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The Adventures of Mildred Budge #1
Mildred Budge in Cloverdale
Mildred Budge couldn’t say no for long. She knew how. Mildred could breathe the word no to a second cup of ice cream. Could resist drinking too much champagne. But when it came right down to a friend needing a favor, she might say no first, but if someone really needed her—really needed her! —she always said yes.
That’s how Mildred ended up with strangers camped out in her spare bedroom, helping her friend Fran to start a new business at the antique emporium, and walking around the empty church with a dust rag in her hand even though she hated to dust. She couldn’t say no to dust for long either.
The only real no Mildred had said in recent history was to a man who loved her. Hugh wasn’t the first man to pursue her. But he was the most recent. And she had been flattered but not interested—not in the way he wanted her to be interested.
Hugh didn’t give up right away. He lodged himself near her at church. Found her in the church kitchen after a fellowship supper to aid in the clean-up. And finally, her would-be lover had just asked her outright. That was the moment when Mildred had to say no. Until then Millie had been artfully dodging him.
Only her best friend Fran understood. Fran said when Mildred finally felt the regretful effects of that no, “We’re all of us such fools.”
But they aren’t fools. Mildred Budge and her friends are just people trying to live inside the faith released from heaven through the One who didn’t say no.
This is the first novel in the series about Mildred Budge and her friends—just ordinary people trying to live out an extraordinary hope available to anyone who realizes what kind of help he or she really needs.
That hope has a name, and Mildred Budge knows it.
Need hope? Need a friend. Mildred Budge is a very good friend. If you like spending time with people who are just ordinary but extraordinarily hopeful, then you’ll love this story.
Get a copy of this first novel in the series and find out for yourself what church ladies really think.
About the author: Daphne Simpkins is an Alabama writer who writes about a variety of subjects and often on the secret lives of church ladies. Befriend her on Facebook, Twitter, or Linkedin.com.
That’s how Mildred ended up with strangers camped out in her spare bedroom, helping her friend Fran to start a new business at the antique emporium, and walking around the empty church with a dust rag in her hand even though she hated to dust. She couldn’t say no to dust for long either.
The only real no Mildred had said in recent history was to a man who loved her. Hugh wasn’t the first man to pursue her. But he was the most recent. And she had been flattered but not interested—not in the way he wanted her to be interested.
Hugh didn’t give up right away. He lodged himself near her at church. Found her in the church kitchen after a fellowship supper to aid in the clean-up. And finally, her would-be lover had just asked her outright. That was the moment when Mildred had to say no. Until then Millie had been artfully dodging him.
Only her best friend Fran understood. Fran said when Mildred finally felt the regretful effects of that no, “We’re all of us such fools.”
But they aren’t fools. Mildred Budge and her friends are just people trying to live inside the faith released from heaven through the One who didn’t say no.
This is the first novel in the series about Mildred Budge and her friends—just ordinary people trying to live out an extraordinary hope available to anyone who realizes what kind of help he or she really needs.
That hope has a name, and Mildred Budge knows it.
Need hope? Need a friend. Mildred Budge is a very good friend. If you like spending time with people who are just ordinary but extraordinarily hopeful, then you’ll love this story.
Get a copy of this first novel in the series and find out for yourself what church ladies really think.
About the author: Daphne Simpkins is an Alabama writer who writes about a variety of subjects and often on the secret lives of church ladies. Befriend her on Facebook, Twitter, or Linkedin.com.
302 pages, ebook
First published August 25, 2014
1360 people are currently reading
574 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
April 14, 2023
A dear friend of mine gave me this book. I had never heard of this series or of the author.
I loved the humor and style of the author's writing! Mildred Budge was a very caring and compassionate Christian woman. She had never married and was a bit set in her ways. She learned to overcome loneliness and did things that were way out of her comfort zone.
She had a dear friend named Fran and they had a business together. They also shared each other's burdens and dreams. That is so wonderful to have a friend like this one.
Mildred helped a neighbor's child become more outspoken. Because Mildred was a retired schoolteacher, she had learned much to aid Chase.
Mildred could read people and this helped her out of a very difficult situation. You will be kept intrigued.
I loved the humor and style of the author's writing! Mildred Budge was a very caring and compassionate Christian woman. She had never married and was a bit set in her ways. She learned to overcome loneliness and did things that were way out of her comfort zone.
