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Run the Risk
"...it's the art of storytelling here that elevates this book above the others and the ability to toss in such a clever plot twist and still have the pieces fall into a cohesive story. Strong characters, witty dialogue, and an intriguing romance will keep you entertained throughout." ~Amazon Review
On her 50th birthday, in the throes of her first hot flash, Sierra Kipling gets a phone call. The father she has shunned for 23 years has died, leaving her his bar, The Risk, along with a slew of bad feelings. Unhappy in her law career and life in general, Sierra returns to her hometown, Shamrock Cove, to settle her father's affairs. But as a prodigal daughter, returning to possibly sell a bar filled with patrons and staff who loved her father, and resent her, she'll need to employ all her expertise and people skills.
Kelsi Belmar first arrived in Shamrock Cove to complete her residency. Enamored by the little community and its people, she stayed on to take over the local clinic for the elderly doctor wanting to retire. Kelsi's heart had never been tempted by the women she dated, until Sierra Kipling stepped off the boardwalk and into the bar with a satchel in her hand, and a Siamese cat named Me-Too on her shoulder. The young doctor, grieving the loss of her father figure, will find herself fanning the flames of desire for the woman who broke Thorn Kipling's heart.
Against the backdrop of a quaint harbor town in coastal Rhode Island, Sierra Kipling is about to learn the truth about her father in the testimonies of those who loved him and the journals he left behind.
On her 50th birthday, in the throes of her first hot flash, Sierra Kipling gets a phone call. The father she has shunned for 23 years has died, leaving her his bar, The Risk, along with a slew of bad feelings. Unhappy in her law career and life in general, Sierra returns to her hometown, Shamrock Cove, to settle her father's affairs. But as a prodigal daughter, returning to possibly sell a bar filled with patrons and staff who loved her father, and resent her, she'll need to employ all her expertise and people skills.
Kelsi Belmar first arrived in Shamrock Cove to complete her residency. Enamored by the little community and its people, she stayed on to take over the local clinic for the elderly doctor wanting to retire. Kelsi's heart had never been tempted by the women she dated, until Sierra Kipling stepped off the boardwalk and into the bar with a satchel in her hand, and a Siamese cat named Me-Too on her shoulder. The young doctor, grieving the loss of her father figure, will find herself fanning the flames of desire for the woman who broke Thorn Kipling's heart.
Against the backdrop of a quaint harbor town in coastal Rhode Island, Sierra Kipling is about to learn the truth about her father in the testimonies of those who loved him and the journals he left behind.
259 pages, ebook
First published September 15, 2016
32 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Kelli Jae Baeli
123 books146 followers"To me, failing to learn to use the tools one’s craft shows laziness and disrespect for the reader. There are, however, no issues of that sort where Baeli’s writing is concerned. It’s rare to these days to find a writer whose style is technically so nearly perfect, but who’s also a damned good storyteller. I doubt if she is even capable of writing poorly." ~W. Spice
Even after 36 novels, I always try to write the sort of book I would want to read. My favorite thing to do is take a common trope and turn it on its ear. Where you expect a zig, I give you a zag. In my pages, you will find strong female characters, ethical dilemmas, and realistic storylines often filled with adventure and intense pacing, tempered by witty dialog, and happy endings. All are hallmarks of my work.
As a Bestselling Genre-Hopping Indie Author, I’ve enjoyed a sales position in the top 5% of lesbian writers, but I write crossover and mainstream fiction and have authored 26 nonfiction books, as well. All 36 of my FemFic novels have been bestsellers in the genres of domestic suspense, domestic thriller, women's adventure, romantic suspense, apocalyptic, speculative, lesfic, lesbian romance, and science fiction. I’m also a mixed-media artist (mostly clay and abstract painting) and former performing singer-songwriter with over 200 songs.
My wife, Melissa Walker-Baeli, is a budding author in her own right, and we have several co-writing projects coming soon. We live with two dogs, (Noodle and Whatnot) and two cats, (Poppet and Chicklet) on ten acres in the gorgeous Northwoods of Michigan.
Even after 36 novels, I always try to write the sort of book I would want to read. My favorite thing to do is take a common trope and turn it on its ear. Where you expect a zig, I give you a zag. In my pages, you will find strong female characters, ethical dilemmas, and realistic storylines often filled with adventure and intense pacing, tempered by witty dialog, and happy endings. All are hallmarks of my work.
