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Order Up: A Menu of Lesbian Romance and Erotica
Join Chef R.G. Emanuelle and sous chef Andi Marquette as they return to the kitchen to cook up another menu in their continuing quest to explore the sensuous qualities of food and illustrate how the act of preparing and eating it can engage much more than simply taste and smell. Food can become many things, from a gateway to greater intimacy to the creation or rediscovery of a connection. To help them in their quest, Andi and R.G. rounded up another group of cooks who created an array of dishes and meals, which they present to you here in a menu that ranges from sweet and romantic to sultry and seductive, from a relationship’s first tentative taste to the many layers of one that has simmered long and slow.
The menu includes dishes by Andi Marquette, Brey Willows, Cheri Crystal, Cheyenne Blue, CK Combs, Emma Weimann, Jaye Markham, Jove Belle, Lea Daley, Liz McMullen , Marie Sterling, N.R. Dunham, Pascal Scott, R.G. Emanuelle, and Rebekah Weatherspoon.
The menu includes dishes by Andi Marquette, Brey Willows, Cheri Crystal, Cheyenne Blue, CK Combs, Emma Weimann, Jaye Markham, Jove Belle, Lea Daley, Liz McMullen , Marie Sterling, N.R. Dunham, Pascal Scott, R.G. Emanuelle, and Rebekah Weatherspoon.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2016
2 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
R.G. Emanuelle
24 books78 followersR.G. Emanuelle is a New York City native currently based in Brooklyn. She is the co-founder and co-owner of Dirt Road Books (www.dirtroadbooks.com). She is the author of novels, novellas, and short stories, as well as co-editor of several anthologies, including the Lambda Literary finalist All You Can Eat: A Buffet of Lesbian Romance & Erotica.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 8, 2018
Appetizers
Not Spam Again! by Jaye Markham:
London, WWII, WAC, Chef, Administrative Aid
A woman in the female version of the military, Woman's Army Corp (WAC*), flirts with another woman, a dining hall server/chef. The more femme one (you know, she puts on make-up, perfume, and goes with the skirt version while the more 'butch', or manly one wears pants and no mention of make-up or perfume is made) finds out that she actually has a reason why no 'handsome man' ever did anything to her. Never aroused her. Because, she finds out, she's actually aroused by other women.
The two women flirt. Bombs fall on London (it is WWII). More flirting.
The End.
Good enough story.
* - side note: I had not realized, until I just now looked it up, that the W.A.C. wasn't disbanded until 1978.
Rating: 3.46371
June 19 2017
Hadn't realized I'd already read this one and so read it again. Did seem familar when read again, but, eh, whatever. Rated second read 3.88.
Rating: 3.88
December 3 2018
Bunya Bunya Cheyenne Blue:
An Aboriginal Australian and a non-Aboriginal Australian are a couple. The Aboriginal takes her girlfriend back to her tree (and mother) to meet (the tree, not mother, she's already meet mother).
They eat some tree nuts.
4.43
A Twist of France N.R. Dunham:
A high class bicyclist in the past, one of the characters starts off the story stumbling around on clutches (while eyeballing a wheelchair and thinking she really should be in it), while contemplating her life and her current girlfriend. Who appears to be a little too obviously cheating on her.
A confrontation ensues. Things are not what they seem.
3.87
The Way to a Woman's Heart by Marie Sterling
I have high hopes for any story that starts out:
Sadly, this turned out to be a dream to open the story, but still.
Two friends decide, oops, we should try dating each other, how'd we miss that? (because they were never single at the same time, until now)
Rating: 4.23
December 3 2018
The Secret's in the Sauce Andi Marquette
Oh, this is one of those I had trouble with. More the situation than the story, if the situation was adjusted I'd have enjoyed this one more. The situation? Two women end up in an exam room (one burned herself while cooking). The doctor flirts outrageously with one of the two women there. I mean . . . wtf? There was no obvious sign that the two women she was talking with/examining weren't a couple, so, wtf?
