Hold You Against Me: A Stripped Standalone
by Skye Warren
"Hold You Against Me quite literally grabs a hold and refuses to let go until the end. Truly one of the first Mafia books I've read that sucked me in with a completely original and brilliant storyline that had me guessing the entire time!" ~ #1 NYT Bestselling Author Rachel Van Dyken Once upon a time the daughter of a mafia king fell in love with a foot soldier. This fairy tale didn't have a happy ending. My sister and I barely managed to escape alive, and we've lived in relative hiding ever since. I'm safe now, but I can never forget the boy who gave his life to save mine. Except there's a chance that he's still alive. And he's fighting a war. Even knowing the risks, I have to find him. I have to find some way to protect him, the way he protected me. But he isn't the boy I left behind. He's a violent man. A criminal. And he's been waiting for me--the final pawn in a dark game of survival and love. "Suspenseful and sexy, Hold You Against Me will leave you gasping for breath and wanting more. Skye Warren is the queen of dark reads and she comes through once again with Hold You Against Me. An absolute must read." ~ USA Today best selling author Rebecca Shea "It's so beautifully written with lyrical prose that has an edge to remind you that this is so much more than a love story. This book is everything I wanted and more for Clara and Giovanni. It broke my heart and put it back together again..." - Kimberly, The Book Sirens "This is the story I've been dying for, and it's a story I never expected. Beautifully layered, romantic and sexy, Skye Warren delivers a complex story of fierce loyalty, absolution, and endless love. The writing in this book is as breathtaking as the story is unforgettable. I absolutely loved it. " - Angie and Jessica's Dreamy Reads QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS BOOK Is Hold You Against Me really a standalone? Yes! Hold You Against Me has the complete story of Giovanni and Clara, beginning to end. It includes the prequel novella Tough Love. Can I read Tough Love early? Tough Love is available FREE on all retailers now. It's also included in Hold You Against Me. Is there a cliffhanger at the end of Hold You Against Me? Nope.
How dark is this book? Hold You Against Me is possibly the most romantic book I've ever written. It's also a dark romance, so this hero will do anything to have the woman he loves. Praise for the Stripped series: "Very Angsty 5 Star Read! This book is so compelling, you won't be able to put it down, this is one of those books that you'll want to save to re-read." - Melissa, Books Can Take You There "There's one thing I can say with certainty, Skye Warren never fails to deliver a heartfelt, slightly dark, I can't stop turning the pages story. This one is no different." - Di, Twisted Sisters "It's dark, mysterious, sexy, and I loved every page of it! There were twists and turns that I never saw coming! I love when an author is able to keep me guessing until the very end of the book." - Book Fancy Book Blog "The writing is so incredibly fluid, the characters so intriguing, and the story so captivating. If I could give this book more than five stars, I would. It's as emotional as it is sexy, and beautiful as it is dark. Absolutely flawless." - Sammy, Just Let Me Read "The characters were beautifully written, they jumped from the pages, leaving a lasting impression. Skye Warren eloquently writes the darkness in her characters, her words are profound, descriptive, and utterly addictive. I bow, Skye Warren." - Twisted Sisters Book Reviews**Review"This is the story I've been dying for, and it's a story I never expected. Beautifully layered, romantic and sexy, Skye Warren delivers a complex story of fierce loyalty, absolution, and endless love. The writing in this book is as breathtaking as the story is unforgettable. I absolutely loved it." - Angie and Jessica's Dreamy Reads "It's so beautifully written with lyrical prose that has an edge tor emind you that this is so much more than a love story. This book is everything I wanted and more for Clara and Giovanni. It broke my heartand put it back together again..." - Kimberly, The Book Sirens "Gio, oh Gio, my heart broke for him and what he suffered! He is a hard man. Yet, This hard, cold man, has the softest heart for those he loves!! he romance of the story adds a layer to such a phenomenal dark read... Love, Love, Love this book!!" - 2 One Click Chicks "It's safe to say that if you like your romance with a side-serve of childhood demons and questionable intentions, or if like me, you just can't get enough of Skye's writing, you will love this one too. Beneath the shadowy layers lurks a truly wonderful age-old tale of a boy and a girl and a love worth risking it all for; worth fighting for; worth dying for." - Courtenay, Goodreads reviewer "We met Giovanni and Clara in Tough Love and this book takes our characters in a tumultuous ride full of darkness, danger and endless love... Fantastic story and well worth the wait!!!! I highly recommend it!" - Lina's Reviews From the AuthorEXCERPT FROM HOLD YOU AGAINST ME: Something moves me gently, constant and rhythmic like waves. I'm warm. There's something soft curling around my arms, wrapped inside my fists. Padding beneath my cheek that smells like home. An unnatural darkness weighs down on me, keeping me from waking up--a demon's whisper in my ear. You're warm, you're safe. Sleep. But something is wrong. I remember falling asleep, so suddenly, remember drinking water that I hadn't filled. And I remember the phone call from Amy telling me that Giovanni's alive. Impossible. Awareness pricks my skin like a cold breeze. Wherever I am, I'm not alone. I blink rapidly, forcing my eyes open. They adjust to the darkness quickly, taking in the tinted windows on either side and the wide leather bench curving beneath me. I'm in a car. A limo, to be exact. And it's moving. On the opposite side of the long space, a large body reclines. I can see the wide stance of his legs, the pale white of his shirt. A suit jacket tossed beside his hip. His face is hidden in the shadows of the vehicle. I was raised by the head of the Las Vegas mafia, the capo. I grew up around guns and violence, so I know when a man is armed. It's the way he holds himself, the warning shimmering around him like a dark halo. This man is armed and extremely dangerous. Every muscle in my body tenses. My mind still swims in thick water, because I must have been drugged. He drugged me, this faceless man. Why did he take me? It won't be anything good, that's for sure. Even worse, I suspect this has something to do with my past, with my family. It's messed up that I'd rather be taken by some random psycho. But at least then I'd have a chance of getting away. "Who are you?" I demand, my voice hoarse from whatever drugs they gave me. There's a long pause, the weight of his regard as heavy as a finger trailing down my neck.
