Christie Books

This is the omnibus for the Star Trek: Double Helix series about a mysterious villain who has been releasing biological agents across the Alpha Quadrant over a period of years.

Book One reads the most as a medical thriller, as one of the Enterprise-D�s first missions is to stop a plague killing people of mixed descent on a Federation colony troubled with racial tensions. Book Two has Dr. Pulaski, of TNG�s season two fame, travel to Trek Nor to stop a plague killing Bajorans and their Cardassian overseers alike. Book Three is supposed to be about Spock and McCoy taking care of a virus assassinating the Romulan royal family, but it�s actually about a young Starfleet officer coming to terms with his past as a POW and insecurity about not measuring up to his ancestors and old heroes such as Kirk. Book Four has Tom Riker team up with Chakotay�s Maquis crew to fight a plague on a world populated by people of interspecies descent. Book Five concludes the series with Captain Mackenzie and the crew of the �Excalibur� teaming up with Picard and Riker to stop the villain from destroying the Federation in one blow. Book Six is a prequel that sets up the series by showing how Picard, then captain of the Stargazer, drove the villain to plot his diabolical plan to destroy the Federation.

There�s a little bit of something for everybody here: New Frontier and Stargazer adventures, cameos galore, and details on how Dr. Pulaski left the Enterprise and how Tom Riker joined the Maquis. By themselves, the books are pretty good. However, overall as a series it�s a bit of a dud. The medical thriller aspect which is supposed to be the basis of the entire series is not used much, and in some books is totally absent. The mysterious villain started off with promise but by the end of the series became nothing more than your typical madman. And the prequel did nothing to explain just how the villain turned to biological weapons, let alone became so powerful. Other than that, it�s ok.

This is one of those sets where you read the second book, and are curious about the second. When I bought them, I bought them individually and then I wanted the next and the next. I had a hard time finding one, and went nuts. The other good thing is you don't necessarily have had to read the one before to understand if you come in late. I like it when that happens. I recommend reading them all, and now you can buy them all together. Happy reading!

"Infection" by John Gregory Betancourt

The Enterprise is called to Archaria III, a planet jointly colonized by humans and Peladians. A new disease has cropped up and is only treatable (the double helix), in a temporary fashion. The Enterprise supposed to deliver the drug, quarantine the planet and see what help they might render. What follows is an excellent story, primarily using Dr. Crusher in her quest to find the cure. The author set everything up very well and wrapped up his portion beautifully.

"Vectors" by Dean Wesley Smith & Kristin Kathryn Rusch

Finally we have a story using Dr. Pulaski, who was unceremoniously dumped from the show. Not that she was anywhere near a replacement for Dr. Crusher. It is particularly interesting to see "Terok Nor" during the occupation and have the interaction with Gul Dukat. I felt the character development was very good and the Ferengi portions were written very well. The only true complaint is that the author's seemed to have done a poor job of closing out Kira's story.

"Red Sector" by Diane Carey

Red Sector is a fantastic story. It's very refreshing having a book that concentrates almost primarily on a non main character in John Eric Stiles. The character is extremely well thought out and written. The author nailed Spock and a hundred and thirty something Dr. McCoy perfectly. I'm dying to find out who the voice is at this point. Hopefully the next three in the Double Helix series will be as good as this one and the other two were.

"Quarantine" by John Vornholt

John Vornholt kicks out another fantastic story. Quarantine gives us a good idea of how "Tom Riker" ends up joining the Maquis. As is par for the course with John Vornholt, he goes into great detail describing a beautiful planet and all of its surroundings. Not a lot of Trek authors do that. I thought Torres seemed a little soft, considering her personality, but that can be explained away.

"Double or Nothing" By Peter David

This is another great installment to the New Frontier and the Double Helix series. Not having read the last of the Double Helix books yet, it seems that this one pretty much finishes the Double Helix storyline???? A favorite quote from the book, Riker - "I've got to get off this ship." Peter David did an excellent job of integrating Picard and Riker into the New Frontier. It's really interesting and well done how he brought Riker and Shelby together again. That portion was done very well and even better than I'd expected in another meeting of those two.

"The First Virtue" by Michael Jan Friedman & Christie Golden

The First Virtue is an excellent conclusion. It pretty much wraps up the reasoning to everything we learned in "Double or Nothing." In the First Virtue, we learn why Gerrid Thul wanted to create the Double Helix virus and why he wanted so much revenge for the loss of his only child. Both authors did a great job with their portions. The plot is well thought out, especially the portions of the book with Commander Jack Crusher and Lieutenant Tuvok. I felt that they captured Tuvok's personality quite well and gave a precursor to some of the decisions and general personality we saw on screen in Voyager.

Overall, I would recommend this Omnibus to any fan of good Star Trek fiction.

Annie Smith didn't mind the wait at the bank teller's line. She enjoyed imagining careers and lives for the people around her, able to enjoy a self-employed, unhurried life. People watching led to be the first to notice the man in the Ronald Reagan mask entering the bank. As Annie lies belly down on the pine smelling concrete floor, she contemplates the possibility of death, She resolves that life is too short to continue to postpone its pleasures. She wants double double chocolate fudge ice cream, really nice, full priced shoes, and to feel the wind in her hair. Most of all, Annie wants to fall in love.

Griffin Chase thought of Annie as the housekeeper's little girl. When the call came to pick her up after the robbery, he was quite surprised. But with no other family to call, the number must have come to her automatically. So he happily obliged in picking her up at the police station. And immediately knew he was in real trouble. Because if although he wasn't a superstitious man, he promptly knew he was life was never going to be the same. Perhaps it was her request for gourmet ice cream. Or it could have been her decision to toss her discount tennis shoes at out of the convertible as the wind blew in her hair. Then again, maybe it was when she pulled off her over sized shirt, revealing the black, v necked T-shirt beneath, and then wiggled out of her cheap underwear bra, also tossing it out of the car. What ever it was, life would be never be the same.

When the adrenaline wears off and Annie finds herself without underclothes, but with Griffin standing on her front porch, she regrets her impulsive actions. She has wanted to get his attention for years, but what she doesn't realize is that she's finally succeeded. As reality returns, Annie finds realizes that her childhood friend isn't just some ordinary guy. He's the vice-president of Chase electronics, the biggest employer in time, and the object of every Cinderella fantasy she's ever had. And when Annie realizes that she may know the man who committed the robbery, Griffin quickly finds himself acting as the knight in shining armor.

FROM THIS DAY FORWARD is a delightfully fresh love story. Taking chances and persuing exciting opportunities allows a fun plot and spirited characterization to come together with flair. As the housekeeper's daughter captivates the man from the big house, the reader can't help the occasional giggle. Unfortuately, the plot's premise makes it a bit predictable. Recommended.

Annie Smith didn't mind the wait at the bank teller's line. She enjoyed imagining careers and lives for the people around her, able to enjoy a self-employed, unhurried life. People watching led to be the first to notice the man in the Ronald Reagan mask entering the bank. As Annie lies belly down on the pine smelling concrete floor, she contemplates the possibility of death, She resolves that life is too short to continue to postpone its pleasures. She wants double double chocolate fudge ice cream, really nice, full priced shoes, and to feel the wind in her hair. Most of all, Annie wants to fall in love.

Griffin Chase thought of Annie as the housekeeper's little girl. When the call came to pick her up after the robbery, he was quite surprised. But with no other family to call, the number must have come to her automatically. So he happily obliged in picking her up at the police station. And immediately knew he was in real trouble. Because if although he wasn't a superstitious man, he promptly knew he was life was never going to be the same. Perhaps it was her request for gourmet ice cream. Or it could have been her decision to toss her discount tennis shoes at out of the convertible as the wind blew in her hair. Then again, maybe it was when she pulled off her over sized shirt, revealing the black, v necked T-shirt beneath, and then wiggled out of her cheap underwear bra, also tossing it out of the car. What ever it was, life would be never be the same.

