Guest Post - H David Blalock for the release of Southern Haunts: Devils in the Darkness ~ Bee's Knees Reviews

I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of this blog tour and even more excited that I have H. David Blalock here with a guest post today. If you have not read anything by Blalock drop what you are doing this instance and go and get one of his books or one of the anthologies with a story of his in it. I know I get a little fangirlish but H. David Blalock is by far one of the best writers I have ever read. Well Thank you Mr. Blalock for being a guest. This blog tour is promoting Southern Haunts: Devils in the Darkness and lets read what Mr. Blalock has to say about the horror tale of his you can find in this anthology.

Why Did Jack Do It?

By H. David Blalock

Jack Tennant found his destiny when he sailed into the dark swamps of Louisiana, but that destiny was nothing like what he expected.

Jack in the Box, my story in Southern Haunts 2, was inspired by several things. I had a story in the first Southern Haunts and was delighted to receive an invitation to submit for this one.

The first source of inspiration, of course, was the theme that the story had to be centered in the South. Hard to get around that one, since it was the primary prerequisite for inclusion in the anthology. Most of my horror stories don't specify their locations. Usually, pinning down the location lessens the impact of the story itself. It tends to distance the reader from the events, giving them that extra bit of feeling of safety. However, I took that as a challenge, to overcome that feeling of invulnerability.

Second was my fascination with the mythology around the Louisiana swamps. I mention several of

them in the story but I wanted to use them not as the central plot line but as the impetus for my main character to act. Each character in a story needs a reason to do what they do, especially if what they do puts them in danger or places them in extraordinary circumstances. In Jack in the Box, Jack Tennant's fascination with the tales of the swamp is simply a mirror of my own.

However, his determination to find out the truth behind the myths goes far beyond my own curiosity and enters into the realm of obsession.

Third, and most significant, I love stories that have that shivery feeling you get when the lights are

out and something is roaming just outside your ability to see it. It's a haunting feeling – the serpent in the high grass, the black widow in the bedding. It's that certainty that something isn't quite what it should be and when you finally see it you know you will be terrified but you're not quite there yet. Anticipation. Dread. What we call "the willies". With Jack in the Box, I wanted to bring that feeling to the reader. By taking them along with Jack just so far then leaving them behind, I tease their interest without blatantly showing them the truth. Doing so makes the reveal at the end just that much more powerful.

For me, the pinnacle of horror is not the splash of gore or the screams of the murdered. Such things are horrible but not horrifying. True horror, to me, is facing the unknown and being completely clueless how to handle it. Should you stay still and hope whatever is there passes you by? Do you run and chance you can escape? Scream for help that may not come in time? Fight back knowing you may not survive the battle? It is this kind of feeling I hope to convey in this story and all my horror tales.

About the Editors: Alexander S. Brown: Alexander S. Brown is a Mississippi author who was published in 2008 with his first book, Traumatized. Reviews for this short story collection were so favorable that it will be released as a special edition. Brown is currently one of the co-editors/coordinators with the Southern Haunts Anthologies published by Seventh Star Press. His horror novel, Syrenthia Falls is represented by Dark Oak Press. He is also the author of multiple young adult steampunk stories found in the following anthologies Dreams of Steam Vol 2 & 4, Clockwork Spells and Magical Bells, and Capes and Clockworks. Look out for his controversial piece, “The Last Lamb” found in the anthology, Luna’s Children.

About the Editors: Louise Myers: Louise Myers was born in New Orleans. During her teenage years, she was uprooted from everything she knew and was replanted in Mississippi. Though the transition was difficult, she is grateful for this change. She says this because she knows that both places are a world all to their own. She is the wife of a wonderful husband and mother of three beautiful children, as well as the proud parent of a spoiled mutt. She was assistant editor for Southern Haunts: Spirits That Walk Among Us and was proud to be part of The Southern Haunts Series once again. She is a beta reader, book doctor, editor, and author. Though this is her first story in print, she has been weaving tales for many years. With the gentle, yet firm, shove from a very special person, she has decided to dive into the world of print. She has many thoughts on several topics she’d like to write, mostly involving ghost stories.

Book Synopsis Southern Haunts Devils in the Darkness: From the fiery abyss of the underworld comes 20 hellish tales from the south and southwest. Within these charred pages are stories that will introduce you to the many demons that stay hidden but are always nearby…

20 authors provide stories of possessed people, objects, houses, highways, and the devil’s favorite playground - the forest.

Dare to meet Deidless, a demon who is a buyer of souls. Discover what kind of demons men can summon. Read of battles between good and evil. Learn of ancient artifacts and stones that crave sacrifice. Finally, become acquainted with legions of evil.

Again, we invite you, sit back, dim the lights, and prepare yourself to meet the devils in the darkness.

Southern Haunts: Devils in the Darkness is the next installment in the exciting anthology series that began with Southern Haunts: Spirits That Walk Among Us.

Anthology and Editor Links:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Southern-Haunts/417536915003428

Twitter:

@AlexanderSBrown

@louisemyers197

Tour Schedule and Activities

May 26 I Smell Sheep Guest Post

May 26 Novel-ties Review

May 27 Deal Sharing Aunt Guest Post

May 28 Armand Rosamilia Guest Post

May 28 Book in the Bag Interview