She had a dear friend named Fran and they had a business together. They also shared each other's burdens and dreams. That is so wonderful to have a friend like this one.
Mildred helped a neighbor's child become more outspoken. Because Mildred was a retired schoolteacher, she had learned much to aid Chase.
Mildred could read people and this helped her out of a very difficult situation. You will be kept intrigued.
May 14, 2019
This is the most delightful book I’ve read in a very long time. While it’s incredibly funny, the farther you go in the book, the more you realize the depth of the author’s insights. She describes church people, especially ladies, with incredible insight and understanding, and the book helped me understand the variety of personalities in any given church. I also loved how she described her daily quiet time and personal prayer throughout each day. This book is both light and deep, and I immediately started reading the sequel. I’m so very glad I stumbled across this author! And I can’t remember a book in which I so desperately wished I could meet the main character, Mildred Budge.
March 20, 2023
I actually loved this book. It reminds me of the Mitford books. I plan on reading the second book to this series. Mildred Budge is a sensible God-fearing lady who faces life with common sense. She’s active in her local church and everyone knows she can be depended on. This is a nice easy story, nothing too complex, relaxing and at times funny. It’s a sweet story to lose yourself in for a couple of hours while you spend time with the church ladies.
January 30, 2017
What a fun read! We are about to have FBC Mission Conference, so the timing of reading this was interesting! Also, the surprises - I won't spoil it! I even recommended Daphne Simpkins to someone in the doctor's office today. Support out local authors!
January 23, 2023
I found this book about southern church women and church life to be refreshingly unusual. I might eventually read the second one in this series.
Read
January 30, 2023I certainly enjoyed this unusual church ladies book. All the characters were interesting and some unusual, ha. I think I would find the rest of the series enjoyable.
June 18, 2024
Book - 4.5 stars
Narration by Virtual Voice - 2 stars
Narration by Virtual Voice - 2 stars
July 24, 2020
Mildred Budge and her friends are just people trying to live inside the faith released from heaven through the One who didn’t say no. This is the first novel in the series about Mildred Budge and her friends—just ordinary people trying to live out an extraordinary hope available to anyone who realizes what kind of help he or she really needs. That hope has a name, and Mildred Budge knows it.
Need hope? Need a friend. Mildred Budge is a very good friend. If you like spending time with people who are just ordinary but extraordinarily hopeful, then you’ll love this story.
Need hope? Need a friend. Mildred Budge is a very good friend. If you like spending time with people who are just ordinary but extraordinarily hopeful, then you’ll love this story.
November 5, 2020
This world would be a better place if there were missionary closets full of Mildred Budges! I loved this book, the love of Jesus shown by this dear retired school teacher, who touched every life she came across in special ways. I feel like some day I will meet her in heaven, and she will put her hand on my arm, or feel my head, and I'll know who she is immediately! Looking forward to reading more of Daphne's wonderful widow-weaved whacky adventures!
November 23, 2021
A very pleasant surprise. I was expecting humor and I got that and so much more.
July 6, 2024
Mildred Budge in Cloverdale by Daphne Simpkins is the first of several books about retired schoolteacher Mildred Budge. Mildred retired a little on the early side, but we’re not told why until a few chapters in.
Mildred is finding retired life anything but peaceful. Her best friend, Fran, has set them up in booth for the Emporium to sell off some of their used furniture. A young couple across the street wants her help with their son, who doesn’t talk. And Sam at church wants her to host a young couple coming for the missionary conference.
Mildred is somewhat set in her ways, but is pressured to take the young couple in. She finds herself actually enjoying them and joins in with some of their activities.
But trouble comes when suspicious “serial widow” Liz makes moves towards Fran’s boyfriend and when Mildred is betrayed by someone she tried to help.
I liked that Mildred loosened up a bit over the course of the book and had a heart to help people.
But I’m sorry to say I did not care for this book very much. The author’s writing and style of humor didn’t gel with me. Plus there were many statements about what “church ladies” do and think (as if they all think and do the same) that rubbed me the wrong way–although those statements may have been meant as humorous. Also, a lot of lines of dialogue sounded stilted because of several paragraphs of extraneous information between each speaker’s lines.
