#117 Dania Voss
Award-winning author Dania Voss writes compelling, sexy romance with personality, heat, and heart. She brings her background as an Italian born in Rome and raised in Chicagoland to create stories with authentic, engaging characters. A favorite with romance readers, her debut novel “On The Ropes,” the first in her Windy City Nights series, was nominated as Best Contemporary Romance in the 2018 Evernight Publishing Readers’ Choice Awards.
The second and third installments in the Windy City Nights series, “The Warriors’ Whisper” and “Hannah’s Bliss” received 5-star reviews from Readers’ Favorite ®. “Hannah’s Bliss” received a 5-star review from The TBR Pile and was voted April 2019’s Book of the Month. “Hannah’s Bliss” earned an award in the Oklahoma Romance Writers of America’s 2020 International Digital Awards contest. All three novels in the series were designated as Recommended Reads in the 2019 Author Shout Reader Ready Awards. Dania’s work has been highlighted on NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX, and she has been featured in the Chicago Tribune and Southern Writers Magazine.
The story behind the stories
I’m thrilled to be part of the Writers on the Moon project spearheaded by Dr. Susan Kaye Quinn. I’m embarrassed to admit I nearly didn’t participate, but entered on the last day Susan was accepting entries for this amazing adventure. I’m happy to be included in this writer’s project with so many other talented authors and creatives.
The majority of the files I included in my payload are my Windy City Nights series (steamy romances) book and book graphic files. I’ve also included a few personal pictures, and have a few stowaways tagging along for the ride.
I chose “Hannah’s Bliss”, as the book that is listed on the manifest for a few reasons. I’m Italian, born in Rome, Italy. The hero in “Hannah’s Bliss”, Rocco Moretti, is Italian as well so I got to have some fun in the manuscript with Italian phrases. I had control over the cover photo. I “met” the cover model Luca Pantini, as a result of an author Instagram cover inspiration challenge. When I found pictures of Luca on the internet, I knew he was my book hero Rocco Moretti. I reached out to Luca who lives in Rome, Italy, introduced myself…and the rest is history. Luca is a model, personal trainer, sports massage therapist, and actor – as busy as he was, he worked with me while I wrote “Hannah’s Bliss”, helping me with the Italian translations I used in the story. Then working with Italian fashion photographer Alessandro Frezza in Rome, Italy they created the perfect cover photo for the book. “Hannah’s Bliss” went on to win an award in the Oklahoma Romance Writers of America’s 2020 International Digital Awards contest.
My goal is to bring this series from print to the screen.
Hannah’s Bliss blurb – He knew he didn’t deserve her, didn’t fit in her world. But the moment he laid eyes on her, he knew she was his…
Rocco Moretti had a rough start in life. Abused by his parents and abandoned when he was six years old, he’s spent his life trying to prove his worth.
After barely getting out alive while deployed in Afghanistan, he’s settled into civilian life—for the most part. He’s convinced himself being a devoted brother, uncle, and associate at Dixon-Shaw Security is all he deserves.
Hannah Hailey has been professionally unfulfilled at her mother’s successful event planning firm for far too long.
Bullied into a relationship with a man her mother considers suitable, Hannah is miserable. Richard Hayes is an arrogant, cheating bastard she despises.
When Hannah and Rocco meet, their chemistry is undeniable, and sparks fly.
Hannah believes she doesn’t have a chance with the sexy Italian Marine, but is captivated by his seductive charm. Rocco knows Hannah is way out of his league, but is spellbound by the dark-haired temptress. He’s determined to have her at all costs.
Can they build a real future together or will pressure from Hannah’s well-to-do family tear them apart?
The other books in the Windy City Nights series include:
On the Ropes (my debut novel published in 2018) blurb – Ten years ago he let her get away. Does he have what it takes to make her his for good?
By all accounts Luke “Strike ’em Out” Stryker lives a charmed life. He’s won 4 World Series Championship rings and is the Chicago Cobras star pitcher. He’s gorgeous, wealthy and is dating one of Hollywood’s biggest A-list actresses.
But things aren’t always as they appear.
Abbey Jayne has been nursing a broken heart since Luke Stryker betrayed her ten years ago. She’s spent the last ten years focused on her career and education, trying to get over him.
Forced to see him again at her sister’s wedding, Abbey vows to not let Luke ruin her weekend.
An accident days before the wedding has Luke re-evaluating the harsh realities of his life and future. A future that must include his one true love Abbey.
A terrible misunderstanding drove them apart ten years ago, but Luke is determined to win Abbey back by the end of the wedding weekend. He’ll do whatever it takes to convince her they belong together. Failure is not an option.
The Warrior’s Whisper blurb – He returned home from battle a changed man. Her love can make him whole again.
To the outside world, Heath appears healed and integrated back into civilian life just fine after being injured in Afghanistan. But even though the battles are over, the scars, guilt, demons, and insecurities remain.
Leah has loved Heath all her life. He’s known her since the day she was born, seeing as he’s ten years older and her brother Jake’s best friend. Although he’s always regarded her as “family”, she believes they are meant to be together.
