USA Today Bestseller! Amelia ‘Runt’ Thomas’ life revolves around a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the most ruthless criminals in the world. She follows two codes: the code of hackers and her personal code of honor to bring down anyone who thinks they’re untouchable. She is on target until one fateful night when the touch of a strange man sends an unexpected shock wave through her. Now, the … the faint whispers in her head are growing louder and more annoying, distracting her from her mission.
Derik ‘Tag Krell Manok’s search for the mysterious woman who changed his life nearly two years before is finally over. As a Prime warrior from another world, he knew the moment he touched Amelia that she was his bond-mate—but she disappeared before he could whisk her away to safety. He is determined not to let that happen again, but he also knows that he needs to proceed with caution because Amelia is unlike any woman he has ever known before.
As their connection grows, so does Derik’s fear that he will be unable to keep Amelia safe from a man who is just as determined to find her and use her amazing talents for his own devious purposes. Find out what happens when an alien warrior, a determined AI named RITA, and a few other surprising twists come together to save a special woman named Runt!
Internationally acclaimed S.E. Smith has done it again! A fantasy sci-fi crime thriller with a strong romantic core and your favorite characters from the Cosmos’ Gateway Series. Can stand-alone!
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Saving Runt by S. E. Smith
Book 7, the final book in the Cosmos’s Gateway series. Science fiction romance with erotica elements. Best read as part of the series.
Runt, aka Amelia, is a serious hacker donating her skills to charity and fighting evil. Unfortunately she’s left a few enemies along the way and one has returned to bring her down. Derik came through the Gateway two years ago and met Amelia but she disappeared. Two years later and he thinks she might be ready to acknowledge him.
These two are young! They met when she was 16 and he was 17. They’ve both had difficult lives but two years later it seems to be the time for them to reconnect. Lots of twists in this one from a non-dead mother, to AI interference, and first time experiences gone kinky. Plus the criminal she stole $5 million from wants revenge.
Engaging and racy. A neat conclusion with appearances from prior couples as part of the wrap.
I am a huge fan of SE Smith books. I usually give them 5+ stars. I couldn’t do that with this one. It lagged in the middle and I almost considered putting it down. I’m glad I didn’t. It will be interesting to see if there is a follow up book and if it goes to its usual five star quality.
Disappointing that after all this time and having Amelia being a pivotal character for a while, I just didn’t end up liking Amelia.
I always one click this author but for the first time ever I put down a book by Ms Smith and didn’t come back to it for a while.
As much as I was enjoying how well this was playing out and the family ties/dynamics that were emerging, Amelia was just not endearing herself to me.
At times I found her attitude selfish. It was all about what she wanted, not what was for the best. Just like her mother apparently.
Saying that, I really wondered why her mother was introduced after her great disappearing act. Even if her reasoning was valid, which it wasn’t, why didn’t she reconnect with Amelia once the husband/father was dead. She left Amelia for all intents and purpose, homeless on the streets. What mother who professes to love her child would do that? And what was with her working for her own brother as a servant?
I was so disheartened by Amelia interfering between her mother and Rav. Just because she was not interested in mating Derik, doesn’t give her the right to interfere like that.
Loved Derik and getting a bit of time with the others. He was the saviour of the story for me.
Really do not like the fact the Juangans have come back.
So, though I finished this book, I cannot say I loved it or will be rereading it.
Just gone a bit silly with the AI’s too. I found it very unbelievable that we now have young AI’s.
May not read the next book as it is about the selfish mother.
Runt and Derik are all grown up. What an interesting story this turned out to be. I’m not disappointed with the twist that popped up.
Rita2, DAR and their replications are funny. I like Rita/Rita 2 but I can’t help but be concerned with how adaptive/autonomous these AI’s are becoming. This could get very interesting. Especially since Darin and Rena are “rebellious teens”.
Rav’s book is next up in this series. It should be a good one.
I love it, and I still want more!
It’s been long enough! Derik ‘Tag Krell Manok returns to Earth to find his ever elusive mate, Amelia ‘Runt’ Thomas. She’s young, a brilliant computer hacker, and her time on the streets has honed her survival skills. Retribution is her goal. Derik is really a sweetheart, but she certainly gives him a run for his money. I love the slow build and the mutual inexperience (when they have time for dallying). This book is action-packed, with peril not only on Earth, but on their romantic (hah) getaway worlds away. There are escapades, battles, narrow escapes, surprises, unlikely allies…scads of fun!
I will say one thing. Don’t ever threaten someone RITA loves. “I will lock your ATM and you’ll have to spend the rest of your life writing checks!” Dire threats for Millennials and Gen Z. A most delightful day of reading!
I have read each of the Cosmos’s Gateway books. I have enjoyed each and every one of them. They’re all rife with characters who are warm, intelligent and can kick some serious booty. That’s just the women! While I did notice a few errors this author doesn’t usually have that many at all. In this book at one point Runt’s name was spelled Ruth. That was the only major error and it was simple. I had met the characters before in the previous books. I must admit I was chomping at the bit waiting for Runt and Derik’s story. Although I marked “steamy” , the steam does not come until later in the story. It was quite interesting. Also, I was laughing out loud about the M&M’s story. It was hilarious! The Cosmos Gateway series is the first books I’ve read of S.E Smith. They won’t be my last. Ms. Smith spins a delightful yarn. I heartily recommend this book. I love the characters and the considerable humor to be found throughout the book. Readers, start with book one and read the series. You will not be disappointed. All of the books are related so if you skip around you might miss a really interesting tract into the big picture. I will say one thing. Ms. Smith don’t make me wait so long for book 8.
I do know I am far away from my usual historical reads.
But I came back to romance reading through the paranormal door with authors like Ednah Walkers, Nalini Singh, Elin Peer, Anna Hackett, Charlene Hartnady or SE Smith.
Their books are like candy to my brain. I enjoy them without much thoughts and let me be swept of my feet and transported to wherever pleases the author.
Even if this story can be read as a standalone with the many characters from the previous books and the background plot, I would say it could be better to begin with the first one in this series Tink’s Neverland.
I am not fond of fated mates, as it is more a bum bam boum thing between the hero and heroine. But Mrs Smith has a way to exploit this trope without boring the readers.
Sure it is quite often the sale schematic with the big bad alpha finding his destined half but said-half disagrees with the whole scheme and refuses the guy because some lore/bond/chemistry say she must. She fights when in the meantime the hero tries to prove he is worthy while making mistake after mistake until the damsel realizes she has come to care for the big oaf who put his life in line each time to prove he is right for her.
When she surrenders to the pull, they band together to fight evil beings.
Saving Runt follows the same narrative with the tiny difference that Derik and Amelia have known each other for years but needed time to grew up as they were barely still teenagers when they first meet. Derik has not doubt as any Prime Warrior, he recognizes the bond when it is offered. Amelia if she can have a say in that matter, wants to have nothing to do with the predator coming from the stars, why for two years it was a game of cat and mouse until Derik says stop. To him to convince Amelia they are made for another.
I loved it for the incursion of the characters from the previous books with the addition of new ones and the sweet romance between two young being who learn the first steps of love together.