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Dharma Café
Dharma Café
LGBT Multicultural Paranormal
Welcome to the Dharma Café, a restaurant like no other. There is no menu. The waiter, Samura, uses mystical powers to read what each customer needs, and the cook, Agatha, prepares the food with ingredients like love, hope, and courage.
The café is a refuge for the new busboy, Charlie, who was kicked out of home on his eighteenth birthday. Irresistibly drawn to Samura, Charlie soon discovers that the stern, formal waiter harbors a heartbreaking past and a dangerous secret.
Samura lives in fear that one day, the darkness inside him will burst forth to destroy all he loves. Now that includes brash, infuriating, delectable Charlie, who has broken through all Samura’s defenses and taught him to trust himself.
Just when Samura thinks it might be safe to reveal the truth, his worst nightmare walks back into his His father, Akio, the evil food sorcerer who runs the burger stand on the other side of town. Akio’s business is expanding and he wants his son to manage his new location, where the Dharma Café now stands.
It will take the combined resources of an ancient cook, a novice dishwasher, and a cursed waiter to fight Akio and protect the café. But when Samura succumbs to Akio’s magic, will it be enough?
Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find male/male sexual practices.
Welcome to the Dharma Café, a restaurant like no other. There is no menu. The waiter, Samura, uses mystical powers to read what each customer needs, and the cook, Agatha, prepares the food with ingredients like love, hope, and courage.
The café is a refuge for the new busboy, Charlie, who was kicked out of home on his eighteenth birthday. Irresistibly drawn to Samura, Charlie soon discovers that the stern, formal waiter harbors a heartbreaking past and a dangerous secret.
Samura lives in fear that one day, the darkness inside him will burst forth to destroy all he loves. Now that includes brash, infuriating, delectable Charlie, who has broken through all Samura’s defenses and taught him to trust himself.
Just when Samura thinks it might be safe to reveal the truth, his worst nightmare walks back into his His father, Akio, the evil food sorcerer who runs the burger stand on the other side of town. Akio’s business is expanding and he wants his son to manage his new location, where the Dharma Café now stands.
It will take the combined resources of an ancient cook, a novice dishwasher, and a cursed waiter to fight Akio and protect the café. But when Samura succumbs to Akio’s magic, will it be enough?
Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find male/male sexual practices.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2012
89 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Freely
34 books110 followersJessica Freely can't resist a wounded hero. As a reader and a writer, her favorite stories are of soul mates finding redemption in each other's arms. Married to the love of her life in a beautiful relationship based on mutual goofiness, Jessica also warps minds as an instructor in Seton Hill University's Writing Popular Fiction MFA program. Her dog, Ruthie, doesn't seem to care that Jessica's an award-winning and best-selling author in multiple genres. She just wants to play tug of war with Jessica's pages.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 3, 2012
When I chose to read Dharma Cafe, I wanted to try something different from my usual 'flavours' in the M/M romance department. And it's so hard for me to resist a cover by P.L. Nunn... What can I say? I can be quite shallow sometimes, but in the end I did not regret this choice.
The book was engaging and enjoyable for several reasons. I found the world-building original and well drawn, detailed enough to be credible yet not overwhelming compared to the plot and character development. Food sorcery practised by two opposing restaurants, the battle of good (nutritional meals for the body and heart) versus evil (fast-food with great taste yet ultimately very deceptive) formed the main elements of a quite solid plot. Both the protagonists and supporting characters were nicely contoured, their emotions and vulnerabilities touching my heart. So far so good.
What disappointed me a bit was that the interaction between Samura and Charlie remained quite heavily inspired by yaoi cliché. Against such original setting and plot twists, their childish bickering followed by a sudden change from apparent animosity to love left me hoping for something more. I also took into account their young age; still, considering the difficult and even traumatic experiences both went through, I felt as if a romantic relationship with more complexity and depth would have been appropriate.
