Reviewed by Jen
TITLE: One Step Sideways
SERIES: Enhanced World Security #1
AUTHOR: Victoria Sue
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 229 Pages
RELEASE DATE: June 25, 2024
BLURB:
“The difference between a hero and an ordinary man is One Step Sideways”
When he was sixteen, Kane Diaz went to prison for assaulting the father who had abused him since he was small.
Nobody in the system took notice of the hundreds of scars on his body, simply the one on his face that marked him as an enhanced.
Seventeen years later on the day Kane gets released, Diesel Rawlings, head of Rawlings Security, meets him at the prison gates and offers him a job.
Danny Sullivan served with Rawlings as a medic. After being captured and tortured in a desert hell-hole, his current battles are fought behind a keyboard with only Sadie, his service dog, for company.
Danny doesn’t do well with change. Being asked to babysit an ex-con who apparently tried to kill his own father because the man tried to stop his son bullying a family dog?
Not this ranger.
Except Kane isn’t all he seems. Danny comes to realize that not only is this gruff man hiding a past worse than his own, but that the greatest battle he must face is fighting his growing feelings for Kane.
Then enhanced teenagers start disappearing.
To save other boys from going through his same nightmare, Kane might have to face his own demons and go back inside the maximum-security prison he was just freed from.
And turn his back on his growing feelings for Danny.
Which means Danny also has a choice.
Does he join Kane undercover and risk his life?
Or does he stay in the shadows and risk his heart?
REVIEW:
This is a spin-off of the Enhanced World series, which I recommend. This story takes place in the same world and while the Tampa Team’s story may be complete, this one is just beginning with a whole new set of characters. The characters from the other series are mentioned and play a small role, but Ms. Sue gives enough detail for you to fully understand what is happening here, and while not necessary, you’d gain a much broader understanding of this world by reading that series.
On to this story…Rawlings Security is a company of security specialists, some of whom we have met previously, and also some new ones. It is about Danny, the IT guru, whose original story was told previously but you get a pretty good idea of his background now. He has PTSD from his past military experience. He has a wonderful service dog who helps him with his struggles. Needless to say, he is not a fan of unexpected changes. Therefore, he does not take to well to the appearance of Kane, an Enhanced who has spent the last 17 years in prison. There is a lot to this aspect of Kane, but suffice to say, Rawlings offers him a job.
There are some trust issues all around, but eventually, everyone gets on the same page as things happen leaving some with little choice in the direction they go. Kane and Danny quickly get over their issues with each other and their bond strengthens.
Ms. Sue is a fabulous paranormal writer. She creates interesting worlds a bit different than everything else out there, which I love. Her characters are flawed and endearing, and you’ll be rooting for them all in no time. It’s always a joy to get immersed into a series like this, and I’m happy to say this one is off to a great start. I’m already looking forward to the next installment.
RATING: 
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