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