Overall, I do recommend this book especially as an introduction to Jessica Freely's work. It's delightful, unusual and will put a smile on your face.
The book was engaging and enjoyable for several reasons. I found the world-building original and well drawn, detailed enough to be credible yet not overwhelming compared to the plot and character development. Food sorcery practised by two opposing restaurants, the battle of good (nutritional meals for the body and heart) versus evil (fast-food with great taste yet ultimately very deceptive) formed the main elements of a quite solid plot. Both the protagonists and supporting characters were nicely contoured, their emotions and vulnerabilities touching my heart. So far so good.
What disappointed me a bit was that the interaction between Samura and Charlie remained quite heavily inspired by yaoi cliché. Against such original setting and plot twists, their childish bickering followed by a sudden change from apparent animosity to love left me hoping for something more. I also took into account their young age; still, considering the difficult and even traumatic experiences both went through, I felt as if a romantic relationship with more complexity and depth would have been appropriate.
Overall, I do recommend this book especially as an introduction to Jessica Freely's work. It's delightful, unusual and will put a smile on your face.
April 13, 2013
Wow. This author and I have a complicated relationship. Well, okay, I have the complicated relationship with her; she has no idea I exist, which is probably a good thing. XD
One of her series I enjoyed, although it went past my comfort zone – and made it work! Another series by her bored and disappointed me. This now? I love it. Every single word.
This is a genuine story. Where it wasn’t a foregone conclusion what would happen next. Funny, too! Made me laugh. (That bunny mug? Genius.) So unusual these days to be presented with chapter titles, too, and they worked beautifully here. Consistent character voices, even!
I ended up loving the protagonists. Immediately there was something compelling about Charlie’s unrelenting normalcy, same as about Samura’s unrelenting anything-other-than-normalcy. Their squabbling at first makes perfect sense, given who they are and their respective situations at the time. And when it eases? Ah~! The transitions made complete sense to me.
Plus, I’m a sucker for romances wherein both protagonists believe their interest is one-sided. Even better when it’s believable, like here.
What I’m generally not a fan of is fantasy sex, since it does not actually happen yet in reading it feels as though it happened. In this case it plays out sweetly, though. Adorably unrealistic, really.
Finally, the actual sex offers one of the sweetest double-virgin first times I’ve encountered yet. One of the sweetest first times as such. The mechanics worked, but better than that, the dialogue and emotions were just right.
And at no point was sex at the forefront of anything, except maybe the teenage minds. What is this “plot-driven story” you speak of? XD
After all the paper-thin villains of late I appreciate that Samura’s father, despite being a monster, once was just a child and that the events and choices in his life shaped him. Not that he’s terribly deep. I guess I really need to get away from the really awful books I’ve had the misfortune to get stuck with lately.
If I struggled with anything, it was the worry towards the end… I’d have preferred not seeing quite so very clearly the inevitable approach of what was bound to happen. Particularly because my past experience with this author tells me she does not necessarily pull her punches.
The story itself is reminiscent of a fairy tale, in the way of some of the modern retellings, or maybe Matt Ruff’s ever-awesome Fool on the Hill (minus the huge cast of characters and side-plots and… well, you get the idea).
So. I’m still sick and my brain is clogged, and yet I found nothing to nitpick at. Awesome!
Hm, in conclusion, maybe this was not the most amazing book out there and maybe it did not feature the most tear-inducingly beautiful prose, and maybe the magic remained firmly fairy tale style (too few drawbacks, if any at all), but then again, this story did not need any of that.
I loved it.
One of her series I enjoyed, although it went past my comfort zone – and made it work! Another series by her bored and disappointed me. This now? I love it. Every single word.
This is a genuine story. Where it wasn’t a foregone conclusion what would happen next. Funny, too! Made me laugh. (That bunny mug? Genius.) So unusual these days to be presented with chapter titles, too, and they worked beautifully here. Consistent character voices, even!
