All You Can Eat: A Buffet of Lesbian Romance and Erotica

All You Can Eat: A Buffet of Lesbian Romance and Erotica by R.G. Emanuelle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Appetizers

Fresh Fruit by Ashley Bartlett
CA

A woman lingers near an orange tree. Starring at it. Because part of it is hanging over public property, and therefore free to be sampled (the part over public property). But the owner of the tree keeps removing the oranges before they are ripe. So the main character is standing there. Starring.

A voice behind her calls out. Wants to know what she's doing there. Writing reviews of stories would be easier if I remembered people's names. mmphs. Right, well, the main character and the non-main character are both of the 'boi-ish' type of lesbian set. And they have a quite interesting time exploring the concept of whether or not they are both interested in the other while one tells the other about 'fruit maps' (apparently fruit hanging over public property is 'fair game' to be 'gathered').

Rating: 4.62

20170604

The Luscious Tarte aux Fraises by Historia
HF, France

Not sure exactly when this story occurred, but it occurred at some point in time in France. In a time when a 'Gypsy girl' would be hanged until dead . . . potentially only because she was just too pretty (the woman in the pillory has that thought - that she didn't have any real idea why the woman was hanged, beyond the fact that people have a tendency to destroy any and everything that is pretty and/or brings joy to people).

Right, so, the main character spends the entirety of the story locked in a pillory in France for the crime of theft (she stole a pie because she knew that it was the kind her female friend likes and she wanted to make her smile). The woman is married and has a child. She also has these odd feelings for her friend, Jeanette (she, the main character, being Marie - if I'm remembering correctly). And, apparently, Jeanette might have some of these similar feelings.

sex - sex between two people did not occur in this story. I word that in the way that I did because a certain amount of . . . self-pleasure occurred (and I word that that way because the self-pleasure occurred by a person locked in a pillory .. . which makes self-pleasure difficult).

Rating: 4.89

20170604

Whining and Dining by Jae

The main character comes from a long line of great cooks, but is herself the kind who might accidentally burn down the house just by looking at her stove. The story opens with that woman calling up a friend for help - apparently she's told someone that she can, in fact, cook and well . . she needs help.

The friend comes over. Stuff happens. And the chemistry between the two burned off the pages and made my fingers warm . . . wait, I read this story on an electronic device, I probably should check to see why it is overheating.

Good solid abrupt story.

sex: Barring people's thoughts about lingering looks at asses and kissing, nothing of an actual sexual nature occurs in this story.

Rating: 4.88

20170604

Burn by Rebekah Weatherspoon
married, partner drama

I know what writing looks like when it is in first, second, and third person point of view. But . . . I have no idea what I just read is called. The main character is a hard working woman who is married to another woman. There's trouble in the relationship, though, because main character is kind of an asshole - the kind who takes out outside problems on a spouse (like a bad day) while also riding the spouse about certain things (like looking for work). That main character, who I'm sure was given a name though I didn't catch it if I did get given it - is, as noted, the main point of view - which is in first person ('I didn't like seeing you cry . . . .').

And that right there, that sample, is what confuses me. There's one point of view in the short work - the first person character. Two other characters 'appear' in the story - the wife, and the sister of the wife. The wife? Gets talked about as 'you'. No, not ''I told you that I don't like cheetos!'' but in a 'I didn't like seeing you cry . . . ' way. The first example is conversation, the second is the main character thinking of their wife . . . as you.

What the bloody hell is that described as? The story is a mix of first and second point of view . . . except the second isn't a real point of view. Nothing is from that second point of view - everything is from the asshole working spouse, nothing from the out of work spouse (the 'you' in the story).

It bloody annoyed me, like nails running down a chalk board annoyed me, to read passage after passage that included 'you'. I'M NOT IN THE FUCKING STORY! Get me out of your fucking story.

Right, so, that's the last one I read in this specific reading session and ends this section of the book (the first section of the book).

sex - nudity and the state of arousal of the other party was indicated. Stripping of underwear occurred. No actual sex is graphically described, though 'sex' was about to happen when the story concluded.

Rating: 1.50

20270604

Entrées
Tomato Lady by Cheyenne Blue
Australia, farmer

A story set in Australia starring a woman called the 'Tomato Lady', Sadie, and Erica. Sadie is the star of the show, as in point of view. She and Erica have created a friendship of sorts and this story here is about whether it might go further (like finding out if Erica actually likes women sexually).

First problem for that 'anything more' was already stated - Sadie can't tell if Erica is really flirting with her or not. Second problem? Erica's a sophisticated looking lady drives a Lexus while Sadie is continuously dirt covered - with some parts permanently 'stained', and tends to wear clothing that isn't the best (since tomato's stain) - like when she's telling this to herself (or the reader) - she's wearing barely there cut-off shorts (forget the exact wording now, something like bareist as possible or . . no that's not even a word) and a singlet.

