A Close Encounter With... Greta Van Der Rol

Today I'm joined by fellow SFRB (Science Fiction Romance Brigader) Greta van der Rol.  So... Take it away!

Hi, Imogene, thanks so much for allowing me to post on your blog.

I've just released my latest book, Morgan's Return, which is a sequel to Morgan's Choice.  Morgan's Choice stars Morgan Selwood, Supertech extraordinaire, feisty, smart, with a super computer in her brain and the body and mindset of a woman. Lost in space with only an accountant as a companion, Morgan is relieved to be rescued by an alien warship. The 'aliens' turn out to be humanoid and both sides quickly realise their races must be related. Over time, a relationship develops between Morgan and autocratic Admiral Ashkar Ravindra. Together, they face a series of adventures and finally find proof that Ravindra's people originally came from the same place as Morgan.

In Morgan Returns, Morgan and Ravindra travel back to where she came from, in search of his roots. Once again, it's space opera with a dollop of romance. This time, it's not the boy-meets-girl scenario. Morgan and Ravindra are an item. But returning to the place Morgan came from before she met Ravindra puts their relationship under strain.

I had some fun following the pair on their adventures on different planets. Quite a bit of the action actually takes place underwater, because the clues to Ravindra's people's past lie in ancient places which have been inundated. They have to use a submarine – and despite the similarities between spaceships and submarines, Ravindra isn't at all happy about all that water pressure.

As usual for my books, readers will find action and adventure aplenty. But for the excerpt I thought I'd share with you something I had lots of fun writing – Ravindra's strip tease. Just to get you started, this man is in his physical prime, about 190cm (6'3"), and with what we would think of as Indian appearance. That's is, brown skin, black hair. His eyes are like a cat's, and amber in colour. Morgan is showing Ravindra's performance to Cruickshank, who has taken her prisoner.

Excerpt:

Where had that come from? This was a fantasy. Morgan wouldn't be surprised if Cruickshank had never had sex with a living, breathing man. Of course. Plenty of women used virtual sex with images of men they lusted after. That Playmate program? She'd heard about it, but she preferred the real thing.

"Got him in your collection, have you? Playmate?"

Cruickshank grinned. "Never you mind."

"Bet it's not like the real thing, though. Want to see?"

The cargo hold was fitted with a screen capable of 3D. It was more routinely used to display engine schematics but this time, Morgan concentrated on the connection, and built an image of Ravindra in Manesai full dress uniform. The white cloth almost shimmered against his dark skin, and the golden collar and rank insignia sparked in harmony with the glint in his amber eyes. He looked magnificent, a man of power and authority.

Cruickshank couldn't help herself, glancing at the display while trying to concentrate on Morgan. "Thanks. I'll add this to my database." Her voice sounded strained.

Morgan made sure the virtual Ravindra faced Cruickshank. Then she had him unfasten the collar so it parted, showing his Adam's apple. Now the next button, slipping the golden disk through the material with long, strong fingers. Now the next. And the next, until the coat hung open. He slid the arm off one shoulder, then the other, and let the coat drop to the floor, where it disappeared from the display. Now his skin-tight white undershirt, that clung to every muscle, defining his pecs and his abs. He pulled the material out of his belt slowly, a slight smile on his lips. She remembered when he'd done this, just for her. Stop it, Morgan. Keep your mind on the job. He lifted the material in his fists, dragged the shirt up his torso, revealing skin like polished mahogany. Then over the swelling pectorals, up over his head, until he could flick the shirt away. The golden lines of the tattoo on his right shoulder gleamed.

Cruickshank was positively salivating. "He has a tattoo?" The pistol wavered, pointing away from Morgan.

Oh, my.

Blurb for Morgan's Return :

When you delve into ancient history you never know what strange forces you might unleash.

When Morgan Selwood and Admiral Ashkar Ravindra travel to Morgan’s Human Coalition to learn more about the origin of Ravindra’s people, their relationship is soon sorely tested. Morgan is amongst her own people and Ravindra is overprotective and insecure, afraid of losing her. But not everyone is keen to welcome Morgan home, not when they’d gone to all that trouble to get rid of her in the first place. Soon Morgan and Ravindra have a rogue Supertech on their trail with only one goal – kill Selwood.

Together, Morgan and Ravindra follow a tenuous trail back into humanity’s past, to the time historians call the Conflagration. But what begins as an innocent archaeological investigation escalates into a deadly peril for both humans and Manesai when Morgan and Ravindra are thrust into the middle of an unexpected conflict. And that rogue Supertech’s still out there, itching for revenge.

Buy the book in print or e-book Amazon US Amazon UK Smashwords Omnilit

Bio:

Greta van der Rol loves writing fast-paced, action-packed science fiction with a large dollop of good old, healthy romance. Her novel Morgan's Choice was in the top 100 best sellers for space opera on Amazon for several months. But she writes other genres, too. Her historical novel To Die a Dry Death was awarded the bronze medal for historical fiction in the 2011 eLit Awards and her latest work, Black Tiger, is a paranormal romance. Greta lives not far from the coast in Queensland, Australia and enjoys photography and cooking when she isn't bent over the computer. She has a degree in history and a background in building information systems, both of which go a long way toward helping her in her writing endeavours.

   - http://gretavanderrol.net/
   - http://twitter.com/GretavdR
   - http://www.facebook.com/Author.Greta.vanderRol

Thanks for having me, Imogene. It's been fun.

Thanks Greta for popping in today.   It's always great to chat to a fellow SciFi Buddy.

Imogene

Romance is just one story arc

You know, there just isn't a lot of good SciFi romance around - so when fellow Aussie Greta popped up her hand, to say her next release, Starheart was about to be released, what else could I do.

Please welcome Great van der Rol.

Thanks so much for having me here today, Imogene. My latest science fiction romance, Starheart, has just been released and it's wonderful to have an opportunity to tell your readers a little more about the book.

I've sometimes wondered if I'd be capable of writing a standard romance, where the 'theme' is 'love conquers all' and the 'happy ever after' is the aim of the plot. I have to say, I suspect the answer is 'no'. I think the closest to 'just' a romance I've ever written is the two Iron Admiral books. Even then the books are full of action and adventure and some more difficult themes.

That's why I describe my science fiction novels as having 'a dollop of romance'. If I took out the romance, the story would stand. But I don't think it would be as interesting. Romance is about relationships and the resolution of conflicts. In my novels, you could say the romance element complicates things for my characters. Would he take that risk if he didn't love her? Could she risk getting involved with him? Could she trust him?

Starheart is no different. At its core it is a mystery which starts with the death of Jess Sondijk's husband in a botched raid. When Jess and her first officer, Santh Dekstra, investigate what happened, they are drawn into a web of intrigue and duplicity, all the while trying to keep their activities secret from Admiral Hudson.

Here's a hint of what's to come. Hudson and Jess are at dinner together. Hudson is asking questions.

"What exactly happened? This was a Militia patrol ship that

stopped him, was it not?"

What was this about? Maybe he was asking questions about the Militia and how they did things? Whatever. She had nothing to hide. "Yes. I wasn't there. The report said Troy made an aggressive movement, waved a weapon and he was killed."

"He was smuggling drugs?"

She shook her head. "Rubbish. Never drugs; never. Besides, they take Nervana up to Tabora to suck in bored miners. They don't bring it back."

He spread both hands. "But it was found."

"It was planted to cover up the botched raid. That's what I think, anyway. The officer got jumpy, thought Troy was pulling a gun and overreacted." She shrugged.

"So you don't believe any of it?"

"No. Not then, not now. An incompetent bully-boy covered up a fatal mistake. It wouldn't be the first time." She picked up her glass, sipped at her wine. This was uncomfortable. She didn't want to talk about it. It was over.

"True."