I ended up loving the protagonists. Immediately there was something compelling about Charlie’s unrelenting normalcy, same as about Samura’s unrelenting anything-other-than-normalcy. Their squabbling at first makes perfect sense, given who they are and their respective situations at the time. And when it eases? Ah~! The transitions made complete sense to me.
Plus, I’m a sucker for romances wherein both protagonists believe their interest is one-sided. Even better when it’s believable, like here.
What I’m generally not a fan of is fantasy sex, since it does not actually happen yet in reading it feels as though it happened. In this case it plays out sweetly, though. Adorably unrealistic, really.
Finally, the actual sex offers one of the sweetest double-virgin first times I’ve encountered yet. One of the sweetest first times as such. The mechanics worked, but better than that, the dialogue and emotions were just right.
And at no point was sex at the forefront of anything, except maybe the teenage minds. What is this “plot-driven story” you speak of? XD
After all the paper-thin villains of late I appreciate that Samura’s father, despite being a monster, once was just a child and that the events and choices in his life shaped him. Not that he’s terribly deep. I guess I really need to get away from the really awful books I’ve had the misfortune to get stuck with lately.
If I struggled with anything, it was the worry towards the end… I’d have preferred not seeing quite so very clearly the inevitable approach of what was bound to happen. Particularly because my past experience with this author tells me she does not necessarily pull her punches.
The story itself is reminiscent of a fairy tale, in the way of some of the modern retellings, or maybe Matt Ruff’s ever-awesome Fool on the Hill (minus the huge cast of characters and side-plots and… well, you get the idea).
So. I’m still sick and my brain is clogged, and yet I found nothing to nitpick at. Awesome!
Hm, in conclusion, maybe this was not the most amazing book out there and maybe it did not feature the most tear-inducingly beautiful prose, and maybe the magic remained firmly fairy tale style (too few drawbacks, if any at all), but then again, this story did not need any of that.
I loved it.
January 23, 2012
4.5 stars
Yay! This satisfied a craving I've been having for quite some time.
Start with a unique premise, add interesting characters, mix with just enough plot, and season with a little humor and heat. Viola! A delightful read.
Yay! This satisfied a craving I've been having for quite some time.
Start with a unique premise, add interesting characters, mix with just enough plot, and season with a little humor and heat. Viola! A delightful read.
February 5, 2012
This was a quirky and interesting read. I liked the heros and the unique flavor I thought it had.
August 3, 2016
This was really cute, and quite original. I love reading books about food and this was food magic! Well, sorcery... still, original and cute and funny and sweet.
October 8, 2012
4 1/2 Hearts
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Samura was taken in by Chef Agatha when he was eight, after he ran away from his father Akio. Now he is eighteen and although he tries his best, he can still feel the darkness inside sometimes. Charlie has been thrown out by his parents on his eighteenth birthday. He’s roaming the streets when he comes across a dumpster full of gorgeous food, he can’t resist and dives in head first.
This is a… I have to say slightly whacky, but thoroughly enjoyable story. Samura is haunted by his past and although Chef Agatha has spent the last ten years working her magic on him, it still has the power to make him doubt himself. Charlie finds it hard to believe that his parents threw him out, but he starts to get back on his feet with the help of Chef Agatha. Surprisingly, even though he has a fear of sorcerers, he doesn’t notice the magic at work in the café until he goes with Samura to collect ingredients and he makes a startling discovery about himself when he has to save Samura.
I have to admit that I was intrigued by the food magic and how there was good and evil. The good working to give a customer what they truly need and the bad making customers starvelings who will do anything the Sorcerer wants for another burger (okay, so I am suspicious of McDonald’s now). The instant antagonistic reaction that Samura and Charlie adds a bit of spice , as you never know how they will react to each other because all the while you know that they are both hiding the fact that they are wildly attracted to each other.
The characters are brilliantly portrayed and I loved Chef Agatha. The story-line was really good and I liked how both Samura and Charlie acted like eighteen year olds and not all grown up and adult. their relationship progressed quickly once they admitted how they both felt and I will never look at bread dough in the same light again.
