One Good Mama Bone: A Novel (Story River Books)

Set in 1950s South Carolina, this novel follows Sarah Creamer, a homemaker tasked with raising Emerson Bridge, a young boy born from an affair between Sarah's husband and her best friend. Haunted by her mother's childhood words—"You ain't got you one good mama bone in you, girl"—Sarah struggles with self-doubt about her capacity for motherhood. When Sarah arranges for Emerson to compete with a steer at an upcoming cattle show, the calf's distressed cries prompt his mother to break through a barbed-wire fence to reach him. Witnessing the cow's devoted care for her calf becomes a turning point for Sarah, teaching her about maternal instinct and love. However, Luther Dobbins, determined to restore his championship cattle dynasty, will pursue victory at any cost. As Sarah grows more confident in her newfound maternal abilities, she becomes equally committed to winning—even after learning what will happen to the winning steer. The novel examines whether Sarah will compromise her values to succeed, exploring the complexities of parental love, the bonds between humans and animals, and the ethical questions surrounding raising livestock for food.