Hera acquires two intense and steamy contemporary romances from Emma Rae
October 31, 2023
Hera are delighted to announce that they have signed Emma Rae in a two-book deal for spicy contemporary romances, inspired by much-loved Wattpad style fan-fiction and irresistible sports love interests.
Emma’s first book will be published in Paperback Original and ebook in spring 2024, with the second book following in late 2024.
World English language rights were agreed by Publishing Director, Keshini Naidoo.
The first book in the two-book deal, titled Love Game, follows the romance between Elle - a chef looking for a new cooking gig while she tolerates her cheating boyfriend with whom she splits rent with - and the allusive and undeniably attractive American tennis superstar, Nicky Salco. The two meet when Nicky is in London for Wimbledon and Elle is hired as his personal chef. Upon learning that her contract is a live-in situation, and Nicky’s strange and demanding eating habits leave him ravenous in the middle of the night, Elle and Nicky end up with plenty of alone time into the early hours. As feelings grow, and the heat in the kitchen is too much to handle, Elle must face the realities of her situation: Nicky is famous. He is engaged. Surely it can never happen. Or can it?
The second book by Emma follows Lexi, a recent Oscar-winning documentary maker who focuses on big political world issues at the heart of her creations. So, when she is asked to fill in for a colleague and film the universally famous boy band, Rebel Heart, on their reunion tour for their own documentary - she is stunned, and can think of far better use of her time. As she learns about the band by interviewing each member and watching their performances, she can’t ignore the prickling feeling that the frontman, Aidan McArthur, gives her. Lexi thinks he’s egotistical, entitled, and impulsive. Equally, Aidan thinks Lexi is high-strung, secretive, and emotionally devoid. In a classic enemies-to-lovers arc, the two find themselves pushing and pulling at one another, in circumstances that neither dreamed of happening.
Keshini Naidoo says: ‘I fell in love with the idea for both Love Game and Emma’s second book instantly. The concepts were fun, modern, sexy and indulgent. They are filled with nostalgia for cross-generation readers who grew up falling head over heels with boy bands, and as adults want to relive parts of this experience from a fresh grown-up perspective, with a lot more complexity at the heart of the story.
‘Similarly with Love Game, I adored the fantasy we get to enjoy as a reader being thrown into a world with the most eligible athlete. Though the characters face challenges of outside relationships, break-ups, cheating scandals, and heads vs hearts arguments, you cannot help but push through and champion for the best possible outcome. The richness of food, sport, and midnight rendezvous combined truly created a delicious romance I am hugely excited to share with our audience.’
Emma Rae said: ‘As both a fan and writer of sexy, swoonworthy romance, I’m so thrilled and excited to be joining Hera’s list. From the start, Keshini and Dan O’Brien, Editorial and Campaigns Executive,shared my passion for Love Game, and made me feel like I’d found absolutely the right individuals to champion my contemporary romance novels. I cannot wait for readers to get to know personal chef Elle Caraway, as she navigates working for American tennis star Nicky Salco, and all the challenges (and sizzling chemistry) that it brings, in this sports-meets-food love story!’
For more information, please contact [email protected]