I will recommend this one to those who want a paranormal magic story with a twist, humor, great sex, food magic, a hunger demon battle, hordes of starvelings and a cheerful happy ever after.
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Samura was taken in by Chef Agatha when he was eight, after he ran away from his father Akio. Now he is eighteen and although he tries his best, he can still feel the darkness inside sometimes. Charlie has been thrown out by his parents on his eighteenth birthday. He’s roaming the streets when he comes across a dumpster full of gorgeous food, he can’t resist and dives in head first.
This is a… I have to say slightly whacky, but thoroughly enjoyable story. Samura is haunted by his past and although Chef Agatha has spent the last ten years working her magic on him, it still has the power to make him doubt himself. Charlie finds it hard to believe that his parents threw him out, but he starts to get back on his feet with the help of Chef Agatha. Surprisingly, even though he has a fear of sorcerers, he doesn’t notice the magic at work in the café until he goes with Samura to collect ingredients and he makes a startling discovery about himself when he has to save Samura.
I have to admit that I was intrigued by the food magic and how there was good and evil. The good working to give a customer what they truly need and the bad making customers starvelings who will do anything the Sorcerer wants for another burger (okay, so I am suspicious of McDonald’s now). The instant antagonistic reaction that Samura and Charlie adds a bit of spice , as you never know how they will react to each other because all the while you know that they are both hiding the fact that they are wildly attracted to each other.
The characters are brilliantly portrayed and I loved Chef Agatha. The story-line was really good and I liked how both Samura and Charlie acted like eighteen year olds and not all grown up and adult. their relationship progressed quickly once they admitted how they both felt and I will never look at bread dough in the same light again.
I will recommend this one to those who want a paranormal magic story with a twist, humor, great sex, food magic, a hunger demon battle, hordes of starvelings and a cheerful happy ever after.
April 26, 2012
At first I wasn´t sure about this book, because I couldn´t really grasp the magic concept. It was very interesting though. I would have liked to know a little more about the magic and what role the sorcerers seemed to have in the world. It seemed like they were known to exist in the world, but at the same time people weren´t to aware of what they do. They were more like scary bed time stories to keep kids in line.
Anyway, the story is mainly about Samura, who is so afraid of becoming evil like his father and has therefore isolated himself, and Charlie, who is more confident and pushy, but who has lived in denial about his powers. The guys dance around each other, struggling with their feelings for each other. But they complement each other so well and can learn a lot from each other.
It is a good and interesting story in a pretty unique setting.
Anyway, the story is mainly about Samura, who is so afraid of becoming evil like his father and has therefore isolated himself, and Charlie, who is more confident and pushy, but who has lived in denial about his powers. The guys dance around each other, struggling with their feelings for each other. But they complement each other so well and can learn a lot from each other.
It is a good and interesting story in a pretty unique setting.
January 21, 2012
I know if you read the blurb your like WTF! But I can honestly say this was a great story if you take away the food part its about two young men one a sorcerer and a Charlie a throwaway who is scared of magic who finds a home and acceptance at the dharma cafe add the food and you have a new twist to a magical story of love and magic I think mrs freely did an amazing job of giving us a new and unique look into a fantasy that is unlike any you have read before
This is my personal opinion but I truly enjoyed this story and watching two young men find love
This is my personal opinion but I truly enjoyed this story and watching two young men find love
January 7, 2017
What a lovely, lovely, lovely, awesome story. I just finished a reread and I might have enjoyed it even more the second time around. Well-written and fast-paced, this is also one of the most feel-good stories I've ever read. It's very unique and probably not for everyone, but if you don't mind a little magic and are willing to suspend your disbelief, then you'll likely love this story. It's a gem.
January 22, 2012
This story was weird for my taste. The start was interesting, but somehow this romance between Charlie and Samura didn't speak to me. Maybe they bickered to much. I didn't feel the connection between them.
