When I find a television show I love, I become a rabid, dedicated fan. Recently, I discovered Chuck on Netflix, and after the first episode, I was hooked. 

As a writer, I'm always on the lookout for shows that make me think "gosh, I wish I'd written that" or "I wish I could write like that". That's what Chuck does. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the two lead characters are straight off the magazine cover gorgeous, and their chemistry is off-the-charts. 

In short, Chuck is a tale of a nerd who becomes a spy after he downloads a file that is basically a computer with classified details of assassins, spies, and missions. Sarah is his CIA handler while John Casey is his NSA protector. These three characters make the show. 

With humor, romance, action, and suspense, Chuck is the show I wished I could have seen while it was still on television. There's talk of a movie, and I'm as excited as a cat chasing the red dot. 

If you have Netflix, give this show a shot. If you like spy shows like Alias, you'll love this one even more. It has the humor Alias lacked. I've posted some dialogue snippets below so you can see for yourself.

Chuck: Morning handsome, nice work last night.
Casey: Hey Loverboy! Hasn't that mirror suffered enough already?
Chuck: I am in the bathroom! Okay? Is there nothing sacred to you people?
Casey: Just the right to bear arms.

Casey: [Bryce is using Chuck at a shield] I've got a shot.
Chuck: No, you don't!
Casey: You'll be fine.
Chuck: No shooting, no shooting! I'm susceptible to bullets!

Chuck: So ah, as you can see, just the one bed. A little presumptuous I guess. Should I have asked for separate rooms?
Sarah: No, It's fine. As long as we're on the lam, I can't let you out of my sight. I'm gonna take a shower.
Chuck: I'm gonna assume that whole out-of-sight thing doesn't really apply right now.

My wonderful cover artist has done it again, and all I had to do was give her a vague idea of what I wanted. Honestly, that's all I did. She's just that good. So here it is!  What do you think?

Ordinarily, I write paranormal, fantasy, and science fiction. I’ve written a couple of straight contemporary romances, and they were the hardest two books I’ve ever written in my life (romantic suspense excluded here). To me, taking characters that could exist in a real world and constructing a plot that hasn’t been overused is quite the undertaking.

The first book I ever wrote was a contemporary romance, and it was so bad, I don’t even know where it is now nor do I worry about it. If someone even attempted to get it published, they’d fail miserably. Because I had no clue how to create a plot in a world that didn’t have paranormal characters or that didn't include a villain.. The hero stood around a lot wearing a glower, and the heroine was a mild-manner, blushing school-girl type who was waiting for the big, strong man to rescue her from…nothing, really. There was no danger, no excitement, and no passion.

And that’s why I admire contemporary romance authors so much. Having tried writing contemporary romance without succeeding, I can only shake my head in wonder at the talented fingers of writers who craft contemporary romance without throwing in a vampire, ghost, wizard, or witch. There are no planets to explore, no battles to the death with fangs and fur, and the world isn’t in danger because some witch wants to rule it. It’s a fictional story that could actually take place in my town or your town. And most of the time, the stories make you want to live in the town the author has created.

That takes skill, and these ladies and gents of contemporary romance have it. My hat’s off (if I wore one) to this talented crew!