Month: February 2026

The Thirteenth Warrior

/ Susan A. Royal / Leave a comment

The Thirteenth Warrior

I was channel surfing the other night, trying to find something to watch. This time of year, it’s virtually impossible. I was about to give up looking when I came across The 13th Warrior. I hadn’t watched it in years, so I’d forgotten what a good movie it was, even though it was considered an expensive box office flop.

It is a 1999 American historical adventure based on a Michal Crichton’s novel Eaters of the Dead. It was directed by John McTiernan, with uncredited reshoots done by Crichton.

The story is told from the viewpoint of Ahmad (Antonio Banderas), who is recruited to be the 13th Warrior, accompanying a group of Norsemen traveling to aid Hrothgar, whose lands in the far north are under attack by an evil so frightening that no one speaks its name. It shows how he learns to adapt and become friends with the Norsemen, and to recognize that they are intelligent, brave, and honorable.

The cinematography, by Peter Menzies, is excellent. The surreal fog, the dazzling sunsets, and the soaring mountains all add to the mystique. Jerry Goldsmith’s soundtrack was excellent. If you like Michael Crichton films, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

~Into the Unknown~

/ Susan A. Royal / Leave a comment

In loving memory of Daylon Jones Royal

February 15, 1945 – October 20, 2015

While channel surfing a while back, I happened to catch the end of Close Encounters. I never see that movie that I don’t think of my husband. Especially now that he’s gone. It was one of his all-time favorites. I never really thought about it until today, but now I understand why.

In the movie, Richard Dreyfuss plays Roy Neary, an average middle-class guy who loves his family and works hard to provide for them. Only there’s another side to his character. He still believes in magic. When Roy experiences a close encounter, he doubts his sanity. But he can’t let it go because deep down inside, he wants it to be true. So he makes up his mind to prove it.

My husband was the same kind of man. He worked hard, took care of his family, and lived a quiet life. But, like Roy, there was more to him than met the eye. The casual observer never saw his keen sense of adventure. He had a fascination for the mysterious, the unexplained. The idea of travelers from another world was intriguing to him.

He would have loved the chance to do what Roy did. So it isn’t hard to visualize him standing on the runway at the end of the movie like Roy, all smiles. Reluctant to leave his life on earth, yet filled with nervous anticipation at the thought of going on an adventure beyond the stars.

I like to think that’s exactly what he’s doing right now. I’m certain he’s enjoying every minute.

And someday, I’ll join him.

LOOKS LIKE I’M A LITTLE BEHIND…

/ Susan A. Royal / 3 Comments

I can’t believe it’s February already. Where does the time go?

Like everyone, I began last year with good intentions. I told myself I was going to post on my website regularly, finish another WIP and another novella, get them published, along with a laundry list of other things.

But 2025 had other plans. It was my year for technical problems. I had to learn to use a new phone and a new computer. I got locked out of WordPress for a while, lost the ability to move photos from my phone to my desktop, and struggled with one IT problem after another. My cover artist stopped doing covers. I lost my formatter. I could go on, but you get the drift.

The good news is that this year, my health is better, and I have a great support group to help me with things I can no longer do. AndI’ve been busy. You can’t imagine what it does for my ego whenever I can mark something off my to-do list.

I hope your year is going well. See you again soon. I promise!