March 27, 2012
Good paranormal m/m romance about sorcerers and demons and food magic and dreams that you should possibly not read if french fries are your favorite food. The writing was very simplistic, but I got sucked into the story anyway.
October 12, 2014
Jessica knocks it out of the park here. Charlie is disowned by his family and ends up meeting Samura and Agatha, owners of the Dharma Cafe; a very special cafe where extras like love, hope, and kindness are cooked into the food. He is intrigued by and attracted to Samura whose austere appearance hides a terrible secret. All the characters are well rounded and the dialogue is wonderful. You will love Agatha because she is amazing. Samura's secret comes out and he and Charlie must work together to resolve a terrible situation. Samura's father Akio is a dark sorceror and has plans to expand his evil empire.......wonderful thrill ride of a book with such wit and heart. A favorite read for sure.
January 2, 2013
I loved it! The story was well written and had me so well hooked that I didn’t want to put it down (not even to eat!) . The world building was excellent and it didn’t take me long to understand the world Charlie and Samura lived in. Their interaction was well portrayed and was just the right mix of angst and determination of a typical teenager. Overall the whole book came alive for me and I was sorry that, when I finally reached the end, I didn’t have more to read.
September 13, 2016
3.5 stars
I read this for Pushing Boundaries and I'm glad I did. It's the first Yaoi I've read and it's quirky and interesting. I wasn't that into the actual story of Samura and Charlie but I liked reading something different. There is a lot in the undercurrents here, magic and emptiness and forgiveness, all wrapped up in a cutesy "cartoon" package. I appreciate the exposure to a different way of telling a story.
I read this for Pushing Boundaries and I'm glad I did. It's the first Yaoi I've read and it's quirky and interesting. I wasn't that into the actual story of Samura and Charlie but I liked reading something different. There is a lot in the undercurrents here, magic and emptiness and forgiveness, all wrapped up in a cutesy "cartoon" package. I appreciate the exposure to a different way of telling a story.
October 8, 2012
This was a great fairy tale story. The characters were fun, and even believable in their attitudes and behaviors. Charlie and Samura make great heroes, and the welfare of the world is safe in their capable hands. Love to see more adventures for these two...after all- finding HEA at 18 and 20? There's got to be more emotional trauma and evil food sorcery to battle!
February 10, 2013
If you go into this book thinking of it as if it was your favorite anime romance, only with guys and sorcerery, you'll have a really good feeling for what this book is about. It may seem a little Young Adult, but it's all man. In the end, it felt like reading my favorite dessert: mint chocolate ice cream. Sweet, refreshing, satisfying and thoroughly enjoyable.
Read
October 7, 20122.75 stars
I don't think I was in the right mood or frame of mind for this story. It's a unique paranormal story - which I did enjoy - but just didn't feel a connection to either of the MCs.
Rating may change upon a re-read; it's been known to happen.
I don't think I was in the right mood or frame of mind for this story. It's a unique paranormal story - which I did enjoy - but just didn't feel a connection to either of the MCs.
Rating may change upon a re-read; it's been known to happen.
Want to read
January 18, 2012Hope that it's a parody with this resume. If not...
October 7, 2012
A perfect blend of goegeous imagery, fantastic adventure and tender romance with a Yaoi sensibility. LOVED it!
August 18, 2012
This is a very strange and quirky story but it was well written and kept my attention. I loved both main characters and the setting.
September 29, 2014
3.5 Stars
Love the cover! The story is an interesting read but fantasy is always a bit of a hit and miss with me. I liked it but it didn't bowl me over.
Love the cover! The story is an interesting read but fantasy is always a bit of a hit and miss with me. I liked it but it didn't bowl me over.
August 11, 2013
This is just too ridiculous, and way too food fixated
February 21, 2016
A really fun and different fantasy m/m.
June 9, 2014
Enjoyable but definitely not her best work.
February 27, 2012
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews