Lynelle Mason, a former Rossville resident now living at Alexian Village on Signal Mountain, is releasing her sixth novel, "Trailblazer," the first book in a trilogy based on the life of real Georgia colonist Noble Wimberly Jones. She is holding a book signing at Alexian's Town Hall Tuesday, April 4 at 7 p.m.
The story begins with 10-year-old Jones as he sails from England to America, and follows him to the Georgia colony as he deals with the various struggles of colonial life.
"It's a tribute to one of Georgia's lesser-known heroes," Mason said. "It's a compelling story of a life well lived, and you get a real slice of what it was like growing up in colonial Georgia."
Georgia was unique in that it was not originally a "crown colony" under Great Britain, but was run by 21 trustees, Mason said. At that time the colony prohibited Jews, Catholics and rum, she added.
By 1734, two-thirds of the original Georgia colonists had died, which she said was likely due to disease spread through mosquitoes. A Jewish doctor then arrived in the colony from Portugal, and was able to significantly reduce the number of deaths. He took Jones, who had always dreamed of becoming a doctor, under his wing as his apprentice.
Jones eventually became "an outstanding" medical doctor and statesman, Mason said, as to why she sees him as a hero.
"He was a loving father who loved his country. It would have been easy to turn his back on all of it, because the days got pretty hard. I like people who persevere in hard times and don't give up," she said.
The next two books in the trilogy, to be released over the next year, will follow Jones' experiences through age 14 and up to the Revolutionary War, she said.
A longtime resident of Georgia, Mason became fascinated with its history when she taught the subject to seventh-graders while living in Savannah.
"I learned a lot, and it gave me a great appreciation for it," she said of Georgia history.
While living in Rossville, she found a book in the city's library listing passengers on ships to the colony, and she came across the name of a 10-year-old, Jones and thought it would be interesting to write a novel through his eyes.
"Anyone who loves history and stories combined, I think, will be drawn to it," said Mason, adding that she does a lot of research to make sure the historical elements are accurate.
She said most of her novels are directed toward readers ages 10 and older.
Alexian Village is at 437 Alexian Way, Signal Mountain. Copies of the book will be available at the signing for $15 each.