The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek

Readers looking for a gentle, funny, romantic, and honest new series will find it in this latest effort by Perrine (Second Chance Bride). The veteran author and ordained minister has a sure eye for smalltown church drama, as well as the dynamics of life in a town where everyone knows your business. Rookie minister Adam Jordan shows up in Butternut Creek, Tex., with no furniture and no wife, but Miss Birdie aims to fix both problems. “The Pillar,” as Adam calls her, directs all within her purview with love and an iron will, though her matchmaking attempts for Adam fail. Romance is in the air, however, for Marine veteran Sam Peterson, who struggles to face his feelings about his life-changing injury, physical therapist Willow Thomas, and his father. Perrine does a fine job blending small and large story lines, portraying details and dilemmas of regular folks, and offering spiritual messages from real life. This is a delightful first volume in what promises to be a wonderful series. Agent: Pam Strickler. (Apr.)