HARLEQUIN PUTS MOST ROMANTIC MEN IN AMERICA ON THE COVERS OF ITS BOOKS

Winners of Oxygen Network's Reality Show "Mr. Romance" Win Harlequin Cover Shoot

(NEW YORK) JUNE 2, 2005 - Harlequin has found the next Mr. Romance to grace the covers of its books. Harlequin, a leading publisher of women's fiction, teamed up with Oxygen to find the most romantic man in America on the popular reality show created by Gene Simmons of KISS, "Mr. Romance". Throughout the series, romancers-in-training entered a veritable "romance boot camp" and competed in front of a panel of celebrity judges/guests and romance professionals, including Fabio, Fred Willard and TV personality Tina Malave.

Randy Ritchwood, a truck driver from East Orange, NJ known for his street smarts and big heart, out-charmed the other contests and emerged as Mr. Romance. Andrew Larson, originally from Portland, Ore., a devoted outdoorsman and Alaskan Charter Boat Captain, won the Oxygen Viewers' Choice contest, with over 45,000 fans voting on Oxygen.com.

Both winners were photographed by professional book cover photographer, Michael Alberstat for future Harlequin covers. Randy will grace the cover of The Long Hot Summer by Rochelle Alers (Dec 2005) as well as an upcoming title from Harlequin's soon-to-be-launched African-American line in July of 2006. Andrew will be featured on the cover of a historical romance Midnight Marriage by Victoria Bylin (Jan 2006).

"I'm honored to be the modern face of romance," said Randy Ritchwood. "I'm certain that being on the cover of a Harlequin romance will change both my professional and love life."

"Harlequin covers have evolved considerably and today's covers reflect what our readers want - a more realistic, edgy and modern image of romance", said Mr. Romance judge and Harlequin Creative Art Director, Deb Peterson. "Harlequin has pushed the boundaries of women's fiction and now provides books for all moods including mystery, fantasy, chic-lit, Christian lines and a new line coming this summer for the women in the next stage of their lives."

** for additional photos from the MR. ROMANCE Harlequin cover shoot, please contact Farah Mehta 212 614 4970**

About HARLEQUIN

HARLEQUIN ENTERPRISES LIMITED is the one of the world's leading publishers of women's fiction. Its books are published worldwide in 25 languages and sold in 94 international markets. The company releases 100 titles monthly and publishes more than 1000 authors from around the world. Last year, Harlequin sold approximately 5 books a second. HARLEQUIN ENTERPRISES LIMITED is a wholly owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. ® and ™ are trademarks owned and used by the trademark owner and/or its licensee.

About Oxygen Media

Oxygen Media is a 24-hour cable television network that puts a fresh spin on television for women. Oxygen airs a diverse array of original series including the spontaneous, unscripted, daily Oprah After the Show, the hidden camera prank show, Girls Behaving Badly, and the live call-in show, Talk Sex with Sue Johanson. Oxygen is also the home base for Ellen DeGeneres with the acquisition of her hit talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show and sitcom Ellen. Oxygen airs more original programming and delivers the youngest audience of all the women's networks. Founded in 1998, the network is independently owned and now available in more than 54 million cable households. Oxygen Media also owns and operates www.oxygen.com.

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