Chickens in the Road

An Adventure in Ordinary Splendor

by Suzanne McMinn

On Sale: 10/08/2013

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Chickens in the Road

An Adventure in Ordinary Splendor

by Suzanne McMinn

On Sale: 10/08/2013

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About the Book

Suzanne McMinn, a former romance writer and founder of the popular blog chickensintheroad.com, shares the story of her search to lead a life of ordinary splendor in Chickens in the Road, her inspiring and funny memoir.

Craving a life that would connect her to the earth and her family roots, McMinn packed up her three kids, left her husband and her sterile suburban existence behind, and moved to rural West Virginia. Amid the rough landscape and beauty of this rural mountain country, she pursues a natural lifestyle filled with chickens, goats, sheep—and no pizza delivery.

With her new life comes an unexpected new love—"52," a man as beguiling and enigmatic as his nickname—a turbulent romance that reminds her that peace and fulfillment can be found in the wake of heartbreak. Coping with formidable challenges, including raising a trio of teenagers, milking stubborn cows, being snowed in with no heat, and making her own butter, McMinn realizes that she’s living a forty-something’s coming-of-age story.

As she dares to become self-reliant and embrace her independence, she reminds us that life is a bold adventure—if we’re willing to live it.

Chickens in the Road includes more than 20 recipes, craft projects, and McMinn’s photography, and features a special two-color design.

Critical Praise

“McMinn’s daily adventures are told with zest and charisma; she can fashion a riveting tale from an event as simple as a delivery of sweet potatoes.” — New York Times Book Review

“[McMinn] found her road to self-realization much rockier than she imagined, but ultimately very satisfying…in her heart-on-her-sleeve, nutty narrative, she had to face the necessity for her own self-sufficiency…In this enjoyable memoir, she learned by trial and error how to do everything from scratch.” — Publishers Weekly

“With three reluctant children and a seemingly reliable lover in tow, McMinn began to build the farm of her dreams, but nothing went quite as planned….Writing with the keen attention to detail of the seasoned author she is, McMinn relates the unexpected challenges that came along.” — Booklist

“Lively, whimsical....McMinn outlines the trials and tribulations of adjusting to new routines without her old companions to join her; this ultimately paves the way for an epiphany or two.” — Library Journal

“A mature woman’s heartbreaking, heroic, and hilarious coming of age story. To McMinn, life is a bold adventure, but only if you live it. And, boy, does she ever!” — Susan Elizabeth Phillips, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Great Escape

“Humorous and inspirational...a page-turning pep talk for anyone who’s ever wanted to quit their day job and do something different with their life. McMinn’s tale will leave you eager to leap, and build your wings on the way down, too.” — Susan McCorkindale, Author, Confessions of a Counterfeit Farm Girl and 500 Acres and No Place to Hide, More Confessions of a Counterfeit Farm Girl

“A story of lessons learned…….[McMinn’s] transition into her own farmhouse and expansion into real farm living provided rich fodder for the one thing she knew she could do well: write.” — Charleston Daily Mail