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The Fairhaven Chronicles #1
A Fresh Start in Fairhaven
Jim Shepherd is as surprised as anyone by the call to serve as bishop of the newly formed Fairhaven Ward. He's somehow pictured bishops as spiritual giants and inspired administrators, not as ordinary grocers with a pretty wife and three normal but rambunctious kids.
Bishop Shepherd's immediate challenge is to bring together the diverse memberships of two wards that are being combined. In his new flock are Ida Lou Reams, the uncertain but warm-hearted relief Society president; Tashia Jones, an eleven-year-old black girl who comes alone to sacrament meeting; Roscoe Bainbridge, an older man dying of inoperable cancer; Ralph and Linda Jernigan, whose behavior would be humorous if it weren't so bizarre; and an assortment of other unforgettable characters, who all manage to find a place in Bishop Shepherd's heart.
Bishop Shepherd's immediate challenge is to bring together the diverse memberships of two wards that are being combined. In his new flock are Ida Lou Reams, the uncertain but warm-hearted relief Society president; Tashia Jones, an eleven-year-old black girl who comes alone to sacrament meeting; Roscoe Bainbridge, an older man dying of inoperable cancer; Ralph and Linda Jernigan, whose behavior would be humorous if it weren't so bizarre; and an assortment of other unforgettable characters, who all manage to find a place in Bishop Shepherd's heart.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 11, 2010
OK, I know a lot of people will probably pan Fairhaven Chronicles, or at least consider it a lightweight piece of LDS fiction, which of course it is. However, I liked it. I am an unabashed fan of books that portray the world the way it ought to be, that are unflinchingly (a word more often used to emphasize the nitty-gritty of life) positive. Yes, most book critics turn up their noses at books that are light-heartedly positive and seeking only to portray the best that life ought to be…they may term them “Pollyanna-ish” and excoriate them for being unrealistic. Well, I’m not a book critic, and I see enough negative, sad, or disturbing “realism” in the newspapers every day. I have little desire to read about more of it in the books I choose to spend my time on. This novel was uplifting, funny, hopeful, principled, and intentional in attempting to portray eternal principles. The author’s writing style was easy and comfortable, and having spent some time in the Deep South (though not Alabama), I thought her portrayal of small town life there was fairly good. I could relate to the main character, and even to many of the secondary characters that flitted in and out of the pages of the book. I enjoyed it…maybe you would too.
June 5, 2017
3.5 stars rounded up.
I read this book (and will read it's successors) for a challenge on Because Reading, a blog. Normally, this isn't the type of book I seek out as religious fiction can be very preachy at times, but I did end up enjoying it, ultimately. Even if it was slow moving at times.
The pastor (or bishop, as he's better known) was a very humble, wonderful man without false piety. I appreciated reading about someone with morals and values that didn't feel the need to beat his beliefs into one's skull, or thump his scriptures repeatedly, but rather taught through example, and with love. At several spots, this book even brought me to tears, especially in the last few chapters as the Bishop took on the huge challenge of trying to unite a very broken family. I look forward to reading book 2, "Mercies and Miracles", to see how it all shakes out.
I am glad I read this. I wonder why the writer is no longer producing new novels. She has talent. In conclusion, let me just say that I never want to be a religious leader: responsible for the spiritual and sometimes physical and emotional well-being of "my flock". That would be too much pressure and I know it would overwhelm me! Bless those who have the talent and grace for it.
I read this book (and will read it's successors) for a challenge on Because Reading, a blog. Normally, this isn't the type of book I seek out as religious fiction can be very preachy at times, but I did end up enjoying it, ultimately. Even if it was slow moving at times.
The pastor (or bishop, as he's better known) was a very humble, wonderful man without false piety. I appreciated reading about someone with morals and values that didn't feel the need to beat his beliefs into one's skull, or thump his scriptures repeatedly, but rather taught through example, and with love. At several spots, this book even brought me to tears, especially in the last few chapters as the Bishop took on the huge challenge of trying to unite a very broken family. I look forward to reading book 2, "Mercies and Miracles", to see how it all shakes out.
I am glad I read this. I wonder why the writer is no longer producing new novels. She has talent. In conclusion, let me just say that I never want to be a religious leader: responsible for the spiritual and sometimes physical and emotional well-being of "my flock". That would be too much pressure and I know it would overwhelm me! Bless those who have the talent and grace for it.