I otherwise liked the characters, so without that wtf situation, I'd probably have rated this higher than 3.56.
Entrée
God's Tamales Brey Willows
Chef, Homeless
A woman, a chef, hears noises in the alley as she is cleaning up her kitchen (or, actually, making some stuff to get ready for the next day). She grabs a knife and charges outside to find people savagely kicking another person. They run away when they spot her with the knife.
The chef helps the cowering woman, feeds her, washes her (well, offers her the use of the shower), and clothes her. And even gives her some money so she can put her regular clothing into washing machines.
That moment in time has a profound impact on the two women.
Good story.
Sex: there is some light, though graphic, depictions of sex in this story.
Rating: 4.25
June 8 2017
Sweet or Savory Lea Daley
Two friends are talking. One suddenly blinks and realizes that the other one is actually super hot. Eventually they date.
3.864
12/3/18
Cassidy's Anniversary Caper Liz McMullen
Six-month anniversary so Cassidy wants to do something special for her girlfriend. Which involves waking up early (before noon!), and cooking something. Though stuff at work erupts and her boss needs help and . . . well . . .
4.23
12/4/18
Potluck Club Rebekah Weatherspoon
A bunch of women join together monthly for an evening. All are members of a 'FemmeOnFemme' F***b**k group. One of the women fancies another but is super shy. Eventually the two date.
3.8
12/4/18
Something Salty, Something Sweet Emma Weimann
Two older women go on vacation and fuck.
3.4
12/4/18
DESSERTS
Sliced and Diced R.G. Emanuelle
Four chefs, 2 women 2 men, compete on a cooking show. Two, afterwards, hook up.
3.79
12/4/18
Clinch it with Coleslaw Cheri Crystal
Single mothers, children
Two single mothers, one with kids in the teenage years, and the other with kids in the slightly pre-teen years, hook up.
For what the author was attempting to do - there wasn't enough room here for that. As in, there was a bunch of stuff about how one mother had some issues with her lusting after the other woman. There wasn't enough time to properly present that in this story. I say because I've no clue what her issues were exactly. Something about how she had had a husband and . . . what exactly, she's bisexual? Straight but maybe she's actually a lesbian? What?
Beyond 'tried to do too much in a short story,' there were a few other issues: it's nice to see a story that involves two mothers but I the story was set up in a way that made it seem like the kids were there just so there would be two mothers - saying that because the kids were barely there, and when they were they were constantly being directed elsewhere (as in, the mother of the younger children literally said something like 'go away, I'm busy' in one of the few occasions she actually interacted with her kids).
Then there was the instant lust. The mother with the young children just couldn't stop starring at the features of the other. She may or may not have spent the entire story orgasming at the idea of the other woman - I think she literally told that other woman that she orgasmed when she tried her pickles; to which that other woman responded something along the lines of 'good, I orgasmed 4 times last night just thinking of you'. Um . . . okay?
Sex: I do not actually recall if actual sex occurred or if it was just lots of orgasming from just being near each other.
Rating: 3.05
June 9 2017
Daddy's Hot Appetizer CK Combs
N.A. or 1
12/5/18
Honey and Lemon Jove Belle
N.A. or 1
12/5/18
The Indulgent Chocolatier Pascal Scott
This one started off interesting (writer goes to interview a chocolate shop chef person), so much so I was going to indulge in the inevitable sex scenes (which is not my normal thing). Until . . . this turned into a BDSM scene. With one calling the other boi, up to the point the 'boi' flipped things and the other started calling her 'Sir' instead. For fuck sake.
I will never understand the need to go that direction. Referring more to the Sir part. But whatever. Story over.