Some of the spiritual content was a little wonky, like this: “Salvation is an old-timey word that simply means you don’t have to live out this life alone. You are not created to live like that” (p. 55, Kindle version). This was from a preacher at a funeral service. Salvation isn’t that old-timey a word, and it’s much more than not living alone. Later, when a young woman says she might be interested in having Jesus in her life, Mildred “felt an urgency” to ask her just to say His name. But the conversation (and any explanation) never went further. In the excerpt from the next book at the end, one man says a pastoral candidate at the church “preached grace, which means he wasn’t willing to preach Jesus front and center”—which doesn’t make sense.
I found very few negative reviews on Amazon or Goodreads for this book, so lots of other people liked it. I got it when Paula mentioned enjoying it. At that time, it was free for both the Kindle and Audible versions, so I got both. However, the Audible version was narrated by a “Virtual Voice,” which was not very good. It sounded human rather than robotic and had a bit of conversational flow to it, but it did not do inflections well and stumbled over words like “Tsk.”
Mildred is finding retired life anything but peaceful. Her best friend, Fran, has set them up in booth for the Emporium to sell off some of their used furniture. A young couple across the street wants her help with their son, who doesn’t talk. And Sam at church wants her to host a young couple coming for the missionary conference.
Mildred is somewhat set in her ways, but is pressured to take the young couple in. She finds herself actually enjoying them and joins in with some of their activities.
But trouble comes when suspicious “serial widow” Liz makes moves towards Fran’s boyfriend and when Mildred is betrayed by someone she tried to help.
I liked that Mildred loosened up a bit over the course of the book and had a heart to help people.
But I’m sorry to say I did not care for this book very much. The author’s writing and style of humor didn’t gel with me. Plus there were many statements about what “church ladies” do and think (as if they all think and do the same) that rubbed me the wrong way–although those statements may have been meant as humorous. Also, a lot of lines of dialogue sounded stilted because of several paragraphs of extraneous information between each speaker’s lines.
Some of the spiritual content was a little wonky, like this: “Salvation is an old-timey word that simply means you don’t have to live out this life alone. You are not created to live like that” (p. 55, Kindle version). This was from a preacher at a funeral service. Salvation isn’t that old-timey a word, and it’s much more than not living alone. Later, when a young woman says she might be interested in having Jesus in her life, Mildred “felt an urgency” to ask her just to say His name. But the conversation (and any explanation) never went further. In the excerpt from the next book at the end, one man says a pastoral candidate at the church “preached grace, which means he wasn’t willing to preach Jesus front and center”—which doesn’t make sense.
I found very few negative reviews on Amazon or Goodreads for this book, so lots of other people liked it. I got it when Paula mentioned enjoying it. At that time, it was free for both the Kindle and Audible versions, so I got both. However, the Audible version was narrated by a “Virtual Voice,” which was not very good. It sounded human rather than robotic and had a bit of conversational flow to it, but it did not do inflections well and stumbled over words like “Tsk.”
November 7, 2022
Thank you, Daphne Simpkins, for creating Mildred Budge.
I very much enjoyed this delightful book. I love the way Biblical truth is woven into the story through the life of the faithful character, Mildred Budge. Love, grace, mercy, forgiveness - all these gifts of God shape Mildred as they ought to shape me. I want to be more like Mildred and yield to Christ in all things. A splash of humor helps us learn lessons without crushing our spirits. Daphne Simpkins skillfully reminded me to simultaneously "lighten up" but "lean in"on Jesus more and more. Thank you.
I very much enjoyed this delightful book. I love the way Biblical truth is woven into the story through the life of the faithful character, Mildred Budge. Love, grace, mercy, forgiveness - all these gifts of God shape Mildred as they ought to shape me. I want to be more like Mildred and yield to Christ in all things. A splash of humor helps us learn lessons without crushing our spirits. Daphne Simpkins skillfully reminded me to simultaneously "lighten up" but "lean in"on Jesus more and more. Thank you.
October 8, 2023
Wow
This is the first book by this author for me. I've read Christian fiction before, but nothing like this. This book walks you through the mc, Mildred's, life. Her daily prayers. That's what was different for me. She has these breath prayers. And she remembers scripture. I will say that I almost stopped reading 30% in. I usually read mysteries, so it seemed slow to me. But stick with it. It turns out different than you think. I won't say it's a hea....more like a hfn. Ill get the next book. I do recommend.
