title: Hens and Chickens (Book 1 in The Sovereign Series)
author:  Jennifer Wixson 
description: Rebecca is a middle-aged marketing professional who is downsized during the recession. Her friend and colleague, Lila, quits in solidarity, and the duo decide to move to Maine and raise chickens. They restore an old farmhouse and are instantly seduced by the congenial and open community of Sovereign. Lila becomes involved with local carpenter Mike, but must wrestle with her own demons to find the faith and strength to love him. Meanwhile, Rebecca thrives in the community and marries the man who sold her and Lila the farm. Wixson's novel is intended to kick off a trilogy set in Sovereign, but readers will likely not be lining up for the next two installments. The narrative contains preachy rambling passages and jumps through time, detracting from the pace and cohesion of the book. The characters are not fully developed, the setting is clichd, and the story short on dramatic tension.
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  ![image](images/Art_title.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  [![CoverImage](images/9781455515714_c.jpg)](prologue.html)
  
  
  [**Begin Reading**](prologue.html)
  
  
  [Table of Contents](toc.html)
  
  
  [A Preview of _Flirting with Texas_](teaser001.html)
  
  
  [Copyright Page](copyright.html)
  
  
  In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading,
  and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the
  publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual
  property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for
  review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the
  publisher at permissions@hbgusa.com. Thank you for your support of the
  author’s rights.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  _To two of my favorite hens, my sisters,  
  Christy Poling and Sandi Frentzel_
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # [Acknowledgments](toc.html#toc-acknowledgements)
  
  
  I’m so fortunate to be surrounded by a gaggle of amazing “hens” who keep me
  sane in this crazy chicken coop o