"Look, it's in the past." She twirled her glass in her fingers, watching the wine swirl around the bowl.

"Forgive me. Why weren't you on this trip?"

"I was away, at the hospital with Tenna, my daughter. She'd been taken ill, extremely ill."

Memories flooded. Tenna lying on a sheet, her face parchment-white, tubes, nanobots taking over her functions, drips, oscillating lines on screens. And then to top it off, Troy was dead.

"Is your daughter recovered?" Hudson's eyes reflected sympathy.

"Yes, but learning her father was dead didn't help."

"No, I expect not. He was alone on that trip?"

"No. There has to be a first officer. Regulations. But it was an unusual trip. The first officer, his best friend, was bashed within an inch of his life on Tabora, so he had a stand-in co-pilot. Vera might be a competent navigator but she's a pain in the ass."

Hudson rested his chin on his hand. "Who was bashed? Where?"

The memories flooded back. He'd burst the dam with all his questions, damn him.

"Santh. Santhias Dekstra, he's my first officer, now. He couldn't make the trip home with Troy because he was in the med centre on Tabora."

"And this Vera was the replacement first officer?"

"That's right. Vera Quattro. She's a freelance, a locum if you like. She needed a trip home after taking a ship to Tabora. I heard she complained about getting boarded, too. Troy's dead and she's whining about her reputation. Stupid bitch."

"Did you ask for an investigation into his death?"

She met his gaze. "They did an investigation. I have the report. 'Dear Ms Sondijk, we're dreadfully sorry your husband was killed, it was an accident, these things happen, have a nice day.'" She pushed her fingers into her forehead. Damn it. She was over this. Over it.

"The case can be re-opened if you're not happy."

"What the hell for? It won't bring him back, won't change anything. No thanks."

****

You can find out more about Starheart on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Starheart-ebook/dp/B007B1W37O/ref=dp_return_1?ie=UTF8&n=133140011&s=digital-text

I'll be at http://heidirubymiller.blogspot.com.au on 9th March to answer six questions.

To celebrate the release of 'Starheart' I'll be giving a $25 Amazon gift voucher to one person who leaves a comment on any of the blogs I visit until 10^th March. So leave a comment here and you'll be in the draw.

Bio

Greta van der Rol loves writing science fiction with a large dollop of good old, healthy romance. She lives not far from the coast in Queensland, Australia and enjoys photography and cooking when she isn't bent over the computer. She has a degree in history and a background in building information systems, both of which go a long way toward helping her in her writing endeavours.

Links:

> - http://gretavanderrol.net/
> - http://twitter.com/GretavdR
> - http://www.facebook.com/Author.Greta.vanderRol

Running Behind - Updates

Arrgghh. Life is never boring here. I feel like I am running so far behind myself, I just saw last week overtake me! Between kids, writing and all my other time consuming activities, I have barely got back to update what's going on.

News for the last couple of weeks.

Cover Art: Yes! The Cover Art has arrived for The Star of Ishtar. It is seriously awesome and another magnificent work from Dawne Dominique.

Ishtar will be available in April 2012 from Secret Cravings Publishing - and as soon as I have the date, I will let everyone know.

Banners:

On the note of the wonderful work by Dawne Dominique, I now have the most fabulous banner art. Just take a look at this!

Starline News:

You can now find Starline on Amazon, Barnes and Noble & All Romance EBooks.

Publicity:

I have just signed up for a virtual blog tour for the end of March, so watch out - Starline is heading your way soon.

Greta Van Der Rol - a fellow Darksider and the author of the successful Iron Admiral series is coming for a visit in the next couple of weeks. Watch out. Should be fun.

On the writing front:

Star of the Fleet is now complete in very rough draft format. Now this couple are a little different - after all they are older. Wait til you meet Julius and Kera. Woot!

Starburst the first scenes are written and it's shaping up to be HUGE! Well I suppose it had to be as it is the last in the universe.

Personally, this last year has been odd. From zero to three books, written, contracted and the first published.