Captain Kirk's latest voyage has brought him far into the final frontier. His new mission: to help a determined band of pioneers colonize a harsh and unforgiving world, defend the vulnerable settlers from the constant threat of alien invasion, and protect the planet's unique and precious resources for the sake of the entire Federation! Months after their departure from Earth, the struggling colonists have barely established a precarious toehold on Belle Terre, a ravaged world still recovering from a catastrophic planetary disaster. Fierce cyclones, storms, landslides, and flash floods make survival itself a never-ending challenge. While Captain Kirk and the Starship Enterprise "TM" patrol the sector, on guard against predatory aliens and greedy space pirates, officers Chekov, Uhura, and Sulu stay behind to assist the hapless settlers in their desperate battle to put down roots in the turbulent soil of an angry planet. But the imperiled colonists are a fractious and intensely individualistic group, not inclined to take orders or direction from their Starfleet guardians. Chekov and the others find their ingenuity and diplomatic skills tested to their limits -- to save a people who don't want their help!

The "Starship Enterprise" has embarked on its most ambitious assignment yet. Its new five-year mission is to lead a courageous band of settlers to a far-off planet, and to unravel the enigmatic riddles of a brand new Earth.

The planet Bell Terre has become home to more than 30,000. But the colonists have barely settled in the untamed wilderness of their new home when Spock makes a deadly discovery.

For from the reaches of the Federation, the Starship Enterprise "TM" has been guiding the development of a once obscure colony planet upon whose fate the future of the galaxy may now depend. The Enterprise has been the sole representative of the Federation, fighting a constant battle to protect the colonists from enemy aliens and standing alone against all those who have their own designs on the colony world. But all adventures come to an end. It is time for Captain Kirk and the Enterprise to turn over the guardianship of the colony to another ship and crew. The new ship arrives in the midst of a deadly attack on the colony -- and is destroyed. With the Enterprise off fighting a new and powerful enemy that threatens the colony as well as its enemies, Commander Nick Keller, first officer and ranking survivor of the decimated crew, is marooned and at first alone -- but he must find a way to complete his original mission and come to the aid of the Enterprise in what might be its most desperate hour.

Beyond the borders of the Federation, Kirk must bring peace and security to the final frontier. His new mission: to defend an isolated human colony on a newly discovered world, deter aggression from neighboring alien races, and ensure the survival of a brave new Earth! Belle Terre's stubborn colonists have survived the countless hardships and natural disasters of their new home, only to face a deadly foreign enemy. The alien Kauld, intent on claiming the world's unique resources for their own, are determined to destroy the human settlements at any cost. Months away from any hope of Starfleet reinforcements, the Starship Enterprise "TM" is all that stands between Belle Terre and an all-out alien invasion. But even Kirk and his valiant crew may not be enough to save the entire planet from a relentless assault by the ultimate superweapon!

Renowned for bringing readers "hours of joy" (Rendezvous) and "irresistible reading" (Romantic Times), Jeanette Baker creates vividly etched portraits steeped in history and layered with romance. Now, she lights up the pages with an extraordinary new love story.... Fourteen years ago, Caitlin Kenneally scandalized the village of Kilcullen and broke her widowed mother's heart by running off to America. But now that she has married into one of the wealthiest horse breeding families in Kentucky, with two beautiful children and a handsome husband, all is forgiven when she comes home to visit. Caitlin's true reason for returning to Ireland may be the biggest scandal yet. She's divorcing her adulterous husband, Sam Claiborne, and taking the only things in the world that matter to her: little Ben and Annie, and a mare named Kentucky Gold. That mare happens to be carrying the last foal of Narragansett, a Triple Crown champion stallion whose offspring sell for millions. With this horse, Caitlin would have everything she needs to break free of the Claibornes forever. But Sam wants the children too -- and the million-dollar horse. He intends to take what is rightfully his, by force if necessary and with or without the law on his side. Suddenly in danger, Caitlin finds that she has not only more allies than she had ever known in the town she once scorned -- but possibly, a second chance at love.