I love this story! Gods and Monsters OH MY!
I strongly suggest this book to anyone who loves fantasy and supernatural.

I marked this title DNF after reading 5 chapters. The same issues I had with book one were front and center in FANGS & FENNEL and I can't make myself read when a grown woman says things like 'poopie list' in a sentence. The main character comes off kick ass and strong in one paragraph then turns into a whiny 2 year old in the next. I can't imagine a scenario where I find myself reading any more from this series.

I almost put this book down about three chapters into reading. It annoyed me that the main character referred to supernatural beings as Super Dupers and used constant cutesy swear words. The author's language choices seemed disingenuous and contrived, rather than natural dialogue.

Thankfully it got better. There are several decent action scenes and our MC goes from shaky to competent throughout the course of the book. She has to overcome a nice girl/dormant mentality and does it with flying colors. While never an underdog (in this book) the MC's mental image of herself and who she should be hinders her, but is finally surmounted.

There is some romance (MC and Vampire) but no sex. And thankfully the MC doesn't spend too much time obsessing over the love interest. Most of the scenes are not gratuitous and do move the story arc.

So, if you enjoy urban paranormal with a bit of romance and with an female MC who comes to realize her worth, this is a book to explore.

My Review:

The story continues in this second book with Alena and her friends. She has a new villain in this book, and he's a demigod. He's tougher than the last one, and he seems to have a head on his shoulders and knows how to use it. He's stealing her friends and family right and left! And there's a new weapon to use against the super snake this time. It really hurts!

Alena not only has to figure out the finer points of being a Super Duper Monster, but she now has to figure out how to beat this all too real enemy. One that can really hurt her. And her allies are getting scarcer with each passing hour.

At the same time, she's decided that she needs to divorce her lousy cheating husband. But how can she do that when the human courts think she's dead? She needs to think about this. So what's a girl to do when she needs to think? She bakes!

Ms. Mayer, as usual, has come through with an even more delightful second book in this trilogy. I can only imagine what the third book will be like! But you can be sure I'll be reading it. I totally recommend you do too! This trilogy is one of those to read again and again, and I'll bet you'll find something new in it each time you read it.

This story was offered to me by 47North and provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I am not being compensated in any way. All opinions are fully my own.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review

Good follow up to the first book of this series. I liked seeing other members of the Greek pantheon included. I'm glad Alena is starting to stand up for herself, but I don't like how easily she forgives everyone. I want her to think more about herself and less of everyone else. But I like how the story is progressing and am looking forward to the next book!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I have to say that I really like this series so far and the characters in this book, especially Alena. In the last book, we were introduced to Alena who is a woman that only really wants three things: To be loved, to continue running the successful bakery she built from scratch, and to not die. Out of those three things, she was only able to live after contracting a deadly disease which resulted in her turning into a monster and getting thrown into a world that she never knew existed.

In this book, Alena is making peace with her new reality, while also stubbornly trying to make the human world acknowledge that she is alive. This is the only way that she can be free from Roger, and claim back what is rightfully hers. Unfortunately, Hera is not nearly finished with her and has sent a new 'hero' to kill Alena. Alena is going to need all the help she can get because this enemy is more insidious that Achilles ever was.

A must read!!!

*voluntarily and honestly reviewed the ARC from NetGalley*

I've enjoyed a few of this author's earlier works (Rylee Adamson) so one of the things I can immediately say is that I truly enjoyed how different Alena was from Rylee. She was raised by a religious community, and taught- well, really, everything that women today are fighting so hard to make a 'norm'. As the second installment to the Venom trilogy, we see that she still struggles with the fact that she's now a monster and no longer a human, or existing, for that matter. Because according to the law, she died in that joke of a hospital, and doesn't have any rights to her inheritance or bakery, the one thing in the world she practically cares about.

This book took more to Super Duper *snorts* Rights and Alena learning to step up and stand up for it, whether or not she really means to do it for the supernaturals in general. I liked this better than the first one because she's got a better hold on her life, even if there's more chaos. Still couldn't take her seriously whenever she brought up the fact that she was still technically married, but that's a personal thing since I have my own views on marriage, but otherwise, I liked how much she struggled with herself. A lot of character growth there, with the constant battle of Old Her and New Boss Baddie. A few twists were in here that totally blew me away, and oh my God, but I think I saw someone that died in one of the author's other series. And it really makes me want to continue them and demand the third book for this series. Like... take my money.

If you haven't read the first book you really should to appreciate this fascinating and mad capped world. Thankfully the author took the time to briefly remind us who each character is which I appreciate since it's hard to remember everyone between books. All of the characters are back to help or torment Alena on her quest to stay alive in spite of her many enemies while still trying to divorce her worm of a husband. She continues to bake while the world around her is falling apart. Once again a Greek god is out to kill her and this time it's Theseus. Unlike the last book with Achilles, Theseus has a very different and maddening way of trying to take out Alena which makes for a fascinating read. While juggling so much the story takes us in a new direction which I'm excited about for the next book. Thankfully this book did not suffer at all from being in the middle of a trilogy as many second books do and instead continued everything that was great and fun from the first book. Personally I do wish the author would devote less time to Alena thinking about kisses and more time to what she should be thinking about which is how to stay alive in this new world. For that reason the book started out slow for me as a lot of time was again devoted to kissing which I think devalues our heroine and her priorities. Once it gets going though this book is a fun romp in a unique world with lots of fun characters. How can you not love a granny that was a priestess of Zeus? Or Cupid with his love of baked goods? The addition of the Greek characters sets this book apart and makes it shine with a heaping scoop of humor.

FANTASTIC!! Oh I loved it so much. The main character is so adorable with her own brand of curse words. Her determination to stick to her own morals and to look after her friends and family are refreshing and endearing. I just can't wait for the next installment of this series.

Wow! I am loving this series. This book follows on from Venom & Vanilla & is every bit as good as the first. The characters are fantastic especially Alena the main character & all that she has to go through along with a little help from her friends & family. It's an interesting take on the supernatural & the Greek gods & I can't wait for the next book.
Would defo recommend.

I received this copy from netgalley for a honest review..
I'm loving this series and watching Alena grow into a confident monster ;). She has defied the odds and done something no supe has ever done.
This is definitely a series read so reading the first book is a must.. I can't wait until the next instalment and seeing where the story goes..