Susan Shwartz

A compilation of the author's stories about failure and grace offers encouragement and hope.

Vulcan's Forge by Josepha Sherman and Susan Shwartz was widely praised as a groundbreaking Star Trek adventure that provided captivating new insights into both Spock and his native Vulcan. Now those same authors return with an engrossing new novel that bridges two generations of Star Trek heroes -- and reveals a crucial lost chapter in the history of Spock. 2329: Now a diplomat for the United Federation of Planets, Spock agrees to a bonding with Commander Saavik. More than a betrothal, less than a wedding, the sacred Vulcan rite is attended by both Spock's father, Sarek, and a nervous young Starfleet lieutenant named Jean-Luc Picard. 2344: Ambassador Spock receives a top-secret communication from the heart of the Romulan Star Empire. Decades before, Spock had met and betrayed an honorable Romulan commander during the so-called "Enterprise incident." Now she needs his help to prevent a catastrophe that could threaten the peace of the entire quadrant. Spock risks everything by traveling incognito to Romulus itself, but his covert mission becomes even more perilous when both Saavik and Picard cross the Neutral Zone in search of him. Enmeshed in the treacherous political intrigues of the Romulan capital, undone by a fire that grows ever hotter within his blood, Spock must use all his logic and experience to survive a crisis that will ultimately determine the fate of empires. Vulcan's Heart is a powerful tale that explores an untold turning point in the ongoing saga of Spock and the world of Vulcan.

"Humanity is inextricably torn in an interplanetary war that could lead to the death of human society. Project Seedcorn is probably the last and best hope for the human race. A small group of refugees, scraping out an existence on the edge of human-occupied territory, has been given orders to live as though everything were ordinary and there were no war. Now, everyone's lives depend on the children… "

The time for the transfer of power from one generation to the other has come. In the second grove of the rites, Queen Olwen must kill herself with the Queensblade in order to ensure the bounty of the kingdom. First, the Princess, Olwen's daughter Gwenlliant, must discover the powers in order to inherit the crown and the kingdom, for only in Gwenlliant rests the power to bring back the bounty of the land and the kingdom of the ages. Gwenlliant must go forth from the Isles of Mist to the shores of Byzantium in order to discover her ancient birthright. Attacked along the way by the assassins of the spirit of darkness and nearly becoming a sacrifice in the dark and bloody vaults of the Stone King, Gwenlliant must overcome hardship and steal her way to succession for only then will her kingdom survive.

Alexa, princess of Byzantium, was destined to rule with her devoted brother Marric until the evil forces cast dark magic upon her and made her betray him. Thus, Marric feel under assault, the usurper seized the throne and, by means both magical and moral, defeated Alexa. Saved by warrior allies, Alexa has been taken to an unfamiliar northern land. Convinced of Marric's death, she is consumed by guilt—and fear. Even from afar, the usurper's power reaches out to trap her. Savage dreams agonize her nights, prophecies of doom upset her days, and the fiery magic runs wild within her soul. Alexa's only hope lies amidst the Druids of the distant Misty Isles. They alone can cleanse her of the darkness that infects her and teach her to use her powers well. But Alexa must learn more than just the secrets of the Druids, for within her hands and heart lie the very survival of Penilyn itself…and the fate of Byzantium.

From 1998 to 2000, Amazing Stories, the world's oldest science fiction magazine, presented a series of original Star Trek stories written by a number of bestselling authors. Now these little-seen Star Trek adventures have been collected together for the first time, along with brand-new tales written expressly for this volume! Among the highlights: Spock comes to terms with the death of his father in a touching tale penned by A.C. Crispin, bestselling author of Sarek. Counselor Deanna Troi risks everything to aid the evacuation of an endangered planet. Seven of Nine learns a lesson in humanity when the Starship USS Voyager takes on some unusual alien visitors. Beverly Crusher discovers that holographic doctors take some getting used to, especially during a medical emergency. Plus, Captain Proton, Defender of the Earth, must face the awesome menace of... the Space Vortex of Doom! Proving that amazing things sometimes come in small packages, these and other slices of the vast Star Trek universe provide a replicator's worth of treats for Trekkers everywhere!

One year after the end of the Dominion War, the Romulan Star Empire comes under attack by a mysterious and alarmingly powerful enemy calling itself the Watraii, a species with a long-standing vendetta against the Romulans. Yet though they remain tenuously allied, the Federation, the Romulans, and the Klingons are unready to become embroiled in another sustained conflict, forcing Ambassador Spock, Admiral Uhura, Admiral Chekov, Captain Saavik, and some unexpected allies to defy their governments in order to meet the new threat head-on. But the first blood drawn may prove to be among the dearest of all. Unknown to the defenders, the secret behind the Watraii's attack is buried in Vulcan's violent ancient past, during the time of Surak himself, when the proto-Romulans -- staunch opponents of Surak's reforms -- were compelled to take their chances among the cold and distant stars. Now Spock must begin the first leg of a long and dangerous road to learn the truth...before his hopes for the future becomes ashes.

A searing novel of a young Roman soldier's journey into the mists of myth and legend. And one who will learn to use the magic of the barbarian to win back Rome's own gods. "Plenty of authentic historic detail, good characters, and restrained fantasy elements . . . a superior piece of work".--"Kirkus Review".

Following their bestsellers Vulcan's Forge and Vulcan's Heart, Josepha Sherman and Susan Shwartz conclude their new trilogy chronicling the latter-day adventures of one of Star Trek's most beloved characters, shedding new light on his world's shocking history. The distant past: The great ships have left war-torn Vulcan behind and, after a most arduous journey, have arrived at their destination. Two worlds become the new home of the exiles: Romulus is a verdant paradise, one much different from their desert home, while Remus is a barren wasteland, albeit one that is laden with natural resources. When Karatek and his family find themselves trapped on Remus with no hope of joining their brothers and sisters on Romulus, it sparks a conflict that leads the exiles into vicious civil war. One year after the Dominion War: The Watraii are determined to destroy the Romulan Star Empire. Ambassador Spock is equally determined to learn their secret. With the aid of his wife Captain Saavik and the U.S.S. Alliance, his old comrades Scotty, Uhura, and Chekov, and Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the U.S.S. Enterprise, Spock executes a daring plan to bring about peace before the Alpha Quadrant is once again plunged into war.... The stunning conclusion to the trilogy that changes everything you thought you knew about the Vulcans and the Romulans!

Star Trek: Vulcan's Soul is an omnibus hardcover collection of the three books in Vulcan's Soul series. Published by the Science Fiction Book Club as an exclusive, it was first released in April 2007.