<p>When the witches and wizards are away, the familiars will play!&nbsp;</p><p>Gifted adventurers across time and space often travel with an animal familiar-usually a cat, but possibly other fuzzy, scaly, or prickly creatures. These magical companions lead their humans into mischief, help them out of sticky situations, or offer opinionated commentary along the way.&nbsp;</p><p>We're familiar with familiars ... or are we?&nbsp;</p><p>Compiled by <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson and award-winning editor Allyson Longueira-and their Publishing graduate students at Western Colorado University-<em>Feisty Felines and Other Fantastical Familiars </em>features 26 never-before-published short stories and poems crafted by Mercedes Lackey, Heather Graham, Jody Lynn Nye, John Hartness, Steve Rasnic Tem, and many others.&nbsp;</p><p>You'll love this collection kitty-littered with surprises at every turn. Some stories are whimsical, some are sad, some will tug at your heartstrings-and some will stay with you long after you close this book.&nbsp;</p><p>From mischievous cats to cunning ravens, skittering spiders to-a <em>cow?-</em>these feisty familiars will take you on a magical trip to places even wizards don't tread.&nbsp;</p>