Author

from the press release: “If Carl Hiaasen married Raymond Chandler and engaged Dave Barry to be a  surrogate mother, Plugged would be the progeny.” ~ Bookreporter.com

Millions loved the bestselling young adult fantasy saga Artemis Fowl by Irish author Eoin (“it’s pronounced Owen”) Colfer, and now he returns with PLUGGED, a new novel that’s decidedly grown up. This wickedly funny crime caper features Daniel McEvoy, an Irish ex-pat bouncer at a seedy, small-time casino. Balding, bawdy and bold, Dan’s got plenty of problems: The fact that his girlfriend was just murdered in the parking lot is uppermost in his mind. That is until lots of people around him start dying, and not of natural causes. Suddenly Dan’s got half the New Jersey mob, dirty cops and his man-crazy upstairs neighbor after him and he still doesn’t know what’s going on. Bullets are flying, everybody’s on the take and it all may be more than Dan’s new hair plugs can handle…Narrator John Keating expertly delivers Dan’s bawdy, bold banter in this twisted comic noir.

Listen to an audio clip: Plugged, an excerpt

Sarah’s take: This is a book that is BETTER on audio! I’m serious-you can check out the clip above, or-better yet-win one of the two copies we’re GIVING AWAY! Because the protagonist telling the story is Irish, the book sounds so much better being read by John Keating. You can hear the brogue in words like “arse” and the irony of such a lovely voice cracking jokes, discussing murder and discussing his psychological need to PRO-tect all the females in his life-well it’s hilarious and awesome!

I just received the book on Tuesday (no fault of the fabulous AudioGo who sent it two weeks ago), so I have, alas, not finished it. But so far, it is a crazy wild ride that totally makes sense with Bookreporter’s little blurb at the top. I don’t know that I can review it with any more justice than that! I will tell you that there is a lot of swearing, murder and the occasional romp so you must be at least 16 to win our contest. Be ready for a wacky ride; at one point, Dan realizes that all the people around him are crazy-and the voice in his head asks him if maybe the common denominator is Dan, rather than everyone else. However, Dan truly isn’t the crazy one-he’s quite the likeable guy (again, it goes back to that awesome accent)-but the story and characters are definitely like no other I’ve read!

Be sure and check out the other tour stops below for some Eoin Colfer and more PLUGGED greatness!!! 
September 2 –  In Real Life
September 5 –  Teresa’s Reading Corner
September 8 –  The Literate Housewife
September 9  - Devourer of Books

GIVEAWAY!! GIVEAWAY!! GIVEAWAY!!

We have two (that’s right, TWO) audio copies to giveaway! We couldn’t be more excited to share this book with you! Read the rules and enter below!!

Official Rules
*US only
*must be 16 years old or older to win
*only one entry per person
*giveaway ends September 8, 2011 at 11:59pm CEN

Contest now closed. Congratulations to the winners: Evelyn and Shannon!

For the full tour schedule or more information on Random Magic by Sasha Soren visit her site or follow her on twitter, @randomMagicTour.

 
We also had fun. Lots of fun.  In this first video Carolee made an intro for us, as well she showed off her kickin’ cowboy boots.

 
AND here is our “official” interview with her. 

 

We are also hosting a giveaway, courtesy of Carolee Dean. Just leave a comment below to win a Take Me There tote, a bracelet and a Dallas Cowboy bumper sticker. (GO COWBOYS!!) US only, deadline ends August 30th.

 
Want more? Follow the blog tour by visiting here, each blogger has unique prizes. Want even more? There will be one grand prize which is part of the Texas Trivia Challenge (just find the clues by visiting all the blog stops), which you can find all the information at The Teen Book Scene.

As well, be sure to visit Carolee Dean’s blog for all the latest news on Take Me There and a  list of bookstores in Texas where you can find signed copies of her book.