When the adrenaline wears off and Annie finds herself without underclothes, but with Griffin standing on her front porch, she regrets her impulsive actions. She has wanted to get his attention for years, but what she doesn't realize is that she's finally succeeded. As reality returns, Annie finds realizes that her childhood friend isn't just some ordinary guy. He's the vice-president of Chase electronics, the biggest employer in time, and the object of every Cinderella fantasy she's ever had. And when Annie realizes that she may know the man who committed the robbery, Griffin quickly finds himself acting as the knight in shining armor.

FROM THIS DAY FORWARD is a delightfully fresh love story. Taking chances and persuing exciting opportunities allows a fun plot and spirited characterization to come together with flair. As the housekeeper's daughter captivates the man from the big house, the reader can't help the occasional giggle. Recommended.

It's all Christie Ridgway's fault--I want that understood right from the start. See, I woke up early this morning and thought to myself, "Maybe I'll just read a little more of that new Christie Ridgway book I bought yesterday." Well, 2 HOURS LATER(!!) I turned the last page--and realized I was going to be late for work. Annie, the sweetly sinful heroine, was so determined not to "wait" anymore to experience life and love. And Griffin made a deliciously tempting--and tempted!--hero who was so determined both to protect Annie and NOT to succumb to love. It was pure delight to read their struggles to avoid the inevitable. In fact, it was un-put-downable. So...that's why I was late for work today. It was all Christie Ridgway's fault for writing a story that was too good to stop reading. You think the boss will accept that excuse???

This subtle story of friendship, love and loyalty is fantastic. This series just keeps getting better and better.

I think what I like about this series is that we are seeing characters from just about all of the tv series.

This book is the 3rd look at the StarFleet Corp of Engineers, nicely written (if not a little short in pages). I enjoyed seeing the evolution of the main characters and look forward to the further adventures.

"Hard Crash" is another fine example of outstanding authorship by Christie Golden. As is usual with one of her stories, she throws in a feminine touch that brings about a subtle and very poignant atmosphere to the story. As is also usual with one of her outstanding stories, her plot setup and pacing is perfect, making for a quick and highly enjoyable read.

This cover art for this third title in the SCE series serves well in continuing to show the readers the characters that largely populate the series.

The premise:

A strange and rather resilient ship crash lands on a planet in a highly populated area, fortunately for the residents there was enough warning time for the entire population to evacuate the area. Starfleet gets the call and the USS da Vinci is called in to render her services. Once on the scene, an away team is sent to the ship where they soon discover a dead alien in the command seat, 110 is rebuffed by the computer system and the ship, thought to be disabled, comes back to life...

What follows from there is a very poignant page turner that once again reaffirms Christie Golden's status as one of Star Trek's premier authors. I highly recommend this title to any and all fans of not just the SCE series but Star Trek in general. {ssintrepid}

This is a fascinating study of the shifting boundaries between required and banned religious expression. Naturally, those who condemned others had a tendency to violate their own rules. For example, Christie-Murray explores what happened when the Western Church moved toward reversing its rule on marriage for priests -- from forbidding divorce for priests (as ruled at the Council of Nicaea), to denouncing marriage for priests as a sin. While upholders of the new doctrine expressed dismay at the married clergy's moral depravity, the Eastern Church took an opposite view. In 867, Patriarch Photius of Constantinople accused the Roman Church of heresy for repeatedly ordering celibacy in church families. For Photius, the Western Church was succumbing to a Manichaean belief that matter and flesh were evil.

--author of "Different Visions of Love"

An extremely readable, engaging, and yet thoroughly scholarly examination of doctrinal issues facing the early church. An excellent choice as a primer for beginners not familiar with the details fo the issues involved.

When I used to work at the Whole Earth Catalog, whenever a truly great book was out of print we used to thunder in bold faced type, "Get this book back in print!" That's how I feel about A History of Heresy. It is probably the most complete overview of the undertow to the Christian church available (or, well, formerly available). It is a Baedeker of everyone who challenged the ideas of the church from within through the centuries, and it is wonderfully well written. I learned enough here to "fake it" for the passages on Medieval heretics in my own book, The Age of Heretics.

