Carmen and Cristina had the pleasure of talking with Cynthia about her new book Muñeca, available 6/2/26 (WE LOVED THE BOOK). Muñeca is a vivid, surreal Gothic about a queer, Latine, working class witch who sets out to rescue a bespelled heiress and loses control of her powers and her heart in the process.<br /><br />It is 1968 Oakland, and Natalia Fuentes has been hearing rumors about the beautiful Violeta Miramontes. The young heiress to Spanish colonial wealth has been left paralyzed by a mysterious illness. But Nati knows a thing or two about witchcraft, and she is certain that this is the work of dark magic. Armed with a plan to break the spell and earn a handsome reward, Nati works her way into the house as Violeta’s caretaker, and immediately discovers her suspicions are true. But who cursed Violeta? And why? As feelings between the two women bloom into romance, Nati grows more and more reckless, and is forced to face her own ghosts— ones she hoped would stay gone forever.<br /><br />Cynthia talked to Carmen and Cristina about the inspiration behind the magic that Nati is using, the history behind the Miramontes family living in Orinda and so much more.<br /><br />Keep up with Cynthia on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiasaysboo.bsky.social<br /><br />and on her website: https://cynthiasaysboo.wpcomstaging.com/<br /><br />If you have a spooky story to share, email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at the Espooky Hot Line (360)836-4486. You can also submit it on Discord!<br /><br />Join the Espooky Tales Book Club for Busy People: <a href="https://substack.com/@espooky?utm_source=profile-page" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://substack.com/@espooky?utm_source=profile-page</a><br /><br />Listen to Carmen and Cristina's other podcast <a href="https://www.historiasunknown.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historias Unknown</a><br /><br />The next book club read is the Possession of Alba Diaz by Isabel Cañas. If you want to purchase the book, check out our bookshop link <a href="https://bookshop.org/lists/espooky-book-club-list" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://bookshop.org/lists/espooky-book-club-list</a><br /><br />For more spooky stories, check out the Tiktok! <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@espookytales" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.tiktok.com/@espookytales</a><br /><br />Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/espookytales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.instagram.com/espookytales/</a><br /><br />Chat with us on Discord! <a href="https://discord.gg/cWk7CvVgaR" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://discord.gg/cWk7CvVgaR</a><br /><br /><br />Want to be a Patron? Get longer episodes AD-FREE, listen before they are released to anyone else, get bonus episodes, exclusive stickers, virtual hangouts, and more! Support Espooky Tales. Learn more by visiting <a href="https://www.patreon.com/Espookytales" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.patreon.com/Espookytales</a><br /><br />By joining, you can help Espooky Tales donate 20% funds to charity. <br /><br />Get Espooky Merch: <a href="https://www.bonfire.com/store/espooky-tales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.bonfire.com/store/espooky-tales/</a><br /><br />Find us on YouTube: <a href="https://youtube.com/@espookytales" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://youtube.com/@espookytales</a>