Rating: 3.3
December 2 2018
Overall:
Not Spam Again! Jaye Markham: 3.46371 + 3.88 = 3.67
Bunya Bunya Cheyenne Blue: 4.43
A Twist of France N.R. Dunham: 3.87
The Way to a Woman's Heart by Marie Sterling: 4.23
The Secret's in the Sauce Andi Marquette: 3.58
God's Tamales Brey Willows: 4.25
Sweet or Savory Lea Daley: 3.864
Cassidy's Anniversary Caper Liz McMullen: 4.23
Potluck Club Rebekah Weatherspoon: 3.8
Something Salty, Something Sweet Emma Weimann: 3.4
Sliced and Diced R.G. Emanuelle: 3.79
Clinch it with Coleslaw Cheri Crystal: 3.05
Daddy's Hot Appetizer CK Combs: --
Honey and Lemon Jove Belle: --
The Indulgent Chocolatier Pascal Scott: 3.30
-------------------------------------: 3.795977692
(not counting the two stories I couldn't complete)
Not Spam Again! by Jaye Markham:
London, WWII, WAC, Chef, Administrative Aid
A woman in the female version of the military, Woman's Army Corp (WAC*), flirts with another woman, a dining hall server/chef. The more femme one (you know, she puts on make-up, perfume, and goes with the skirt version while the more 'butch', or manly one wears pants and no mention of make-up or perfume is made) finds out that she actually has a reason why no 'handsome man' ever did anything to her. Never aroused her. Because, she finds out, she's actually aroused by other women.
The two women flirt. Bombs fall on London (it is WWII). More flirting.
The End.
Good enough story.
* - side note: I had not realized, until I just now looked it up, that the W.A.C. wasn't disbanded until 1978.
Rating: 3.46371
June 19 2017
Hadn't realized I'd already read this one and so read it again. Did seem familar when read again, but, eh, whatever. Rated second read 3.88.
Rating: 3.88
December 3 2018
Bunya Bunya Cheyenne Blue:
An Aboriginal Australian and a non-Aboriginal Australian are a couple. The Aboriginal takes her girlfriend back to her tree (and mother) to meet (the tree, not mother, she's already meet mother).
They eat some tree nuts.
4.43
A Twist of France N.R. Dunham:
A high class bicyclist in the past, one of the characters starts off the story stumbling around on clutches (while eyeballing a wheelchair and thinking she really should be in it), while contemplating her life and her current girlfriend. Who appears to be a little too obviously cheating on her.
A confrontation ensues. Things are not what they seem.
3.87
The Way to a Woman's Heart by Marie Sterling
I have high hopes for any story that starts out:
"The penguins are invading!"
"I stared at my best friend in bafflement. "What?"
"The penguins! They're invading! It's the pengapocolypse!"
Sadly, this turned out to be a dream to open the story, but still.
Two friends decide, oops, we should try dating each other, how'd we miss that? (because they were never single at the same time, until now)
Rating: 4.23
December 3 2018
The Secret's in the Sauce Andi Marquette
Oh, this is one of those I had trouble with. More the situation than the story, if the situation was adjusted I'd have enjoyed this one more. The situation? Two women end up in an exam room (one burned herself while cooking). The doctor flirts outrageously with one of the two women there. I mean . . . wtf? There was no obvious sign that the two women she was talking with/examining weren't a couple, so, wtf?
I otherwise liked the characters, so without that wtf situation, I'd probably have rated this higher than 3.56.
Entrée
God's Tamales Brey Willows
Chef, Homeless
A woman, a chef, hears noises in the alley as she is cleaning up her kitchen (or, actually, making some stuff to get ready for the next day). She grabs a knife and charges outside to find people savagely kicking another person. They run away when they spot her with the knife.
The chef helps the cowering woman, feeds her, washes her (well, offers her the use of the shower), and clothes her. And even gives her some money so she can put her regular clothing into washing machines.
That moment in time has a profound impact on the two women.
Good story.
Sex: there is some light, though graphic, depictions of sex in this story.
Rating: 4.25
June 8 2017
Sweet or Savory Lea Daley
Two friends are talking. One suddenly blinks and realizes that the other one is actually super hot. Eventually they date.
