Carol M. Tanzman
Publication date: July 24th 2012
by Harlequin Teen
THE BIGGEST STORY OF MY LIFE COULD BE HOW IT ENDS It's my turn to run a "Campus News" crew, and I've put together a team that can break stories wide open. And Washington Irving High has a truly great one to cover, if only we can find a lead.
A secret society has formed in our school. It announced its presence with pranks: underwear on the flagpole, a toilet in the hallway, cryptic notes. A circle of silence keeps the society a mystery. No one knows its members, agenda or initiation secrets-until a student lands in the hospital under "strange" circumstances.
I "will" blow this story wide open and stop others from being hurt...or worse. And while my ex, Jagger, might want to help, I don't trust him yet. (And, no, not because of our past together. That is "not" important to this story.)
But whether you find me, Valerie Gaines, reporting in front of the camera, or a victim in the top story of the newscast...be sure to watch "Campus News" at 9:00 a.m. this Friday.
Interview with Carol M. Tanzman
Hi Carol! Thanks so much for dropping by!
Q. Circle of Silence is stated as book 2 in the WiHi series, but it doesn't seem to be a sequel, can you tell us how it relates to dancergirl?
The books are, in essence, companion books. They’re stand-alones, they come to their own conclusions, and don’t have to be read in order. They are however, linked by setting; each book takes place in Brooklyn at the same high school, fictional Washington Irving High or WiHi, as the students call it. The main character in Circle of Silence makes a minor appearance in dancergirl and some of the characters from dancergirl make appearances in Circle of Silence. Since they are both contemporary YA thrillers, it was a way to write separate books while at the same time there’s something to unify them for the reader.
Q. Circle of Silence deals with secret societies in a high school, did your high school have secret clubs or weird quirks, or was it pretty boring (like mine)?
If my high school had a secret society, it was so secret no one knew about it! Like almost all high schools, however, we had pretty distinct cliques. I was in the theatre clique. Part of what I’m writing about in Circle of Silence is identity and labels. I do think my high experience of being so identified with one group played a major part in the writing of the book.
Q. What was one of the best parts of writing this book?
I loved experimenting with two voices. I wasn’t sure that it would work at first, but the second “voice” ended up adding more tension and depth than I ever could have had with just a single first person point of view throughout.
Q. What are you working on now?
I’ve just finished writing a quirky tween mystery with comedic touches. A bit of a departure for me but it was a lot of fun to write. I’m also starting another YA —but it’s too new to be able to talk about yet.
This or That:
- Bookmark or Dog eared? Dog eared. I wish I could say bookmark because I always feel bad dog-earring, but it’s the truth.
Q. Circle of Silence is stated as book 2 in the WiHi series, but it doesn't seem to be a sequel, can you tell us how it relates to dancergirl?
The books are, in essence, companion books. They’re stand-alones, they come to their own conclusions, and don’t have to be read in order. They are however, linked by setting; each book takes place in Brooklyn at the same high school, fictional Washington Irving High or WiHi, as the students call it. The main character in Circle of Silence makes a minor appearance in dancergirl and some of the characters from dancergirl make appearances in Circle of Silence. Since they are both contemporary YA thrillers, it was a way to write separate books while at the same time there’s something to unify them for the reader.
Q. Circle of Silence deals with secret societies in a high school, did your high school have secret clubs or weird quirks, or was it pretty boring (like mine)?
If my high school had a secret society, it was so secret no one knew about it! Like almost all high schools, however, we had pretty distinct cliques. I was in the theatre clique. Part of what I’m writing about in Circle of Silence is identity and labels. I do think my high experience of being so identified with one group played a major part in the writing of the book.
Q. What was one of the best parts of writing this book?
I loved experimenting with two voices. I wasn’t sure that it would work at first, but the second “voice” ended up adding more tension and depth than I ever could have had with just a single first person point of view throughout.
Q. What are you working on now?
I’ve just finished writing a quirky tween mystery with comedic touches. A bit of a departure for me but it was a lot of fun to write. I’m also starting another YA —but it’s too new to be able to talk about yet.