As a Bestselling Genre-Hopping Indie Author, I’ve enjoyed a sales position in the top 5% of lesbian writers, but I write crossover and mainstream fiction and have authored 26 nonfiction books, as well. All 36 of my FemFic novels have been bestsellers in the genres of domestic suspense, domestic thriller, women's adventure, romantic suspense, apocalyptic, speculative, lesfic, lesbian romance, and science fiction. I’m also a mixed-media artist (mostly clay and abstract painting) and former performing singer-songwriter with over 200 songs.
My wife, Melissa Walker-Baeli, is a budding author in her own right, and we have several co-writing projects coming soon. We live with two dogs, (Noodle and Whatnot) and two cats, (Poppet and Chicklet) on ten acres in the gorgeous Northwoods of Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 21, 2016
Needs a Sequel
This is my first time reading anything by this author so I wasn't sure what to expect but as soon as I started reading it I couldn't put it down. I fell in love with the characters and their individual stories and how through their own stories it brought the town to life for me. I also loved that there was so many things that I didn't see coming including one huge factor of the story. While I loved this book the ending left me desperately wanting a sequel. I fell like there is more story left to tell. I definitely would recommend this book!
This is my first time reading anything by this author so I wasn't sure what to expect but as soon as I started reading it I couldn't put it down. I fell in love with the characters and their individual stories and how through their own stories it brought the town to life for me. I also loved that there was so many things that I didn't see coming including one huge factor of the story. While I loved this book the ending left me desperately wanting a sequel. I fell like there is more story left to tell. I definitely would recommend this book!
September 30, 2016
Great story
Wonderful characters. Great conversation. Funny, intelligent, inspiring, among other things. Very interested in a second book. Hopefully a series. First book I have ever read by this author but certainly not the last. Very well done. Highly recommend.
Wonderful characters. Great conversation. Funny, intelligent, inspiring, among other things. Very interested in a second book. Hopefully a series. First book I have ever read by this author but certainly not the last. Very well done. Highly recommend.
April 12, 2025
Sierra Kipling has just inherited her father's bar, which she really doesn't want. But as her law practice is currently on hold, she agrees to go back to her home town.
Kelsi Belmar, town doc and friend of her father is rather shocked by how cold Sierra is, and wonders what happened between them. AND she's surprised by how hot the older woman is, too.
As Sierra settles into town she's astonished at how beloved her dad was. And despite his (apparently) having a problem with her being gay, his best friend was a lesbian and he also had one managing his bar.
Mild gripe: all the chapters are 4 pages or less, which makes the pacing a bit weird. Also random POV changes each chapter.
Then she learns something that might change everything.
I don't know if it really NEEDED that last plot twist. Other than that pretty good tho.
3.5 stars out of 5.
Kelsi Belmar, town doc and friend of her father is rather shocked by how cold Sierra is, and wonders what happened between them. AND she's surprised by how hot the older woman is, too.
As Sierra settles into town she's astonished at how beloved her dad was. And despite his (apparently) having a problem with her being gay, his best friend was a lesbian and he also had one managing his bar.
Mild gripe: all the chapters are 4 pages or less, which makes the pacing a bit weird. Also random POV changes each chapter.
Then she learns something that might change everything.
I don't know if it really NEEDED that last plot twist. Other than that pretty good tho.
3.5 stars out of 5.
January 15, 2018
Run The Risk worth the read!!!
Great read, and I just discovered a great author. Unassuming story teller who crafts with such a talent tales that a reader would love. Her characters are realistic so much so that the reader can easily identify with them. Sierra and kelsi are a match made in heaven. Great personalities who interact with such an ease, and make you crave for more. More love, more kisses, more emotions, more of everything. The author is a poet who creates scenes that are magical and transport you to the realm of existence you want to be. She certainly made me believe in the concept of love, and it is not overrated. Well done. Give it a try and you will rediscover what it is that makes us human.
Great read, and I just discovered a great author. Unassuming story teller who crafts with such a talent tales that a reader would love. Her characters are realistic so much so that the reader can easily identify with them. Sierra and kelsi are a match made in heaven. Great personalities who interact with such an ease, and make you crave for more. More love, more kisses, more emotions, more of everything. The author is a poet who creates scenes that are magical and transport you to the realm of existence you want to be. She certainly made me believe in the concept of love, and it is not overrated. Well done. Give it a try and you will rediscover what it is that makes us human.
June 18, 2020
Kudos Ms. Baeli! The best of your works I've read so far, and I've read a lot of them. A well developed story and characters, and not just about the sex scenes. So many lesbian writers seem to forego writing a solid story, for gratuitous sex scenes. This book is an actual love story, not a romantic fantasy or a sexscapade. I very much enjoyed the story of a late middle-aged (late, because how many of us live to be 100?) woman at a turning point in her life, who still finds love and purpose and the resolution of difficult relationships. Loved the plot twist! Definitely a worthwhile read!
