Meet the Author: Greta van der Rol

This week, we have long-time SFR Brigade member and administrator, Greta van der Rol, here from Down Under to share a little about herself and her latest release, which just launched a few days ago on April 6, 2018. Congratulations on publishing another novel...and welcome to Meet the Author Monday, Greta.

How or why did you first start writing SFR? Any particular inspirations?

I'm a well-known Star Wars tragic. Yes, I know it's not 'good' science fiction – I read the hard stuff, too. The thing about Star Wars is that it's fun. That's my lasting memory of watching Star Wars (before it became A New Hope) at the pictures. I loved the hint of romance between Leia and Han that occurred in The Empire Strikes Back, but I confess I felt it needed more. So I decided to write a space opera with a bit of romance. That led to my first book, The Iron Admiral: Conspiracy.


How many SFR books have you published and what are the titles? Can you give us a quick blurb on your most recent or upcoming title?

I've written ten novels and five shorter SFR titles. You can find them at my website. My latest book, Rescuing Romila, has just been released. It's a Morgan's Misfits adventure, which is a spin-off from my Morgan Selwood series. The Misfits are three women you don't quite fit into their stratified, paternalistic society. Helped by Morgan herself when needed, they carried out a daring rescue in Kuralon Rescue. This second book is stand-alone, but it always helps to know some of the backstory.

Here's the blurb:

Rescuing Romila

The Misfits are off on another planet-hopping adventure.

When Jirra and Toreni rescue Romila from a raid on her antiques business the Misfits start off on a mission to uncover a drug-smuggling operation. A new, very potent drug is on the market, hidden in statues of ice warriors carved on a remote world.

But all’s not well within the team. Toreni and Chet have fallen out, Toreni has received an offer that might be too good to refuse, and Jirra has doubts about her future. When the drug-smuggling operation morphs into something even more dangerous, the Misfits must resolve their differences. If they don’t act together, and quickly, many lives will be at risk. Including their own.

Action and adventure, with a little bit of romance.

You can find Rescuing Romila at these sites:

iBooks     |     Amazon     |     Kobo     |     B&N Nook

Give us a brief snippet of a favorite scene or passage from your work.

This is from Rescuing Romila. Toreni's out on a date with an ex-colleague.

*   *   *

The server came and cleared their plates and asked if they wanted dessert.

"Not straight away." Alric gestured at the dance floor where two couples swayed to music provided by a trio of performers. "Come and dance."

Dance? The nerves flared again. Not that she couldn't dance. Where she was raised dancing came with growing up. Music played, you danced. Oh, why not? She was here for a good time. Alric took her hand and led her the four steps to the dance floor. His hand was warm and strong, but gentle. He slipped his arm around her waist and drew her against him, not too close. She gazed into his eyes. They were yellow, like hers, but with flecks of amber.

"Do you know the steps?" she asked.

"No. Doesn't matter, does it? It's a slow pace. We can just walk around in time to the music."

She giggled. "We can do that."

It was nice. The music floated around her, an easy two-part rhythm that she could follow without thinking. The man holding her guided her and soon it was just her, and him, alone in a sensual mist of their own making.

She floated back to reality when the music stopped.

"A pity," Alric murmured. "I enjoyed that." He hadn't let her go.

"So did I."

He leaned in closer to whisper, his breath warm on her ear. "Fancy dessert at my place?"

She gazed up into eyes dark with heat. Dessert wasn't going to be cake and cream. The little voice insisting it was too early and she wasn't ready was shoved aside by another woman shouting that tomorrow might never happen, seize the moment while you can.

*   *   *

Have any of your books received any special recognition? What and where?

I was privileged to receive a SFR Galaxy Award last year for my novel, For the Greater Good. I was right chuffed.


How long have you been a member of the SFR Brigade and do you serve any special roles within the community?

I've been a member of the SFR Brigade for quite a few years and I'm a group admin. It's a great bunch of people, willing to help their peers in the choppy waters of publishing. If you're a writer of SFR, or aspiring to be one, come and join us.


About the Author

Greta van der Rol loves writing action-packed adventures with a side salad of romance. Most of her work is space opera, but she has written paranormal and historical fiction.

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 endeavors. Find out more about Greta and her books at her website.