Harlequin Giving Away Free Books to Celebrate 60th Anniversary

Harlequin Offers 16 Free Romance Novels to iPhone and iPod Touch Users

TORONTO, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ — Harlequin Enterprises Limited, the global leader in series romance, and Lexcycle Stanza, developer of the most popular electronic book reader for the iPhone and iPod Touch, today announced the release of 16 completely free romance novels available for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

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“Harlequin is celebrating 60 years of pure reading pleasure,” said Brent Lewis, VP Digital & Internet. “We’ve had such tremendous success not only because of our exceptional editorial but by innovating and responding to the changing needs of our readers. We know she values the convenience of reading on her mobile device during her busy day.”

The free Harlequin titles will be available beginning today to all iPhone and iPod Touch Stanza users. Stanza for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch is available as a free download from the iTunes App Store or from www.lexcycle.com.

At the 2009 MacWorld Conference and Expo, Stanza was named the Best Free or Ad Supported App by the 2008 Best App Ever Awards. More than one million users have downloaded Stanza since the Apple App Store opened in mid-July. Stanza owes its explosive growth to the exceptional reading experience it provides, including the ability to completely customize the reading experience from 20+ font types, nearly limitless font sizing and a choice of more than 125 background and text colors.

“Some of the most voracious readers on Stanza are women, and we are proud to team up with Harlequin to introduce Stanza to iPhone-enabled romance fans around the world,” said Neelan Choksi, Chief Operating Officer of Lexcycle. “We anticipate that there are a lot of iPhones and iPod Touches that will be purchased as Valentine’s Day gifts this year. Offering free books from the world’s leading romance publisher is our way of spreading the love to our existing fans as well as the new iPhone users.”

Harlequin is a leading digital publisher and the first major house to make its entire frontlist available in eBook simultaneously with print. Harlequin also publishes several original digital-only programs, including Spice Briefs, Silhouette Nocturne Bites and Harlequin Historical Undone. Its titles frequent the eBook bestseller lists.

More information on Harlequin’s 60th Anniversary and Harlequin’s goal of giving a free romance novel to every woman in America can be found at www.HarlequinCelebrates.com. The total approximate retail value of the free books is $60.00.

About Harlequin Enterprises Limited

Harlequin Enterprises Limited is the global leader in series romance and one of the world’s leading publishers of women’s fiction, with titles issued worldwide in 29 languages and sold in 107 international markets. The company produces more than 120 titles monthly and publishes more than 1,200 authors from around the world. Harlequin Enterprises Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation, a broadly based media company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TS.B). Harlequin’s Web site is located at www.eHarlequin.com. Harlequin has offices in 19 countries, including offices in Toronto, New York and London. For more information please visit www.eHarlequin.com or www.press.eHarlequin.com.

About Lexcycle and Stanza

Lexcycle is a private company that strives to bring the digital reading revolution to readers around the world. With over one million users in 50 countries, Lexcycle Stanza is the highest rated and the most popular free electronic book reader for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. To learn more, visit www.lexcycle.com.

List of Free Titles (one from every Harlequin series)

Harlequin American Romance, Once a Cowboy by Linda Warren

Harlequin Blaze, Slow Hands by Leslie Kelly

Harlequin Historical, His Lady Mistress by Elizabeth Rolls

Harlequin Intrigue, Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch by B.J. Daniels

Harlequin Presents, Price of Passion by Susan Napier

Harlequin Romance, The Bride’s Baby by Liz Fielding

Harlequin Superromance, Snowbound by Janice Kay Johnson

Silhouette Desire, Baby Bonanza by Maureen Child

Silhouette Nocturne, Kiss Me Deadly by Michele Hauf

Silhouette Romantic Suspense, Stranded with a Spy by Merline Lovelace

Silhouette Special Edition, Dancing in the Moonlight by RaeAnne Thayne

Love Inspired, A Very Special Delivery by Linda Goodnight

Love Inspired Historical, Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart

Love Inspired Suspense, Hide in Plain Sight by Marta Perry

Kimani Romance, Irresistible Forces by Brenda Jackson

NASCAR, Speed Dating by Nancy Warren

SOURCE Harlequin Enterprises Limited