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Snowblind

by Daniel McQueen

122 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #04-0937; ISBN 1-4120-3110-9; US$14.99, C$19.00, EUR12.35, £8.56

Psychological issues haunt a woman when her own children are threatened - and she must resolve them in order to survive.

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About the Book      About the Author      Excerpt      Catalogue Information

About the Book

Melissa's world was already out of control when she and her daughters were caught up in circumstances that threatened to tear them apart and even take their very lives. But through her long and dangerous journey, she learned how to reach deep inside her soul, to test the resilience of the human spirit, and to prevail.

"The ultimate in overcoming obstacles."
The Richmond Palladium-Item

"Very emotional; a good read."
Hamilton Journal-News

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About the Author

Daniel Major McQueen was born on November 20, 1955, in Hamilton, Ohio. He grew up in rural Indiana where he became a professional musician at age 10, and was an award-winning musician throughout high school. While in college, he wrote poetry, short stories, and essays, and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a teaching certificate, specializing in oil painting. He taught in both public and private schools, and later opened an art studio where he sold works to individuals as well as galleries in Cincinnati, Ohio.

As an adult, Dan continued his music profession with various bands as well as solo until he began writing and recording original music with his lifelong friend, Melvin R. Nobbe. Dan and Mel have collaborated on various styles of music from rock to blues, ballads, a rock opera, and a symphony, Isabella. They have also written songs for two independent films, Eagles and Bobcats, and Spider Web.

Through the years, Dan has written many poems, lyrics, and short stories - most with psychological and sociological twists. In 2003, he took years of original story ideas and wove them into a psychological study of the human experience in Snowblind, his first published novel.

Dan and his wife, Carla, have three sons. They reside in Hamilton, Ohio.

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Excerpt

Then I remembered that Anna had mentioned the corruption in Roseburg. I had thought she was talking about politics, but could it be the sheriff's department and the police, too? She said not to go to them because we might be seen. Did she mean they wouldn't help us? I'm confused. Should I not trust him or is he really trying to help us? My mind was spinning. What if he were a threat; what if he wasn't really even an officer? We were in an unmarked car, after all!

How could my daughters and I get out of this situation? Could he be one of Goya's puppets? Oh, Lord, I needed help! He was big and had a gun and was driving the car. Just in case, I needed to alert my daughters to be ready for anything. What if he tried to harm us? Am I losing my mind or just thinking ahead? How could I warn Molly without the officer hearing? I turned around in my seat, reached for Beth and gave her a big, long hug and said, "We're almost there, are you happy?" She nodded yes. I then reached for Molly and said, "Come here." As we hugged, I whispered in her ear, "If I pat my head, pull this hair ... Hard." Her eyes flew open wide. "Just do it," I said. Then I looked over the seat again after turning back around. Molly nodded that she understood. This was a little insurance if I needed some help.

I continued my chitchat with the deputy about the weather and the landscape. As we were coming into town, I tried to recognize some landmarks, the mainstreet or the convent, but I was so unfamiliar with the surroundings since it was dark the last time I'd seen them! The deputy turned down a side road and said, "I have to make a stop. I'll be just a minute." I then noticed the blacktop road turn into gravel. It looked like a long lane through a field. The last time I heard gravel under a cars was when I was abducted. By now, I was more than a little nervous. Then there it was! The red brick warehouse! He was bringing us back!

What could I do? The car wasn't moving fast, but if I jumped out I would be leaving my daughters. Also, I would be on foot. He was driving faster now; I had to get rid of him and get control of the car. My mind was racing. My movements would have to be swift and timed just right. If Molly can pull his hair, this would distract him and I can force him out of the car. He doesn't suspect that I know anything yet; at least I had that on my side. I'll have to grab the steering wheel, hit the brake and open the door while shoving him out.

In a self-defense class I took years ago, they taught me that if you move the pelvis, the shoulders and legs will follow. In the distance, the building was getting closer. I had to act - now! With an act of cool demeanor, I slowly patted my head. Molly grabbed his hair and wrenched his head back. I punched his throat, and both of his hands let go of the steering wheel. I slammed my foot on the brake and the car slid sideways. Before he could recover from the punch to his throat, I reached across him and opened the door. I then slid back across the seat braced my back to the passenger door and with both feet kicked his waist . He went catapulting out of the car, rolling in the dust and coughing. I slid under the steering wheel, put the car in reverse, made a three point turn around and headed back out of town.

My daughters were strangely silent in the back seat, but I was furious. When will they let us go? What did I do to them? After a few minutes I realized that my daughters weren't silent at all, I just hadn't noticed that they were screaming.

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Catalogue Information

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