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Ray Okon #1

Ties That Bind

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A criminal cartel on the loose. A woman caught in the crossfire.

Ray Okon, a low-ranking DSS analyst is frustrated at being stuck in a desk job. He’d rather be in the field, experiencing the adrenaline rush of catching the bad guys.

When the love of his life, Loretta Olawale, rejects his marriage proposal, he has no choice but to move on and bury himself in his work...until the ties that bind them brings them together in the cruellest way possible.

As he and his Homicide and Anti-Drug Trafficking Unit track down a deadly criminal cartel at the centre of Abuja city, Ray finds himself thrust back into Loretta’s life.

But this time, she is in grave danger, and time is running out. Ray finds himself in a race against time to unravel the case and save Loretta's life. But as buried secrets and lies surface, they are entangled in a sinister game of blood and death.

Published April 16, 2021

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About the author

Stanley Umezulike

7 books13 followers
Stanley Umezulike is an award-winning author of intriguing crime fiction novels with strong romantic elements set in tropical Africa. He found his passion for writing at the age of 14 and he's been writing ever since. Stanley is the creator of the popular Ray Okon series. His writing has appeared in various publications including Daily Sun (Nigeria), Love Africa Book Club, Creative Freelance Writerz-Africa, Medium, Love Africa Press and Spillwords.

He is the founder of Prolific Fiction Writers Community on Facebook, where he helps fiction writers gain clarity and learn the art of storytelling. Stanley is the co-founder of Ifeadigo Publishing Company Limited, a tech-driven self-publishing firm that publishes books in print and on digital platforms, connects authors with global readers, and helps them to shine on the global stage.

In recognition of his work of transforming lives through storytelling and sharing his stories with the world, Stanley was awarded Top 40 International Leading Youth Award 2020, in the best author of the year Male Category, an initiative organized by Make Mee Elegant Foundation to commemorate the International Youth Day and celebrate youths across the world who have been truly outstanding and impactful in their various fields.

Stanley is currently working on his next book. When he's not working, he enjoys watching crime thriller TV shows, listening to good music and travelling to new places. He lives in Awka, Nigeria. Stanley loves to hear from readers, so follow or drop him a note on Instagram @stanley_umezulike, Twitter @stanumezulike, Tiktok @stanley_umezulike and Facebook at Stanley Umezulike, Author.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Olusoji Obebe.
4 reviews
March 27, 2022
Have you read a book in which it feels like you were watching a movie?

Ties That Bind is unputdownable and thrilling. No one else could've told the bittersweet experience between Ray Okon and Loretta Olawale in the story better than our great crime fiction writer, Mr Stanley Umezulike.

Before I finally got a copy, I'd read a lot of beautiful reviews on the book. I didn't want to miss that which people were said to have enjoyed in the book. Even though the bulkiness of the book scared me at first blush (being that, I used to be a lazy reader), I read the book to the very last page with my countenance, bright and jaunty.

Mr Stanley's book explored the debauchery and exposed the nefarious activities that have bedeviled Nigeria today. Weaving the story around a DSS agent, Ray Okon, who has got to work on a Drug/Murder cartel in Abuja which his lover, Loretta, later falls victim of.

And I love the way everything comes to a resolution. This is a book all readers will enjoy. I read as though I was watching a blockbuster movie on Netflix. Perhaps, the characters and events would still be as alive in my head as forever. I can't wait to read the second book in the Ray Okon Series.
Profile Image for Margaret.
Author 21 books41 followers
February 25, 2022
Wow!
When I went into this, I only wanted to check out smut scenes but then got engrossed in the story.
After the first quarter, the story picks up pace, with Ray steps behind the cartel causing havoc in Abuja and his ex, Loretta on the other side of town, enjoying life.
I loved how the author used words to paint action packed moving images in my head. If you're looking for a fast paced investigative thriller, look no further. Going on to read Twisted by the same author.
Profile Image for Nneoma Michelle Egeonu.
Author 2 books7 followers
Read
August 9, 2021
A beautiful book written by a seasoned writer. The plot is well developed, the characters are all unique with distinct voices. There are so many things that I didn't see coming as the plot unravelled beautifully.
I recommend this book for all and sundry. Looking for something exciting? Why not relax with a copy of this beautiful novel?
Profile Image for Chiedu Dieyi.
Author 4 books3 followers
June 25, 2023
Ties That Bind is a bold narrative on the pursuit of justice and love in a setting where crime fighting is riddled with too many gaps. Stanley has taken us into the world of Ray Okon, as he battles unraveling a mysterious spate of crime and how his love life finds itself entangled in the maze.

This book is one of the best crime fiction books in Nigeria written by a pioneer author.
August 22, 2023
A great read, this is. I loved it. The writing was well done and the investigation into the murder was very professional (I love police procedural)
The romance part is so little for me but I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery part. The author is so smart with the build-up that I didn't lose interest at all. I can't wait to read more books by this author.
Author 7 books8 followers
June 12, 2021
Love it !!!

Thank you Stanley for this beautiful story featuring Ray Okon, a DSS agent chasing a drug cartel and rescuing his woman Loretta who is caught in the middle. The first of an African Romance Crime Thriller set in Nigeria! I can't wait to read the next book in the series
Profile Image for Shawn Pinzon.
780 reviews4 followers
May 18, 2022
What can I say about the Ties That Bind. It's the best romantic thriller that I've had a chance to read this year!! The story hooked me from the beginning. There's alot of great characters on this book. But I like DSS agent Ray Okan the most. I loved the story!! I recommend you read it. Stanley Umezulike is a new author to me.
Profile Image for Kiru Taye.
Author 59 books317 followers
June 26, 2021
DSS agent Ray Okon in a battle to with a drug cartel and a race against time to save a woman caught in the crossfire. So excited about this new crime thriller series set in Nigeria.
Profile Image for Agnes Kay-E.
Author 10 books2 followers
May 26, 2023
This is a decent read from a debut author. There was a lot to deal with, Ray’s love interest, his promotion in stasis, Loretta’s speedy swift from Ray to a new man so there was no chance to sink my teeth into the story.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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