Magic Man

Dead Men #2

by Jacqui Jacoby

Detective Peter Mackenzie knew crime and knew his job. With The Cemetery Man schedule to leave the next body on the next grave Peter doesn’t have time for the puzzling Alexandra Madison. Her wild stories of a stolen life and family and friends who don’t remember her. Her last resort, she tells him is him and the relationship they shared. Peter doesn’t need this nonsense and his eccentric father walking in only irritates him more. Until his father utters the name everyone forgot, giving hope to Alexandra for the first time. Time is their enemy as the weekend grows closer and on Sunday, Peter knows another body will be waiting. What he doesn’t know, what he couldn’t know, even with Alexandra delving deeper into his father’s past, the victims are not random. They are chosen with reason and the monster who takes them is not done. She is coming for one of them.

Genres: Mystery

506 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2015

About the author

Award-winning author, Jacqui Jacoby lives and writes in the beauty of Northern Arizona. She is the owner of Body Count Productions, Inc, which keeps her career moving. Currently adjusting to being an empty nester with her first grandchild to draw her pictures, Jacqui is a self-defense hobbyist. Having studied martial arts for numerous years, she retired in 2006 from the sport, yet still brings the strength she learned from the discipline to her characters. She is a working writer, whose career includes writing books, teaching online and live workshops and penning short nonfiction.

Reviews

[Hina Tabassum Khatri · Rating 5 out of 5]

She existed. And then, she did not.

A story of one woman’s lost life and the limits she goes to to put a wrong done centuries ago to right.

Alex Madison goes to the grocery store and finds that her entire life, bar her existence, has been wiped away. It was as if she has never been. No one remembers her; no one knows her. Nor her loving family neither her friends. Not even the man she has been in a relationship for four years though they did break up some eight months ago (all part of some elusive plan in wiping out the history of the history professor).

Surviving on the streets for five days, Alex goes to find the one man she has always loved, Detective Peter McKenzie. Even though Peter does not recognise her, he shows her kindness and gives her some food; be it only donuts and coffee.

But there is a limit to what a man may hear a strange woman say and that is what happens in here. Peter starts thinking her crazy when she starts talking about the life that they have had together. Still, he wants to help the damsel in distress.

Alex, does not need his sympathy. She needs him to believe her and get her out of this predicament. When nothing comes to pass, a sort of miracle happens. Peter’s father, Kenneth McKenzie shows up at the station and, lo and behold, he knows Alex. Taking her under his protection, Kenneth promises her that they will somehow put everything back to normal. In that moment, though, she is happy that someone remembers her.

Kenneth, for his part, has his own secrets that have not resulted in him forgetting the dear woman he loves as a daughter.

But it with the love of Peter, which is not suppressed with all the evil being inflicted, Alex is all ready to defend her and the man she loves from a serial killer who is not a flesh and blood human being. A serial killer on whose case Peter has been working for some time.

Peter’s brain might have forgotten the woman he loves but in his heart he accepts the rightness of being with her. The wholeness of being he feels when with her.

And together they shall face the evil and either eliminate it or be eliminated themselves.

The story is full of how the brain is to be used but the heart must be given the due credit too for making us choose right and wrong. The story is about how not always will a logic present itself to resolve an issue because the answer lies outside the box we hold ourselves prisoners in.

Last but not the least, the story highlights how we need our independence but we need our family and friends in equal measure to fuss around us and be a constant pain in the backside because they are the ones who make our lives complete.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this series these vampires are the best gorgeous friendly caring and this is Jason Sullivan's story he works out at the gym keeps fit works hard at his computer business and makes lots of money. He is single and not really looking for love sure there have been a few woman in his long life but nothing permanent that is until he helps someone from the gym change a tyre and this changes his life eternally.

Taylor Grant was just about to marry when she called it off because the groom was having an affair with her best friend a good southern girl with a very mixed up family Taylor has moved cities got herself a job she works hard and is determined to not have sex with anyone and to not have a relationship with anyone that is until a knight in shinning armour won't take no for an answer.