After searching long and hard to find a useful book that deals with stress and creating an intentional life plan, Hurry Less, Worry Less is a practical, and yet spiritual, answer to that quest. It truly gets to the heart of the matter and offers a step-by-step approach that can be used and personalized by anyone to find a new, more meaningful roadmap for living on one's own terms. There is an alternative to the rat race!

I read this book on a plane to Washington, D.C., and thank goodness I did because when I rented a car there, it took one hour to go 17 miles. Instead of griping, I slowed down and enjoyed the scenery, thanks to what I gained from the "Hurry Less" philosophy. Judy P. Christie reminds you to let today's adventure begin, but to entrust the Lord. She cited many Bible verses I had not been familiar with before such as "Better is one handful with tranquility than two with toil and a chase after wind"--Ecclesiastes 4:6.

Self help books can be preachy and full of ideas you'll never actually try, but Judy Pace Christie's Hurry Less, Worry Less: 10 Strategies for Living the Life You Long For is nothing like that. It gives practical tips you can use TODAY to begin making a change. I know it will help others because it's helped me. Already, I'm able to use her pointers to keep from getting overwhelmed by my life. This is a real-to-life book aimed at real people. It speaks to me in a conversational tone and helps me change my outlook. I would tell anyone to get this book. If you're looking to change your life in a positive way, this is the book to help you do that.

Excellent book especially for children not acquainted with Jesus. Gives a clear gospel message in an interesting and accurate format.

Excellent book especially for children not acquainted with Jesus. Gives a clear gospel message in an interesting and accurate format.

To prepare my son for his First Holy Communion, I wanted him to understand the life of Jesus. This book has bright colorful photos to share with children what it was like to live in the times of Jesus. My sons (6 and 8) liked the pictures, simple to understand text, and interesting information. It is more of a historical approach than a spiritual approach which helped in our house!

What a great story. I was into it from page one and I didn't want it to end. The characters are wonderfully written. The story has a great flow. I could not put it down. Never a boring spot. I will be purchasing more Christie Golden! A must read!

Finally, life was starting to go well for Gillian Songspynner. She had just won the regional bard title and was on her way to compete at The Castle for the king. But on her way down the stairs, she tripped and crushed her mandolin. Jencir, an elvish bard, begs her to take his lute, a beautifully crafted instrument with a gorgeous tone to the Elf Queen at The Castle. She cannot refuse. However, she later rethinks the elf's largess and goes in search of him. She finds Jencir, only to witness his brutal murder by a dark creature. She flees to her family, but finds that they suffered the same fate. She feels that she has no choice but to take up the dead elf's quest and to try and avenge her family's death. On her way to the Elf Queen, she will be stalked by a demon, sold into slavery, helped by kindly priests, attacked by hideous man-sized rodents and that is just the beginning...

I enjoyed the book quite a bit at first. It is not an especially unusual plot, but it was well told for the most part. However, I did have a hard time believing that so many bad things could befall one person. Also, I felt that the characterization was a little weak and would have enjoyed learning more about the main character. She was loved and admired by many and had a great many talents, but I really didn't feel anything for her. I also really disliked the ending, but I am sure that is just my personal preference. If you enjoy fantasy, I am sure that you would enjoy this book if it comes across your path, but I wouldn't go searching for it.

This is one of the rare books which is both beautifully fufilling as a fairy tale and as dark as the ugliest parts of human nature. The very rich prose should probably be taken in doses to fully appreciate it, otherwise you may find yourself completely lost in Golden's tapestry. I mean that, too: after you read this book you could easily find yourself looking at the world from an entirely different angle for a while. Only once does the plot fall back on overused circumstances, but I think it can be forgiven that for all its other wonderful qualities. The last few pages are some of the most heartbreakingly beautiful I have ever read. Intricate and impressive.

Lucy's Angel is a great book! It has 3 stories combined and it has a great Christmas message! If you watch 7th heaven you will know that Mary Camden is Outgoing and gets into trouble, but in her story she lends a hand to the little kids and helps out even though she isn't at home with her family! Everyone one should read Lucy's Angel!!