3.864
12/3/18
Cassidy's Anniversary Caper Liz McMullen
Six-month anniversary so Cassidy wants to do something special for her girlfriend. Which involves waking up early (before noon!), and cooking something. Though stuff at work erupts and her boss needs help and . . . well . . .
4.23
12/4/18
Potluck Club Rebekah Weatherspoon
A bunch of women join together monthly for an evening. All are members of a 'FemmeOnFemme' F***b**k group. One of the women fancies another but is super shy. Eventually the two date.
3.8
12/4/18
Something Salty, Something Sweet Emma Weimann
Two older women go on vacation and fuck.
3.4
12/4/18
DESSERTS
Sliced and Diced R.G. Emanuelle
Four chefs, 2 women 2 men, compete on a cooking show. Two, afterwards, hook up.
3.79
12/4/18
Clinch it with Coleslaw Cheri Crystal
Single mothers, children
Two single mothers, one with kids in the teenage years, and the other with kids in the slightly pre-teen years, hook up.
For what the author was attempting to do - there wasn't enough room here for that. As in, there was a bunch of stuff about how one mother had some issues with her lusting after the other woman. There wasn't enough time to properly present that in this story. I say because I've no clue what her issues were exactly. Something about how she had had a husband and . . . what exactly, she's bisexual? Straight but maybe she's actually a lesbian? What?
Beyond 'tried to do too much in a short story,' there were a few other issues: it's nice to see a story that involves two mothers but I the story was set up in a way that made it seem like the kids were there just so there would be two mothers - saying that because the kids were barely there, and when they were they were constantly being directed elsewhere (as in, the mother of the younger children literally said something like 'go away, I'm busy' in one of the few occasions she actually interacted with her kids).
Then there was the instant lust. The mother with the young children just couldn't stop starring at the features of the other. She may or may not have spent the entire story orgasming at the idea of the other woman - I think she literally told that other woman that she orgasmed when she tried her pickles; to which that other woman responded something along the lines of 'good, I orgasmed 4 times last night just thinking of you'. Um . . . okay?
Sex: I do not actually recall if actual sex occurred or if it was just lots of orgasming from just being near each other.
Rating: 3.05
June 9 2017
Daddy's Hot Appetizer CK Combs
N.A. or 1
12/5/18
Honey and Lemon Jove Belle
N.A. or 1
12/5/18
The Indulgent Chocolatier Pascal Scott
This one started off interesting (writer goes to interview a chocolate shop chef person), so much so I was going to indulge in the inevitable sex scenes (which is not my normal thing). Until . . . this turned into a BDSM scene. With one calling the other boi, up to the point the 'boi' flipped things and the other started calling her 'Sir' instead. For fuck sake.
I will never understand the need to go that direction. Referring more to the Sir part. But whatever. Story over.
Rating: 3.3
December 2 2018
Overall:
Not Spam Again! Jaye Markham: 3.46371 + 3.88 = 3.67
Bunya Bunya Cheyenne Blue: 4.43
A Twist of France N.R. Dunham: 3.87
The Way to a Woman's Heart by Marie Sterling: 4.23
The Secret's in the Sauce Andi Marquette: 3.58
God's Tamales Brey Willows: 4.25
Sweet or Savory Lea Daley: 3.864
Cassidy's Anniversary Caper Liz McMullen: 4.23
Potluck Club Rebekah Weatherspoon: 3.8
Something Salty, Something Sweet Emma Weimann: 3.4
Sliced and Diced R.G. Emanuelle: 3.79
Clinch it with Coleslaw Cheri Crystal: 3.05
Daddy's Hot Appetizer CK Combs: --
Honey and Lemon Jove Belle: --
The Indulgent Chocolatier Pascal Scott: 3.30
-------------------------------------: 3.795977692
(not counting the two stories I couldn't complete)
March 26, 2018
Enjoyable -dare I say a delicious collection of short stories. As with all collections, I liked, actually loved some more than others. All were well written but I think today my mood was more for the Romance than the Erotica. I'll definitely re-read a few of these stories.
