IF you grew up reading about Greek tycoons, Russian princesses and the American girls with cornflower-blue eyes in the Mills & Boon paperbacks that you hid between schoolbooks, then prepare yourself for something like this - Harlequins and Romances set in India with subcontinental heroes and heroines - as the legendary publishers open shop here.

The publishing house was set up a century ago but founders Gerald Mills and Charles Boon could have never foreseen the revolution the “books in brown” have spawned. Canada-based Harlequin Enterprises has spread mush to over 100 countries and in 26 languages, with more than 1,300 authors penning one romance after the other. Now the India chapter is opened as Harlequin Mills & Boon (India) will print and distribute all their titles locally.

“Indian readers have been loyal and dedicated fans of M&B novels for years. Setting up local operations and distribution will make the brand available to our readers like never before,” says Donna Hayes, publisher and CEO, Harlequin Enterprises. “We’ve researched and found what our Indian readers want and there shall be some slight but significant changes in the editorial content,” says Andrew Go, director, Indian operations.

Prepare to sink your teeth into romances that will feature the lush green hills of Uttaranchal, the deserts of Rajasthan, and even the sacred temples of the South. Jake and Alice will soon be joined by Jay and Jyotsna and Manish and Meera in a separate India series. “The Indian market is huge, we might even consider translating the books into regional languages,” says Go. They’re not worrying themselves silly over piracy - not when they plan to bring out 10 titles a month, each priced at a superbly reasonable Rs 99.