Here are some thoughts on the current season:

Kudos to Fringe’s creators for building in ways to drastically reinvent the show each season.

Love that as the season has progressed we are getting more of the fun Walter back. Great to see all the food weirdness back. That had faded away in the last super intense season. We may actually be able to play the Fringe Drinking Game.

Along that same lines it was awesome to see the payoff on all those Astrid name gags when Astrid met Astrid.

Best of all, I can honestly say I have no clear idea of where this is all going. I think that is the point of Fringe, so…mission accomplished.

What do you think of the current season?

Captive Surrender
First, I must share a new-to-me author that I’m really enjoying. I stumbled upon Captive Surrender by Linda Mooney and devoured this Sexy SFR like candy. It is tagged as erotic romance and it does play into erotic tropes, but there is also a darned good story and nice cursory exploration of the clash of cultures and values and the consequences of inflexible laws and moral judgments. She has quite a body of work and the one other I tried was also very good.

The Walking Dead
Next, I watched the new episode of The Walking Dead this week. It left me wondering if anyone else had a “meh” reaction to the car flip? Sadly, I think I’m burning out on the series. I have had trouble caring about most of the characters from the beginning and the ones I do enjoy are just not enough to keep me invested for episodes like this one.

The Zombie Podcast
On an up note, We’re Alive (The Zombie Podcast) is back with new episodes. This one only seems to get better and better. If you’re not listening, you’re missing out on some fun audio drama. Look for it free on your pod catcher (e.g. iTunes).

Dimensions Screening in Boston
Back in September I told you about an Indie movie called Dimensions that is trying to gather popular support with fans. Recently, Ant got in touch to let me know they are finally getting their US Premiere. Dimensions is the Closing Film for the Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival on Saturday February 18^th. If you’re in the area, check it out!

SFR Discussion
As always, there have been many fascinating discussions over at the Galaxy Express. This one particularly caught my eye. Should Science Fiction Romance Take More Risks? She got some responses, but I’d love to see more people weigh in on the subject. I’m sure Heather would welcome late comments.

Me, Me, Me
To wrap things up, I’ll report that—although I’ve missed you all terribly—I have been having a blast writing. I just completed a rough (very rough) draft of an SFR novella. It is time to go back and do the hard work of putting flesh on the bones, but I’m hoping to be able to blog a bit during the process.

So, what have you been up to?

One of the things I am most passionate about (after family) is storytelling. I love to consume stories—as books, TV, movies—but I also love to write my own. When I look back over the last year, my biggest regret is that I didn’t spend more time writing my own fiction. I want to do more writing more than almost anything, but to do that I’ll have to cut back on other things I enjoy. It is all about making tough choices.

I love the blog and the people who visit here, but for the next little while I’ll be giving the blog a rest. I don’t want to set a time limit, because I’m cutting back on a lot of things and I may find I’ve cut back too much. I may come back to the blog sooner or more often than I expect. So, I hope we will be able to reconnect when I’m feeling more satisfied with the amount of writing I’m getting done. Until then, enjoy life, drop me a line through the contact from if you want to get in touch, and if you’re wondering where I am…

I’ll be writing.

with love,

Charlie

TOP SECRET:
Terrorist Name: Genevieve Luzon

Citizenship: ExPat of Earth

Whereabouts: Unknown

Physical Characteristics, 5 feet11 inches, brown hair, hazel eyes, candle tattoo on left hip.

Last Known Occupation: Offworld Vacation Coordinator turned secret shopper for the pleasure companion service Illustra.

Criminal Activity: Suspect was instrumental in helping an enemy of the citizens of Earth escape custody. Next of kin listed as Cora and Jack Luzon, maternal grandparents and Tanny Luzon whereabouts also unknown.

Notation: Grandparents both have formidable telepathic abilities. Considered armed and dangerous.

Terrorist Name: Rhys

Whereabouts: Unknown

Citizenship: Empath home world

Physical Characteristics, 6 feet1 inch, red hair, green eyes
* (See notation below). *
Severe scarring from unknown causes.

Last Known Occupation: Religious zealot

Criminal Activity: File Sealed

Notation: *Empathic warrior able to leave his own corporeal body and take over others both physically and emotionally. Considered armed and extremely dangerous. Approach with caution.

Terrorist Name: Gia Sandoval

Whereabouts: Unknown

Citizenship: Ex-patriot of Earth

Physical Characteristics, 5 feet 6 inches, blonde hair, green eyes

Last Known Occupation: Stinger Pilot for the Earth Flight Patrol (EFP).

Criminal Activity: UA from Stinger squadron, but her vessel was used in an attack against her former squadron

Next of Kin: Unknown. Both mother and grandparents died in the Earthquake of 2079. Subject was only surviving member of her lineage.

Notation: A decorated pilot and expert marksmanship. First place the Interstellar Flight Award for fastest flight to Saturn and back.

Terrorist Name: Zan

Whereabouts: Unknown

Citizenship: Unknown

Physical Characteristics: 6 feet 4 inches, black hair, gold eyes.

Last Known Occupation: Space Pirate, Mercenary, Gun for Hire and raider of more than ten interstellar ships.

Criminal Activiy: Theft, hijacking, destruction of both government and private property, kidnapping, adding and abetting wanted fugitives, the unlawful transport of stolen goods and piracy.

Where you can find them:

No Limits: Now Available from Kensington Aphrodisia
All Genevieve Luzon wants is to be loved by one man, a seemingly impossible task in New-New York City at the start of the twenty second century. Sure, she can buy sex as easily as order a pizza on a Friday night, but finding a forever kind of love among her self-centered peers is no easy feat for the unemployed off-world vacation coordinator. When an old friend offers her the position of secret shopper to test out the male prostitutes, Gen can’t think of a good reason to refuse. Hell, if she can’t find Mr. Right, she might as well try on a sampler of Mr. Right Nows.

Yet the perks of her new position don’t compare to the strange attraction she has, not for one of the prostitutes, but a candle that seems to warm places of her she never knew existed. When a man appears out of the flame, Gen is sure she’s found the one. Rhys is an empath, made a slave by the Illustra Corporation and he’s everything Gen could ever want. Except available. Because Rhys is on a mission. One that might claim his life. He must try to free his people, consequences be damned. Now, Gen must choose between turning her back on the only man she’s ever loved and the monumental task he has set for himself. Should she risk her life fighting a war hidden from polite society against those who wish to control us all?

Is love really worth fighting for? Buy your copy from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or wherever books are sold.

And please, join me on the No Limits Blog Tour for a chance to win a Kindle Fire!