Thursday, April 30, 2015

SFR Shindig: Tati’s SFR Recommendations by Tatiana Caldwell



I've always been a geek. Sci-fi books, movies, shows and games have enthralled me as far back as I can remember. Why? Worlds and time periods filled with wonder, imaginative technology, characters and story-lines far more diverse than any other genre. I’ve also always been a romantic, favoring tales of love conquering all over any other plotline, so SFR – the mashup of the two – simply does it for me.

It isn’t always easy, however, to find good SFR entertainment. Books have been somewhat easier to come by, because of websites like this one that seek them out help make their existence known. But I still find it somewhat challenging to discover good movies, TV shows and video games that could truly be defined as SFR. Sometimes it’s because of the way they are marketed (or the lack of marketing), but mostly I think it’s due to there just not being enough of it. 

So I’d like to share a brief list non-literature SFR entertainment that I’ve really enjoyed.

SFR TV Shows

My favorite sci-fi series of all time is Star Trek. All of them. Even though none of them are SFR, they all have numerous episodes with romantic elements. But everybody talks about Star Trek (including me). I’d like to talk a little about a couple of shows I rarely hear anyone mention.


Although this series is not marketed as SFR, after having watched it in its entirety, I have to say that it’s one the few sci-fi shows I’ve seen where love is a big component. It’s almost equally focused on the relationships between the characters as it is on the fringe/fantasy science. The romance that slowly develops between Peter and Olivia is well done and deeply woven into the plot.

I also really love the relationship between Peter and his mad-genius father, Walter Bishop, which also helped to balance the dark storyline with humor and humanity. There were some subplots that were cringe-worthy for me because of their intensity, and if I’d had my way, I’d have written in some additional scenes (especially steamy ones!). Also, the last season seemed a bit rushed, but they managed to wrap up pretty much all the loose ends. All in all, I was highly entertained and sad to see the series end.

Fringe is my absolute favorite Sci-fi TV series to-date, and if you didn’t watch it, I recommend checking it out. All five seasons are currently available on Netflix.


I didn’t watch this teen SFR show when it was on air, but was able to catch it just a few years ago thanks to Netflix. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Even though it was a teen show, both young adults and teens could relate to the content. The romance was handled in a way that seemed appropriate for the characters’ ages, yet didn’t feel too immature for me to enjoy. There was good chemistry between the characters, a decent plotline and character development, and was surprisingly emotional at times.

It’s not perfect, but entertaining. It definitely felt like it ended before it’s time, but so it is with TV shows with ratings that don’t live up to expectations.

SFR Movies

Ok, so neither one of these movies are exactly my favorites, but I just saw them recently so they are fresh in my mind. They were unique enough and still (seemingly) unknown enough that I’d really like to give them a shout out.

I hadn’t heard of this movie before my husband and I came across it on Netflix, so we weren’t expecting much. But we liked it! This is a tale about two individuals who live thousands of miles apart and have never met, yet they have a psychic connection with each other. Cute and enjoyable, especially if you like the concept of “soul-mates”, but could have used a much stronger ending. I do still recommend it to SFR lovers for the unusual storyline.


Like “In Your Eyes”, “Frequencies” is another SFR with a unique plotline that I just bumped into. It’s hard to explain this one, it has a Romeo and Juliet type where the two protagonists are separated by the frequencies upon with their brains, bodies or perhaps even their very spirits operate on. Although the movie is merely adequate on all levels, it has a philosophical undertone that left me thinking about it for a bit long after it was over about fate versus free will. Again, I recommend it for the unique concepts and presentation.

SFR Video Games


If you like SFR and the idea of games with strong story elements interests you, you should definitely check out Mass Effect 1, 2 and 3. Although the romantic elements of the games are only side stories and completely optional, the fact that they are there and are taken seriously makes them absolute gems for a SFR lover and gamer like me! Playing a female character, you have several possible romantic options, including humans, aliens, and even characters of your own gender.

Do you have any (especially lesser-known) additional SFR shows, movies or games you’d recommend?

About the author


Let’s see, what should I tell you about me? I’m an IT geek who happens to also be a vixen with an overactive imagination. I will write anything from programming code to smoldering erotica, so long as it involves brains or sex. Preferably both.  :)

I’m a published author of erotic romance in several sub-genres, including paranormal, fantasy, futuristic and science fiction. I believe love can happen not only any time or anyplace, but with anyone, and so my stories feature a diverse cast of characters.

When I’m not writing or working, I can be found reading, playing video games of all kinds, watching movies, anime and sci-fi television shows, exercising, spending time with my family or making complex spreadsheets.

I worked in the IT field as everything from developer and web master to IT manager. My technical career provided me the opportunity to live all over the country. Currently my husband and I have settled in the Midwest with our family, which also includes two young male monsters who can be mistaken for angels when they are sleeping.

GoodReads: www.goodreads.com/

WAY OUT OF CONTROL


Sometimes the only way to maintain control is to let it go …

A doctor must help seek a cure for a man transformed into an uncontrollable monstrosity due to scientific meddling with his DNA.

But in order to help him, she must get close enough to him to risk her very life
… and more.