Nicole Waggoner takes center stage...plus a book giveaway

We are excited to feature Nicole Waggoner at CLC today to celebrate the publication of her debut novel, Center Ring, which kicks off her Circus of Women series. There has been a lot of buzz about this book and Melissa A is excited to read it soon, now that it has made its way to the top of her TBR pile. Nicole has TWO copies to share with some lucky US readers, but there's a catch....one of them will be for the friend of our winner.

Aside from being an author, Nicole is a decorated teacher with 12 years’ experience teaching upper level English and Literary Criticism courses. She is proud to call her husband and children her biggest fans. The other loves of her life include green tea, great conversation over vino, all things theater, skipping the gym, women’s health, and a fanatical commitment to live her belief that love is a verb to be paid forward. Visit Nicole at her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. (Bio courtesy of Nicole's website.)

Synopsis:
Norah Merrit, a dedicated obstetrician known for her bedside manner and service to Doctors Without Borders, walks into girls’ night out with a confession to make―and what she has to say shakes the group to its core. In the aftermath of Norah’s revelation, each of the women she calls her sister-friends―photojournalist Camille, stay-at-home mom Leila, publicist Ellison, and designer Kate―are left questioning the roads they haven’t taken, and revisiting the vastly different choices they’ve made in life and love.

Told in alternating points of view between the five friends, Center Ring is a story about modern women finding balance through action, relationships, and growth in the midst of challenges and change. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

We've heard many great things about Center Ring already! What is the best compliment you've received about it so far?
Thank you! I have been absolutely floored by the reception and am so grateful to the readers and bloggers who have given it their time! The best compliments have been from readers writing me to say that it helped them get through something difficult when they needed an escape. To think my words could make someone's chemo treatment, divorce, or grief even a modicum more bearable is truly humbling.

Which of the women from Center Ring do you relate to the most?
I am all of them and none of them, but "Leila" is definitely the most like me. People who know me in real life as a teacher, friend, parent, wife, etc., or have ever seen me run, pick out our similarities in a hot second!

What is something you wish you knew before you embarked on the publishing path?
That's a hard one. There is still so much I feel I don't know. I will say I never expected to spend so much time at the post office!

If Center Ring were made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
What a fun question! Here goes-
Norah: Keri Russell
Cami: Amy Smart
Leila: Ginnifer Goodwin
Ellie: Scarlett Johansson
Kate: Keira Knightley
Patrick Grayson: Henry Cavill
Enrique Orlando:William Levy

If you could take us on a tour of your town, where would we go first?
During this time of year, probably the storm shelter. We call it Harvard. We would go to Harvard :). Just kidding. I would take you on a walk around OU. It is a gorgeous campus surrounded by unique little boutiques and great places to eat/people watch.

Where is your favorite place to spend money?
Bookstores, shock :) Also, Costco because I'm fancy.

Thanks to Nicole for visiting with us and for sharing her book with our readers (and their friends).

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


US only. Giveaway ends May 1st at midnight EST.