All four of these authors set magical shorts in the universes of their series: Andrew's Kate Daniels (Magic), Galenorn's Sisters of the Moon, James' Stormwalker, and Stein's Anna Strong. Though I've read at least the starting book of each of the series, Andrews is the only one I've followed religiously but after reading the offerings from James and Stein, I think I may have to pull their other books off the 'to be read' pile.

Magic Dreams - Ilona Andrews - Kate's off licking her wounds, and misfity white tiger shifter Dali has a chance to shine and put her not-always-reliable magic to good use as the Andrews tackle a Japenese myth to bring us an enemy who has sunk her fangs into cat alpah Jim (Kate's former partner). - I am a huge fan of author pair Ilona and Gordon Andrews, and while I'd have liked to have seen a bit more Jim in this Jim and Dali short, the Andrews manage to pack a heck of alot of story and some of their trademark snarky humor into this short - I loved the ending.

Ice Shards - Yasmine Galenorn - Iris turn out to be way more than a homeloving house sprite as she is aided on a quest by Smokey, Camille, and Rozurial to face down the shadows of her past so that she may have the future that she desires. - I don't follow Galernorn's series - her writing just doesn't click for me - so I'll just say that readers who do follow the series will probably enjoy the look into Iris' surprising past and the opportunity see her become more than they might have imagined.

Double Hexed - Allyson James - The whole Stormwalker cast is hexed and trapped in Janet's hotel and the spell is making tempers and emotions run high. - This was just a really good slice of the series, even though some of the characters are acting out of character due to the spell.

Blood Debt - Jeanne C Stein - Anna is called to pay the price for an enemy's death. - I really enjoyed this one, and since it's been so long since I read the first book, I can confidently say that it would work for those not at all familiar with the series.