Greta van der Rol, Author at Greta van der Rol Books

Humanoid Aliens Are Boring. Meet the Ptorix.

A discussion about the decidedly non-humanoid Ptorix and their origins and culture.

An image of a Ptorix conical in shape, covered in short blue fur, with arms ending in tentacles

I’ve always had a problem with humanoid aliens. So many ‘aliens’ in SF stories look an awful lot like us. Star Trek was full of them – Romulans, Vulcans, Gods and Goddesses. At least in Star Wars some aliens were downright weird – but an awful lot of them had the same basic body shape as us – one head, two legs, two arms.

Another take on writing what you know

Even when you’re writing SF it’s possible to use what you know in the real world to drive the SF world.

Cover of Ink by Greta van der Rol shows a dark-skinned man with a tattoo covering his back

Even when you’re writing SF it’s possible to use what you know in the real world to drive the SF world.

An alley in Hong Kong – an excerpt from Black Tiger

In this excerpt from my paranormal romance Black Tiger Ash is hunting for the trail of poachers selling their booty to the Chinese medicine trade. He’s prowling the lanes of Hong Kong when he is attacked.

A black tiger prowls along a filthy lane in Hong Kong

In this excerpt from my paranormal romance Black Tiger Ash is hunting for the trail of poachers selling their booty to the Chinese medicine trade. He’s prowling an alley in Hong Kong when he is attacked.

Opening scenes – Black Tiger

This is Chapter 1 of Black Tiger, a paranormal romance set initially in India. Dr Sally Carter has just arrived from Australia and soon comes across the local legend of the Black Tiger.

Black Tiger is a paranormal romance set initially in India. In Chapter 1 Dr Sally Carter has just arrived from Australia to start a six month contract as a locum and soon comes across the local legend of the Black Tiger.

An interview with Admiral Saahren

An interview with Admiral Chaka Saahren after his victory against the Ptorix at the Battle of Forenisi

Dark skinned man in a black uniform fingering his chin

I had the privilege of interviewing Admiral Saahren, who has rocketed to prominence after his decisive victory over a Ptorix fleet threatening Forenisi, a mainly human planet at the edge of the Confederacy.

Morgan’s Choice – Rescued Part 2

In this excerpt from my space opera Morgan’s Choice Morgan’s ship has been taken onboard the alien warship. Now it’s time for her to meet the aliens who have ‘rescued’ her.

A woman in a yellow jumpsuit faces a panel of men on the other side of a transparent wall. The text reads Inside an alien warship there is no welcome, only scans, questions, and the quiet fear of what comes next.

In this excerpt from my space opera Morgan’s Choice Morgan’s ship has been taken onboard the alien warship. Now it’s time for her to meet the aliens who have ‘rescued’ her. (If you haven’t read the opening scene, where Morgan’s ship is intercepted, you’ll find it here)

Opening scenes -Morgan’s Choice

the opening scene from Morgan’s Choice. Morgan and her companion, Jones, are stuck in outer space in a broken down spaceship with the most likely prospect being death as air and food run out.

A small spaceship is dwarfed beneath the vast expanse of a much larger ship. Text reads 'out here in the dark between stars, there's no such thing as rescue. Only new dangers.'

This is the opening scene from Morgan’s Choice. Morgan and her companion, Jones, are stuck in outer space in a broken down spaceship with the most likely prospect being death as air and food run out.

Morgan performs a dance – from A Victory Celebration

In this excerpt from A Victory Celebration, one of the spin-off short stories from Morgan’s Choice, Morgan is performing a dance for Admiral Ravindra.

In this excerpt from A Victory Celebration, one of the spin-off short stories from Morgan’s Choice, Morgan is performing a dance for Admiral Ravindra.

She’s making it difficult for him: an excerpt from Morgan’s Choice

In this excerpt from Morgan’s Choice Morgan and Ravindra are free – but they’re in a jungle in the rain.

In this excerpt from my space opera Morgan’s Choice Morgan and Ravindra are free – but they’re in a jungle in the rain.

The Nightmare – an excerpt from Black Tiger

Black Tiger is a paranormal action adventure romance. Australian doctor Sally Carter has accepted a position in India to get over a broken heart. She loves her work and the opportunities she has to indulge in her photography hobby. But she’s bothered by nightmares.

Black Tiger is a paranormal action adventure romance. Australian doctor Sally Carter has accepted a position in India to get over a broken heart. She loves her work and the opportunities she has to indulge in her photography hobby. But she’s bothered by nightmares.