Hera acquires two unique, spicy romances set in the world of ice hockey from debut author, Tegan Phillips

Hera are excited to announce that they have signed Tegan Phillips in a two-book deal for her irresistibly steamy new ice hockey series, set in Seattle.

Tegan’s first book will be published in Paperback Original and ebook in March 2025, with the second book following in January 2026. 

Hera Publishing Director, Keshini Naidoo, acquired World rights, including audio and translation rights, directly from the author.

The first book, Melting for You, features 28-year-old Ellis,  a chronically ill woman juggling her health and floristry business, until the night she stumbles into a familiar face: Liam, the boy she dated in college. She is reminded of the reason they had to break up: Liam’s travelling for his ice hockey career was never going to result in a stable relationship. But when ‘one night’ results in a positive pregnancy test, everything changes…

Editor, Dan O’Brien says: ‘Melting for You truly will thaw out an ice-cold heart. This is a spicy, funny and flirty roller coaster ride in the ice hockey romance genre. With a unique twist on the pregnancy trope and representation for communities we don’t see enough in fiction, Tegan has delivered a romance to satisfy reader’s cravings for athletic love interests, with a high rating on the spice levels.

‘As a chronically ill woman who has also recently had a baby, I was astonished to see this experience featured in a fiction title – especially a romance. However, Ellis’ illness is not all there is to her character: she is witty, sarcastic, and a joy to follow on her journey. Many readers will be able to relate to her anxieties, her worries from past relationships, and delving into the unknown.’

Tegan Phillips commented: ‘I am honoured that Hera wants to share the story of these characters and this world. I never imagined I would get my work published, it was a pipe dream. But everyone at Hera believed in me and my work enough to stand with me in bringing my story to fruition. These characters have loved, laughed, cried and raged in my brain for so long it feels like a part of my soul is weaved into each of them, so I am excited to share them all with you.’

For more information, please contact [email protected]