A Fan of Banned with Guest Blogger: Jess Macallan

Welcome author Jess Macallan
to the Book Boost today!

She's here to discuss the lure of banned books and here's what she had to say...


Thanks for having me at the Book Boost today! Last week was National Library Week, which I celebrated by volunteering at my children’s school library and reading a few middle grade books.

I recently read a blog about the most frequently challenged books for 2011, and was surprised to see a couple of my favorites make the list (Hunger Games and To Kill A Mockingbird).
Being the reading rebel I am, I quickly jotted down the rest of them so I know what to buy next, but the list also got me thinking.

What’s the big deal about these books? To a point, I can understand the concerns. I won’t let my kids read certain books until they’re a little older, but I would never ban a book in my house.

I love many of the challenged books for the very reasons some adults want to ban them. They push the envelope. They graphically draw attention to social issues. They make us uncomfortable. They delight us, depress us, entertain us and maybe even scare us. They challenge us. That might explain why people want to challenge them in return. What they don’t realize is that by attempting to ban a book, they only make it more appealing. The forbidden is so tempting, especially for kids, but also for adults.

I volunteer at the library every week, and I see how hungry some of these kids are for books. They know their own minds. If it’s too scary, they won’t read it. Same goes if it’s too sad, violent or sappy. Telling them they shouldn’t be allowed to read it only makes them want to see what the fuss is about. I have yet to hear a kid say, “That book doesn’t belong in the library.”

I know parents who won’t let their kids read certain books—wildly popular books I might add—because of the magical elements. These same parents will take their entire family, including young children, to see a more violent movie—also from a wildly popular series—without a second thought. I have to smile, because this shows just how powerful words can be.

Books will always be challenged. It’s safe to say these same books will always challenge us. Reading them honors the authors who opted not to play it safe. If your tastes run to other genres, trust me when I say there’s a banned book of every flavor. I can’t say I’ll read them all, but I hope to read quite a few because I really want to know what the fuss is about. *grins*

And while my latest release, Stone Cold Seduction, hasn’t made any banned book lists, I hope you’ll check it out.

Thanks so much for letting me stop by to chat!


A Note from the Book Boost: I think banned book lists are worth as much as the paper they are written on. Seriously, anyone can find something wrong with any book if given the challenge. I never understand what all the fuss is about. If you don't like a topic, don't read it. There's certainly no shortage of books on the market! Great topic, Jess and I'm glad you're going to rebel and read anyway. Enjoy!


Blurb:

When a regular night of Robin Hood-ery results in the manifestation of some, um, unusual paranormal abilities, perfume-maker Elleodora Fredricks realizes the normal world she lives in isn’t quite… normal. And neither is she, thanks to her father, king of the shadow elves. Not only is he evil incarnate and the reason Elle moonlights as a burglar—someone has to take care of all his victims—he’s stolen her memories.

And only reading her fate can fix that.

Good thing she’s got a trio of hotties willing to help her find said fate. Saving her oracle BFF’s fiancée, falling in love with the gargoyle, and making up for breaking the phoenix’s heart ought to be a piece of cake for the princess of the shadow elves.

If only the king didn’t want his daughter dead…


Excerpt:

“You are my true mate.”

My lips were still tingling, and my brain was fuzzy. “Jax, I’m not sure what that means.”

He didn’t answer, but instead pressed a kiss to my temple. And another to my cheek. Slowly, he nuzzled his way to my neck. I let my head drop to one side, giving him better access.

He whispered his approval, and lightly nipped at my neck. “It is a connection between souls. A bond determined by fate. I will show you what it means.”

His lips and tongue were doing a slow, erotic dance along the oh-so-sensitive skin down my neck, and coherent thought was impossible. He could show me whatever he wanted, as long as he didn’t stop.

I sighed, and Jax took that as acceptance. Before I knew what he was going to do, he’d scooped me up and was halfway up the stairs.

“Jax!” I yelped.

He stopped, but his muscles were vibrating with energy. He waited until he had my full attention before repeating, “I will show you. We are mates, connected in ways you and the phoenix will never be.”

His silver eyes were bright and intense. I could admit to having had many, many fantasies where he’d carried me upstairs, and all sorts of amazing things had happened. But this was real. And he was dead serious. It scared me, thrilled me, and seriously confused me.

When I didn’t respond, he lowered my feet to the floor and pressed me up against the wall in the narrow stairwell. His eyes held mine as he leaned close. “I will show you, so there are no doubts.”

Then he kissed me again, and this time, he held nothing back. Possession, need, and barely leashed control. Jax’s mouth told me more than words ever could. He leaned against me so our bodies were in full contact. Need burned through me. His taste, his touch, drowned out my worries. His scent surrounded me. He smelled crisp and clean. Like a sunny, winter day. But the heat he created inside me was intense. Just like the man himself.

Want More Jess?

Visit her on the web here:
http://www.jessmacallan.blogspot.com/

Follow her on Twitter here:
http://twitter.com/#!/jessmacallan

Pick up a copy of her book today! Click here.