Book 1 of the Ptorix Empire series.
He wanted his job back. He didn’t expect to fall in love.
The Iron Admiral: Conspiracy is science fiction action romance set in a galaxy where peace hangs by a thread.
About the Book
Allysha Marten wants her freedom, her debts cleared, and her past firmly behind her. Her final contract should have delivered all of that. She is a systems engineer, not a soldier, and the last thing she wants is to be caught in the middle of an interspecies conflict. But the mine she has been hired to help restart feels wrong. The secrecy, the tension, the quiet suspicion that something much larger is going on. When she starts to realise the operation is not what it claims to be, she turns to the only person she trusts, the security guard who has quietly captured her heart.
Ex-Admiral Chaka Saahren wants his career back. Going undercover is his only path to the truth, and the truth is dangerous. He never intended to fall for Allysha but when he does, it’s for keeps
As the threat of war rises, Saahren’s past collides with Allysha’s in ways neither expects. Together they may be the only people who can stop those determined to break the fragile balance of peace. The question is whether she can trust the man she thinks she knows, and whether he can tell her the truth before everything falls apart.
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FAQ
Is this the first book in the series
Yes. Conspiracy comes first. Deception completes the story.
Is there romance
Yes. The romance develops inside the action. Saahren falls hard and fast, Allysha falls too – until she finds out who Saahren really is. From there he has to persuade her she’s wrong about him.
How spicy is it
Not quite closed door but certainly not graphic
Are the aliens human-like
No. The Ptorix are non-humanoid with their own biology, culture, and political goals. Read more about them here.
Is this connected to your other series
No. The Ptorix Empire universe stands alone.
Is this hard science fiction
The science is grounded and consistent, but the focus stays on action, politics, and character. It’s space opera. Think Star Wars with better science.
What themes does it explore
Power. Trust. Cultural tension. Identity. The cost of duty.
Genre and details
- Science fiction action romance
- Space opera with political tension
- Undercover stakes, conflicted attraction
- Non-humanoid aliens
Series information
Series: Ptorix Empire
Reading order: The Iron Admiral, Conspiracy then The Iron Admiral, Deception. All other books stand alone
Tropes and elements
- Reluctant allies
- Undercover mission
- Secrets and past mistakes
- Alien politics
- High-stakes conflict
- A man with a damaged reputation
- A woman out of her depth but determined to stand her ground
Reader praise
“Ms. Van der Rol has that unique ability to paint a masterpiece with words.”
“The Iron Admiral: Conspiracy is what a proper SF story should be.”
“This book is a winner. Science fiction action-adventure with a romance thrown in.”