Heath has always considered Leah off limits, a forbidden temptation he shouldn’t want and can never have. But when he sees her at Jake’s wedding ceremony, he’s so overwhelmed he makes a move against his better judgment.
Still, his insecurities ultimately get the best of him. He believes she deserves more than a battle-weary Marine who suffers from combat nightmares.
Leah has a secret that will change their lives forever, but can Heath conquer his demons so they can make a way forward together–or will he abandon her when she needs him the most?
Off the Hook blurb – Windy City Nights (Inception) / New Adult Romance Novella
She was headed to college. He was an up and coming pitcher in the majors. Life had other plans and threw them a curve ball…
Abbey Jayne has always been a bit of a nerd. She prefers books and computers over people. Especially boys. She hasn’t worried much about dating and is content taking a backseat to her sister Cassie, the social butterfly. Abbey’s headed to college in the fall anyway.
Everything changes after she reluctantly agrees to join Cassie and her boyfriend for dinner. Hunky pitcher for the Chicago Cobras, Luke Stryker is also coming along. He seems larger than life and Abbey’s surprised by her attraction to him.
At twenty, Luke Stryker is already one of the best pitchers in the majors and the sole heir to his family’s fortune. His world turns upside down when he meets Abbey. Right away, he senses she’s special. That she’s meant to be his.
With their relationship growing quickly, Luke asks Abbey to join him on the road for the adventure of a lifetime before her classes start in the fall, but she’s torn about what she should do. Her mother is upset and Luke’s manager thinks she’s in the way. Abbey believes she and Luke have a future together, but it won’t be easy.
Can young love survive the stresses of family, college, life on the road, and everything that goes along with being a professional athlete?
Stowaways
As with any exciting journey, the inevitable stowaway might sneak on board. So is the case for this one. I accept and welcome them to tag along with me to the moon.
My Family
My parents Mario and Carmela embarked on a journey in 1967 when they immigrated from Rome, Italy to Chicago, Illinois – bringing me along.
Now I’m returning the favor and bringing them and my brothers Marco and Franco to the moon.
My father is no longer with us, having passed away in May of 2019, but I like the thought that he is with us on the moon forever.
My Husband and his siblings
My husband Randy (Alvis) and his siblings Craig, Nakia, Debra and Jackie are joining this mission. The picture chosen from their childhood – when they were young, innocent, and at their most happy.
Randy was in the US Navy submarine service when the picture was taken, having honorably served for 5 years (1983-1988), completing 5 submarine patrols. Sadly, his sisters Debra and Jackie have passed away – but they’ll be with us on the moon forever.
USS Casimir Pulaski (SSBN 633) Submarine & some members of the blue crew
My husband’s submarine, the USS Casimir Pulaski (SSBN 633) was launched on February 1, 1964. He was a NAVET, and member of the blue crew from 1983-1988. He completed 5 submarine patrols during his time in the Navy.
A Letter to Abdul- Shahid Muhammad Ansari
Dear Daddy,
I just wanted to tell you thank you. I never fathomed there would be a day when I’d have to say goodbye, or rather see you later, I wasn’t prepared for it daddy. Do you know it was you that gave me strength to use to be capable of being strong for you daddy? After all those years I watched you stay strong for me, for mommy, and for Khadija, despite any obstacle we faced. So if my strength was all I had left to give, I found a way to give it to you. It was not easy, but when you told me, “don’t keep me here for you,” I had to love you enough to let you go, and daddy that was the hardest thing I had to do in my life. You didn’t know this but I cried like a baby in the other room, but I had to get myself together and come out and be strong for you, I had to hide my weakness, because for all my years no matter what happened you were strong for me!! All I had left to give you was my strength. I never knew how much strength was worth, until I gave every last bit of it away to you.
Ever since you passed many supernatural things have been happening to me, I know every time it’s you. I know you know I know, I am so grateful to know that in some way I still have you daddy, I still have my best friend!! You don’t let me cry for long, before a crow, or a butterfly, is chasing me around lol. I just want to say thank you. I had a dream about Ma when you passed, so I know she’s with you too. I even told mommy that I think you are with Malcolm X up there and I can see you and him up there smiling, when mommy found our Little family pictures after all these years I knew, it was true.
I want you to know I will be successful. I will finish all my goals. I will make you proud. I promise you that daddy. I want more than ever to do the right thing while I am here on earth because it is really just a visit, just a test. You really taught me that daddy. So I will do my time, I will live this life righteous; I will pass this test, so I can be reunited with you. Thank you for loving Khadija, Mommy, and I like you did. Thank you for all the times you would listen to me on the phone, no matter how many times you heard the story lol. Thank you for reminding me of how special I am, whenever I somehow forgot. Thank you for the example that you left me daddy. Thank you for being more than my father but my best friend. Tell everybody I said hi and I can’t wait to see them again! Love you daddy, with all my heart and all my soul. I promise will keep my promise to you. I pray that God open the universe that the stars align and the angel open up the gates of heaven and deliver this letter to you. I pray that when you receive this letter God sends me a sign. I give this letter with love, with light, with, peace and with righteousness! I Love Daddy.
Love, Your Child,
Rafia Shahada Ansari
Find Dania Voss’s stories here.