March 22, 2021
"In the midst of her hot flash..." I got it! I enjoyed this book and did not want to put it down at bedtime. Sierra doesn't take trash talk from anyone and I cheered her in the brief back story of her being charged with contempt in court; and of course becoming a lawyer at 45. Kelsi, the town doctor really wants to know what makes the lady, with the cat sitting pretty on her shoulder, tick. It's great story telling and the dead father and strong grandmother add depth to the story. I came to this story late and if there's no sequel, it ended well.
June 29, 2023
I’d recommend this book
I loved the fact that it was all good! Good things do happen without interference, that people’s dreams do come true even when we aren’t sure what those dreams are yet . The love scenes between the two women could of been more expressive but still enjoyed what was there. Definitely would recommend this. 👏🏼👏🏼
I loved the fact that it was all good! Good things do happen without interference, that people’s dreams do come true even when we aren’t sure what those dreams are yet . The love scenes between the two women could of been more expressive but still enjoyed what was there. Definitely would recommend this. 👏🏼👏🏼
November 17, 2020
This is one of those sensationally sentimental books ! The kind that through no fault of the writer cause the greater majority of reader's to recall one or more events to bring forth emotions of a positive or negative nature !
September 11, 2019
Wonderful
This book was amazing. I haven't read anything from her that I didn't like. You should definitely read this book.
This book was amazing. I haven't read anything from her that I didn't like. You should definitely read this book.
November 27, 2023
Very good reAd
ReD this enjoyed it like I enjoyed the others I have read by the author just about to start the next one
ReD this enjoyed it like I enjoyed the others I have read by the author just about to start the next one
April 1, 2025
A story that sucks you in
This is a story that sucks you in. There are twists and turns, is emotionally charged, almost fade to black moments and a HEA. A definite must-read.
This is a story that sucks you in. There are twists and turns, is emotionally charged, almost fade to black moments and a HEA. A definite must-read.
October 28, 2023
I love all of her books. This one was very goood indeed.
October 4, 2016
Very Interesting Read
I have to say that this was one of the best books that I've read in quite some time. I really like Kellie Baeli's work, and this one was a real winner! It builds on the story right up to the end and I love these kind of stories. The characters of Sierra, Kelsi, Sloan and Daisey are wonderful. But some real scene stealers are Bright Falco and Pete! It throws in a lot of story plots that I wasn't expecting, and this makes the book even more interesting. Just when you think Sierra's dad is out of the picture? Well, guess you will just have to read the book to see what happens! Well done Kelly! Loved every minute of it!
I have to say that this was one of the best books that I've read in quite some time. I really like Kellie Baeli's work, and this one was a real winner! It builds on the story right up to the end and I love these kind of stories. The characters of Sierra, Kelsi, Sloan and Daisey are wonderful. But some real scene stealers are Bright Falco and Pete! It throws in a lot of story plots that I wasn't expecting, and this makes the book even more interesting. Just when you think Sierra's dad is out of the picture? Well, guess you will just have to read the book to see what happens! Well done Kelly! Loved every minute of it!
December 7, 2016
Good story
This was a really interesting story about what happens when you finally come home again. They say you can never go home again but sometimes you can and it is a good story.
This was a really interesting story about what happens when you finally come home again. They say you can never go home again but sometimes you can and it is a good story.
October 9, 2016
I loved this book.
I loved Run the Risk. Great strong female characters with a great story. I did not see the plot twist coming, but it was a pleasant surprise. I will definitely read the sequel or Book II. One little note: The proof reader missed a few mistakes. More care needs to be taken in that area.
I loved Run the Risk. Great strong female characters with a great story. I did not see the plot twist coming, but it was a pleasant surprise. I will definitely read the sequel or Book II. One little note: The proof reader missed a few mistakes. More care needs to be taken in that area.
October 16, 2016
A storyteller
This is a very good book.I liked the character's the different aspects of everyone's life it draws you in until you are invested in all the character's .There. is a lovely twist you don't see coming. I am really hoping for a sequential. Highly recommend
This is a very good book.I liked the character's the different aspects of everyone's life it draws you in until you are invested in all the character's .There. is a lovely twist you don't see coming. I am really hoping for a sequential. Highly recommend
September 21, 2016
Done it again.
I read this book in one night. Could not out it down. I love her books. She dit it again. Kept my interest. Looking forward to the sequel.
I read this book in one night. Could not out it down. I love her books. She dit it again. Kept my interest. Looking forward to the sequel.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews