Scouring the multiverses I've located an excellent box set of 11 Sci Fi Romances you must buy. I also transported over one of the authors and extracted a very fine memory from author Greta van der Rol's brain about a conversation she had with her main character from The Iron Admiral: Conspiracy.
Nope, there are no lengths to what I'll do to entertain you.
Nope, there are no lengths to what I'll do to entertain you.
I give you Greta:
I'm excited to
tell you that our science fiction romance boxed set, Nebula Nights, is now available in a new and improved second
edition.
To celebrate, I thought I'd share with you an interview I had with
Admiral Chaka Saahren, who is the hero of my book in the anthology, The Iron Admiral: Conspiracy. This
interview was conducted before the events chronicled in the book. Saahren has
rocketed to prominence after his decisive victory over a Ptorix fleet
threatening Forenisi, a mainly human planet at the edge of the Confederacy.
TOP
SECRET INTERVIEW
BETWEEN
GRETA & Admiral Chaka Saahren
As extracted from the memories of Greta
Saahren's clerk
escorts me into the admiral's office. Saahren stands when I enter. Dressed in
the Fleet's black day uniform, he's tall, dark and imposing, his lips curved
into a brief smile of welcome. I stop myself from drooling as he waves me to a
seat. "So kind of you to see me," I manage.
He offers a head
bow. "My pleasure. What can I tell you?"
I point at the
decoration on his breast, a blue jewel surrounded by a spreading burst of
silver rays. "Congratulations on the Confederacy star."
He shrugs.
"I'm honored, of course, but I was just doing my job. I see it as
recognition of the valor and dedication of all the crews of all my ships."
I get the feeling
he means it. So often it's false modesty. "Do you think we're safe from
the Ptorix, now?"
He considers.
"Safe? We can hope. But there are many, many more Ptorix in the galaxy
than humans, and although we coexist on some planets, we're so very different.
It's inevitable we'll clash. Especially with someone as ambitious as Lord
Governor Anxhou in charge of the adjoining Ptorix sector."
I don't really
want to talk about politics, though. I want to know about him. I ask him why he
moved from his home world to Malmos when he was twelve years old.
His eyes take
on a faraway, introspective look. Eventually he says, "The planet had
fallen into anarchy. Warlords had usurped power. My father was part of a revolt
against the local tyrant. During the fighting I was badly injured, but I was
lucky enough to come under the care of a specialist doctor from Malmos. He took
me back to the capital with him to finish my treatment, and then he became my
foster father, you might say."
"From there
you went to the Fleet Academy."
He nods.
"Yes. It was an opportunity I would not have had if I'd remained on my home
world."
"You've never
married?"
Again, that
enigmatic half smile. "My career has always been important to me. I see
that as a way of giving back, making life safer for millions of ordinary
people. I don't see myself as a family man."
I throw the rumour
out to see how he'll react. "There have been suggestions you're gay?"
He laughs.
"I've also heard I'm impotent. Either way, they can think what they
like."
"Even your
own officers and crews?"
The grin fades and
one black eyebrow arches. "I don't expect all my officers to like me.
That's impossible. But they will obey orders."
That last is said
very quietly. I have to stop myself from standing up and saluting. I toy with
the idea of asking him out to dinner, but I think I'll be wasting my time. He
shakes my hand after I stand to leave. Warm, strong fingers gripping firmly,
not one of those condescending limp fish offerings people like me get from too
many 'important' men.
As the door closes
behind me I wonder if he'll ever give himself the time to fall in love. I've
met a few like that. They swear it'll never happen… then they meet the right
woman, and BAM.
Time will tell.
The Iron
Admiral: Conspiracy is
just one of the eleven full books you'll find in the Nebula Nights
anthology. If you haven't bought your copy of Nebula Nights, here are the links to the new, improved version. And
(ahem) if you enjoy it, do please leave a review.
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 endeavours. Find out more at her website, http://gretavanderrol.net/
Liza: Hmmmm. I think Greta has a secret crush on the Admiral. It's not as shocking as you might think. Authors often fall in love with their characters. It's an occupational hazard.