This is a moving story emotional and suspenseful as Taylor and Jason get closer and truths come out about Jason and his family but danger arrives from Jason's past and all bets are off in the love department Taylor needs to be strong and know the full truth of what they are and when family members are hurt badly you will shed some tears a fabulous story that I highly recommend so well written the characters come to life on the pages my suggestion sit back and enjoy this journey with all of its ups and downs that will keep you turning the pages and smiling when that HEA arrives beautifully.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a leap out of familiar reading territory when I read Magic Man by Jacqui Jacoby. And I must say that the book surprised me in a good way. The story is tight and engrossing. The mystery surrounding the characters garnered my full attention and as the plot swayed up and down I found myself enthralled as the mystery begins to unravel. Detective Peter Mackenzie has grit and commands your attention. Cemetery Man simply left me breathless and intrigued. Alex Madison stands firm in what she believes in and she lets Detective Peter know just that. And when she and Peter comes together to find the person behind the killings only adds nail-biting suspense into the mix. Overall, Magic Man will leave you breathless and stunned as the revelations take over and the story comes to a sharp crescendo!

Good writing, unique story and likable characters.

Recommended
4.5 Stars

[Cheryl Steckling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Men Seal the Deal by Jacqui Jacoby
Jason Sullivan works, hits the gym, and dates girls just the right length of time. He knows how to treat girls just right. Wine tasting party to helping a girl in a parking lot with flat tire to sending flowers to her at work.
Taylor Grant swore off men and sex. Taylor meets Jason and she keeps saying no and he keeps telling her that he does not want to sex just the company. She does finally date him as Jason is very convincing. But Taylor is not persuaded very easily as she was hurt very badly by her ex-fiancé who she found had cheated on her with her friend.
Jason takes on a new computer job and does not realize that by taking it has set off a whole new circumstance. As a vampire he has lived years and years but everything shows him at one age. The new job is from a woman who cannot be the age she states she is however she is not a vampire. She knows Jason from all those years ago and wants to repeat a night in their "history" that really shocks Jason.
While he is with Taylor, they have a home invasion and they he also finds out there were one at his own home. Ash and Stuart both have been shot - also a home invasion.
Jason brings Taylor home and introduces her to Travis, Quinn and Evan and Ash's dog.
This story is about past relationships, secrets and regrets.
I love reading books by Jacqui Jacoby and am finding out more and more about vampires.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story that will have you in thralled from the first page it is beautifully written the characters so real they come to life on the pages as we get to know and come close Peter Mackenzie and Alexandra Madison and uncover a mystery hundreds of years old.

Alex Madison was enjoying her life very much she comes form a loving family and has an awesome boyfriend in police detective Peter Mackenzie until one day Peter changes and both of them say things they didn't really mean but this ends their beautiful relationship Alex moves states and they get on with their new lives that is until Alex moves back to LA and discovers that things have changed drastically and this starts a journey that is filled with danger and mystery as they get close to each other again.

This is a fast paced and intriguing story with mystery danger and a very sensual romance that will have you smiling and for me grabbing for the tissues but it is also a story of courage and strength as Alex comes to terms and tries to understand the things that Peter's father tells her and learns more about the evil presence that is roaming the streets and killing innocent people to get to one person. I really enjoy MS Jacoby's stories they keep me turning the pages and this is one that I highly recommend.

[Dottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a usual vampire story you have a girl and you have a man who's a vampire and of course she doesn't know it. Next they fall in love he fights biting her and then you see they want it to last forever. Author Jacqui Jacoby so changed what was usual and took this story and went so much further and did so much to make it such a wonderful, fun and at times dark story. Taylor Grant meets Jason at a time when she has sworn off men and sex so refuses a date. However Jason will not give up and finally convinces her to date him. There is a wonderful chemistry between them and they send emails back and forth and he introduces her to his family which is truly no ordinary family, and pay attention to the animals. Now you know since he is a vampire there has to be some dark time and there is and things happen and Taylor is hurt but she loves her vampire, but is it enough to change her life for him. An enjoyable story and this is a review from a romance reader and I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more by this author.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacqui Jacoby’s new novel Dead Men Seal the Deal is dark, daring and intense with just the right touch of romance and drama to keep you engaged from beginning to end. Though this isn’t the genre I’d usually pick up blindly, I must say this was a pretty good book. This might be an engrossing treat for fans of vampire stories!

Jason Sullivan had his eyes on Taylor Grant for quite some time now. But he never approached her. However, one night he does and the instant chemistry between them draws close to each other. Though their relationship isn't intimate at this point, Jason and Taylor share a tight bond. One day Jason takes Taylor home to meet his family but from here on out a series of events unravel and the true identity of Jason and his family is revealed. It is now up to Taylor to choose the path she wishes to take.