This or That:
- Bookmark or Dog eared? Dog eared. I wish I could say bookmark because I always feel bad dog-earring, but it’s the truth.
- Paperback or Hardback? Paperback. It’s the economics of it as both reader and writer. Both Circle of Silence and dancergirl are published in paperback, which makes it very affordable.
- Coffee or tea? Coffee, coffee, coffee. Cannot live without my caffeine fix!
- Funny or scary? Scary. I love thrillers!
- Bad boy or good boy? Ah, well, I’ve always been attracted to the bad boy who, it turns out, has a good boy streak hidden inside!
- Simpsons or Family Guy? Simpsons. Been on so long, they’re like family.
- Hunger Games or Harry Potter? Hunger Games. Katniss is an amazing female character!
Thanks so much for having me a part of the tour, Carol! I'm happy that I got to know you! And not only because you love coffee so much :D
This post is a part of:
 |
Monday, July 23rd - Alice Marvel's
Tuesday, July 24th Book Birthday - Evie Bookish
Wednesday, July 25th - The Book Cellar
Friday, July 27th - Kindle Fever
Monday, July 30th - Xpresso Reads
Wednesday, August 1st - Reading Angel
Friday, August 3rd - Harlequin Blog
Monday, August 6th- Letters Inside Out
Wednesday, August 8th - Chapter by Chapter
Friday, August 10th - I Just wanna Sit here and Read
Thanks to Kismet Book Tours and Harlequin Teen, a print copy of Circle of Silence AND a new Nook GlowLight skinned with the beautiful Circle of Silence Cover Art up (picture here) is up for grabs.
Open to US & Canadian addresses only
Use the Rafflecopter below to enter
Note: To enter for the Nook GlowLight, you MUST answer the special question in the Rafflecopter - answer can be found in the Interview ;)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Wow, this book looks REALLY good. *adds to TBR*
ReplyDeleteGreat post Giselle, I loved you interview! I would choose The Hunger Games as well :p
I HAVE to read Circle of Silence and dancergirl - I love YA thrillers, and I really love author interviews:) Glad there are two voices in this one:)
ReplyDeleteI too wish my school had a secret society:)
What a great interview!! I have not read Dancergirl, but this sounds fantastic. Good to know that it's a completely different story and I can just read this one if I want. I love dual POV's too.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! I had no idea it was the sequel to Dancergirl, and it does sound really awesome with all the high school cliques and labels. :) I need to check this one out soon! :)
ReplyDeleteI love a good YA thriller and one that involves journalism (since I'm teaching journalism next year) is even better! Great interview--I like the bad boy with a mushy good guy center, too.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Circle of Silence (and dancergirl!). I enjoyed learning more about the writing behind it. Thanks for the interview!
ReplyDeleteThis book looks awesome and Carol is great, awesome interview!!
ReplyDeleteLovely interview! I really like the sound of this book and can't wait to read it. I was always planning to go for Dancergirl first, but if they can be read separately, I guess it's okay to read Circle of Silence now (as I already have a copy of that one and not the other!) :D Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWonderful interview- thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHow have I not read the first book. I'm behind. This needs to be remedied. Sounds great!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the first book o_O. But, the premise, and cover of 'Circle of Silence' look promising. I guess I'm going to go buy the 1st book from B&N, now.
ReplyDeleteI love this series! Cool interview :)
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! This sounds like a really good book! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book!
ReplyDeletexx
I love the This or That questions, they're so fun! AHHHHH, I hate scary books! They're so..l scary. Both The Simpsons and The Hunger Games are amazing.<3
ReplyDeleteAwesome interview, and thanks so much for the giveaway! Unfortunately I live in the UK, but good luck to anyone entering. (:
I own dancergirl and really want to read it, especially after learning a little more about this one. I had no idea that they were companion novels. Great interview and thanks for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeletePat~ I want the book! All in for the win! But not the nook if possible... Maybe.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun interview! That's cool she chose Hunger Games over Harry Potter...just because I think most people would choose HP (like me LOL)
ReplyDelete-Lauren
What a fun interview! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis book intrigues me. I love secret societies and I can never get enough of high school drama - in books anyway! ;-) Thanks, Giselle and Carol <3
ReplyDeleteWOW!! This book sounds so interesting! I cannot wait to try reading it!
ReplyDeleteI love the cover for this book, and it sounds great
ReplyDeleteMy high school never had a secret scoeity or I'm pretty sure it didn't. I think it would be cool if we had one and I would want to be a part especially if it's interesting and not too scary.
ReplyDeleteI've already added this to my TBR, didn't realize it was the companion book to Dancergirl, I'll have to check that one out too! Fun interview by the way! =)
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome interview. I love that Carol chose Katniss over HP. (I don't know if I could choose...) I always love author interviews because they give us, the readers, a chance to get inside the author's heads a little bit.
ReplyDeleteI read Rachel's (@ The Readers Den) amazing review and fell in love with the concept of the book. I'm definitely going to read this book.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, Giselle. :)
I love reading books about secret societies especially in high school.
ReplyDeleteSounds like it holds a certain creep factor. I'm in!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book! Going to add it to GR. Thanks so much for sharing with us & I'm looking forward to your review.
ReplyDeleteAwesome interview! My hubby would agree with the Simpsons and I would choose The Hunger Games also. :) Can't wait to read this one!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for the fun post and giveaway! This book sounds fabulous I'm running over to check it out more now :)
ReplyDeleteMost of the books I've read that have secret societies are books where the characters are in college, so it's really interesting to note that they are in high school here. This looks like a great book.
ReplyDeleteWow, so many giveaways! You must be such a busy girl... and keeping us busy with all these books to read! I'm intrigued with this one, and it sounds fantastic. I love secret socities!
ReplyDeleteI have a soft spot for bad boys with a heart of gold inside ;) Circle of Silence sounds really, really good!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview Giselle! I have had Dancergirl on my TBR for a while now. I like how the two novels tie together but don't necessarily have to be read in succession. And I am definitely team Hunger Games too! Katniss FTW :)
ReplyDeletethis book looks great i would love to read it!
ReplyDeleteI added this to my reading pile. I haven't read a YA thriller before. This could be a great introduction for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
This book sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this interview and this giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI can never do dog-eared!! I'm terrified of ruining the book - - she's brave lol
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really great book, and I like that it has 2 different povs. Thanks for the great interview!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this giveaway chance and You have a lovely website. Thank you. Jerri Davis
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read! I'm intrigued by the "two voices" and how that will be to read. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI want this so bad!!!! I'm in :D
ReplyDeleteSo cool interview :)
Thank you. This looks so good! I cant wait to read it :D
ReplyDeleteI cant wait to read the book!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the amazing giveaway! I loved Dancergirl and can't WAIT to get my hands on Circle of Silence :D Love the interview– I love coffee too, but hate scary movies :/ have never been able to sit through one!
ReplyDeleteSooo excited to read the book!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great interview, Giselle and Carol! I loved Circle of Silence, it had me wildly clicking the pages at the end! Carol, I love a bad boy with a good streak too. Thanks for the awesome giveaway ladies! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. Thank you for sharing and hosing the giveaway. Adding this book to my TBR.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for joining the tour! For those who already read Circle of Silence or dancergirl, I am so happy you enjoyed the books! Good luck to all for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this amazing giveaway - I would love to win!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a REALLY good book!! Lovely interview and thanks for the giveaway Giselle!
ReplyDeleteFarah @majibookshelf
thankyou for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI actually haven't heard of this title yet, but I'm adding it to my TBR pile as I type.
ReplyDeleteHi Ms. Tanzman! I haven’t read anything by you, so I’d love to start with Code of Silence! I have to say, I love the cover!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway!!!!
Alyssa Susanna
Great interview! I have to get these books now; they sound amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!