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Saturation Point
Teyla Drake is drowning. Her recent bestseller is a whirlwind of book signings, interviews and promotional appearances. A fantasy come true for most authors, especially ones debuting in the mainstream after years in the niche market of lesbian romance. But Teyla killed her darling. Tired of mediocre sales, she murdered the beloved main character in the Sabrina Hamilton series and moved on to what she thought would be greener pastures.But not everyone is happy about the literary death penalty she carried out on the page. One fan, quite a bit less happy about it than others. With the media frenzy wreaking havoc on Teyla's health, the author with sensory processing sensitivity escapes to a small village on the northern coast of Ireland, where she hopes to recover the peace and solitude she once cherished. But storms are on the horizon and the winds of change carry the possibility of love. Can Teyla conquer her fears long enough to let love find her? Or will she retreat back into the safety of her solitude?
144 pages, Paperback
First published November 4, 2016
9 people are currently reading
19 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 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 23, 2021
This book was this close to getting a 5 star review. And than it killed a dog and I decided: duck you book, no 5 stars for you.
Anyways, after we're done establishing, that I'm a complicated, emotional and stubborn book reviewer, it's time for the main event: the review.
Before we get into the book itself, I'd just like to say that the cover is stunning and absolutly fitting and just a big yes from me.
I wasn't sure if I liked the beginning at first, because the MC was running away from something and I thought we were going to be thrown into an action scene without context. I don't like those, and luckily for the book, that's not what happened. Because there is not danger. Noone and nothing that the MC needs to be running from. Nothing but herself. We do encounter danger - an external conflict that is gonna play a bigger role in the book and that made me go: nice - but that isn't the reason for the "action". The reason is the chracter herself. The book showcases mental health struggles in such a wonderful and realistic way, it's amazing. I don't think I've ever read a book before this one, that didn't use the mental health problems the character had as a simple plot device. Those things can get messy and hurtful and the person in question is often defensless in the war against their own mind. I - who isn't a psychologist - would say, she was suffering from PTSD and maybe burn-out. I considered depression too, but I don't think she's quie there yet.
The romance subplot is there too in the background, but the most part of the book is actually showcasing something else. There was even a point in the book, where I thought we would not get lesbian romance but just a book about people who happened to be lesbians. And honestly? I was so so down for that! wlw solidarity all the way!
The ending was great too, because it connected the beginning to the end and finished the book up pretty nicely.
I liked the characters themselves too. They were both great. The inside into the indie vs. mainstream publishing element was really great too and it was absolutly fitting. Everything our MCs were struggling with was done really well. Which is why I could totally see myself rooting for them.
And then they killed the dog. Or rather, one of them killed the dog. Or rather one of them was shaming the other for being angry at her because she killed the dog. The fact that she had the audacity to say that she infact did not kill the dog, that she only helped him, freed him from his suffering is unbelievable! I - as a dog owner of 6 Golden Retrievers - would have called the police on that woman. There is nothing strong about that. And how dare she say that the other only felt like that because she is sensitive and weak! Wow!
The second I read that plotline I was taking away that fifth star because nope! No 5 star book of mine is gonna romanticice dog murder! And no matter what the character or author claims: It's murder. End of story.
The sex scene is also really unluckily placed.
A:~ had an argument with B and went through some hard stuff ~
Also A: So yeah, are you horny too, or is it just me? lol
Sex scenes in general aren't my cup of tea, but these ones were at least not that bad. There is also one really funny metaphor in one of those. I'm not sure if it was supposed to make me laugh- probably, not right? Don't know, we aces don't follow smexy rules - but it did. So there's that at least.
To end on a positive note: there is a kitten in there and it's adorable and cute.
So yeah, I'm still mad about the dog scene. Because it was stupid and I hated it and if it weren't in the book, I would have given it 5 stars.
Anyways, after we're done establishing, that I'm a complicated, emotional and stubborn book reviewer, it's time for the main event: the review.
Before we get into the book itself, I'd just like to say that the cover is stunning and absolutly fitting and just a big yes from me.
