Press Association News, February 2, 1993, by  Martina Devlin
"Coffee romance book has instant appeal "
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Viewers waited three years for the Gold Blend smoothie to 
kiss his coffee companion ... but they must wait only until 
next week to learn if the couple live happily ever after. A 
book about the slowest TV love affair ever is being 
published on February 11, called Love Over Gold. Publishers 
Corgi Books are keeping the paperback closely under wraps 
until Sunday, when the first review copies will be made 
available. "It's all top secret, I can't even tell you what 
the cover is like. Everyone will just have to wait and see," 
said Jenny Dufton, head of paperback publicity. The book is 
timed to catch the Valentine's Day market and has the 
blessing of the coffee company. Corgi invited a female 
author, writing under the pseudonym Susannah James, to pen a 
350-page novel version of the long-running coffee 
commercials last year. Actors Sharon Maughan and Tony Head 
were catapulted to fame on the strength of the ads, first 
seen in November 1987. It took three years for their first 
screen kiss, and the couple's chemistry as they flirted over 
the coffee beans increased Gold Blend sales by 40% since 
Sharon first turned up on Tony's doorstep to borrow some 
instant. The 11th commercial was screened in December, when 
a jealous Tony burst in on Sharon as she dined with an 
Italian and whisked her away in masterful fashion. Corgi 
Books is expecting runaway sales of Love Over Gold, which 
will sell at #3.99 a copy. The novel's print run is said to 
be "considerable".



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