Griff Broussard—Character Critique of Author Delta James

Griff Broussard—Character Critique of Author

Alright, listen up. This is Griff, your friendly neighborhood dragon-shifter NOPD Detective, here to offer some much-needed insight on what really should have been included in Magic Unleashed. Because let’s be real—the story had real potential. I mean, it’s hard to go wrong with a protagonist who can shift into a dragon, but Delta? Yeah, let’s just say she missed a few key opportunities to turn a good book into an epic one. So, buckle up. Here’s my wish list for what should have made the cut.

More Dragon Action

You have a dragon-shifter as your lead character—me—so why not give the readers more of what they came for? I can breathe fire, fly at supersonic speeds, and bench-press a boulder, but how much of that did we actually see? Not enough, that’s for sure. Not to mention there was an awful lot of time given to Phoenix. I get it, she’s a faery anwithd magical powers, but still.

The whole “dragon” part of my existence wasn’t explored nearly enough. There should have been more scenes where I unleashed my inner beast in all its glory. I’m talking about epic aerial battles, fire-breathing moments that melt through enemy defenses, and more intricate details about what it feels like to shift. It’s not just flipping a switch; there’s the sensation of scales stretching over skin, the roar building in my chest—it’s a visceral, powerful experience. And yet, we barely scratched the surface.

Readers want to know what it’s like to shift, to experience the world through the eyes of a creature as ancient and powerful as a dragon—right? They want to feel the rush of wind under massive wings, the crackle of fire coursing through me. More dragon, less “guy standing around being mysterious.” You’ve got the goods—use them!

A Deep Dive into Dragon-Shifter Lore

Oh I know, Delta said it was written as a two-hour read, so does that mean she has to leave out all the best parts? One of the biggest missed opportunities in Magic Unleashed was the lack of depth when it came to dragon-shifter lore. Where do we come from? How does our magic work? How many other dragon-shifters are out there? The possibilities are endless, but instead of exploring that, we got the CliffNotes version of my existence.

Exploring the Consequences of Shifting

Here’s the thing: being a dragon-shifter isn’t all fire-breathing and badass moments. There should have been more exploration into the cost of it all. What toll does shifting take on me physically? Emotionally? Does it hurt? Does it drain my energy? Is there a danger of losing control? Delta gave a half-ass explanation, but really, it could have been so much better.

The consequences of wielding such power should have been a key element of the story. Maybe there’s a risk of staying in dragon form too long and losing my humanity, or perhaps shifting too often could lead to physical exhaustion or even permanent damage. This kind of exploration adds stakes and tension to every transformation, making each shift feel more significant. Right now, it felt a little too easy.

A Clear Villain with Real Threats

Okay, the villain in Magic Unleashed? Not memorable enough. We needed someone truly terrifying, someone who could challenge me on both a physical and intellectual level. I want a villain who’s not just after world domination but has a personal vendetta against me. Someone who knows my weaknesses, who can exploit the fact that I’m both dragon and man.

And the threats? They should have been bigger, more dangerous. I’m a dragon-shifter, so I need enemies that match my power—ancient creatures, rival dragon clans, sorcerers who can mess with my magic. Make me work for that victory.

Earlier and More Frequent Sex with Phoenix

I think that pretty much says it all.

In Conclusion

Magic Unleashed had a lot of good moments, don’t get me wrong. But with a dragon-shifter like me at the center, the story could’ve soared to new heights. What do you mean I shared star-billing with Phoenix? Who would you, the wonderful romance reader, rather read about—me or my gorgeous, curvy faery, demon-hunting mate? Okay, I guess when I look at it that way, Magic Unleashed is a pretty unforgettable story. 

Magic Unleashed

The Grimm Files

Book One

Delta James

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy

Date of Publication: 9/20/24

Number of pages: 131

Word Count: 32,000

Cover Artist: Dar Albert, Wicked Smart Designs

Book Description: 

Mysterious deaths. Impossible magic. And the sexy dragon who might drive her to murder.

In the shadowy heart of modern-day New Orleans, where the supernatural simmers just beneath the surface, Phoenix Duvall is a force to be reckoned with. As a formidable fairy enforcer, she stands as the city’s last line of defense against the demonic threats that prowl the night. She’s trained from childhood and is armed with lightning-fast reflexes, mastery over fire, and deadly weapons, Phoenix knows she’ll only come into her full power when she finds and bonds with her fated mate. But Phoenix has never been one to wait for fate—until it throws her into the path of Griff Broussard, a hard-nosed dragon shifter detective with secrets of his own.

Griff has been investigating a series of gruesome deaths that defy all logical explanation. As their paths intertwine, Phoenix is forced to confront the truth: Griff is her fated mate. Together, they form an uneasy alliance to combat a rising demonic cult. But as their chemistry ignites, so too does the danger surrounding them.

Griff becomes possessed by the very demon lord they’ve been hunting. Phoenix faces an impossible choice: uphold her duty as a fairy enforcer, or risk everything—including her life and the fragile balance between worlds—for the man she’s come to love.

As the battle for New Orleans intensifies, Phoenix must confront her deepest fears and make a heart-wrenching decision in a final showdown that will determine the fate of both worlds.

Magic Unleashed, the first book in The Grimm Files, is a gripping paranormal romance where love is a double-edged sword, and the price of power could be everything.

Amazon

Excerpt:

With no warning whatsoever, Phoenix bolted after it—whatever it was. She might be some badass faery enforcer, but he wasn’t about to let her go alone. Griff flung a handful of bills at Finn and bolted out the door behind her.

The muggy night smacked him in the face like a slap as he emerged, keeping one eye on the retreating figure and the other on Phoenix. Whoever or whatever it was, was fast, but Phoenix was faster. She seemed to levitate just above the ground—even without her wings—as she closed the distance.

“Phoenix!” Griff called, but to no avail. Phoenix didn’t break stride, turn around, or even slow down. The figure ducked into an alley, and Phoenix followed, the darkness swallowing her up.

Griff raced to catch up with her, rounding the corner just in time to see the figure disappear through a door at the end of the alley. Griff saw Phoenix skid to a halt. He could feel the presence of magic in the alley. Many parts of the city felt as if magic had been mixed into the mortar that held the buildings together.

Griff caught up to her, breathing heavily as he glanced at the door. “Looks like we found our lead.”

Phoenix nodded, her grip tightening on her knives. “And it’s not going to wait for us.”

With one last glance at Griff, she pushed the door open, stepping into the unknown.

Griff Broussard wasn’t a stranger to darkness. It lingered at the edges of his life, always threatening to swallow him whole. But tonight, as he stood at the threshold of the old door, staring at the door Phoenix had just disappeared through, that familiar darkness felt different. It was alive, pulsating with magic and danger, pulling him into its depths like a predator sizing up its prey.

The metallic tang of the night air filled his lungs as he pushed through the door behind Phoenix, muscles tense and instincts flaring. His senses sharpened. Even in human form, his dragon nature simmered beneath his skin, the beast pacing impatiently, ready to be unleashed at the first hint of a threat. He couldn’t help it—not here, not now, not with the echoes of his father’s unsolved murder still whispering at the edges of his mind.

Phoenix was already a few steps ahead, her movements fluid and silent as she navigated the narrow hallway beyond the door. Griff’s gaze swept the space, noting every detail—the cracked tiles on the floor, the flickering overhead light, and the faint trace of something old, something ancient lingering in the air. Magic. He could smell it, thick and oppressive, curling around him like smoke.

“Phoenix, wait,” he hissed, his voice low but urgent.

She glanced back at him, her eyes sharp and alert, but there was a flicker of impatience in her expression. Phoenix always charged headfirst into danger, relying on her instincts and speed.

Griff had always been the opposite—calculated, methodical. He needed to understand what they were walking into before they stepped too deep. But there was no time for planning now. The person they’d been chasing—their only lead—was somewhere ahead, and they couldn’t afford to lose it.

Without another word, Phoenix continued forward, her hand brushing the wall as she moved. Griff followed, the tension between them thickening with each step. He knew she could handle herself—hell, she was probably better suited for this than he was—but that didn’t stop the protective instinct that flared in his chest whenever they were in a situation like this. He hated that about himself. Hated how being around her always made him feel more… vulnerable. More aware of the fact that she was a storm he could never quite tame.

About the Author:

Delta James is a USA Today bestselling paranormal and contemporary romantic suspense author, whose goal is to captivate readers with stories about complex, curvy heroines and the dominant alpha males who adore them. For Delta, romance is more than just a love story; it’s a journey with challenges and thrills along the way. 

After creating a second chapter for herself that was dramatically different than the first, Delta now resides in Florida where she relaxes on warm summer evenings with her loveable pack of basset hounds as they watch the birds, squirrels and lizards. When not crafting fast-paced tales, she enjoys horseback riding, walks on the beach, and white-water rafting. 

Her readers mean the world to her, and Delta tries to interact personally to as many messages as she can. If you’d like to chat or discuss books, you can find Delta on Instagram, Facebook, and in her private reader group 

Website - https://www.deltajames.com/

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Chains of Blood and Darkness by M Guida - Haunted Halloween Spooktacular

Chosen Blood Bloody Mary

The Chosen Blood Bloody Mary is a striking cocktail that combines the classic elements of a Bloody Mary with a unique twist, inspired by the world of vampires and New Orleans. The beet juice adds a deeper red color, symbolizing the Chosen Blood, and imparts a slightly sweet, earthy flavor that complements the spicy, savory notes of the drink. The garlic and black pepper-infused vodka adds an extra layer of complexity and a hint of the supernatural.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka (infused with garlic and black pepper)

• 4 oz tomato juice (preferably homemade or high-quality)

• 1 oz fresh beet juice (for a richer, blood-red color and earthy flavor)

• 1/2 oz lemon juice

• 1/2 oz lime juice

• 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce

• 3 dashes hot sauce (like Tabasco)

• 1/4 tsp horseradish

• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika

• Pinch of celery salt

• Pinch of black pepper

• Pinch of sea salt

Garnish:

• Celery stalk with leaves

• Lemon and lime wedges

• Pickled green bean or asparagus

• Stuffed olive

• Mini skewer of cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls

• Fresh basil leaf

Instructions:

1. Infuse Vodka: Prepare the vodka by infusing it with garlic and black pepper. To do this, add 2-3 peeled garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon of black peppercorns to a bottle of vodka. Let it sit for at least 24 hours (up to a week for a stronger infusion), then strain the vodka to remove the solids.

2. Prepare the Glass: Rub a lemon or lime wedge around the rim of a tall glass, then dip the rim into a mixture of sea salt and smoked paprika.

3. Mix the Drink: In a shaker or mixing glass, combine the infused vodka, tomato juice, beet juice, lemon juice, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, horseradish, smoked paprika, celery salt, black pepper, and sea salt. Stir well to combine.

4. Fill the Glass: Fill the prepared glass with ice cubes, then pour the Bloody Mary mixture over the ice.

5. Garnish: Garnish with a celery stalk, lemon and lime wedges, pickled green bean or asparagus, stuffed olive, and a mini skewer of cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls. Add a fresh basil leaf for a fragrant touch.

6. Serve: Serve immediately, stirring slightly to keep the flavors well mixed.

Chains of Blood and Darkness

French Quarter Vampire King

M Guida

Genre: Dark Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Buffalo Mountain Press 

Date of Publication: October 23, 2024

ISBN: 9798333325686

ASIN: B0D5R9YMB7

Number of pages: 340

Word Count: 82792

Cover Artist: Jackie

Tagline: Kidnapped from my college campus as just as I’ve tasted freedom, then sold to the Angel of Death—Angelo Santi, the vampire mafia King.

Book Description:

I’m now a captive in a world I never knew existed, caught in a tangled web of ancient feuds and dangerous desires.

He claims that I have the power to save his people by reigniting a dying magical stone.

He’s delusional. I have no powers, but if I try to escape, he’ll start by killing my best friend and move to everyone I’ve ever loved.

As if that is not bad enough, the bodies of murdered women who look just like me keep turning up in the French Quarter.

Someone is framing him. That same person is hunting me.

Angelo’s the only man that I’ve ever trusted to protect me, but he’s a temptation that could lead to my ruin.

While his heart may be cold as his ice, the seductive vampire king sets my soul on fire. In this twisted game of blood and darkness, nothing is as it seems…except the intensity of our passion.

Amazon

About the Author:

M Guida has always loved fantasy and romance, especially dragons. Growing up, she devoured fantasy books and all kinds of young adult books. And then she found romance and a whole new world opened up to her.

Now as an adult, she fell in love with academy romance and has blended all of her past loves into one compelling series. Dragons, vampires, elves, demons, and wolves all live in her world.

When she's not writing, she lives in the colorful Rocky Mountains with her fur baby, Raven, and enjoys taking her for walks.

Would you like to become a Legacy? Sign up for her mailing list and enter a world of the supernatural at her website https://authormguida.com/

You can also join her private Facebook page–M Guida's Legacy Academy. You'll become a Legacy and find out about your special power and maybe even find some romance!

Website: https://authormguida.com/about/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mguida/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mguidaauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MLGuidaauthor

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/m-guida

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20378775.M_Guida

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08BW74WCM/about

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Kiss of Blood and Sin by M Guida - Haunted Halloween Spooktacular

In the shadows of night, where secrets lie, A vampire's tale unfolds under the sky. Dimitri Dragan, with a heart of stone, In a world of darkness, he walks alone.

A past so haunted, with echoes of pain, Women were fleeting, their memories wane. But then she appeared, like a beacon of light, Gianna Santi, a princess in the night.

Her beauty unmatched, her spirit so strong, Yet fate dealt her a hand so wrong. 

Attacked by wolves, left scarred and frail, In Dimitri’s heart, a protective gale.

He vows revenge with a fire so fierce, To hunt the wolves, their hearts to pierce.

 Her pain is his, her scars he bears, In his dark world, she’s the love he dares.

Her brother, the king, a ruler of might, In the vampire mafia’s eternal night. 

Dimitri, forced to steal and betray, A pawn in the game, a price he must pay.

But for Gianna, he'd face any strife, To guard her, to shield her, he'd give his life. 

He walks a line of shadow and blood, In a world of chaos, love begins to bud.

Her eyes, a mirror of sorrow and grace, In her presence, he finds his place. A love so forbidden, yet burning bright, Two hearts entwined in the depth of night.

In the French Quarter, where legends are born, Their love story is both blessed and torn. The wolves, they whisper, in the dark of the moon, But Dimitri's vengeance will strike them soon.

For Gianna, he'd embrace his darkest side, In his arms, she’ll never need to hide.

The Angel of Death, her protector, her knight, In the heart of darkness, he finds his light.

Dimitri Dragan, with a soul so cold, For her, a new story begins to unfold. No longer the monster, alone and grim, In Gianna's love, his salvation lies within.

Through blood and betrayal, they’ll carve their path, In the mafia’s world, they’ll face the wrath. But love like theirs, it knows no bounds, In the silent night, their heartbeat sounds.

In the labyrinth of power, deceit, and might, Their love shines as a beacon of light. 

Dimitri, the protector, with vengeance in his eyes, Gianna, his queen, where his loyalty lies.

Together they stand, against the tide, In a world of shadows, where darkness hides. Their love, a force, both wild and free, In the vampire’s realm, their destiny.

So in New Orleans, where the nights are long, Their hearts beat together, fierce and strong. Dimitri and Gianna, a love so rare, In a world of darkness, they find their share.

For love can blossom, even in the night, And in each other, they find their light. Through trials and pain, their bond will grow, In the vampire’s world, their love will show.

Kiss of Blood and Sin

M Guida

Genre: Dark Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Buffalo Mountain Press 

Date of Publication: September 25, 2024

Number of pages: 300

Word Count: 80,776

Cover Artist: Jacqueline Sweet

Book Description: 

I never wanted to be a mafia princess. But I wasn't given that choice when my brother turned me. 

Now he's the mafia king and his enemies want me dead. His magical mirrors shows my impending murder without revealing the assassin. It could be anyone, and I trust no one. Until I meet Dimitri Dragan. 

My brother would never agree for me to claim a born vampire with a sketchy past. But I'll fight to make him mine. I didn't have a choice in becoming a vampire, but I have a choice in who I love.

Kindle Vella     Amazon 

About the Author:

M Guida has always loved fantasy and romance, especially dragons. Growing up, she devoured fantasy books and all kinds of young adult books. And then she found romance and a whole new world opened up to her.

Now as an adult, she fell in love with academy romance and has blended all of her past loves into one compelling series. Dragons, vampires, elves, demons, and wolves all live in her world.

When she's not writing, she lives in the colorful Rocky Mountains with her fur baby, Raven, and enjoys taking her for walks.

Would you like to become a Legacy? Sign up for her mailing list and enter a world of the supernatural at her website https://authormguida.com/

You can also join her private Facebook page–M Guida's Legacy Academy. You'll become a Legacy and find out about your special power and maybe even find some romance!

Website: https://authormguida.com/about/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mguida/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mguidaauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MLGuidaauthor

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/m-guida

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20378775.M_Guida

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08BW74WCM/about

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The Nephilim’s Fate by Eliza Hampstead

The Nephilim’s Fate

War of the Nephilim Series

Eliza Hampstead

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Date of Publication: 16. August 2022

ISBN: 979-8837459108

ASIN: B0B72G3H1T

Number of pages: 307

Word Count: 87K

Cover Artist: Rio B Nugroho

Tagline: She will find a way, even if it leads to a war between Heaven and Hell.

Book Description:

In the heart of London, Alissia's ordinary life takes a thrilling turn when she is attacked by bloodthirsty vampires. When Nate, the man she dreamed about for years, swoops in to save her, her reality shatters as she discovers a shocking truth: she's a witch, and he's a Nephilim. But their love is cursed, forbidden by ancient laws that threaten to tear their world apart.

As old rivalries resurface and dark secrets come to light, Alissia and Nate must confront their deepest fears and fight for their love, even if it means igniting a war between Heaven and Hell.

With unforgettable characters, steamy romance, and gripping plot twists, this captivating new fantasy series by award-winning author Eliza Hampstead delves into a world of angels and demons, forbidden love, and the inexorable power of fate.

Amazon

Excerpt 2 Learning about her mother:

My heart stopped for a moment before resuming its work at double speed. I gulped. Now was the time for the truth. Seraphina stood up and walked to her desk; when she turned back, she held a photo in her hand. My heart was beating frantically as Seraphina held out the picture. I nearly didn’t take it. I suddenly wanted to live in ignorance, yet my body reacted before I could decide and took the photo. I looked at a woman who resembled me a great deal. She also had dark hair and green eyes, her nose was a bit longer than mine, and her lips were thinner. However, it was clear that she was my kin.

“Her name was Keira Shepard. Your father is still unknown; the coven thinks he was a human and unimportant to her. She never told anybody about him.”

Keira Shepard. A beautiful name that fitted her. I wanted to know everything about her, right now. “What do you know of her? Is her family an old witch family? Did she leave anything behind?”

“She was from an old family. To our knowledge, it had died with her until now. Her belongings went to the coven after her mother—your grandmother—died ten years ago. Her file states she could glimpse into the future. She was much into the second sight. If you want to, I can ask for the whole file, including the documentation about her going missing.”

“That would be splendid. Thank you.” I tried to say more, but my thoughts were spinning. I had the name and face of my birth mother and a thousand questions

About the Author:

Award winning author Eliza Hampstead, a scientist by training, lives with her family in the UK. When she's not writing, she spends her time as a geek. Playing all sorts of games (board games, video games, RPGs) and being a big fan of medieval history are only a few of the many hobbies she has. Passionate about fantasy, she's always planning her next adventure.

Sign up for Eliza’s newsletter to get exclusive updates on new releases, behind-the-scenes author news, and exciting extras like character interviews, maps, playlists, and bonus chapters that bring the books even more to life!

Newsletter: https://subscribepage.io/Jsj7Dt 

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Ghosts of Sleepy Hollow by Sam Baltrusis - Haunted Halloween Spooktacular

SLEEPY HOLLOW’S HEADLESS HORSEMAN

By Sam Baltrusis

For more than two centuries after Washington Irving unleashed “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” the Headless Horseman is still very much alive in pop culture.

   Elizabeth Bradley, a historian and author of Knickerbocker: The Myth Behind New York, rattled off a few of the various adaptations of the great American ghost story on the October 26, 2022 edition of WNYC News.

   “It has such legs and you can see that in all of the different interpretations,“ Bradley said during the radio interview. “There truly is a version of ‘Sleepy Hollow’ for every generation.” It’s an impressive list that includes Disney’s animated classic from 1949 and Tim Burton’s supernatural horror flick starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci.

   Of course, no one can eclipse the original which was initially published with a collection of essays and stories for The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent in 1820.

   “Irving's version of the Headless Horseman is set in the Hudson Valley region, and it pits an outsider, a Yankee, named Ichabod Crane against a very insular Dutch community,” Bradley said. “Throughout the course of the story, Ichabod pursues a local Dutch heiress in an effort to integrate himself into this community and is ultimately run out of town by the apparition of the Headless Horseman.”

   Bradley told WNYC that she believes the famed short-story writer created the headless Hessian in an attempt to populate a young nation with its own ghosts and mythologies. “You have to remember that Irving was born the year after the American Revolution ended,” she said. “The war was in the rear-view mirror of the people of Sleepy Hollow and a very new United States. It was an opportunity to create a whole regional culture. He really seized the moment and had a lot of fun with it."

   How did “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” become associated with All Hallows’ Eve? Bradley explained that the holiday wasn’t even on Irving’s radar when he fleshed out America’s first monster. “He doesn't mention Halloween once in the story,” she said. “[The Headless Horseman] is often associated with having a pumpkin for a head,” she said, adding that the character’s jack-o’-lantern prop was added in Disney’s The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad and, over the years, the haunting imagery then seared itself into pop culture. “Most people only knew the Disney version and that’s where the Halloween association really started to come into play,” Bradley added.

   J.W. Ocker, author of The New York Grimpendium and creator of the OTIS: Odd Things I’ve Seen blog, is on board with the idea that the Headless Horseman has somehow become the unofficial ambassador of spooky season. “The Headless Horseman is the spirit of fall,” Ocker told me during a sit-down interview at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel. “Every monster wants to be associated with autumn, but there’s something about him running through a forest with the leaves changing colors that makes him the patron monster of Halloween. The bigger Halloween gets, the bigger he gets. Everytime you feed Halloween, you feed him.”

   Ocker agreed with Bradley that the animated version from the Disney movie has ingrained itself into the American psyche. “Our generation grew up with the Disney cartoon,” he said. “You can’t think of the Headless Horseman without thinking of the purple-cloaked, cackling creature from the animated version. The imagery has almost become a part of the monster’s brand.”

