* Jacquelyn Frank: Author Override | UTC Reviews
* Skye Warren: Author Override
* Narrator Lorelei King: Interview
* Stephanie Tyler: Interview
* Carolyn Crane: Author Override | UTC Review
* J.T. Geissinger: Interview | UTC Review
* Men and Women of the Military Giveaway Hop
* Keri Arthur: Interview | UTC Reviews

Tuesday 11 October 2011

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.

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



Fifty Shades Darker Blog Tour

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

22 comments:

AngelaC said...

Love. Love. Love Fifty Shades!!!!
I knew it began as MOTU as a friend sent me the link to that blog sometime last year. But I wasn't too sure. Thank you for clearing it up.
I am glad for how the revisions and new names turned out for this book. It's an amazing book!

Great Interview UTC!!!!

Poison Rose said...

I've herd they are great read, and most every review I've read says all us ladies are swooing for Christian. I'll have to find out for myself. ;-)

Thanks for the fun interview!

Missie, The Unread Reader said...

I think Edward Cullen is a fictional character that everyone secretly pines for.

Thanks so much for the fun interview. Christian sounds really intriguing. Looking forward to meeting him.

New follower. :)

_yay_ said...

What? Are you kidding? There are people who don't find Christian irresistible? Well, I'm NOT one of them. Fifty is AWESOME and of course IRRESISTIBLE. No doubt abt it.
Great interview!
_yay_ / Book that Thing!

E L James said...

Thank you Under the Covers for the review and also for giving me time and space on your wicked blog... love it! Good luck to all those who have entered the giveaway. I do hope you enjoy the books. xox

Unknown said...

I enjoyed reading this interview. Your questions were original and Ms. James' answers fun to read.

Happy Reading,
Laurielu
Bona Fide Reflections

MzJosie said...

Love love some Fifty.


Laters baby.

Karen Vanessa said...

lovely interview! love fifty for been so mysterious & even thought he's too controlling he's super sweet and well the whole story, love it! :) thanks to E.L James for touring MoTu into an amazing book <3 now i can say its one of my favorite books ;)

Ollie said...

I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS SERIES! CAN'T WAIT TO READ IT!

Thanks for this giveaway!

redfirewood888(AT)yahoo(DOT)ca

Ollie aka DarkBloodyVamp

Unknown said...

One more for the TBR list, where have I been? I never hear of this titles before, and they all sound great, right up my alley... I'm glad I'm following you closely.

Megan@Riverina Romantics said...

I loved the interview ladies!

Pabkins said...

YOu definitely must visit seattle. My sis lives near there and I used to live in WA as well. It is dreary and rainy - but just something about that city
Pabkins @ Mission to Read

SdyLion said...

What a great interview. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of your characters and your novels. They sound so interesting. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com

LaPetitPrincesse said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
LaPetitPrincesse said...

Oh I remember how I absolutely fell in love with Fifty back when it was just a very popular fan fiction. I went on a sleepless marathon to read all the chapters Icy had already written and then was put in misery every time I had to wait for her to write another.
Definitely count me in for the give away.

In Julie's Opinion said...

I really would like to win a copy of this book! It sounds terrific, as does the first book :)

jwitt33 at live dot com

Anne R said...

Great interview. I have found another book I must read, very cool! And I must agree with you, I would love to be a kick-ass witch at Hogwarts. Thanks
Anne
Areeths at new dot rr dot com

Hedy said...

Wow to come from writing online to be able to publish...talk about living the dream of every author! Great job, EL! Wishes for much more success.
Great blog too! I'm definitely going to have to check out some more of these books you've reviewed. :)
--Hedy

SacredmOOn said...

Awesome interview! I love to hear from the writer's TY. :)
DeAnna
sacredmoon1@gmail.com

JessS said...

I haven't read either books yet but they sound really good! And after that interview I so want to find out more about Christian. Great interview and thanks for the giveaway! And yay Hogwarts, I'd totally want to come with.

jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com

MeikkiBeibi said...

Really great interview, I psyched to read the book now! ;D

erin said...

Thanks for the great interview! I've been reading such awesome reviews for this series. Can't wait to try it!