This book was an OK book. My Favorite story was Lucy's Angel. I think they should of split up Matt's story with Mary's and Lucy's.

This three-story book (containing Lucy's Angel, Mary's Gift, and Matt and the King) really took me by surprise. The other 7th Heaven books have their ups and downs, (good things, vice versa) but these storys didn't. They were good all the time. My favorite was Mary's Gift. It made me think about what I have instead of what I don't have. I read the hole book in about two hours. With really good books, I usually take my time and creep along. But with this book, I kept on readind because I had to find out what came next. I really like any kind of book, but this one was really good. Take my advice and read this book!

Women have tended to sell themselves short when it comes to making or deserving to have money. Money Shy to Money Sure dispels the myths about women, money, financial savvy and power, then goes on to provide a sane and reasonable blueprint for women at all stages in their financial education.

Women's investment groups, financial counselors, and women of all ages will profit from this comprehensive, practical guide to women and the money issue.

"S O" refers to Sherry and Olivia-Olivia Mellan and Sherry Christie-the new doyennes of savvy saving and fiscal fortification. Based on our society's continued gender-bias earning ability (or lack thereof), women need all the positive coaching we can get. "Money Shy to Money Sure" (MSTMS) provides innovative direction, interjecting quotations from dynamic women who are also solid financially; many quoted here with refreshingly direct remarks.

One of my favorite myths: "It's selfish to put myself first. I'm suppose to take care of everybody else." When I recently read U.S. women lose a quarter of a million dollars in potential income in their working lives, I balked. $250,000 is a lot of money to loose due to disparate wage earning. I immediately got a copy of MSTMS to learn how to finesse my current retirement plans.

Myth #2: "I don't have enough money to do anything with." Oh, really?! Then you need to read "How to find money you didn't think you had." I know, I know...you already know these inclusions blindfolded. Herein lies the point-"finding money" does not have to look like attempting to break open the piñata at your niece's backyard birthday party!

To honor the preceding decades of prosperity: "If I take charge of my money, I'll antagonize others and might end up alone." National statistics still show women outliving men (by 7-10 years) ergo our need to save 12% (female) versus 8% (male). Financial planners' still indicate only approximately 7% of the general American public is financially prepared for retirement. "...Antagonize others..."? "...Might end up alone..."? Hel-lo!

"Money Shy to Money Sure" is a delightful road map to financial well-being. Get going. Get the book. Happy trails. DBW

It's pretty hard to take care of yourself as a woman in the world today, especially if you don't even know what taking care of yourself means. Christie and Mellan start out by teaching us what being independant really means, and give us a smooth and warmly-written guide to getting things done. I'm getting a copy for all of my friends, even those who have already taken their first steps towards financial freedom.

WG Eggleton keeps you guessing up to the last minute with this fast-paced murder mystery. The characters are well developed and realistic - you may think you've met some of them before, wherever you work . This book is one of those that's hard to put down - great to curl up with in front of the fire on a chilly day!

Murder Makes Mischief

Enjoyed the twists and turns at the CIBC office. Sex, money and murder all shuffle together at a fast moving pace and kept me turning the pages to find out if my hunches were right about who was smart enough to almost get away with the perfect poisioning.

W.G. Eggleton's debut novel Murder Makes Mischief is a great comical caper, reminiscent of murder mystery who-dunnits from the past. It's the classic board game Clue meets Agatha Christie meets Fawlty Towers, and a humorous take on the money-hungry world of banking.

When a body turns up dead--poisoned--at a bank in Victoria, BC, two police detectives uncover that there is more to the employees that work there. Every single one of them seems to have motive. And Eggleton's novel reveals that there is more to the finance world than just money. There are also deadly little secrets, and someone has made a permanent `withdrawal'. As the body count mounts, the suspects are gathered in the proverbial `drawing room' in one final attempt to flush out a murderer.

Murder Makes Mischief is a bit weak on editing, but I did not find it detracts much from the story, which has unique character development, crisp pacing, enough red herrings to feed a vault of bankers, and inventive plotting. Well done!

~ Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author Divine Intervention