Hera scores 'steamy' ice hockey series from Tegan Phillips

Hera has scored two "irresistibly steamy" books in an ice hockey series from debut author Tegan Phillips. 

Publishing director Keshini Naidoo acquired world rights, including audio and translation, directly from the author. Melting for You, the first book in the series, will be published as a paperback original and e-book in March 2025 with the second book to follow in January 2026. 

Melting for You follows 28-year-old Ellis, a "chronically ill woman juggling her health and floristry business", who stumbles into her college ex-boyfriend, Liam. Although Ellis is reminded of how Liam’s ice hockey career could never result in a stable relationship, a positive pregnancy test changes everything. 

Editor Dan O’Brien said: "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. 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." 

Phillips added: "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."