"Have I really changed that much, bella, that you don't recognize me?"
How dark is this book? Hold You Against Me is possibly the most romantic book I've ever written. It's also a dark romance, so this hero will do anything to have the woman he loves. Praise for the Stripped series: "Very Angsty 5 Star Read! This book is so compelling, you won't be able to put it down, this is one of those books that you'll want to save to re-read." - Melissa, Books Can Take You There "There's one thing I can say with certainty, Skye Warren never fails to deliver a heartfelt, slightly dark, I can't stop turning the pages story. This one is no different." - Di, Twisted Sisters "It's dark, mysterious, sexy, and I loved every page of it! There were twists and turns that I never saw coming! I love when an author is able to keep me guessing until the very end of the book." - Book Fancy Book Blog "The writing is so incredibly fluid, the characters so intriguing, and the story so captivating. If I could give this book more than five stars, I would. It's as emotional as it is sexy, and beautiful as it is dark. Absolutely flawless." - Sammy, Just Let Me Read "The characters were beautifully written, they jumped from the pages, leaving a lasting impression. Skye Warren eloquently writes the darkness in her characters, her words are profound, descriptive, and utterly addictive. I bow, Skye Warren." - Twisted Sisters Book Reviews**Review"This is the story I've been dying for, and it's a story I never expected. Beautifully layered, romantic and sexy, Skye Warren delivers a complex story of fierce loyalty, absolution, and endless love. The writing in this book is as breathtaking as the story is unforgettable. I absolutely loved it." - Angie and Jessica's Dreamy Reads "It's so beautifully written with lyrical prose that has an edge tor emind you that this is so much more than a love story. This book is everything I wanted and more for Clara and Giovanni. It broke my heartand put it back together again..." - Kimberly, The Book Sirens "Gio, oh Gio, my heart broke for him and what he suffered! He is a hard man. Yet, This hard, cold man, has the softest heart for those he loves!! he romance of the story adds a layer to such a phenomenal dark read... Love, Love, Love this book!!" - 2 One Click Chicks "It's safe to say that if you like your romance with a side-serve of childhood demons and questionable intentions, or if like me, you just can't get enough of Skye's writing, you will love this one too. Beneath the shadowy layers lurks a truly wonderful age-old tale of a boy and a girl and a love worth risking it all for; worth fighting for; worth dying for." - Courtenay, Goodreads reviewer "We met Giovanni and Clara in Tough Love and this book takes our characters in a tumultuous ride full of darkness, danger and endless love... Fantastic story and well worth the wait!!!! I highly recommend it!" - Lina's Reviews From the AuthorEXCERPT FROM HOLD YOU AGAINST ME: Something moves me gently, constant and rhythmic like waves. I'm warm. There's something soft curling around my arms, wrapped inside my fists. Padding beneath my cheek that smells like home. An unnatural darkness weighs down on me, keeping me from waking up--a demon's whisper in my ear. You're warm, you're safe. Sleep. But something is wrong. I remember falling asleep, so suddenly, remember drinking water that I hadn't filled. And I remember the phone call from Amy telling me that Giovanni's alive. Impossible. Awareness pricks my skin like a cold breeze. Wherever I am, I'm not alone. I blink rapidly, forcing my eyes open. They adjust to the darkness quickly, taking in the tinted windows on either side and the wide leather bench curving beneath me. I'm in a car. A limo, to be exact. And it's moving. On the opposite side of the long space, a large body reclines. I can see the wide stance of his legs, the pale white of his shirt. A suit jacket tossed beside his hip. His face is hidden in the shadows of the vehicle. I was raised by the head of the Las Vegas mafia, the capo. I grew up around guns and violence, so I know when a man is armed. It's the way he holds himself, the warning shimmering around him like a dark halo. This man is armed and extremely dangerous. Every muscle in my body tenses. My mind still swims in thick water, because I must have been drugged. He drugged me, this faceless man. Why did he take me? It won't be anything good, that's for sure. Even worse, I suspect this has something to do with my past, with my family. It's messed up that I'd rather be taken by some random psycho. But at least then I'd have a chance of getting away. "Who are you?" I demand, my voice hoarse from whatever drugs they gave me. There's a long pause, the weight of his regard as heavy as a finger trailing down my neck.
"Have I really changed that much, bella, that you don't recognize me?"