I wasn't sure if I liked the beginning at first, because the MC was running away from something and I thought we were going to be thrown into an action scene without context. I don't like those, and luckily for the book, that's not what happened. Because there is not danger. Noone and nothing that the MC needs to be running from. Nothing but herself. We do encounter danger - an external conflict that is gonna play a bigger role in the book and that made me go: nice - but that isn't the reason for the "action". The reason is the chracter herself. The book showcases mental health struggles in such a wonderful and realistic way, it's amazing. I don't think I've ever read a book before this one, that didn't use the mental health problems the character had as a simple plot device. Those things can get messy and hurtful and the person in question is often defensless in the war against their own mind. I - who isn't a psychologist - would say, she was suffering from PTSD and maybe burn-out. I considered depression too, but I don't think she's quie there yet.
The romance subplot is there too in the background, but the most part of the book is actually showcasing something else. There was even a point in the book, where I thought we would not get lesbian romance but just a book about people who happened to be lesbians. And honestly? I was so so down for that! wlw solidarity all the way!
The ending was great too, because it connected the beginning to the end and finished the book up pretty nicely.
I liked the characters themselves too. They were both great. The inside into the indie vs. mainstream publishing element was really great too and it was absolutly fitting. Everything our MCs were struggling with was done really well. Which is why I could totally see myself rooting for them.
And then they killed the dog. Or rather, one of them killed the dog. Or rather one of them was shaming the other for being angry at her because she killed the dog. The fact that she had the audacity to say that she infact did not kill the dog, that she only helped him, freed him from his suffering is unbelievable! I - as a dog owner of 6 Golden Retrievers - would have called the police on that woman. There is nothing strong about that. And how dare she say that the other only felt like that because she is sensitive and weak! Wow!
The second I read that plotline I was taking away that fifth star because nope! No 5 star book of mine is gonna romanticice dog murder! And no matter what the character or author claims: It's murder. End of story.
The sex scene is also really unluckily placed.
A:~ had an argument with B and went through some hard stuff ~
Also A: So yeah, are you horny too, or is it just me? lol
Sex scenes in general aren't my cup of tea, but these ones were at least not that bad. There is also one really funny metaphor in one of those. I'm not sure if it was supposed to make me laugh- probably, not right? Don't know, we aces don't follow smexy rules - but it did. So there's that at least.
To end on a positive note: there is a kitten in there and it's adorable and cute.
So yeah, I'm still mad about the dog scene. Because it was stupid and I hated it and if it weren't in the book, I would have given it 5 stars.
March 31, 2024
An author who kills off her money making heroine?
Being threatened by a woman wearing a stocking over her head and carrying a pipe in the alley for killing off a fictional lesbian character? Teyla has had it and an emergency stop to the hospital and being told to relax or it will kill her! It seems Teyla has a form of PTSD and a trip to Ireland to relax, where she meets Kavina , an American, who owns a flower store in a small town in Ireland. What happens is the story. Enjoy!
Being threatened by a woman wearing a stocking over her head and carrying a pipe in the alley for killing off a fictional lesbian character? Teyla has had it and an emergency stop to the hospital and being told to relax or it will kill her! It seems Teyla has a form of PTSD and a trip to Ireland to relax, where she meets Kavina , an American, who owns a flower store in a small town in Ireland. What happens is the story. Enjoy!
October 22, 2018
Great Yarn
I've never heard of HPS but it sounds a lot like a couple of good friends of mine. Have to do some research. Loved the story. As always Kelli really knows how to spin a great yarn. :-)
I've never heard of HPS but it sounds a lot like a couple of good friends of mine. Have to do some research. Loved the story. As always Kelli really knows how to spin a great yarn. :-)
December 28, 2016
Really nice change from basic lesfic novrels
Liked thee characters. Not completely crazy but main character had a real issue. Was fighting to be stronger. shelf aware was nice change for lesfic characters. Not having both women dealing with bad past relationships was nice too.
Liked thee characters. Not completely crazy but main character had a real issue. Was fighting to be stronger. shelf aware was nice change for lesfic characters. Not having both women dealing with bad past relationships was nice too.
November 7, 2016
Loved it
Absolutely love all of you books. I read them as soon as they come out. Keep up the good wprk. Than you. I relate to many of your characters.
Absolutely love all of you books. I read them as soon as they come out. Keep up the good wprk. Than you. I relate to many of your characters.
November 12, 2016
Great story
I thought this was a great story and I found the author very intriguing. Well worth a download and read with a glass of wine.
I thought this was a great story and I found the author very intriguing. Well worth a download and read with a glass of wine.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews