place where both can coexist.

Get ready for a soulful conversation filled with reflections on language, tradition, and the unique blend of influences that make Dominican culture so captivating. This isn’t just a story—it’s a celebration of identity, resilience, and the beautiful, complex journey of finding home between two worlds.

Don’t miss out! Tune in every Wednesday for new episodes of the Have a Cup of Johanny podcast, where we celebrate growth through tears, laughter, and stories that connect us all. 🌳✨

#HaveACupOfJohanny #UnderTheFlamboyantTree #CulturalIdentity #DominicanHeritage #ImmigrantStory #Storytelling #PodcastEpisode #FindingHome #LatinaVoices #IndependentAuthor

Discover more from Johanny Ortega | Have A Cup Of Johanny LLC

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

, , , , , , , , ,

Johanny Ortega

I’m Johanny Ortega, but you can call me Joa. My world revolves around the magical realm of books, a passion ignited by my Abuela’s enchanting storytelling sessions in the Dominican Republic. These early memories of being lost in tales and fables laid the foundation for my lifelong love affair with reading and writing. As a book blogger, I review books and give a glimpse into my writing journey. My podcast is a one woman show that is filled with vulnerable and sometimes embarrasing stories of when I got something wrong and what I did to learn from it. My writing journey, under the names Johanny Ortega and J.E. Ortega, spans middle-grade fiction to adult thrillers, each book a new adventure, where I climb on the shoulders of a Dominican character and go along for the ride. I’m not just an author; I’m an advocate for diversity and inclusion in literature. I believe that every book is a window and a mirror, offering us a glimpse into lives different from our own, while also reflecting our personal experiences. My mission is to champion books that celebrate this diversity, giving voice to the marginalized and oppressed. Join me in this literary odyssey, where every page turned is a step into another world, another life, another adventure. Let’s discover together the stories that make us dream, think, and above all, connect us to each other.

Leave a Reply

Select Wishlist

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
    Continue Shopping

    Discover more from Bipoc Books | Have A Cup Of Johanny

    Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

    Continue Reading