May 12, 2025
I had no idea this author had ties to Tallahassee, but her setting of a small-town Alabama Latter-day Saint ward is spot on, and I love it for that! It was uplifting without being sappy. I like the main character and find it really interesting to "be in the mind of" a bishop newly called. Looking forward to continuing in the series.
October 11, 2011
Since Kaleidoscope Season was her first book I thought this one would be even more skillfully written and enjoyable. I was disappointed, her writing technique and style and her plot really seemed to suffer in these books and was not nearly as good as KS which I really thought was a refreshing and genuine story about some well-developed characters.
I never felt like I really got to know any of the characters really well. There was too much telling and not enough showing and too much awkward dialogue that were mini-sermons.
And why was the title of this book FRESH start in Fairhaven? No one was new, no one had just moved in, the main character whose pov governs the whole story in all four books was born and bred in Fairhaven and had never left.
And the cabbage and banana salad? I can't even begin to think how you'd make that. Another culinary oddity was when Jim has bread and milk for midnight snack, ok that's normal, but then he considers adding cheese and maybe some radishes or green onion. I can't picture that. How do you eat soggy bread and crunchy vegetables are we eating this with a spoon or a fork?
Also, one more thing about half way through the third book all of the sudden Jim starts calling everyone "my friend" all the time. He get's a phone call and John Doe says "Hey, Jim." and Jim says, "How's it goin' my friend." Or he'll be in conversation and say, "that's the Holy Ghost testifying . . . friend." Used it way too often, it was awkward and annoying. In the fourth book everyone starts referring to everyone as "dude." Where was her editor or some kind person who was reading this manuscript and pointing out she'd used this too frequently and in annoying unlikely ways?
I never felt like I really got to know any of the characters really well. There was too much telling and not enough showing and too much awkward dialogue that were mini-sermons.
And why was the title of this book FRESH start in Fairhaven? No one was new, no one had just moved in, the main character whose pov governs the whole story in all four books was born and bred in Fairhaven and had never left.
And the cabbage and banana salad? I can't even begin to think how you'd make that. Another culinary oddity was when Jim has bread and milk for midnight snack, ok that's normal, but then he considers adding cheese and maybe some radishes or green onion. I can't picture that. How do you eat soggy bread and crunchy vegetables are we eating this with a spoon or a fork?
Also, one more thing about half way through the third book all of the sudden Jim starts calling everyone "my friend" all the time. He get's a phone call and John Doe says "Hey, Jim." and Jim says, "How's it goin' my friend." Or he'll be in conversation and say, "that's the Holy Ghost testifying . . . friend." Used it way too often, it was awkward and annoying. In the fourth book everyone starts referring to everyone as "dude." Where was her editor or some kind person who was reading this manuscript and pointing out she'd used this too frequently and in annoying unlikely ways?
August 6, 2009
I love this series by Sharon Jarvis. This book is the first book in the series and introduces you to Bishop Jim Shepherd who is the first bishop in a newly created LDS ward that has been formed out of two previous wards in a small Alabama town. Bishop Shepherd and his counselors have the task of creating a unified ward family from these two separate entities. The author portrays for you the inner thoughts and spiritual struggles of a newly called priesthood leader in Bishop Shepherd. He is a humble, loving, compassionate man striving to serve his flock as the Savior would have him do. The new ward in the story is made up of all manner of basically goodly folk who bring both their varying degrees of faith, strengths and weaknesses to make up the Fairhaven Ward and the various joys and challenges presented to Bishop Shepherd by this ward family. Make no mistake, there is plenty to smile and even laugh about in this story, but at the same time, don't be surprised if you get choked up and shed a tear or two as well.
October 4, 2007
This is billed as the "Mormon Mitford" series, and I'd say that's a pretty fair comparison. If you are familiar with the Jan Karon series set in North Carolina, you'd feel right at home in this series set in rural Alabama. There's the same small town feel with an emphasis on faith and family life. I got totally caught up in the characters and couldn't wait to see what would happen next. Maybe it's not 'great literature', but it was a lot easier and more enjoyable to read.
April 21, 2008
This book was interesting to me and the actions this bishop took to serve those in his charge were inspiring (It did make me feel disheartened over the lack of enthusiasm in my own branch of my church for those with callings of service). It helped me to feel motivated to serve in my assigned capacity more. It was an easy read about many different people in their own unique circumstances in fictitious Fairhaven.
