Southwest Missouri Fantasy Writer- Author Prix Gautney

Evershade Series

Season of Crows - Volume I

When a banished mousemaid and her crippled companion race across a field in the dark of night to warn Evershade of the impending crow attack, Ash and the other Walnut Keepers must choose to stay and fight for their beloved home-or flee for their very lives.
But how can a peaceful, weaponless society of woodland creatures ever hope to defeat the murderous crows? In the midst of the worst drought in Evershade history, Ash and the others must call on their talents and their allies in neighboring kingdoms if they are to have any hope of surviving the coming war
And if they survive, what will they do when the water runs out for good?

Season of Madness - Volume II

A brutal plague creatures call "The Madness" ravages the countryside, and the infected are starting to cross Evershade's borders. The Walnut Keepers have their own troubles, however-the king has fallen ill with the fever, and the sickness is spreading throughout the community. Last season's drought robbed them of the herbs needed to treat the fever, and if they can't find alternatives, the illness will take the Keepers' lives long before the plague does.
When one of their own is bitten by an infected squirrel, things take an even nastier turn. The infected are now wandering into Everhade in droves, searching for easy prey. While the Keepers try to save their fallen friend, Roan, Evershade's imposing Watcher, must find a way to cure the sickness and protect their home from the swarm of infected who are bent on hunting them. And the only way to do it is to hunt the infected themselves.
But will the community of peaceful woodland creatures take up the spear once again to protect their beloved home, r will they cast their fate to the stars and let the Madness take them once and for all?

Season of Storms - Volume III

The last of the plague victims have been buried, but as the Walnut Keepers ready themselves for a fresh start in the spring, their hopes of a peaceful season of plenty are soon dashed. Roan, Evershade’s Watcher, has read the signs—storms are coming, and there is no escaping their devastation.
As great torrents of wind ravage the forests, rain falls in sheets across the landscape, saturating the countryside and swelling the rivers and streams beyond capacity. And the Fray is no exception. The once quiet stream surges over its banks as the raging water slams into the bridge, flooding the heart of Evershade.
When a Keeper finds herself trapped on the wrong side of the Fray, Roan is called upon to rescue her. Against his better judgment, the great Watcher braves the floodwaters to save the little vole’s life, but at a great cost. This flood is no ordinary spring flood—this flood carries with it the promise of death.
Can Roan survive the disaster that awaits him, or will the bravest Walnut Keeper of all finally meet his fate?

Season of Fire and Ice - Volume IV

The countryside is shrouded in snow, something Evershade hasn’t seen for ages. Though most Walnut Keepers sleep through the lonely winter, the white queen and her daughter remain awake throughout the cold season, catching up on forgotten projects. To escape the confines of the Home Tree, the two mice venture outside where they are met with a fearsome visitor—and he brings devastating news. Hot winds from the south are headed their way, and they are bringing death and flames to Evershade.
As the flakes continue to fall, blanketing the land in deep layers of snow and ice, the far-off threat of fire is driven from their thoughts. They have much more pressing problems to deal with—the Walnut Keepers are waking, but they are trapped inside their burrows. If they cannot escape soon, they will starve to death.
With the help of Evershade’s Watcher, the royal family must hack out a web of snow tunnels to rescue their fellow Keepers. But how can they possibly reach everyone in time?
And if they do, what will happen when the snow melts and the fires threaten to destroy their home for good?

Season of Awakening - Volume V

The wildfires that swept through Evershade have left their mark on the countryside. Though new life grows from the blackened landscape, some scars run too deep, leaving permanent wounds that can never be healed.
Ash and the other Walnut Keepers have survived both war and natural disasters over the seasons, and now they are praying for a season of peace and discovery. With no looming catastrophes on the horizon, the woodland creatures of Evershade focus on evolving their community into a more powerful kingdom.
But, as history proves, life is not always rosy in Evershade. Their numbers are reduced when young Keepers journey into the wild to make their way in the world—a journey that almost certainly leads to death. And when a forbidden love captures the heart of Princess Rose, the whole of Evershade is thrown into an uproar.
With beasts crawling from the darkness and inventions that will change their world forever, the Walnut Keepers must call on the strength deep within their cores to survive this season of change.
But even that might not be enough. Disaster is headed their way, and the Walnut Keepers can do nothing to stop it.
Will Ash and the others survive the turmoil, or will they finally lose their hope—and their lives?