This is the first book by this author for me. I've read Christian fiction before, but nothing like this. This book walks you through the mc, Mildred's, life. Her daily prayers. That's what was different for me. She has these breath prayers. And she remembers scripture. I will say that I almost stopped reading 30% in. I usually read mysteries, so it seemed slow to me. But stick with it. It turns out different than you think. I won't say it's a hea....more like a hfn. Ill get the next book. I do recommend.
April 8, 2019
The Church Lady
This beautifully written book about retired school teacher and active church lady, Mildred Budge, is a delightful read about the life and times of a southern, spinster woman in the small community of Cloverdale in Montgomery, Alabama..As Mildred is recruited to host a missionary couple and work her 'healing' on the mute child across the street, the reader follows the inner thoughts of Mildred as she and her friends cope with changes in their lives.
This beautifully written book about retired school teacher and active church lady, Mildred Budge, is a delightful read about the life and times of a southern, spinster woman in the small community of Cloverdale in Montgomery, Alabama..As Mildred is recruited to host a missionary couple and work her 'healing' on the mute child across the street, the reader follows the inner thoughts of Mildred as she and her friends cope with changes in their lives.
September 3, 2023
Charming, Thoughtful, Heart-Warming
In this era when such ugly, divisive politics and Christian nationalism are creeping into our churches, it is an absolute delight to read a quiet and perceptive story about a true Christian attempting to live out Jesus‘s teachings in her own life. I deeply appreciated the author’s deep psychological insights, particularly into the complexities of friendship. A wonderful, humorous, inspiring and touching book.
In this era when such ugly, divisive politics and Christian nationalism are creeping into our churches, it is an absolute delight to read a quiet and perceptive story about a true Christian attempting to live out Jesus‘s teachings in her own life. I deeply appreciated the author’s deep psychological insights, particularly into the complexities of friendship. A wonderful, humorous, inspiring and touching book.
May 31, 2024
I am not sure if I found this book or it found me.
I’ve always been a sucker for books set in small towns. Especially small towns in the south.
I love the banter between Mildred and her best friend Fran.
I found myself smiling a lot and laughing out loud more than a few times.
This book was a delight to read and I can’t imagine not moving on to the next book in the series.
I’m so glad the universe brought us together!
I’ve always been a sucker for books set in small towns. Especially small towns in the south.
I love the banter between Mildred and her best friend Fran.
I found myself smiling a lot and laughing out loud more than a few times.
This book was a delight to read and I can’t imagine not moving on to the next book in the series.
I’m so glad the universe brought us together!
June 15, 2024
Couldn't stop reading
A great book. I loved that it was about a big church family and all the twists and turns. Miss Mildred is one awesome lady. She just doesn't know how awesome. It is a story of Jesus's love along with the intrigue of imposters. It is about how many people have hidden depths and then some are just too shallow for words. I can't wait to read the next in the series.
A great book. I loved that it was about a big church family and all the twists and turns. Miss Mildred is one awesome lady. She just doesn't know how awesome. It is a story of Jesus's love along with the intrigue of imposters. It is about how many people have hidden depths and then some are just too shallow for words. I can't wait to read the next in the series.
September 25, 2024
There are four novels about the fictional Mildred Budge and some short stories. I love all of them and have read them multiple times. Nearly every other writer I have found who writes fiction about living a life of Christian values writes insipid fiction. Daphne Simpkins does not. She entertains me with a vivid cast of characters while subtly encouraging me to nurture my own Christian faith more faithfully. Recommended with 5 🌟 stars.
October 16, 2019
Mildred Budge is an inspiration
Mildred agrees to host two young missionaries in her home during her church’s mission conference. That’s where the story sweetly begins. Mildred is a good example of a godly woman. Her friends Fran, Sophie and Belle are interesting and mostly lovable. I enjoyed it and recommend it as a good read.
Mildred agrees to host two young missionaries in her home during her church’s mission conference. That’s where the story sweetly begins. Mildred is a good example of a godly woman. Her friends Fran, Sophie and Belle are interesting and mostly lovable. I enjoyed it and recommend it as a good read.
November 15, 2019
Mildred was presented as a small town retired teacher who lived alone and was not very worldly. However, she was intelligent and had a wonderful heart. She was devoted to her church and church family. The storyline was slowly presented as Mildred's thoughts were included which gave the reader insight into her background and feelings.
