Slightly late (nothing new there then) but Happy New Year to all our visitors.

As promised back in 2011 we are running a competition where we have 3 sets of the first 5 John Gardner James Bond continuation novels up for grabs courtesy of the UK publisher. This open to everyone (apart from employees of Orion, family members and close friends) , all you have to do is answer the following questions:

1. What is the name of the hardback imprint under which ORION Books has published the first 5 John Gardner Bond continuation novels.
2. What was the original name of the company that kitted out The Silver Beast?
3. What is Anne Reilly's nickname?
4. Name the 3 cover artists responsible for the first five (JEG Bond) Jonathan Cape Hardback jackets?
5. James Bond & John Gardner had Winter/Arctic driving training from who?
6. What is the name of the terrorist training camp in Role of Honour?
7. What colour is the interior of the British Racing Green Bentley Mulsanne Turbo Bond drives in Role of Honour?
8. What is the name of Bismaquer's partner in For Special Services?
9. Who presented Ian Fleming with a .38 Police Positive Colt revolver with the inscription, "For Special Services."?
10. Which continuation novel first mentions the colour of "The Silver Beast"?

Send your answers by email (including your shipping/mailing address, otherwise you won't be able to send them to you) to: jesgcom@gmail.com This competition will be open until midnight (GMT) 31 January 2012. The winners will be randomly picked.

THE SILVER BEAST UP FOR AUCTION

Many thanks to John Cox at http://www.thebookbond.com/ for alerting us to this:

"The promotional replica of James Bond's famous Saab -- the "Silver Beast" -- is going on the auction block along with the contents of Saabs motor museum in Trollhättan, Sweden. The sale is part of Saab's recent bankruptcy."

I have many fond memories of my Father telling stories of the promotional tours that he did with this car, and we all hope that it will go to a good home. If you haven't visited The Book Bond get yourselves over there it is a wonderful site and has the definitive story of The Silver Beast. 

DAILY MAIL LIVE MAG

The Daily Mail Live Magazine ran a special Official 50th Anniversary James Bond Collectors Edition on January 15th and despite this being the movie anniversary celebrations Jolly JG managed to get a good mention. Here's the proof!

That's it for the moment, good luck if you are entering the competition and we will bring you the results in February. Thanks for your continued support in 2012.

Simon Richard John Gardner

The John Gardner - James Bond Box Set is now available http://tinyurl.com/bsbhsyw for only £44.80 at Amazon.co.uk a saving of £35.20 on the RRP. Hurry and get yours soon as the initial print run for this set is only 200.

In other news, we are due to bring you a little Christmas competition in December, the prizes we hope to be 3 sets of the first 5 hardbacks (not the boxed sets I am afraid) courtesy of ORION/Swordfish. Watch this space!

If you are a Bond fan, you will already be aware of the whole Q R Markham/Quentin Rowan plagiarism saga. Much has already been written and debated so for the best links and updates to this appalling case of the blatant ripping off of Gardner, Benson, Ludlum, McCarry and other popular spy fiction authors, follow The Complete Works of John Edmund Gardner page on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/7gjbcgf