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Holding out for a Hero (Jelvia: Not Human) Paperback – March 13, 2019

by T E Kessler (Author)

4.0 38 ratings

Book 1 of 5: Jelvia: Not Human

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☆҉ ‿➹⁀☆҉ What if the man of your dreams wasn’t human? ☆҉ ‿➹⁀☆҉

As a celebrity journalist, Macy Shaw is constantly on the hunt for the next big thing but lately she finds stardom shallow and pretentious.

Then a flirty Jelvia named Narcifer rescues her friend, and Macy wonders if a story could be obtained from it; after all, Jelvias are usually a race to be feared, and no one really knows much about them.

But the more she digs, the more questions she invites, enough for her to see that not all is what it seems within the Jelvian world, but is it already too late?

As Macy is drawn into Narcifer’s provocative but taboo bed, she becomes more and more part of his forbidden world.

Holding Out for a Hero is the explosive first novel in the Jelvia series.

⚠Contains mature scenes.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Jelvia:Not Human series are not written for sexual gratification. In other words, theyaren't erotica. But scenes ARE for the 18 and above audiences but somehow,saying that, puts the books in an 'erotic' category.

About the Author

T E Kessler is an author from the Midlands in England.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (March 13, 2019)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 382 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1799033074
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1799033073
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.09 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.96 x 8 inches

Customer Reviews:
4.0 38 ratings

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T. E Kessler

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If T.E Kessler were Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones) the introduction would read something like this:

T. E Kessler the first of the Midlands in Great Britain, Queen of steamy sci-fi romance, Mother of the Jelvia: Not Human series, Writer of books, Ruler of the en suite, the Unburnt in the kitchen and the Breaker of promises (when it comes to diets).

On a serious note, Kessler enjoys writing sci-fi because, unlike horror, it gives the idea of being more dangerous because it could happen. Kessler also mixes it up with reality, human flaws and emotion to bring out the romance and, of course, the comedy of life in general.

Series so far…

HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO book 1

SURVIVING HER DOMINANT book 2

SPIDER book 3

MOON AND BACK book 4

NEMESIS book 5 (2023)

…with the final book (book 6) to conclude the Jelvia: Not Human series. Each book has its own story with satisfying endings while the main story gradually unfolds using common characters throughout.

Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TE_Kessler

Website and Blog: bit.ly/Wise-Kessler

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kessler69

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18902601.T_E_Kessler

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/t-e-kessler

News Letter: https://bit.ly/3gihIdm

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4 out of 5

38 global ratings

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Tiffany Schwartz

Absolutely Fantastic Sci-Fi / Mystery / Hot Romance

Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2018

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Sci-Fi Romance is one of my favorite book genres , but it’s so hard to find ones that have a perfect blend of good writing, original plots, and just the right amount of sci-fi with romance.

This book pushed ALL my book buttons, and the authors writing style is very easy to get lost in, without being weighed down by over-detailed minutiae.

I really enjoyed the chemistry & personalities of the main characters Macy & Narcifer.

Macy’s BFF, Courtney, mmm not so much.
I hope when the follow-up book is written, her personality changes enough to not be so whiney and motherhen-like.

The sexy times were pretty hot and intense , but personally I don’t mind that at all if it’s written well.

The “new species” the Jelvia, that’s introduced reminded me of a much more intense and similar style , of the type Lauren Dohner / Evangeline Anderson writes about. I’m not a huge fan of either author but I will read some of them.

Both Dohner and Anderson can be very repetitive with their male & female leads where one blends into the next and you feel like you’re reading the same book over and over.

I get the feeling though that with this author? She’s going to have each of these new male Jelvia species and female heroines, be very different from one another.

I definitely look forward to reading any follow-up books from this author! I so truly enjoyed this book and found myself taking any free moment I could squeeze out of my day , to read it!!

( Contrary to what another reviewer here said? I enjoyed this book better than Louise Wises’ first book Eden and 2nd book Hunted. They were both good and original, but the male and female leads of those books did not have HALF of chemistry of Macy and Narcifer did in this book. Also, those earlier books her writing seemed ...less.....I guess what I’m saying is that to me? You can TELL her writing style has so improved on this book. It truly flowed. IMO, it’s very important that a book flow and take you into the world without giving you pause. When a book doesn’t have good flow? You constantly have your mind going in and out of that world. This book, put you THERE. I never had to leave it until the book was over , and I was kinda bummed I had to leave :)

5 people found this helpful

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PMNewman

Original plot

Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2021

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This book is a science-fiction romance combining an original plot with well-drawn characters and good writing. I'm not a fan of graphic sex but the author has done it well.
The main theme is race, mistrust based on difference, and how love conquers all. This is the first book I've read that includes an inter-species love affair, a little twist on vampire lust in my mind.
It was an interesting, even engaging read that pushed the boundaries on sex, race, and love.

