The Witch and the Fae

Mystical Mates #2

by A.J. Ryder

Being a Woodward is hard...especially when you're not used to being in charge!

Minerva
Having spent her entire life in the shadow of her fierce and battle-tested twin, Athena, the calm and nurturing Minerva was perfectly content in her role as backup. That is...until Athena became pregnant. Now forced into the lead in her sister's stead, it falls to Minerva to protect against a wicked evil from beyond the Veil.

But she won't be doing it alone...

Samaiyel
Since his arrival from the land of Cadarnle, Samaiyel has adjusted to life as a fae among mortals. Happy in his role as Guardian and mate to his beloved witch, Samaiyel always knew that Minerva was capable of more than she believed herself to be...all she needed was a little encouragement.

But will it be enough?

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2019

About the author

One of the rare and elusive creatures known as a girl geek, AJ Ryder is an avid gamer, a voracious reader, and a lover of all things magical and fantastical. After years of thinking up sexy stories and hot, sensual characters of varying ilk in her head, she has decided to use her geeky, super powers for good and breathe life into them at last for the reading enjoyment of all.

Reviews

[TMR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this book has totally shook me....

This book is honestly what I needed in my life right now. Sigh....

The writing. OH god she writes pure magic with the way she writes (haha reference to magic in her novel)...
The characters, so damn relatable, I wished so damn bad they were real/wanted to go in their world, just to be with them in their physical form.
The romance, so damn scorching, the kindle was on fire. And the fanning was endless haha.
The emotions were in running such a circle, I just couldn't decide how I was feeling.
And the cover, honestly I just fell in love.

Best book ever!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Liz Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great World-Building, but Too Much Fluff

A fantasy novel with loads of characters, some hot sex, and an evil villain. Sounds like the perfect ingredients, right? Unfortunately, it didn't work out like that for me.

The story is about the witch Minerva, who's in a relationship with Samaiyel. For years, Minerva has been battling evil together with her twin sister Athena. Due to the latter's pregnancy, Minerva is now forced to stand on her own two feet. Along with the help of her Guardian Samaiyel and other supernatural friends, she manages to fight off dark enemies and find her own strength.

There are many good things about this novel. I love the writing style. The language is colloquial and easy to follow. The characters are well-rounded, and the pace of the story is fast enough. The storylines are well put together, and I liked the ending. The sex scenes are well-described and hot. When looking at these factors, it's not a bad novel.

But there were many things I disliked. I wished an editor had gone over this novel. And no, I don't mean grammar or spelling, because I've not found any mistakes in that regard. But so much of the story was superfluous. I skimmed through pages and pages of text because it was only fluff. It's nice that they're drinking tea together, but I don't need to read all their banter. The same goes for many of the side characters. I understand their place in the story, but if they're only there for one task, I don't need to know their life history. Again, there was way too much unnecessary detailing going on. I think close to half of the story could have been scrapped without any damage to the main storyline.

So yeah, I love the world-building. I believed all the supernatural things that were going on, I just wished I didn't have had to wade through so many pages of extra information. It's not a bad book per se, I've read worse, but it's not one of the best either. I wouldn't recommend it.

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I've waited a lifetime for this second book in the "Mystical Mates" series and I'm over the moon with excitement!! We're back with the Wooward witches but this time we get to focus on Minerva and her Fae Samaiyel. Did you read "The Witch and the Dragon"? If so, then you'll remember Minerva's sister Athena and her dragon Theodrik. Now that they're mated and Athena is pregnant, Minerva must be the warrior but is she strong enough to carry the role? The excitement, the danger, the supernatural beings that come into play. Oh, the heat between Minerva and Samiyel will make your muscles clench and your heart melt. This was such an exciting book and well worth the wait!

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minerva & Sam are a dynamic duo and a force to be recond with. Minerva has always been the quiet twin but when her sister, Athena, becomes pregnant she must step up and assert herself. In this magical world of shifters, vampires and fairies comes a villain that only Minerva and her powers can defeat. Is she up to the challenge? No spoilers here. This is a must-read for paranormal fans. A.J. Ryder bats it out of the park with this one. Edge of your seat excitement.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cool fantasy romance novel. I liked it! It is full of mystery, magic, and danger. Awesome!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book it was great, the story was well written and the characters are interesting. Once I started I could not put the book down from start to finish you just could not get enough with twists and turns hot and steamy like a rollercoaster ride of emotions that makes you want more with Minerva and Sam. These two are hot together.
Thank you for allowing me to review your book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Teri Ruscak · Rating 5 out of 5]

