From a mouse with a compulsion to paint the monster who lives in his house to a very special cat ready to battle to the death to protect her person...

From a grieving young woman who discovers magic thanks to the rabbits who hide beneath the bushes in a suburban backyard to an artist whose animal friends help her answer the most important question of all...

These are some of the unexpected critters you'll meet in the seven contemporary fantasy stories in this collection by multi-genre writer Annie Reed, a master of short fiction that packs an emotional punch.

Unexpected Critters contains the following stories:

Queen of the Mouse Riders

Chance of Bunnies and Occasional Toad

The Night Mischief Became a Real Cat

After

Creatures of Shade and Shadow

First Steps

Paintings of Cats by Mice

"One of the best writers I've come across in years." Kristine Kathryn Rusch

"Annie Reed writes powerful stories about strong women." Dean Wesley Smith, editor of Pulphouse Fiction Magazine