The last time I lapped up a Mills & Boon romance, pupils dilating every 10 seconds, was during my tenth standard exams. Such activities were restricted to 'the throne' (read loo), lest my father accuse me of whiling away precious eons 'reading novels', instead of swatting for Maths and the like.

The recent announcement that Harlequin Mills & Boons is coming to India rekindled these memories -- of me swooning and squirming in the same breath, courtesy flimsy premises that are packaged with fancy trimmings.

Yes, it's one of those concepts you LOVE to HATE, which by the way manage to sell at the rate of four books per second, across the world!

The male protagonist is tall, dark and handsome. Arrogant and successful too. Throw in a playboy image, and the plot thickens. Herein lies the ultimate challenge for our leading lady, who is attracted and repulsed by him, simultaneously. By the end of the piece, the man's ego must be cut down to size; he must be tamed and made fit for true love and matrimony. The lady is of course drop-dead gorgeous, hourglass figure and all. Charming too. Once in a while you stumble upon an odd book amongst the lot, where the characters break away from the usual stereotype, thus making you squirm a little less than usual.

So, the series will be sold in India for about Rs 99 a book. You can pick it up from your friendly neighbourhood newspaper kiosk or your local supermarket, besides bookshops. Mills & Boons addicts can keep an eye out for the blue-coded 'Modern' range, which offers 'slightly racier fiction' and the pink-coded 'Romance' range, with more 'traditional fare' (lots of wooing and serenading, perhaps?).

The big question: will these books eventually be spiced up for our consumption with Indian protagonists and local scenarios (a la Pizza Hut, McDonald's and the like)?

More importantly: when and if it happens, keeping in mind our great Indian fascination for fair skin, will Prince Charming be recast as tall, 'fair' and handsome (shudders!)?

Mills & Boon addicts, has the announcement gotten your pulses racing? Or do you love to hate it? Post your raves and rants in this space!

Author: Merril Diniz