I've no real idea of the ages of the people in this story though, based on the story, Sadie can't be that young - needing time to buy, build up tomato place to point of being 'Tomato Lady'; and Erica keeps repeatedly being described as being 'older' (older than what, dirt?).

sex - vague recollection that I first became aware of this author from seeing their name in erotica story collections. I believe. On the other hand, after reading the introduction, I wasn't really sure what to expect erotic-wise with 'Entree' stories (since the heat is supposed to build from one section to the next).

I suppose it depends on levels of graphicness, what people expect, or something like that. Seemed somewhat more descriptive waxing lyrically about an orgasm than the sex act itself. I mean, there's a bare white breast, some fingers did some stuff (I think). Lots of kissing, I know. Very vague impression given that one 'went down' on the other - and I mean very very vague.

I've read sex acts where I've no clue what is going on, and I've mentioned that in the past, but in those occasions it was because I literally hadn't a clue what all the limbs, body parts, and the like being tossed around were actually doing (didn't help, in one occasion, that people were talking and the author had one of the characters cock their head, so now I had a cock in there as well). Here? Well, not a flurry of body parts, no. More just super vagueness. Got the impression that sex occurred.

Rating: 3.73

20170605

East Meets West by Karis Walsh
Cowgirl (Rancher), Indian (from India), Doctor, Texas (San Antonio)

A classic cowboy and indian story set in Texas. Except the cowboy is a cowgirl (or at least a rancher), the Indian is someone from India, and I do not actually know what 'a classic cowboy and indian story' would be.

Rena followed her parents/family's 'advice' until she couldn't any longer - until she was in the USA with a medical degree and now they wanted her to come home to become a housewife in an arranged marriage. So she finally defied her family (though that might be wording things wrong, since she 'had no problem' with the advice about her life goals until it clashed with her desire to not be in an arranged marriage, not go to all that trouble for an advanced degree/education only to abandon it once married, and her desire to be with women not men). And so now she's there in San Antonio Texas. Estranged from her family.

While on one of her rare outings with co-workers (her issue - she'd rather be home), Rena notices several things - yet another restaurant in Texas that just had to have chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy on the menu, gorgeous woman. Rena takes a long look at this woman, long look. Until she spotted that woman getting the chicken fried steak - but hey she's still ggg . . the woman is saluting her with her drink. And so Rena returns to her group, estranged from her family, still lacking confidence to actually do anything with women.

Liz, the rancher woman wearing the old boots with the silver chain on them, followed Rena when she left with her group. Introduces herself, sets up a date. Then a date occurred.

Sex - graphic, interesting. Somewhat surprising considering - first date, timing of the 'pounce', etc.

Rating: 4.48

20170605

Dessert Platter by Victoria Oldham
Public Nudity, Objectification, Blindfold, Audience

Names, jobs, careers are not important in this story, sure names were given, some physical characteristics were also given (much more important), and some information on the current status of the relationship (still new . . . though it's been 'months').

I'm confused as to why this story in particular is in the Entree section. The entirety of the story is eroticism, graphic - very graphic eroticism. Public nudity, public . . . touching/groping/teasing/and yes, sex. Plus private sex.

Something about my tags:
Public Nudity - two girlfriends meet at a classy upscale brand new lesbian restaurant. Super high class, super high quality. One of the girlfriends, the lead in the story, Teresa, hurried to her girlfriend, Cree, who she spotted talking to a chef. The chef wanders away. Teresa and Cree talk. During which Cree causally runs her hands along Teresa's body, and . . . does something or other to the nipple (what, a bunch of other stuff occurred as, I just recall 'something' occurring out there in the dining area where Cree pinched, teased, touched, caressed or otherwise did something to Teresa's nipple). Mind, Teresa and Cree are meeting in the open in the restaurant (I'm not exactly sure where, in the dining area?).

Teresa and Cree talk, as noted, then Cree leads Teresa back to a private room set up a little oddly. Well, table, chairs, lots of pillows. Cree then blindfolds and strips Teresa completely naked and puts her onto the table because one of her fantasies is to eat Teresa. Actually, that was a fantasy, but the reason 'we' are all here is because Cree has a fantasy of watching group activity.

Public nudity? Wasn't I supposed to be talking about that? But they are in a private room, so . . .. Shortly after Teresa is in her position stretched out on her back on the table, naked and blindfolded, people come in. Or the sound of people. Then stuff beings happening to Teresa's body - as in plates and stuff are getting placed on her. But I just wanted to note the public nudity part not convey the entire story here.

Oh, I went to put more tags down here in the review section and I notice I already covered all of them. Public nudity - women stripped in public setting with an audience; objectification - woman is used as a 'serving tray' - and at one point the blindfold is removed and Teresa looks around, and realizes that people aren't really looking at her. She's just where the desert had been resting; blindfold and audience are kind of obvious.

Sex - see the entirety of my review above. Or - yes there is sex, graphic detailed sex. More eroticism though depending on definitions. And what counts as sex.

