The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek: A Novel

A couple of weeks ago, when the Romance Writers of America RITA® nominations were announced, I was about halfway through reading The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek, by Jane Myers Perrine, and I was delighted to see it listed as a nominee in the category Novel with Strong Romantic Elements. I looked for it first in the Inspirational category, because it was published by Faith Words, the Inspirational Divison of the Hachette Group. But I think the book is right where it belongs.

I had picked Welcome Committee up one night when I wanted something warm and comfortable to read, and it just filled the bill. It tells the story of a very young, newly-minted minister who arrives in a small town in Texas to take over a church, not knowing what to expect from the congregation or his new life. Oh, he's taken classes in church management at the seminary, but that's not the same as real experience. And he's in for some new experiences, particularly at the hands of the Widows, a couple of ladies of the congregation who believe, among other things, that a minister should be married.

The Widows don't give up on their new minister, but they set meddling in his life aside to concentrate on a damaged war vet and his physical therapist, two characters who have the reader pulling for them from their first appearance.

Jane Perrine, who is an ordained minister herself, never preaches. She writes about life in a small town church, and about people who try to do the right thing and care about one another. The next book in the series, The Matchmakers of Butternut Creek, is at the top of my Books To Buy list, and The Wedding Planners of Butternut Creek will be out in the fall.

If you are looking for a book with quirky characters, ones who will soon have you laughing, then look no further than The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek! I found this first installment of the 3-part series to be absolutely hilarious, leaving me smiling one minute and laughing out loud the next. The character of Miss Birdie is priceless in her earnestness and her no-nonense attitude, and the interactions between Miss Birdie and the young pastor Adam were highly amusing, while providing for some points to consider about how us layfolk treat their pastors! The novel is well-written, and despite featuring a character-driven plot, it held my interest well except while reading through a few chapters in the middle where I found the plot bogged down a bit. Overall, however, I found this to be a highly enjoyable and satisfying read. I come away having been encouraged to live out my faith in action and deed, much like these admirable characters did, whether by bringing food to the needy like "The Widows" do, or opening my home to those with no place to lay their head (although perhaps I'll leave the part about the match-making up to The Widows!).

I grew to truly care about these characters with their misguided but well-intended ways, and I am looking forward to revisiting the town of Butternut Creek when the next book hits the shelves! I give this book a solid recommendation and award it 4 out of 5 stars.

Book was provided courtesy of the publisher for the purposes of this unbiased review.

THE WELCOME COMMITTEE OF BUTTERNUT CREEK by Jane Meyers Perrine is an interesting Christian Contemporary fiction set in small town Texas. It is Book #1 in the "Widows of Butternut Creek".What a down to earth story with charming characters,faith,hope, and humor. Butternut Creek is a small town in Texas with quirky residents,a believable plot and characters who will not only seem real to life but who also capture your heart. A homespun story with small town people,Butternut Creek has its share of widows,matchmakers,church drama,charm and romance. A delightful story. Ms. Perrine has written heart warming story for all readers. A must read for anyone who enjoys inspirational read without "preachy",small town residents,matchmaking Mama's and romance. Received for an honest review from the publisher. Details can be found at FaithWords,the author's website, and My Book Addiction and More.
RATING:4
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More

After riding into Butternut Creek, in a tow truck, with newly ordained pastor, Adam Joseph Jordan, you won't want to leave.
Adam arrives for his first post in the small Texas town ready and a little unsure of his abilities, to meet the challenges of his new flock.
Birdie MacDowell, the self appointed welcoming committee for the church and one of the founding "Widows" has a gruff and opinionated exterior that hides a woman who cares deeply for others.
Sam Peterson, a wounded vet returning from Afghanistan riddled with survivors guilt. Bitter, he turns to alcohol as an answer to his problems.
A young boy and his sister with nowhere to go, a divorced mother with two young boys to raise and an injured mother that needs to be reunited with her child all need Adam's help.
Adam rallies to the challenges finding solutions through his faith in God and an innate ability to connect to the people who need him.
Ms. Perrine has created memorable characters but doesn't stop there. Butternut Creek comes alive with people you will recognize. They have real problems that the writer didn't solve with glib solutions. Ms. Perrine digs deep and offers a true glimpse into the life of a pastor and the pains and joy of being human. She adds a love story that reaffirms there is always hope, and a family that develops from love not blood.
Grab a cup of tea, snuggle into your favorite chair, and make sure you set aside an afternoon dedicated to reading, because once you enter Butternut Creek, in the tow truck, you won't want to leave.

No unmarried person is safe in Butternut Creek from the Widows.

Birdie and Mercedes (The Widows) enjoy finding new members for their church and new couples for their matchmaking skills.
Adam Jordan, 25, a newly appointed minister headed to Texas from Kentucky to the community of Butternut Creek, where everyone trusts everyone and a place where you can leave your doors unlocked. He has not come into town with much, but the overwhelming generousity of the community is welcome and he quickly finds himself feeling more at home.
Sam Peterson ex Marine in need of a kind word moved back to Butternut Creek to live in his late Aunts house.
Willow, physical therapist along with sons Nick and Leo find challenges even in this small community.

Small town setting with believable people and real life issues.

This is a great concept for a novel and when I started reading it hooked me into the storyline. It drug a bit towards the middle but quickly picked up.
On a positive note: Character development was strong and scenery works. The novel was easy going humorous at times and hearttearing at others especially at times when it focused on loneliness and the need for acceptance.
On a negative note: I feel strongly that profanity has no place in a Christian novel, no exception to that in my opinion. Sometimes the book read more like a secular novel.

For the most part I was entertained and would recommend this book to others especially ones who enjoy secular fiction but who don't mind a "lite" Christian novel. Thanks to Faithwords and Netgalley the ARC for my review.

I was looking forward to reading this book. I love books about small-town life: The Mitford series, the James Herriott books, the Ladies' Detective Society, and the like. Butternut Creek is quite the Jan Karon Mitford wannabee, however, down to the picture on the cover: new clergy in a small town getting to know the foibles of the parishoners and the townsfolk - romantic understory, etc.

Unfortunately I find it to be a shallow and artless version of the Jan Karon series.