'50 Shades Of Grey' Author Kicks Off Week Of Events In New York

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- "Fifty Shades Of Grey" author E.L. James kicked off the New York portion of her national book tour on Monday.

Four hundred women and one man lined up at Carlyle on the Green in Bethpage State Park, paying as much as $125 for tickets to see the British writer whose erotic trilogy series has sold more than 3 million copies.

1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reports

The national bestsellers follow the sadomasochistic relationship between a recent college graduate and wealthy businessman.

The series has become a cultural phenomenon. "Saturday Night Live" couldn't resist poking fun over the weekend and there are talks the books will be adapted to film.

Despite topping the bestseller list for weeks, some Florida libraries have banned the steamy novels but fans embrace the sexually-charged books claiming they have put the spark back into their love lives.

Lyss Stern, founder of Divamoms.com which organized the sold-out Long Island event, said James' novels have "ignited a fire for marriages and rekindled sex lives."

Fan Pat Orfinger, 72, read the book twice, saying that besides the erotic content it was "a great love story."

James held a book signing at the Barnes & Noble in Carle Place at 7 p.m. Monday. She will also be at Barnes & Noble locations in Paramus at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Union Square at 7 p.m. Thursday.

She will also appear at a luncheon and book signing at the Willow Ridge country club in Harrison on Friday. Tickets are $85.

Have you read the books? What do you think? Worth the hype? Let us know below...