I probably rated this story quite poorly, right? I mean I noted that names and all that didn't matter. Given, not matter. Then proceed to mention how the story is basically just a really long erotic scene filled with eroticism of an erotic nature (okay, I failed, I wanted to use various phrases of that word but . . . failed). Well, let's look down to see what I rated this story *points down*

Rating: 5.25

20170605

Appetizing by Cheri Crystal
Nurse, Butcher

A woman visits a supermarket/deli. Spots a mouth-watering gorgeous woman behind the counter. Drools a little. Can't keep her eyes from wandering lustfully over the woman's curves, plump ass, full breasts. While falling into her eyes the woman realizes that the counter/butcher woman is also checking her out and rather aggressively flirting with her.

That woman behind the counter writes her number on Reba's package of meat (I only recall Reba's a little scene that occurred wherein Jackylyn (sp?) asked Reba what her name meant, looked it up online and came back with an answer that made Reba think of bondage and whether or not the comments being made might include that in actuality). Stuff. (ran out of characters while writing this mini-review)

Rating: 3.65

20170608

Sugar and ’Shine by Andi Marquette
PoC, Alabama

While painting the place she'd be selling shortly, a woman from her past drives up. Both had feelings for the other in high school - neither expressed it. Probably because Sunny had been seeing, not dating but 'seeing' Antoinette, Alexia's sister. Sunny being the painting one, Alexia being the woman who drove up. Alexia is also the woman of color and the one from the rich part of town (while Sunny comes from the poor part of town).

Both are back in town briefly for a class reunion. Both wiggle next to each other.

Sex: There's at least kissing but I forget now how graphic things got. Hazard of reading, making note of my rating, then not actually doing my mini-review until days later.

Rating: 3.32

20170608

Dessert
Vanilla Extract by Jove Belle
chef

Two women have a second date (one isn't clear if the first 'date' can be called a first date or not). They had meet at a wedding - one of the character's (Elana) brother married her ex-girlfriend. The other woman was there as the caterer (Kelly).

Kelly arrives at Elana's place, to start the story, to find that Elana wanted to 'return the favor', or something like that. In that Kelly feed Elana cake. So Elana is attempting to make a cake - poorly. Kelly is quite horrified to see that Elena is using cake mix and imitation vanilla extract (and other cheap products). So one thing leads to another and . . . they end up at a store to get 'the correct ingredients'.

Back at Elana's place, stuff being mixed (by hand), oven on, cooking begins . . . when suddenly one pounces on the other and they almost burn the place down.

One 'issue' that I'm not sure is an issue or not - the P.O.V. seemed to switch between Elana and Kelly somewhat randomly. I mean, one second you are inside Elana's head as she's frantically attempting to figure out how to remove her own pants, then gasping as she feels fingers; the next you are in Kelly's head (not sure if they specifically switched right there but that's what I mean by random switches).

Sex: Wild passionate graphic sex occurs.

Rating: 4.73

20170605

Smorgasbord by R.G. Emanuelle
Artist, writer food column

An artist, Renee, messes around on an art project. She's quite frustrated with it - there just seems to be something 'off'. So she takes a break and goes to an art show that she didn't really want to go to but will distract her.

While at the party, Renee spots an attractive woman out in the garden area. Proceeds to leave, get food, bring food back and introduce herself to the woman by offering to feed her. Delilah Ramsey, food columnist, is the other woman.

I'm not 100% sure how this occurred, exactly, I mean it seemed like a sudden and odd line of events, but one thing leads to another and Delilah is now naked on Renee's table. Being 'painted' with food. As part of Renee's project.

Sex: graphic depictions of a sexual nature do occur.

Rating: 4.36

20170605

Crème Brûlée by Sacchi Green

Two older women reconnect after a year apart.

Rating: 3.12

20170608

Turn the Tables by Yvonne Heidt
HF, Rome, Gladiatrix, Senator's Wife

A Senator's wife, who is more powerful than her husband (because of who her father is), has an arrangement with her husband. She plays with women, he has his own secrets.

The story opens from the point of view of 'The Lioness' (Leonita) down on an arena floor. Having just defeated/killed her opponent. Her last fight. For her benefactor, that senator's wife (Flavia), has purchased The Lionesses freedom.

A mix of eroticism, romance, and graphic displays of sex. Mixed further by seduction through sensual eating.

Flavia's body tightened, her toes curled, and she reached a space where there was no thought, only colors and feelings

sex: Yes. Graphic and intense.

Rating: 5.5

20170608

OVERALL
Fresh Fruit by Ashley Bartlett: 4.62
The Luscious Tarte aux Fraises by Historia: 4.89
Whining and Dining by Jae: 4.88
Burn by Rebekah Weatherspoon: 1.50
Tomato Lady by Cheyenne Blue: 3.73
East Meets West by Karis Walsh : 4.48
Dessert Platter by Victoria Oldham: 5.25
Appetizing by Cheri Crystal: 3.65
Sugar and ’Shine by Andi Marquette: 3.32
Vanilla Extract by Jove Belle : 4.73
Smorgasbord by R.G. Emanuelle: 4.36
Crème Brûlée by Sacchi Green: 3.12
Turn the Tables by Yvonne Heidt: 5.5


Overall
: 4.156153846153846



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