Mace Thornton unveils tale of pioneer spirit
By Farms.com
Veteran communicator Mace Thornton, now with Stratovation Group, services agricultural clients in marketing and communications. His past roles include leadership at the American Farm Bureau Federation and United Soybean Board. A graduate of Benedictine College, Thornton based "Jawbone Holler" on his childhood in Kansas' Missouri River Hills.
Mace Thornton's debut, "Jawbone Holler," plunges readers into the heart of 1850s America, a time rife with conflict and opportunity. The novel tells the story of Perry Adams, a young pioneer endeavoring to carve out a life on the tumultuous Missouri-Kansas border.
Starting in Indiana, where Perry has faced considerable hardships, his journey to the Kansas Territory is both a flight from past failures and a voyage toward new beginnings.
Along the way, Perry encounters a cast of characters that shape his path - a wise local constable, entrepreneurial freedmen, a couple managing a bar, and a schoolteacher with hidden talents, among others.
Each character introduces Perry to different facets of frontier life, from the hardships of establishing a homestead to the complexities of social relationships in a land governed by both spoken and unspoken laws.
Thornton, with his deep roots in agricultural communication, paints a vivid picture of the agricultural aspects of pioneer living, emphasizing the significance of farming in shaping the American landscape and psyche.
The narrative does not shy away from the darker elements of the era, including the looming shadow of the Civil War and the personal battles that Perry must fight to achieve his dreams. "Jawbone Holler" is a narrative of resilience, depicting a young man's relentless pursuit of freedom and prosperity.
This novel not only recounts the trials and triumphs of its protagonist but also reflects the broader American experience during a pivotal historical period. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Thornton invites readers to experience the raw beauty and enduring challenges of life on the frontier.