May 2, 2011
I enjoyed this book. It's a Mormon version of the Mitford Series. I still like the Mitford series better. The Mitford series has more sparkle, more depth to the characters, and is overall just better written. As with most Mormon books/movies, there is definitely some stereotyping in this book, which makes things corny at times. I felt like the book just randomly ended, without really completing the story.
January 23, 2008
I loved this series! It definetly is an easy read, not great literature, but I loved the characters and storyline. Based in the South, this story is about a new ward being created out of two old ones. A new Bishop is called and the next 4 books are about the adventures he has. I laughed so hard at some of the characters!(Being from the South and being a Bishop's daughter, I related a lot!)
September 2, 2009
The recommendation was that this book was better than Jan Karon's Mitford series, but I cannot agree on that one. I liked the series and found it interesting, but when I read Jan Karon's writing, it lifts me up and makes me want to be a better person.
Interesting reading, but not something I would want to read again . . . and I enjoy readiing Karon's books again and again.
Interesting reading, but not something I would want to read again . . . and I enjoy readiing Karon's books again and again.
December 20, 2009
I am not a fan of LDS fiction as a general rule... to cheesy for me.. but this was suppossed to be the Mormon Mitford series... and I love the Mitford Series so I read it... This lady is not Jan Karon but it was a quick enjoyable read..I wish I could call scripture and hymns and quotes from the general authorities to my brain like the characters could in this book...
January 3, 2010
This book took a whole month to get through because I kept falling asleep while reading it. I thought that the main character (a male) was written from a sappy female point of view, and this is more of a day-in-the-life type of novel rather than a story with a beginning, middle, and end. Not my favorite.
December 13, 2007
I love this series too! I call it the Mormon Mitford series! Same thing, God-fearing man just called to serve as bishop of a small branch in a rural area (not exactly sure where) and all the fun things that happen with that calling.
June 25, 2008
This book is a fun read that tells all about a small LDS ward in Georgia. It is from the Bishops point of view and it does a good job getting you hooked on the characters and wondering what is going to happen to them. Good thing there are two more books!
June 24, 2008
I LOVE this series of books. The writing is easy to read and most enjoyable. It is easy to get lost in the world of Fairhaven. I find myself interested in the families written about and how they will get through their trials as well as wondering what will happen next.
July 11, 2008
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The characters seemed like people I know. It deals with a newly called Mormon bishop in the South (Alabama) and the trials of merging two wards together.
I am awaiting book 5 with anticipation.
I am awaiting book 5 with anticipation.
September 16, 2008
Very easy reading. I really enjoyed the story. I love the setting in Alabama, and all the fun characters. Looking forward to the rest of the books in the series. Oscar and I read most of this book together and we both commented about how it just made us feel good.
August 28, 2008
This was an LDS series about a new bishop of a ward in the southern states. It was a light easy read, however there wasn't all that much substance. It was a little idealistic with problems being solved quickly, but it did give an interesting perspective of a ward from the Bishop's viewpoint.
November 2, 2008
Many trials, and experiences this new Bishop went through, I have seen firsthand. A few ideas were conveyed, that may or may not work in a ward. Most important was a testimony of prayers and listening to the Spirit was wonderful.
October 17, 2009
Funny everyday LDS life type of book about a family and their adventures. Cheesy at times, preachy at times, but an easy read & a quick read. Really pretty right on about ward members, callings and their interactions.
November 1, 2011
If you are looking for heart-stopping suspense and mystery, don't read this book. It's just a pleasant story about a new bishop and his ward. It gave me new insights into the life of a bishop and I enjoyed it and want to read the rest of the series.
October 10, 2013
Sweet and wholesome. It shows good and true principles through the life of a bishop. I enjoyed the simpleness--seeing a good man care about his family and ward. And seeing how God inspires and helps people when they ask.
March 20, 2008
I wasn't sure when I started to read this book, once I got into it I couldn't stop.
April 24, 2008
Good book I think I might just read the whole series, if I find the time. It is a good feel good book
April 21, 2008
I really liked these books! They are fun and wholesome, with those kooks that you get in every ward!
June 17, 2008
Very easy reading. Good moral values espoused and upheld. Funny and heartwarming.
April 22, 2009
I had this book on my nightstand for at least 6 months. Then Jeremy got called into the Bishopric. Although not a Bishop it still hlped me understand better what he is going through.
August 1, 2008
This is a way easy read. Sort of fun!
August 4, 2008
I thought the story was well written and light. A nice lazy summer read.
August 12, 2008
Nice story - gave me a different perpective on the role of a bishop in my church.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews