Title: Love Wins: A Ukraine Charity Anthology
Author: Submitted by participating author Dania Voss – author lineup includes Dania Voss, Maribelle McCrea, Marlene F Cheng, K.M. Jenkins, Deborah King, Annie R. McEwen, Pamela Clayfield, Tiffany Carby, Aimee O’Brian, R.A. Clarke, N. N. Light, Judy Fisher, Robert Beech, E.J. Powell, Alex Grehy, Kerry Carlisle, and Maris Parker
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Book Blurb: LOVE WINS—a Charity Anthology to support Ukrainian refugees
17 romance authors from around the world who want to do something to help the people of Ukraine have joined forces. It’s like the saying "write the book you've always wanted to read," so we've created the charity project we want to be a part of – a unique collection of stories, covering an assortment of different sub-genres and tropes.
We’re contributing 100% of the proceeds to World Vision’s Ukrainian Refugee Aid Fund. This organization has people on the ground in the Ukraine and Romania, providing food, shelter, medical aid, and all necessary assistance for the needy, with the focus of making sure children are safe and provided for.
"For me, it's very important that people from another part of the world show their support in this difficult situation in my country. Writers, who use their potential and talent to raise money for Ukraine, are definitely not only professional authors, but most importantly, kind people who care about others. I'm glad that different types of people are united for the same goal of helping Ukraine. The key moment is that the effort of everybody matters! And I really appreciate your help with raising both money and awareness for my country!" ~ Liza, a 15-year-old Ukrainian exchange student living in the U.S.
LOVE WINS is available for a limited time. Make a difference — get your copy today!
Excerpt from All Roads Lead to Shepherd Grove by participating author Dania Voss:
She caught up with old friends and met new residents. It did her heart a world of good considering the circumstances in which she had left. Maybe these few days in town would be just what she needed, even though at some point things would become contentious when she’d face off with Noah and his parents. For now focus on Daisy and the baby shower.
Melissa stood, facing away from the diner’s entrance, but she sensed the moment Noah walked in. Around her, the good-natured chatter died down. Her traitorous body heated, and her heart fluttered.
She turned slowly to face Noah Shepherd. The man she’d been forced to give up ten years ago to protect her family. The years had transformed the good looking boy into the most handsome man she’d ever seen. Thick blond hair and a chiseled jawline with a dusting of stubble. A wide muscular chest in a button-down shirt that brought out the blue in his eyes and slim hips in snug jeans was enough to make any woman’s mouth water.
When Noah made slow work of appraising her, it didn’t bother her like it had with Todd. She knew she looked pretty. His eyes widened when his gaze landed on her navy blue plaid shirt. So he recognized that she was wearing his shirt.
****
Shep stepped into Pearl’s diner, both excited and nervous after receiving a text from Mattie. Missy had arrived and it was time for him to make his move. Here goes nothing.
The diner was abuzz with activity. It seemed he wasn’t the only one happy to see her. That didn’t surprise him. Other than by his parents, the Green family was well liked in Shepherd Grove.
He spotted Missy right away, even though her back was facing him. Her shiny blonde tresses, curves that were to die for, and that angelic laugh. The diner became noticeably less chaotic, and then she turned toward him.
When their eyes met, his heart galloped in his chest so fast he thought it would burst. He felt a sense of masculine pride when her pretty cheeks stained pink. He looked his fill of the beautiful woman she’d become. But it was never her stunning appearance he cared about, it was her intelligence and giving heart he valued most. Whoa! Is she wearing my shirt?
“Come on over, Shep,” Mattie shouted over the diner’s dull roar.
“Afternoon, Mayor,” a resident said.
“Hey, Shep,” another resident welcomed him.
Shep greeted friends and residents as he made his way to Mattie and Daisy’s table where Missy and her friends were gabbing. It appeared her homecoming was off to a good start. He hoped his plans for supper didn’t ruin it.
Not normally nervous in front of a crowd, Shep found himself at a loss for words for the first time in his life. With the entire diner looking on, he was tongue-tied as he faced Missy after ten years.
“Harvard.” Shep waited on pins and needles for her response, and so did everyone else.
Missy raised a brow and smirked. “No reason to be jealous. They say Stanford is the Harvard of the West Coast.”
Shep couldn’t help but chuckle and that seemed to put everyone at ease. “That they do, Missy. That they do.” He’d graduated from Stanford with honors.
Missy had negotiated attending Harvard as part of the agreement when his parents had forced her to leave town. She had secured financial aid and won various scholarships, but he suspected his parents had made other arrangements, the evil, untrusting wretches. It’s all right. They’re gone and can’t hurt anyone anymore.
She toyed with the collar of his shirt, flashing him a mischievous grin. “I felt like plaid today. Hope you don’t mind.”
There it was. That sass he’d loved since she was five years old. He itched to get his hands on her, regardless of their audience.
“Go on and keep it. I doubt it would fit me now anyway.” He’d had a late growth spurt after Missy left for Cambridge. He was now three inches taller at six feet three and had bulked up.
She nodded and winked. He couldn’t resist any longer. Shep spread his arms and held his breath, praying she’d accept his offered hug. When Missy hesitated, his heart sank. Darn it.
But when she stepped into his embrace and held him tight, all was finally right with the world. Ten years of anger, longing, loneliness, and shattered dreams were whisked away. He inhaled her sweet essence and was home.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WP6XHRF/
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09WP6XHRF
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09WP6XHRF/
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09WP6XHRF/
What’s your favorite way to combat stress?
At home, to combat stress I like to listen to music – 80’s hair bands are my favorite, but I also enjoy from hip hop to classical depending on my mood. I have a jetted walk-in tub – so either a bubble bath or jets! Now…if I can get my butt out of the house – a visit to the spa is always a great stress reliever – from facials and pedicures to soothing/detoxifying mud wraps and massages.
Why is your featured book a stress busting read?
First, by picking up a copy of Love Wins you’re helping those in need in Ukraine – that in and of itself should make you feel wonderful.
Secondly, Love Wins is a collection of romance stories. Reading romance has so many benefits like: making us feel hopeful, transporting us to another place, reading about empowered women empowers us as well, we learn from character’s mistakes, we share in character’s successes and joy, we grow our understanding of other people and learn empathy. We’re there for that happy ending and that’s powerful.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $75 Amazon US or Canada gift card.
Open internationally. You must have a valid Amazon US or Amazon CA account to win.
Runs May 1 – May 31
Drawing will be held on June 1.
Author Biography:
Int'l bestseller and award-winning author Dania Voss writes compelling, sexy romance with personality, heat, and heart. Born in Rome, Italy and raised in Chicagoland, she uses her background to create stories with authentic, engaging characters. She loves anything pink and is a huge fan of 80’s hair bands. A favorite with romance readers, her debut novel “On the Ropes", the first in her Windy City Nights series, became a Barnes & Noble and Int’l Amazon bestseller. Dania’s books have won multiple awards including the 2019 Author Shout Reader Ready Awards, Oklahoma RWA 2020 Int’l Digital Awards, the 2021 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards (NERFA), in the Erotic Romance category, the 2021 N.N. Light Book Award contest in the Steamy Romance category. Her work has been highlighted on NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX, and she has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Southern Writers Magazine, and Chicago Entrepreneurs Magazine (selected as the #8 Top Chicago Author in 2021). The Windy City Nights series (in digital format) is going to the moon in 2022, as part of the Writers on the Moon project.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.daniavoss.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDaniaVoss/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dania_voss
Instagram: https://instagram.com/daniavoss
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