{Guest Post+G!veaway} Authors are Rockstars: T.M. Goeglein @TMGoeglein

Posted August 15, 2012 by Michelle @ Book Briefs in Giveaways, Guest Post, Interview / 48 Comments

You can check out all the stops on this crazy awesome tour HERE

I am so beyond excited to be hosting the epically amazing T.M. Goeglein on my blog today. He wrote one of my favorite debuts of 2012- Cold Fury! Cold Fury is all about Sarah Jane, one of the COOLEST female characters EVER! Seriously, she kicks butt. I love her. 

Today, I have an interview with T.M. Goeglein and then a really interesting guest post from him about how he researched for Cold Fury. This stuff just fascinates me! 

oh yea, and there is a pretty great giveaway that you will want to check out at the bottom of the post! 😉

Jason Bourne meets The Sopranos in this breathtaking adventure
Sara Jane Rispoli is a normal sixteen-year-old coping with school and a budding romance–until her parents and brother are kidnapped and she discovers her family is deeply embedded in the Chicago Outfit (aka the mob).
Now on the run from a masked assassin, rogue cops and her turncoat uncle, Sara Jane is chased and attacked at every turn, fighting back with cold fury as she searches for her family. It’s a quest that takes her through concealed doors and forgotten speakeasies–a city hiding in plain sight. Though armed with a .45 and 96K in cash, an old tattered notebook might be her best defense–hidden in its pages the secret to “ultimate power.” It’s why she’s being pursued, why her family was taken, and could be the key to saving all of their lives.
Action packed, with fresh, cinematic writing, Cold Fury is a riveting and imaginative adventure readers will devour.



T.M. Goeglein began his career as a writer of print and television ads for a host of advertising and media companies. As a screenwriter, he created both original scripts and worked as a script doctor for several production companies in Los Angeles. He was an original contributor to the Huffington Post ‘Living’ section, and continues to write for both the national edition and Huffington Post Chicago. Read T.M. Goeglein’s stories on the Huffington Post.

His debut young adult novel, COLD FURY, will be published by Penguin/Putnam in 2012 and is the first in a trilogy; he’s currently working on the second book. He lives in Chicago with his wife, Laura, and two young children.

Want to see why I loved Cold Fury so freakin’ much? You can check out my review HERE



1. Describe Cold Fury in a tweet (140 characters or less)


After her mom, dad and brother violently disappear, Sara Jane Rispoli infiltrates the Chicago mob in order to save her family!

2. The main character, Sara Jane is a boxer.


a)      Do you have any fighting experience?

I do.  I boxed for years at a hallowed dump on Chicago’s south side called (as it is in COLD FURY) Windy City Gym.  I was just good enough to know that I should never, ever get into the ring with someone like Sara Jane, who’s great.

b)      If you and Sara Jane got into a fight, who would win?

See my answer above; I might be able to hold my own for a round or two, but her killer left hook would have me on my back seeing stars and planets by at least the third bell.


3. What is the hardest part of writing for you?


Stopping.  Once I get on a roll and my characters are breathing, it’s impossible to quit.

4. If you could go anywhere in the world right now where would it be and why?


There is a tiny, pebbly beach near Portofino, Italy, right across the autostrada from a little inn called Il Hotel Piccolo, where the sea collects in a cool, clear pool and…OK, that’s it, I’m leaving right now.

5. Who is your all time favorite author?


A combination of J.D. Salinger, the greatest YA writer of all time, and Elmore Leonard, the greatest crime writer of all time; I’m very into ‘greatest all time’ writers, obviously.


Researching COLD FURY: Looking Inside the Outfit
It’s nearly impossible to be a citizen of Chicago, or elsewhere for that matter, and not have an awareness of the city’s criminal history.  Utter the word ‘Chicago’ nearly anywhere in the world and still, decades after his death, the response is invariably ‘Al Capone!’ (although ‘Michael Jordan’ is a close second.)  Capone was a ubiquitous media presence, courting publicity like a rock star right up until his incarceration.  Reams were written about him, he was photographed regularly, and then – it all stopped.  As soon as he went away, Chicago’s crime organization, the Outfit, seemed to go away, too, but in fact it grew stronger, richer, and more dangerous.  It learned from Capone’s constant place in the spotlight, which attracted unwanted legal attention, and went deep underground, away from prying eyes.  The Outfit has remained there ever since.
A number of books and articles have been written about the criminal organization, many of which I used in my research for COLD FURY.  But even more useful were the secrets hiding in plain sight, all around the city. Some places still stand as glowing testaments to the Outfit, while others are so bland and unremarkable that you have to blink and shift your gaze until they come into focus.  By observing two locations in particular, I learned how the Outfit operated before Capone’s arrest and death, and how it descended into the shadows almost immediately afterward.
First is the Green Mill Lounge.  Inside and out, it looks much like it did in the late 1920’s and early ‘30’s when it was owned by Capone and managed by a brutal henchman/hitman named ‘Machine Gun’ Jack McGurn.  Decades later, the interior retains a slinky elegance, from its long curving bar, to its frosted wall sconces, to its oil paintings framed in glossy, tropical wood.  Outside, the large green neon sign and flashing lights still demands the attention of passersby, nearly blotting out the bland signage of its neighbors.  In its heyday, the Green Mill’s stage drew the greatest singers and performers of its time, with gangsters and stars mingling freely without the slightest concern of police or public scrutiny.  In those days, at the height of his power, Capone sat at a private booth in full view of patrons, smoking, sipping, and drinking in the glory of his celebrity.  In 1927, when comedian Joe E. Lewis, refused to renew his contract at the Green Mill, Jack McGurn slit his throat and left him for dead.  No one said a word, least of all Lewis, who miraculously survived.
The next location, 2122 N. Clark Street, became notorious only two years later.  Now, it barely registers a glance, since it is simply doesn’t exist; the building is gone, replaced by a small grassy patch with a tree or two against a nondescript brick building.  In 1929, it was the SMC Cartage Company.  On February 14th of that year, it became the scene of one of the most infamous crimes in mob history, which spelled the beginning of Capone’s downfall.  The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre, led by Jack McGurn and another Capone Henchman, disguised as police officers, resulted in the bloody shotgun deaths of seven members of a rival gang.  The act was so blatant and barbaric that it caused a public outcry for justice, finally spurring law enforcement and prosecutors into action.  From that day on, Capone’s place in Chicago was never secure.  In 1931, he was sentenced to federal tax evasion and upon reporting to prison, never again set foot in the Windy City.  In his absence, the Outfit remade itself along corporate lines, instilling a strict policy of say-nothing-draw-no-attention-or-dieamong its membership that still stands today.  It wasn’t long before the organization disappeared from public view, just like the SMC Cartage Company, leaving an empty space marked forever by murder.

I have a copy of Cold Fury for one super lucky reader! Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this book! This one is open to US/Can peeps only due to shipping. 



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48 responses to “{Guest Post+G!veaway} Authors are Rockstars: T.M. Goeglein @TMGoeglein”

  3. Fiktshun

    Love the interview and guest post. I love the fact that the author knows he couldn’t beat Sara Jane! 🙂 She is totally kick-a**! And I loved hearing about the research that went into COLD FURY. The setting was described in such wonderful and vivid detail that it was evident that a lot of research went into its creation.

    Thank you so much for hosting this awesome author and for being a part of the tour! This stop totally rocks!

    Reply
  4. Two Chicks On Books

    Great interview questions. I’m a big boxing fan and that this character is a boxer makes it very interesting to me.I’m looking forward to checking it out.

    Thanks so much for being part of the tour!!

    -Patricia

    Reply
  5. Ginny VanO

    I have never real Elmore Leonard, shelved his books a lot at the library and mailed a lot of them out! Anyway, how do you like the book to movie adaptations of his novels? Do you have a favorite?

    Reply
  8. Kristin @ My ParaHangover

    Being from Cleveland, Chicago is where we went when we wanted to go to a bigger city and shop 🙂 I love Chicago, esp Wrigleyville and the fact that there are pubs across the street from houses! Amazing neighborhoods are everywhere. I wish I could have spent more time eating at the restaurants around the loop. I keep telling my brother and sis-in-law to leave Cinci for Chicago so I can visit! When I think of Chicago, I think Vince Vaughn… guess I’m weird…

    Awesome interview and great info on the mob scene that went “underground” in Chicago!!! I had no clue!!!

    Reply
  13. Ashley G.

    I loved the guest post! It was so interesting learning more about Chicago. I went to Chicago back in April and loved it! I got an ARC of Cold Fury soon after I got back and loved hearig about places and streets that I actually got to visit!

    Reply
  15. Lilian

    Thank you for the interview! I didn’t know the author learned how to box. I haven’t been in Chicago…yet. But there have been so many books set there that I must put it on my bucket list.

    Lilian @ A Novel Toybox

    Reply
  20. Christina K.

    I LOVE reading about the history of cities:)

    This book sounds amazing, with a great character and a great plot:)

    I wonder if T.M. saw any place that used to be a hangout for Capone and KNEW he had to include it, like it was so perfect he could practically see the characters of the book there.

    Thanks so much:)

    Reply
  21. Story Seekers

    Love this book. The girl, Sarah Jane, is an amazing fighter. I just found out this is going to be trilogy. Can you give some details on what might happen in the sequel?

    Reply
  26. Benita

    I’m so excited to have the possbility of winning your book. As I’ve not before read your work, this might be a real treat for me.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply
  28. Michelle

    This book sounds freaking amazing! I can’t wait to read it! And I loved the interview and guest post. Who did the cover of Cold Fury? It looks so badass.

    You are definitely a rock star!

    Reply
  31. Twisty J

    Having lived in Chicago, and working with a lot of the darker side of what goes on (in the field of sexual assault advocacy), I really like to read different perspectives on the city I still love. I think this sounds like a different kind of YA, and I would love to read it.

    Reply
  32. Suz Reads

    What gave you the idea to write this book? I always like to know 🙂 Thanks for this amazing giveaway! This book sounds great and I would love to win it!

    Reply
  41. Jessica S.

    Sarah Jane is a boxer? That is so awesome. I find it so great to hear about authors that can’t stop writing, it shows how much they love the craft. Not only that, but that the story will be amazing due to their love for it. I cannot wait to read Cold Fury!! Thank you for the giveaway! 🙂

    Reply
  42. desitheblonde

    that sound like great book look who fighting now in the ring and the olmpic the woemn are getting good in sprot firt off for men at one time but she soudn like she could kill yyou with the looks

    Reply
  44. Silverlight

    Great Interview/guest post! I’ve seen alot of this book making the rounds, and I’ve heard only good things about it, so I’m going to be adding it to my pile. Thanks!

    Reply
  47. Holly Bryan

    Thanks so much for this giveaway!! So, Mr. Goeglein, how does it feel being called a ROCKSTAR?! 🙂 I’ve been wanting to read this book ever since I read Michelle’s GUSHING review! It looks really great. I love the awesome young women characters I’ve been reading in a lot of YA books lately – they really are so much better than the simpering girls who can’t seem to do anything without a hot boy next to them 🙂 I also love the fact that you chose real places to feature in the book and I can’t wait to learn more about them. Oh, one more thing, I’m not a big JD Salinger fan, but I LOVE Elmore Leonard too, so that makes you alright in my book!

    Reply

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