Re-read (yes I just read them a couple of days ago!) a few of my favorites and I've changed it to 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. I loved them enough that they overshadowed the ones that weren't to my taste. Now I want to make a few of the recipes.
Re-read (yes I just read them a couple of days ago!) a few of my favorites and I've changed it to 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. I loved them enough that they overshadowed the ones that weren't to my taste. Now I want to make a few of the recipes.
June 8, 2016
R.G. Emmanuelle and Andi Marquette serve up another feast for the soul and the heart in their latest anthology, Order Up. Last year's All You Can Eat was a Lambda Literary finalist so the pressure (cooker) was on to see if our chefs du jour could come up with another menu of sweet, savoury and sexy tales.
I enjoy anthologies as they give the reader a chance to sample the work of new (or new to me) authors and old favourites. I enjoyed the majority of the dishes offered up and have added more names to my must read lists.
Here are a few of my favourites from this collection;
Not Spam Again by Jaye Markham
The setting is WWII London during the blitz. Markham delivers with a sweet story of awakening and desire between two women in the Women's Army Corps. I loved the tentative first steps and the moments shared between Marty and Nan along with their hopes for the future.
Bunya Bunya by Cheyenne Blue
“I'm going back to country,” Tianna says, “Want to come?”
And so begins a truly memorable short story as Tianna introduces her girlfriend Jenn to her Aboriginal origins in southeast Queensland.
Bunya Bunya has a dreamy, ethereal pace that pulls in the reader. Auntie, Tianna and Jenn become one with the land as the Bunya nuts roast in the fire. The parallels of dry lands and rough palms contrast with star-filled skies and natural dangers lurking under every rock. A beautiful read.
A Twist of France by N.R. Dunham
The author serves up a healthy dose of humble pie or whatever it's called en francais.
The Secret's in the Sauce by Andi Marquette
A nerd/fan boi fantasy. Tongue tied Van knows how to make smoking hot chile but struggles to make simple conversation around smoking hot Avery.
God's Tamales by Brey Willows
A lovely act of kindness rewarded.
Sliced and Diced by R.G. Emmanuelle
Once again R.G. serves up the most sensual, sexy and mouth watering contribution to the anthology. Anya serving coconut orgasms and coconut pops to Rhea in the most creative of ways? Outstanding.
The Way to a Woman's Heart by Marie Sterling
The author had me at pengapocalypse!
Pot Luck Club by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Sooo good. The FemmeonFemme club. Entertaining and something different. Like her desserts, Talia is worried she isn't good enough for the beautiful Reece. Hot and adorable.
The Indulgent Chocolatier by Pascall Scott
One word summary? Decadent.
A great collection that will get your juices flowing. Ha!
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
February 4, 2017
Yummy. A very good variety with romance, erotica, and all the fun areas in between. Great series. Hope they release another next year.
June 11, 2016
I've received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second edited book by Emanuelle and Marquette with a compilation of short stories that have in common food and romance and/or erotica. I enjoyed the first one of this series, All you can eat, in which the editors did a great job to bring a great quality book, so it was a no brainer for me to read this one. I wasn't disappointed as it proved to be an excellent book. The editors bring back
the successful formula of organising the book as a menu dividing it in Appetizers, Entrees and Desserts going from romantic to sizzling erotic. Additionally, each story ends up with a recipe, some to cook, others just to enjoy.
All the stories are very well written and edited and even though I have my favourites, I enjoyed them all. Very entertaining and highly recommended book.
This is the second edited book by Emanuelle and Marquette with a compilation of short stories that have in common food and romance and/or erotica. I enjoyed the first one of this series, All you can eat, in which the editors did a great job to bring a great quality book, so it was a no brainer for me to read this one. I wasn't disappointed as it proved to be an excellent book. The editors bring back
the successful formula of organising the book as a menu dividing it in Appetizers, Entrees and Desserts going from romantic to sizzling erotic. Additionally, each story ends up with a recipe, some to cook, others just to enjoy.