   The United States of Cryptids author said he always thought the Headless Horseman had a jack-o’-lantern in one hand and a battle sword in another, but was shocked to learn that Irving didn’t include the macabre accessories in the short story. He was also convinced that the Headless Horseman eventually caught up with Ichabod Crane on a covered bridge. Not true.

   “People who visit Sleepy Hollow always want to see the covered bridge, but it doesn’t exist,” Ocker said. “If I could change one thing to the original story, I would make it a covered bridge. It just seems fitting.”

   Despite being tweaked a bit in the modern adaptations of Irving’s story, Ocker said the Headless Horseman is still his all-time favorite galloping ghoul. “Irving gave us the first real American monster,” he told me. “I’m not a very patriotic guy, but as an American there’s something that speaks to me about the horseman. It’s our monster. Frankenstein is from Germany and Dracula is from Transylvania. Thanks to Irving, we have our own.”.

   The secret to the short story’s success? Ocker believes the ambiguity of Irving’s fearless phantom somehow amplifies its mystique. “All we know is he was a Hessian soldier who lost his head during the American Revolution,” he told me. “There’s not much of a backstory to him. He’s this vague creature that pops up in the graveyard and runs around on his horse. He’s not jumping out of your closet. He has no face, He’s in essence an invisible man and there’s something unnerving about him as a monster.”

   In Brian Haughton’s Lore of the Ghost, he mentioned that Irving was living in Birmingham, England when he wrote “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and surmised that the celebrated American author “probably picked up on some of the elements he used in the story” overseas. “The headless ghost motif was known in German folklore at least as early as 1505 when it was recorded in a sermon written by Geiler von Kaysersberg, who mentions headless spirits being part of the Wild Hunt,” he noted.

   While Haughton wrote that Irving was strongly influenced by the stories told by Dutch immigrants during his childhood in New York, he suggested that it’s also likely that the writer was inspired by the recurring headless ghost motifs from northern European folklore. “The tradition of the headless ghost is found worldwide in many diverse cultures, and exhibits broadly the same characteristics connected with death and death warnings,” Haughton reported. “Popular tradition attributes such hauntings to the wandering spirits of those who died by beheading, either by execution or accident.”

   Haughton is in agreement that Irving’s story continues to leave a profound mark on popular culture. “Irving’s dark story of the headless Hessian soldier who rides forth every night through the dark lanes of Sleepy Hollow, and the dénouement of the tale involving a supernatural wild chase through the woods, has had a significant effect on the nature of American hauntings,” Haughton wrote in Lore of the Ghost. “The influence of Irving’s tale on popular culture is evident.”

   Alex Matsuo, author of Women of the Paranormal, told me that there may be an underlying reason why “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” continues to strike a chord with American readers. “We don't think about it often, but there are countless legends that were created to dehumanize a group,” Matsuo explained. “Instead of perceiving the Hessian as a real person, granted a terrifying figure during the time of the Revolutionary War, he turned it into this story that is meant to remind people that the Hessians were not meant to be trusted, even after the war was over.”

   Even though Matsuo sees a deeper meaning to what could be viewed as a cautionary tale, she said the Headless Horseman keeps luring her back to the Hudson Valley area, “Between the story of the Hessian soldier who lost his head around Halloween in 1776, and Ichabod Crane encountering him while trying to avoid him at all cost, there is a lesson to be learned there,” Matsuo said. “But I think the way that Disney commercialized ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,’ plus the Tim Burton film, there is a romanticization of the spell-bound region that has cemented it into Halloween traditions.

Ghosts of Sleepy Hollow: 

Haunts of the Headless Horseman

Haunted America

Sam Baltrusis

Genre: Ghosts & Hauntings

Publisher: History Press

Date of Publication: September 23, 2024

ISBN: 978-146715802

Number of pages: 144

Word Count: 32,500

Tagline: Chilling Tales of the Hudson Valley

Book Description:

Nestled on the banks of the Hudson River, Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown are steeped in history and ghost lore. Famous for Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” the storied Westchester region also has a dark history of witches, spies, and pirates. 

Rumors of Headless Horseman sightings surge during spooky season while visitors flock to the Valley’s haunted hot spots like the Old Dutch Church and the famed writer’s Sunnyside home. 

Join author and journalist Sam Baltrusis on a bone-chilling journey through the streets of Sleepy Hollow as he breathes new life into the legendary village’s long-departed souls.

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Excerpt:

Sleepy Hollow, New York is brimming with ghostly legends that have somehow taken on a life of their own.

Nestled on the banks of the Hudson River, the fabled region —which includes the adjoining Tarrytown— has become the go-to place during spooky season thanks to the popularity of Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

Late-night lantern tours in search of a decapitated soldier's galloping ghost? Yes, please.

If one spends enough time walking through the labyrinthine paths of the village's historic cemeteries, however, there's something sinister oozing beneath Sleepy Hollow's rustic, story-book facade.

It's as if the entire hamlet is under some sort of enchantment. Or, as Irving penned in 1820, it oddly feels like the locals are somehow bewitched and "are subject to trances and visions."

The revered writer referred to the area as the "spell-bound region," and rightfully so. According to several first-hand accounts, creepy music and disembodied voices emerge out of thin air

Based on Irving's mythical take on his later-in-life hometown, it should be no surprise that the Headless Horseman isn't the Valley’s only fearsome phantom seeking postmortem revenge.

The entire region seems to be teeming with paranormal activity. Several publications sensationally claim that both Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown together make the "most haunted places in the world."

But, is it?

After digging beneath the surface, it's difficult to pinpoint what's actually paranormal activity versus a made-up ghost story that has been collectively conjured over a 200-year period.

Alex Matsuo, a Maryland-based author and paranormal investigator who has written about the area’s alleged paranormal activity in her Spooky Stuff blog, believes that the line between fact and fiction is somehow blurred in Sleepy Hollow.

“After Washington Irving's infamous tale plunged the area into fame, I would hypothesize that perhaps some of the paranormal activity could be attributed to thought-forms,” Matsuo told me. “There's also the case of self-fulfilling prophecies that people can accomplish without realizing it.”

Matsuo cited the replica of the bridge in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery as a potential hotspot for ghostly encounters that are freakishly fueled by the expectations of thrill-seeking visitors.

 “Just by knowing the tale and the true story behind it, they would already get a case of the creeps,” she explained. “Then, with tensions rising, they hear a branch break or footsteps, and they get really spooked. They go home and tell their friends and family about the creepy experience, unknowing that there was an animal nearby causing the ruckus.”

Also, there are what paranormal researchers call thought-forms or an outward manifestation of the heightened emotions of those who visit Sleepy Hollow during spooky season. Matsuo believes that based on this concept, extreme fear can somehow take a physical form within the spirit world.

“When you have a massive amount of people invested in a story, even a fictional story based on real people, that energy has to go somewhere,” she said. “In the case of Sleepy Hollow, it may have manifested into paranormal occurrences. I would guess that most of that energy is more organized, but I wouldn't be surprised if some of that energy was displaced, which could explain some of the random paranormal events that have happened over the years.”

About the Author:

Sam Baltrusis, author of Ghosts of Salem: Haunts of the Witch City and featured in The Curse of Lizzie Borden shock doc, has penned eighteen paranormal-themed books including Haunted Boston Harbor and Ghosts of the American Revolution. He has been featured on several national TV shows including the Travel Channel's A Haunting, Most Terrifying Places, Haunted Towns, and Fright Club (1 & 2). He also made a cameo in the documentary The House in Between 2 and on several additional television programs including The UnBelievable with Dan Aykroyd, History’s Most Haunted, Paranormal Nightshift, and Forbidden History. Baltrusis is a sought-after lecturer who speaks at libraries and paranormal-related events across the country. Visit SamBaltrusis.com for more information.

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