Overall, a good story and premise…and you either love the characters or hate them.

4 Stars

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Magic Man" by Jacqui Jacoby is a good, quick read. I enjoy reading the author's work because it is outside my usual reading genre of classic romance. This is more of a mystery, and for me a nail biter, because it leaves you wanting to find out more.. Detective Peter Mackenzie is trying to find out who the 'Cemetery Man' is before he claims another victim. Alexandra (Alex) Madison is more a thorn in his side, but she does have the street smarts. They must hurry to find out who is killing and leaving bodies on cemetery plots.

[Dottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mystery that has all you could want, intrigue , suspense and it will leave you sitting on the end of your seat till you find out who is leaving bodies at the cemetery. Detective Peter Mackenzie and Alex Madison fight with and against each other to find the answers. The plot is one that will have you enthralled from the beginning and until you find out who is behind the killings you will not want to put the book down. The characters are perfect and all in all you have a Fantastic story.

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dead Men Seal the Deal" by Jacqui Jacoby is a paranormal romance with a vampire theme. Jason Sullivan meets Taylor Grant at his local gym and is intrigued by her. When he gets the opportunity to ask her out she tells him no, but Jason doesn't give up easily. Taylor finds she can't resist Jason and they do eventually date. Some weird things happen when she is brought home to meet his family. Taylor eventually finds out the truth about Jason's family. Very enjoyable read.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was immediately interesting. The main character shows up at a police station because she has discovered that she no longer exists. The author makes this seem plausible! This begins a modern tale of sorcery. It seems impossible that Peter and Alex Can figure out a way to stop a curse from centuries ago.

[Cheryl Steckling · Rating 5 out of 5]

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬Magic Man by Jacqui Jacoby
Detective Peter Mackenzie knew his job. It was to find out who The Cemetery Man was or who the next body was going to be so he could try to prevent it. He hated telling the loved one that their son or daughter was never coming home again.
Peter did not have the time or energy to deal with Alexandra Madison. He did not know her even though she insists they we together for 4 years. After listening to her go on and on who should walk in but Peter’s father and start by saying hi to Alexandra and using her name. Alex had been living on the streets the past few days since another family was living in the house that was hers, her family did not know her, and since Peter did not know her she went with the man who did remember her. At least she was not as nuts as everyone thought she was. Peter had even reserved a padded room for her. He canceled it after spending time with her and realizing that she was not crazy.
Every Sunday there was a new body laid out on some cemetery plot. The victim’s appeared random, but were they? Alex realized there was nothing random about them.
Little did Peter know the real history about his very own father? This well written story by Jacqui Jacoby will want you reading more and more to uncover the mystery. This is a MUST READ!!

[Lynn Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 STARS!

I'll be the first to admit, I'm really not into paranormal romances, but I was asked to read and review this book, so I did. I still don't like vampire books, but I did read until the end because I was drawn in enough to want to see if they made it as a couple. I would imagine that since even I was interested, if you like the vampire theme, you'll probably like it even more than I did.

Jason Sullivan meets Taylor Grant at his local gym and is intrigued by her. One night, he gets his opportunity to ask her out, but she tells him she's sworn off of men and sex. Instead of deterring him, he takes that as a challenge. :)

Taylor can't resist this gorgeous, sweet guy even though she knows she should. They go on a couple of dates, then when a circumstance arises,he takes her home to meet his "family".

Taylor gets drawn into the weird happenings of his life, and eventually finds out the truth about the type of life that they lead. When all is said and done, will she decide it's a life she wants to be a part of?

** Received free in exchange for an honest review **

[Hina Tabassum Khatri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will give this one a 4.5

These are some humane vampires that you feel like befriending.

A bunch of people who have been walking the earth for so long they basically lived History.

Coming to the story, I would say it is all about love. Be it romantic or otherwise. The choices thrown your way and how they cut you in half with just a tiny misstep.

The same is true for Jason. He falls in love with a human.

But there is another woman in his life he loves. He loves her like a brother loves his little sister but explaining that to his lady love, Taylor, is somewhere out of the realm of his abilities. But explain he must.

The clashes of jealousy and familial anger and problems makes this book a light hearted read and book full of emotions all at the same time.

It's written in a way that a person like me who is completely off them after reading a particular series, enjoyed reading so I think it has a lot going for it.

[Harrianne Kopel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully constructed story. Could not put it down!

[Jacqui Jacoby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it, but then I always have had a thing for Jason.