May 17, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. This sr citizen will remind you of a lot of people (maybe even yourself). Turns out she is a great example of a Christian and she's quite spunky. No amazing action, murders or love story .... it's a different kind of love story or friendship story. Try it - you may like it....
September 26, 2020
A real church lady
The term church lady is usually a joke term, a pejorative. Mildred Budge really loves Jesus and talks to Him in her daily life. She hears Him as she goes through the day. I am near her age and retired, also. Her inner life is approachable and she loves others. Great book.
The term church lady is usually a joke term, a pejorative. Mildred Budge really loves Jesus and talks to Him in her daily life. She hears Him as she goes through the day. I am near her age and retired, also. Her inner life is approachable and she loves others. Great book.
June 7, 2021
I received this as a gift from a dear friend, and saved it for a time when I needed a change pace from reading intense, hard-subject-matter WWII books. Mildred’s heart and wisdom reminds me of Winnie the Pooh. I don’t know if the author is a church lady, but I appreciate how she describes them with candor but without bashing.
November 28, 2022
Life in a Small Church Family
It took me a little while to get into the story. I wasn’t sure where it was going but it kept me interested enough to continue reading. And now that I know the characters, I’ve grown fond of them all. This is a fun, relaxing read and I think many church women will recognize the characters from their own experiences.
It took me a little while to get into the story. I wasn’t sure where it was going but it kept me interested enough to continue reading. And now that I know the characters, I’ve grown fond of them all. This is a fun, relaxing read and I think many church women will recognize the characters from their own experiences.
January 10, 2023
Most Enjoyable!
I enjoyed this sweet book, and was most certainly surprised with the plot twist near the end. It reminded me of a combination of Jan Karon’s Mitford series, and Ann B. Ross’s Miss Julia series, each series , delightful in their own way. If you’re a fan of either of those authors, I think you’ll enjoy Mildred Budge.
I enjoyed this sweet book, and was most certainly surprised with the plot twist near the end. It reminded me of a combination of Jan Karon’s Mitford series, and Ann B. Ross’s Miss Julia series, each series , delightful in their own way. If you’re a fan of either of those authors, I think you’ll enjoy Mildred Budge.
March 15, 2023
Love Mildred Budge, the main character
The setting and characters really appealed to me. I found myself chuckling at real life experiences, yet also reflecting on sober truths. I appreciate the the authors style of writing and feel she could easily be a friend. I am looking forward to continuing this series as well as eager to follow Daphne Simpkins.
The setting and characters really appealed to me. I found myself chuckling at real life experiences, yet also reflecting on sober truths. I appreciate the the authors style of writing and feel she could easily be a friend. I am looking forward to continuing this series as well as eager to follow Daphne Simpkins.
May 13, 2023
Mildred Budge In Cloverdale
For readers who want a relaxing and inspirational read this is the book for you....actually it is the first book in a series. It has a little bit of mystery and Mildred has a way of making you rethink your spiritual side by example and not by lecture. You will love Mildred Budge as a person.
For readers who want a relaxing and inspirational read this is the book for you....actually it is the first book in a series. It has a little bit of mystery and Mildred has a way of making you rethink your spiritual side by example and not by lecture. You will love Mildred Budge as a person.
November 14, 2024
I enjoyed this book. I appreciated the Christian theme and the charming characters. There was a shocking bit of drama, however, that could have been hinted at more strongly leading up to the event. It seemed so sudden and out of place...inauthentic. The book is worth reading for some valuable spiritual lessons and for the many reminders of the importance and power of prayer.
February 28, 2025
Wonderful read of the life of a church lady
I could identify so much with the thoughts and doings of this church lady. Being 76, I can see myself in so much. Having moved from the place I gave me heart to Jesus to a new area, I miss my dear friends. It is just not the same here, but the Mildred Budge books remind me of days gone by
I could identify so much with the thoughts and doings of this church lady. Being 76, I can see myself in so much. Having moved from the place I gave me heart to Jesus to a new area, I miss my dear friends. It is just not the same here, but the Mildred Budge books remind me of days gone by
April 15, 2020
Delightful read
Refreshing and thoroughly enchanting. As a sixty-something myself, I can relate to Mildred on so many levels. As a pastor I have always appreciated the “church ladies.”
Refreshing and thoroughly enchanting. As a sixty-something myself, I can relate to Mildred on so many levels. As a pastor I have always appreciated the “church ladies.”
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews