Harlequin and Big Fish Games Release Harlequin Presents: Hidden Object of
Desire Downloadable Game

Leaders in Book Publishing and Game Publishing Release Their First Romantic Hidden Object Game

TORONTO and SEATTLE , Dec. 15 /CNW/ - Harlequin Enterprises Limited, the global leader in series romance and one of the world's leading publishers of women's fiction, and Big Fish Games, the multi-platform developer, publisher and distributor of casual games, today announced the launch of Harlequin Presents: Hidden Object of Desire. The hidden object game with a romantic storyline is the first game release following the announcement of the companies' partnership.

Inspired by The Royal House of Karedes, a Harlequin Presents(R) Mini Series, Harlequin Presents: Hidden Object of Desire features Allie, a reporter on assignment covering the 30th birthday of the Prince of Aristo. Following her arrival in the Kingdom of Adamas with her photographer, a series of events occur and players assist Allie in her quest to solve the mystery by finding hidden objects and solving puzzles.

"We are thrilled to be working with Big Fish Games to introduce our readers to this new interactive experience," said Donna Hayes , publisher and CEO of Harlequin Enterprises Limited. "Our partnership reinforces our commitment to brand innovation and we anticipate great success with Harlequin Presents: Hidden Object of Desire."

"Big Fish Games and Harlequin are wonderfully aligned as our audiences are global and largely female," said Jeremy Lewis , president and CEO of Big Fish Games. "The games we develop together - starting with Harlequin Presents: Object of Desire - will appeal to romance readers and casual gamers alike. We anticipate the partnership will lead to audience expansion for both companies."

Harlequin Presents: Hidden Objects of Desire will be sold online for $6.99 USD exclusively at www.bigfishgames.com. Players who download the game within the first year of its release will also receive a free digital edition of the first book of the miniseries.

The Harlequin Presents(R) series is among the most popular romance-novel series in the world - regularly topping eRetailer and retail bookstore bestseller lists. In 2008, Harlequin sold 130 million books and enjoyed a total of 252 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists. Harlequin sold a book every 4.1 seconds in 2008 and has sold approximately 5.76 billion books since its inception.

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 28 languages and sold in 114 international markets. The company produces more than 110 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 18 countries, including offices in Toronto , New York and London . For more information please visit www.eHarlequin.com or press.eHarlequin.com.

About Big Fish Games

Founded in 2002, Big Fish Games is a multi-platform developer, publisher and distributor of casual games, including downloadable, flash, social, MMO, console and mobile games. Renowned for offering A New Game Every Day!(R), Big Fish Games distributes more than 1.5 million games per day worldwide. With headquarters in Seattle and offices in Vancouver , British Columbia, and Cork, Ireland , Big Fish Games partners with 500+ game developers and develops and publishes some of the industry's leading brands, including Mystery Case Files(R), Hidden Expedition(R), Drawn(TM), Fairway Solitaire(TM), My Tribe(TM) and Faunasphere(TM). For more information about Big Fish Games, visit www.bigfishgames.com.

For further information: Media Contacts: Michelle Renaud, Public Relations Senior Manager, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, [phone], [email protected]; Kate Brinks, Corporate Communications Director, Big Fish Games, [phone], [email protected]