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Center Ring

A Novel

Published by She Writes Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
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About The Book

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.

About The Author

Nicole Waggoner is a decorated teacher of literature, literary criticism, formal writing, and French. She lives in Norman, Oklahoma with her husband, Mike, and children, Noah and Maya. Other loves of her life include green tea, great conversations over vino and carbs, water and sand, random acts of kindness, women’s health, and all things theater.

Product Details

  • Publisher: She Writes Press (April 26, 2016)
  • Length: 440 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781631520341

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Raves and Reviews

Endorsements for Center Ring “Nicole Waggoner’s writing sings in this beautiful story of love and friendship. Center Ring will have you cheering for Norah and her posse of gal pals so much, you’ll wish they were yours!”
—Kim Boykin, best-selling author of A Peach of a Pair, Palmetto Moon, and The Wisdom of Hair

“In Center Ring, Nicole Waggoner deftly chronicles the lives of five friends as they navigate the intersecting paths of relationships, family, and career. By coupling themes of loyalty, loss, and redemption with insight and wit, Waggoner creates the rare gift of a book that manages to be both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.”
—Pam Jenoff, best-selling author of The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach

“Timely and compelling, Waggoner’s debut delivers a deft look at women and contemporary life, examining the choices we make and the decisions that define us.”
—Laura McNeil, author of Center of Gravity and Sister Dear

“Nicole Waggoner is a fabulous writer, and the women of Center Ring are fully realized and completely captivating. Highly recommended.”
—Richard Fifield, author of The Flood Girls

Center Ring is a beautifully written, highly relatable novel about the balancing act that is modern womanhood. Waggoner treats her richly drawn, relatable characters with compassion and understanding.”
—Kristy Woodson Harvey, author of Dear Carolina and Lies and Other Acts of Love

“No matter what successes are achieved in life, missteps and self-doubt can make it nearly impossible to find balance. Nicole Waggoner’s debut novel is an exemplary example of how five women, so different from one another, struggle with love, life, and identity. It is so much more than a story of friendship. It is a tale of endurance, hope, and determination. I want to jump into this book and become friends with all of these women. I am definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.”
—Whitney Dineen, award-winning author of The Reinvention of Mimi Finnegan

“Authentic, funny, and concerned with the things in life that matter most—friendship, motherhood, love, and, of course, flings with gorgeous Hollywood movie stars—Center Ring brings five unique women to life and tells their stories with compassion and charm.”
—Kamy Wicoff, author of Wishful Thinking

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