All the stories are very well written and edited and even though I have my favourites, I enjoyed them all. Very entertaining and highly recommended book.
May 31, 2016
Note: I received a free copy for review through NetGalley
This was a delightful little romp. Full disclosure I am straight, however, I enjoyed the stories in this collection. The build up from appetizer to dessert was perfect. These are definitely stories by and for ladies and thoroughly delightful. If you appreciate the feminine form and female pleasure, I think you'll enjoy this.
The recipes ranged from actual food recipes to tongue-in-cheek recipes for more carnal urges. I really liked the fun recipe for the bunya bunya nuts. This anthology had comedy, sweet love stories, and some steamy helpings of well written sex.
A great read for ladies who love ladies, regardless of your actual sexual orientation.
This was a delightful little romp. Full disclosure I am straight, however, I enjoyed the stories in this collection. The build up from appetizer to dessert was perfect. These are definitely stories by and for ladies and thoroughly delightful. If you appreciate the feminine form and female pleasure, I think you'll enjoy this.
The recipes ranged from actual food recipes to tongue-in-cheek recipes for more carnal urges. I really liked the fun recipe for the bunya bunya nuts. This anthology had comedy, sweet love stories, and some steamy helpings of well written sex.
A great read for ladies who love ladies, regardless of your actual sexual orientation.
August 13, 2017
Delicious Tidbits
R.G. Emanuelle and Andi Marquette have come out of the kitchen to introduce a banquet of fifteen delightful delicacies. Each tasty morsel is a lesbian’s delight. The full menu includes something for everyone. The sweet and warm Appetizers to the filling, robust Entrees and finally the mouthwatering Desserts Order Up is a hearty meal not to be missed!
R.G. Emanuelle and Andi Marquette have come out of the kitchen to introduce a banquet of fifteen delightful delicacies. Each tasty morsel is a lesbian’s delight. The full menu includes something for everyone. The sweet and warm Appetizers to the filling, robust Entrees and finally the mouthwatering Desserts Order Up is a hearty meal not to be missed!
July 2, 2016
Anthologies hold such highs and lows for me. I'm always excited to crack one open to see what tasty bits fall out. I love discovering an author either new or new-to-me who I can obsess over while looking for more written by them. And I absolutely love reading stories from authors I already stalk - um, I mean, follow. It's like spending a little time with a beloved friend; you just know you're going to enjoy it. I have to admit, reading the blurb about this book conjured images of food and sex - which I actually avoid - it's messy, after all. But the idea of it is sensual and erotic. That isn't exactly what I got in this volume. That isn't to say that the stories weren't good - I don't think I read a story in the bunch that I didn't like. But the flavor was heavily spiced with romance, not erotica. And I'm not sure that's even a fair or accurate opinion. After all, it means different things to different people. But just like in a Thai restaurant where you order with a number letting them know how hot you want things, what may be a 3 to one person could be a 5 to another. I think I would have been much more content if the word 'erotic' hadn't been in the tag line. That being said, the stories were full of romance and love and hope; they were all enjoyable and overall, I really liked the anthology.
I received a copy of this book from Inked Rainbow Reads in return for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book from Inked Rainbow Reads in return for an honest review.
October 9, 2016
Food as a metaphor (and sometimes literal embodiment!) for love, lust, family, and care is always a win in my book. And these stories were fun and entertaining at first. But the lot of them did get a bit homogenous after a while.
The one entry that really stood out from the bunch was Rebekah Weatherspoon's "Potluck Club" - there was such a freshness and delight to it!
The one entry that really stood out from the bunch was Rebekah Weatherspoon's "Potluck Club" - there was such a freshness and delight to it!
May 1, 2019
Very fun combination of romance and food, two great things to read about!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews