E.L. James Book Blog Tour - Interview and Giveaway

We are so excited to have with us today author E.L. James. We've loved reading about the sexy Christian Grey a.k.a. Fifty *Can I kidnap him away from Ana?* so welcome to Under The Covers and thank you for stopping by and chatting with us!

Thank you for having me and for hosting. I can’t thank you enough for the wonderful work you and other book bloggers do, getting indie authors out there and making their work known. It really is appreciated.

There are some rumors about the Fifty Shades story started out as a fan fiction you wrote called Master of the Universe. Are any of these true, and if so, what were the changes and obstacles that the story went through to become what we know today?

All the rumors are true – it did. MOTU was very popular and after much thought I decided to publish it. It’s since been tweaked, and some revisions made for publication.

The Fifty Shades books have been very popular. What is it about Christian Grey that makes him irresistible in your opinion?

Not everyone finds him irresistible… believe me! But to me – and a great many readers – he is. I think it’s because he’s very attractive, wealthy, powerful, controlling, and domineering – the kind of traits a lot of women dream of in their fantasy guys (the domineering and the controlling bits may not be quite so attractive in real life). He also knows what to do in the sack – he has great stamina and is not freaked out by a woman’s body in any way. But at the same time he’s very, very fragile, and it’s when readers see that side of him that he becomes irresistible. I’ve read many times in reviews that women just want to scoop him up and hug him… mend him.

I think the aspect I like the most about the book is, even though it's classified as a BDSM erotic book, this book was much more about the journey of the characters to me. What's your favorite aspect of the story?

I don’t think of it as a BDSM story – that’s just a backdrop. I have always said this is a love story with a kink. For me I think it was peeling back Christian’s layers that I enjoyed the most. When we first meet him we make all kind of assumptions about him, which – I hope – turn out to be wrong. I do like surprising a reader, and taking the story through twists and turns that are unexpected. I hope that’s the case with Fifty Shades Darker.

Who is Gretchen and what are your plans for her? Why the hell does she keep staring at Fifty? :)

Gretchen is an au-pair visiting from Europe. She, like most women with a pulse, has a thing for Christian because of how he looks. He doesn’t see it himself. Though he understands that he’s a good-looking guy, he certainly doesn’t feel that way on the inside. I think she’s just around to keep Ana on her toes…

Will Ethan and Mia have their own book or will we see them in the next book? Will we see more of Leila?

I hadn’t thought about writing a book about Ethan and Mia’s story… that’s an idea. I’ll get back to you on that one. And Leila… well, you can’t keep a good sub down. That’s all I’ll say about that.

Living in the UK, what made you choose Seattle as the main setting for the book?

Seattle is the jumping-off point for one of my favorite books, Love Song For A Raven by Elizabeth Lowell. It was such fun setting it there. I have never actually been, but now I feel like I would know my way around – should I be lucky enough to visit – because I’ve become so familiar with the place via Streetmap.

We all pine for Christian Grey. Which fictional character do you pine for?

Gosh… there’s a question. I think Samuel Gerrard in Laura Kinsale’s The Shadow and the Star. He’s at least forty shades of f*cked-up… and of course, Edward Cullen in Twilight.

Can you share with us some of the books you have on your bookshelf?

I have an attic full of romantic fiction. Favourite authors include Elizabeth Lowell, Laura Kinsale, Nora Roberts, Judith McNaught, and Brenda Joyce, to name but a few.

What are some of your favourites?

My favorite books would have to include those I have already mentioned, plus any that are on my GoodReads page. As I was looking at those I remembered Isabel Allende’s House of the Spirits – which I loved… but it haunted me, too. My mother is Chilean, so it really resonated with me. I also loved Memoirs of a Geisha… a wonderful, sad yet hopeful tale. I confess I am a crap reviewer – I don’t analyse plots or characters, I just want to be taken on a wonderful journey and to lose myself in a story.

Can you tell us five fun/quirky things about Christian Grey that we don't learn by reading the books?

Christian is:
Not keen on rap music
Loves watching ballet
Likes ALL food – except beets (Beetroot to the Brits!)
Plays Words With Friends
Always loses to Elliot at Call of Duty

If you were dropped into the world of ANY book, where would you like to live?

I’d like to be an exceptional witch at Hogwarts.

Daunted by the singular sexual tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house.

But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades.

While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.

READ OUR REVIEW OF THIS BOOK!

Haven't read book one yet?  Here's our review of Fifty Shades of Grey (book one).

Today we are giving away TWO ebooks of Fifty Shades Darker.  This contest is open internationally.  Winner will be picked via Random.org and as usual all you have to do to enter is:

1. Be a follower of this blog
2. Fill out the form below

Winner will be announced after the end of the tour, on October 15.  Good luck everyone!

Purchase Links:
The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon De

Full Tour Schedule

Oct. 3 Interview, and giveaway at Sam, E & R's Awesomness!!
Oct. 3 Review, interview, and giveaway at Book That Thing

Oct. 4 Review, Guest Post and giveaway at My Life. One Story at a Time
Oct. 5 Review, guest post, and giveaway at Journey with Books
Oct. 6 Review, interview, and giveaway at Endlessly Bookish
Oct. 7 Review, interview, and giveaway at The Book Hookup
Oct. 8 Review, guest post, and giveaway at Reading Lark
Oct. 9 Review and giveaway at Badass Book Reviews
Oct. 10 Review, interview, and giveaway at Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
Oct. 11 Review and giveaway at Bona Fide Reflections
Oct. 11 Review, Interview, and giveaway at Under the Covers
Oct. 12 Review, guest post, and giveaway at Rob Pattinson Scene
Oct. 12 Interview and giveaway at Pattinson Post
Oct. 13 Review, guest post, and giveaway at The Write to Make a Living
Oct. 14 Review and giveaway at Better read than dead