Mills and Boon Centenary Celebrations!

As mentioned previously, this year marks the centenary for Mills and Boon. There are events happening all year long and of course we'll keep you updated!

Here's a bit of the company history, courtesy of the Mills and Boon website:

2008 marks 100 years of Mills & Boon.

The publisher, now a subsidiary of Harlequin Enterprises Ltd., has grown to become the UK's undisputed market leader in romance fiction publishing, entrenched in the hearts and minds of its avid readership.

Since two dashing young entrepreneurs - Gerald Mills and Charles Boon - launched the company in 1908 with just a modest £1,000, millions of women across the globe have been entranced by their books, reaching into their handbags or to their bookshelves to spend a few hours transported into a fantasy world of intrigue, danger, passion and romance.

Such is the strength of the brand that in 1982, a Mills & Boon book was added to a time capsule in the grounds of Castle Howard, Yorkshire, to mark the 60th anniversary of the BBC. The capsule contained 'vital clues of life in 1982 of generations to come'. Also, in 1997 the Oxford English Dictionary added 'Mills & Boon' to its esteemed canon - meaning, ‘romantic story book’.

Mills & Boon's army of dedicated readers know that once they pick a brightly coloured paperback, they will be taken on an easy, thrilling read - with a guaranteed happy ending. Alan Boon, one of the masterminds behind the stylised romances, once declared that the books "could take the place of Valium" - because they are so well known for their restorative quality.

Now...for the good stuff...bring on the party!

On the M&B site there is a link to a page with special Centenary giveaways...just click here to be taken to the proper page. I believe this month's draw is for travel bags....just in time for a vacation to escape the winter blahs!

And of course, here at the blog we're doing monthly giveaways so if you haven't already, drop an e-mail to hrablog@hotmail.com with the word CONTEST in the subject line, to win this month's prize - A signed copy of Melissa James's Mother in a Million. You have until January 31 to get your entry in!

One of this month's BY REQUEST offerings is Bride for A Billionaire. Inside you'll find a story by Romance's Liz Fielding.

The Billionaire Takes a Bride by Liz Fielding
Wealthy Richard Mallory has spent his life swarmed by beautiful, unsuitable women. Now, just when he’s given up on ever meeting Ms Right, he finds Ginny in his bedroom! She’s refreshingly different – natural, honest-looking, seemingly innocent…

In the SPOTLIGHT this month is Crown And Glory, featuring Patricia Thayer:

The Princess Has Amnesia! by Patricia Thayer
Rescued from a plane crash by handsome, former FBI agent Jake Sanderstone, Princess Anastasia couldn’t remember who she was. All that was clear was the searing attraction raging between them.

And each month there will be a special centenary release. Each release includes a BONUS STORY...very exciting! January's is from the Historical Line...The Vanishing Viscountess by Diane Gaston. Stay tuned for next month's, as it's by a very popular Romance author!

Don't forget to enter the contest to win Melissa's fabulous January release, and come back next time for some fabulous good news!!!!!!!!!!