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Kevin G. Chapman, Author

Interesting and erotic sci-fi romatic mystery -- well worth the read.

Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2020

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I enjoyed reading this book, but when asked what kind of book it is, this book is difficult to categorize. It is a sci-fi romance with graphically erotic scenes, but it is also part one of an allegorical commentary on race relations, xenophobia, and how love can bridge chasms. It is well written and the principal characters are layered and interesting. I would have enjoyed the story just as well without the sex scenes (not that I didn't enjoy them). I wonder, though, how many readers looking for erotica will wish the surrounding story wasn't so dominant and substantial, and how many sci-fi and even romance fans will find the sex scenes a little too graphic. But it certainly makes for an interesting read!

The story is about an inter-species love affair between Macy, the protagonist, a human female journalist, and Narcifer, a Jelvian male. Jelvians are super-humans with retractable claws who can shoot venomous projectiles from their mouths. Humans fear them, but Macy is curious and wants to write about them. When she and Narcifer begin a hot love affair (hot!), the question is who is using whom to further what larger plan? The plot gets intricate and at times a bit confusing, but the focus is always on whether love can conquer all.

The best aspects of the book are it's clear prose, the well-developed characters, and the relationship --- and heat --- between Macy and Narcifer. It's a story that holds your interest over a lengthy book. The over-arching story that bleeds into the sequel is not as compelling, but still fun to try to figure out.

There are a few problems with the story, the biggest being the author's failure to explain where the Jelvians came from. There is no historical context to explain the current state of the world. Jelvians walk among humans, but instill fear and hatred, even though they seem to be killing only criminals. We are told that the government, aided by the media, have created the fear-frenzy about Jelvians, but the backstory is murky. We know that Jelvians are nearly as numerous as humans (how did that happen?), but there don't seem to be that many of them around. Where do they live? Why don't the police (or army) even try to reign in their killing? What is the Jelvian government like? How is it that Jelvians achieved their own lands and nations? There are so many questions that are never answered that it detracts a bit from the present story. The base plot is also a bit thin, with the mysterious human with multiple identities trying to manipulate Macy to help him find a particular Jelvian who wants to kill him. Then, after Macy and Narcifer fall in love, they immediately have a crisis of their commitment and the question each other's motives awfully fast. The ending, which sets up another book, is also less than fully satisfyingly, but the love story does seem to come to a conclusion.

The erotic scenes are unevenly sprinkled in, with one near the beginning, then a flurry of sex in the middle, and then not much in the final third as the plot winds toward conclusion. This makes for a choppy feel if it’s the sex scenes in which you are most interested.

The book is fairly long, and much could have been trimmed in editing. But it is still a fun and interesting story that is mostly free of distracting writing errors and is both engaging and arousing. It’s certainly well worth the time to read. This is a great cruise ship or beach read and sneaks in some social commentary that makes you think, as good sci fi should do. Well done.

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A.D. Stewart

Everyone needs a hero

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 2, 2020

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I started reading this series (second book) out of order and stopped to read the first. Holding out for a Hero. I'm so glad I did. So much makes sense that I HAVE to re-read the next book.

This first book introduces you to an alien race where the typical 'love-hate' spreads through the human race like a disease. Honestly, if I came face to face with a Jelvia, I'd like to think I'm open minded but hey, we often go by what we hear. Sad but true and in this instance, the main character, Macy, is faced with enough back lashing from her boss and best friend Courtney to last a life time. I swear there were times I wanted to smack the tar out of the woman.

Macy must confront and battle the fears that have clung to her since a young girl. Fears that not only affect her but everyone around her. Making any decisions to trust a Jelvia an impossible feat.

If you want action, romance and danger mixed with political plots then this is your book! I read it in two days. Found it impossible to put down and I think you'll enjoy it too.

I might add. If you reside outside of England, then you might come across terms, slang that might sound strange to you. I however thouorghly enjoyed it.

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