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.
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.
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.
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
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