from ice rinks to heartstrings: ellie k. drake’s sizzling sports romance
Get ready to dive into the world of romance, hockey, and self-discovery with two unforgettable books from Ellie K. Drake. From the spicy chemistry of Ice Contact to the forced proximity of Ice Block, these novels will leave you hooked!
Ellie K. Drake’s books are a must-read for fans of spicy romance, hockey, and character-driven stories. With Ice Contact and the soon-to-be-released Ice Block, she’s bringing fresh energy to the sports romance genre, making it impossible to stop turning the pages.
Ice Contact
Tropes: pro hockey player x national anthem singer, fast burn, no 3rd act breakup , steamy, protective mmc, He falls first (and hard), instalove, witty banter
Olivia Brooks, the national anthem singer for the Milwaukee Steel Riders, is stuck in a miserable relationship. After a night with a stranger, Hayes Larson, the star centre for the team, After a one-night encounter with Hayes Larson, star centre for the team, Olivia’s world collides with his weeks later when she sings the national anthem at one of his games. Will they risk it all for love, or will career and heartbreak stand in the way?
Ice Block
Tropes: frenemies to lovers, one night stand, grumpy sunshine, hockey goalie x graphic designer, forced proximity, only one bed, vacation/off season romance, possessive mmc
Maggie James, a career-driven graphic designer, has had enough of her dead-end job. After a one-night stand with the brooding Russian hockey goalie Vladi Volkov, she thinks it’s a simple escape. When they’re unexpectedly stuck together at a wedding, their chemistry reignites, and they must confront what they truly want. Can they resist, or will forced proximity and unresolved tension push them closer?
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of Ice Contact and I fell in love! From the very first line—"Chest Bush coming in hot"—I was hooked. Ice Contact balances humour, chemistry, and a fresh take on the sports romance genre, making it impossible to put down. Olivia and Hayes are the perfect match. One particular moment that really stood out to me was when Hayes encouraged Olivia to take a leap of faith in her career. It showed his support for her growth, and I couldn't help but cheer for them as they tackled their personal hurdles. I loved that there wasn’t a third-act breakup, which made their romance feel so much more genuine. The side characters, especially Maggie, were a standout. She added so much fun to the story, and I’d love to see more of them in future books. If you’re a fan of hockey romances or just enjoy a heartfelt, feel-good read with amazing chemistry, Ice Contact is definitely one to pick up. It’s a fresh, fun, and emotionally satisfying ride.
After finishing Ice Contact, I was eager to learn more about the story behind the book, so I reached out to Ellie K. Drake for a deeper look at her writing process and the inspiration behind the story. Ellie graciously took the time to answer my questions, giving me a glimpse into her journey as an author. It was an absolute pleasure getting to know the person behind the books, and it’s clear that she’s not only an incredibly talented writer but also a genuinely kind individual. As a rising star in the romance and hockey genres, Ellie brings fresh perspectives to both, captivating readers with her unique blend of spicy romance and character-driven narratives. I was lucky enough to chat with Ellie about her writing process, her inspiration, and the characters that have made her books a must-read.
What inspired you to write Ice Contact? Was there a specific moment or idea that sparked the story?
Ice Contact is an idea I’ve been floating around in my head for a while. I’m actually a real national anthem singer, so I always thought it would be neat to show that side of a hockey game and didn’t see one, so I thought… why don’t I just write it! And here we are!
How do you develop your characters? Do you base them on real people or fully create them from scratch?
Character development is such a strange thing for me to explain. I feel like sometimes I blackout when I write! I am the type of author who sits down and just types what comes to mind. I do try and think about what kind of nervous tics they have, what are their tells. My editor helps me work through their voices and mannerisms as well and we try and think about who they are and what has made them this way. We worked really hard in Ice Contact to make sure Olivia had a nice arc to grow as a person and I think she turned out pretty well.
In terms of if they are based off of real people, some are, and some aren’t. There is a lot of me in Olivia. Certain mannerisms of Hayes are based off of my husband, but just little things. He did help me find confidence again after being in a bad relationship so a lot of that is where the story came from. And then you have characters like Maggie who is a little bit of a lot of my friends, and Vladi who is based off of a lot of watching hockey players, and then Bougie is… well he’s Bougie.
What kind of research did you do to ensure the hockey aspects felt authentic?
I am a huge hockey fan! I know a lot about the game, so that helps. But I also do have a family member who works for a professional hockey team and he proofs my hockey scenes for me! For book two, Vladi is a goalie, and I’ve actually watched a lot of goalie instructional videos online to try and get into his mind a bit and what it’s like being at goal.
Do you plot your books in advance, or do you prefer to let the story unfold as you write?
I do not plot out my books. I have ideas in my head, and a lot of notes in my phone, and maybe a vague idea of where it’s going to go, but I don’t plot out the story. I just sit at my keyboard and let the story tell itself. I’ve been a songwriter for a long time and that’s my process for that as well, so I think that’s why I can’t sit down and plot out a book either.
What has been the most surprising thing about being a published author?
The most surprising thing is when I’m at a book con or signing event and people come up and tell me they love my characters! A sweet reader made a tote bag that had Hayes Larson on it as one of her favourite book boyfriends and I got a little choked up. And the love and support from so many people who had never even read my book supporting it and helping me promote it still brings me to tears. Bookstagram can be such a wonderful community!
Is there a particular message or theme you always hope to include in your books?
I always want people to finish my books with a feeling of hope. You can work to make your life what you want it to be. You deserve great things, and there is a great person out there for you! And to encourage people to try hard things and something you never thought you could do
Has being a writer changed the way you read books?
For sure! It’s a different experience reading after you write a book. Just paying attention more to what words an author uses, and why would that character use that word. I notice things like that now, and never did before. Also… finding time to read is nearly impossible now, so I am a huge fan of a novella these days.
If you could share one piece of advice with aspiring authors, what would it be?
The best piece of advice is just to write!!! Sit down and tell your story and see what comes out. Also, dare to suck. Even if you write something bad, or that may not be as good as what you want it to be, it may lead to something amazing someday.
Ellie K. Drake has truly carved a niche for herself in the world of sports romance with her captivating characters and sizzling chemistry. Ice Contact and Ice Block are perfect examples of how she blends heartfelt romance with the intensity of hockey, creating stories that fans of both genres will love. Whether you're looking for a fast-burn romance, forced proximity tension, or characters you can root for, Ellie’s books deliver on every front. I can’t wait to see where she takes us next. If you haven’t picked up her books yet, now is the perfect time to dive in!
To keep up to date with Ellie, follow her on Instagram here.
This article was written by Ash, who you can follow on Instagram for more bookish content — https://www.instagram.com/ashinbetweenpages