AJ Ryder
The Witch and the Fae (Mystical Mates Book 2)
OMG, I LOVED this book! I am really sad it is finished. It is the second book in the series, but reads as a standalone.
Sam and Mia are awesome together! There was an unselie fae causing problems in their town, and Mia grew into a bada$$ witch.
I would recommend this book to every Paranormal lover.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story Minerva and her Guardian Samaiyel in the 2nd-in-the-series book from this author… As can happen with siblings, the author is true to tell how one can overshadow another. But when necessary, even the bashful can come out of their shell.
But that’s not the only “thing” going on… we’ve got a murder to solve, killer to catch, and family to protect.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathy Zuercher Diveley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Minerva and Sam

Minerva is the more passive witch twin, but now that her twin is heavily pregnant she must step up. Red caps are tormenting people with nightmares, and eating unsuspecting people. And an unseelie kelpie is drowning and killing people. The humans must be protected from paranormal disturbances. Great read !!

[Raina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A magical story of romance with a witch and the Fae. The love between them is there from the start of the story. But the danger is something they do to protect our world. Not all fae are good and the bad ones have no problem taking lives. The story is filled the the action and danger they face as well as the love between them and family.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. That perfectly describes this book. It is full of hot sexy man, intrigue, perseverance, and perfection. I fully recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy Vissman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book

This 2and book did its job! I'm on to the 3rd book and just started this series today!! Cant wait to see read what happens next!

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Minerva Eloise Woodward was a witch and twin sister to Athena, a forceful and wild warrior. Samaiyel, a Fae within the Seelie Court, was Minerva’s Guardian and destined mate. Minerva has been content to stay in the background while her sister takes the lead. But with Athena now pregnant, the calm, quiet, welcome, and nurturing Athena is expected to take over with her healing energy and defeat the evil coming at them. With Sam backing her up and having such a strong confidence in her untested abilities, will she be able to defeat the evil and save the day?

This was a good book with lots of supernatural characters for the reader to get hooked on! Sam is so devoted to Minerva, having so much to teach her, and she is a kind and good person, so both are very likable. Minerva’s father was a druid from Ireland, and she was delighted to find that the stories he told her of the Fae were actually true! Her eyes were being opened to the world around her. But would she be ready for what was to come? Good characters and an exciting story line make this the perfect read! Enjoy the adventure!

[Larissa Rye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from book sprout in return for an honest review. I would give this book 3-1/2 stars. It took me a while to get into this book. It’s different to read a romance type book that starts with the couple having already met & being together. But that’s not really what this book was about. I liked the supernatural aspects of it & the danger & love. I liked that it was about a female learning to embrace her true self & become the badass witch she could be. Overall a good read.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Witch and the Fae is book two of the Mystical Mates series and although I haven't read book one but I still enjoyed the story and wasn't lost. But after reading Minerva and Samaiyel's story I will definitely be reading The Witch and the Dragon next. The story is intriguing and held my attention from beginning to end. The characters are interesting and look forward to reading the next book in this series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER GREAT READ

Ok, I really wanted to give 4.5 stars but that is not an option. It was a solid story but a few loose ends left untied. While I like the first book better, this was another great read. Sam and Mia are so good together and there were some pretty hot sexy times had. I loves how Mia finally gained some confidence in herself and totally discovered her bad@$$ witch.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Witch and the Fae by AJ Ryder is a wonderful story to read. This is book number two in this wonderful series that I have loved reading. I highly recommend this story to all who love readng about witches, Fae, dark , erotic and paranormal romances.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Mystical Mates series a well written book that I was not putting down until I finished reading it. This is Minerva/Mia-min and Samaiyel/Sam's story there is suspense, drama, danger, evil, magic, a villain, and romance. I hope there is going to be more in this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read throughout. Quality of writing it good and the characters were great. Storyline kept me gripped and I read all book in one sitting. Fab read . I recieved a free copy and this is my honest review

[Melvena Asa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting and full of twists that will keep you turning the pages of this Book. I cannot believe I haven't read this book before now. It will keep you reading from the beginning to the very end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sally Grech · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It was an easy quick read about Minerva who is a witch and her Gaurdian Fae boyfriend Sam. It kinda reminds me of Buffy the vampire slayer in the way that she has 'good' super natural friends and they go off battling 'bad' super naturals.