Debutante of the Month: Leigh Fallon

de·but
-noun
A person's first appearance or performance in a particular capacity or role.

Welcome to author Leigh Fallon's debutante ball...

Leigh enters the ballroom wearing a simple, elegant, black dress. Escorting her is actor Jason Behr.

And now (mostly) ladies and (a few) gentlemen, I introduce to you...Leigh Fallon! *cue applause* This new author in the literature realm is debuting this month with her book Carrier of the Mark.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRís. But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

As guests begin entering for the party, the DJ gets to work!

The setting of your party: If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Ooooh, I think I'd like my party to be in one of those ice hotels up in Scandinavia. You know, dance under an ice chandelier, with icy walls that are lit up with blue lights, giving the whole chilly cave effect. Then later, sleep on an ice bed lined in furs. Fabulous!

The guest list: Who are the top three authors (dead or alive) that you would like to meet? Authors... ummmm. I'd have to say, JK Rowling, Stephanie Meyer, and Jilly Cooper.

The menu: What do you consider your "brain food", the snacks that kept you going while you wrote your novel? Coffee (and lots of it), cinnamon brown sugar poptarts are a bit of a weakness, tea (copious amounts), oh and toast...lots of toast. Nummy.

The deb's high heels: If you could step into someone else's shoes for a day, who would it be and why? I'd love to step into Elizabeth Bennett's shoes for day. I'd get to smooch Mr. Darcy, wear whale bone corsets and beautiful dresses, and I'd have a mom who got away with saying this like 'I admire all my three sons-in-law highly. Wickham, perhaps, is my favorite, but I think I shall like your husband quite as well as Jane's.' Hahahaa!

The table centerpiece: What's the #1 thing that you can't go anywhere without? I hate to admit it, but my iPhone is surgically attached to my hand.

Now it's time for the debutante and her date to share their first dance! What song has stuck with you through life? REM - Everybody hurts. Gorgeous song that has stayed with me from when I was a younger. Love it.

We have a special guest tonight at the ball...Megan from Carrier of the Mark! Megan, what was your favorite scene from the novel you starred in? Oh that would have to be where I evoked my power. Taking control, and being seriously bad ass. I don't get to be like that often. Wow! It was such a buzz.

The heartfelt speech: How has the publishing process changed you? What have you learned from your experiences? I've had to come out of my shell a bit more, put myself out there. The publishing world is a tough place, with a lot of competition. People criticize, it's the nature of the business. You have to learn to not take things personally, to move on and not dwell on overly critical comments. In publishing promoting yourself as a person and as an author is a big part of your job. I always hated having my photo taken and being in videos, now I've learned to hold my head up and smile, just be myself.

The future: Now that you are officially introduced to society, what's next? Do you plan to write another book? I've just finished the yet to be named sequel to Carrier of the Mark, and I have third book planned to complete the trilogy. I am also working on a stand alone title, and have another series brewing. All I need now is a second set of hands and endless time to do it all in. LOL.

To finish up this debutante ball, Leigh is generously giving out a party favor to one of her lucky guests! One blog follower will win a signed, finished copy of her book, The Carrier of the Mark, along with some swag!
Just fill out the form below if you'd like to be entered.

Rules:
Must be a new or old blog follower. Ends on October 31. USA only. Two extra entries to those of you that spread the word about this interview & contest (via twitter, facebook, blogger post, sidebar, etc).

FIND LEIGH ONLINE: Website | Goodreads | Twitter