Kingdom Come

Knights of Justice #2

by Aarti V. Raman

How do you kill a man with no Achilles heel? You cut off his foot Tom Jones.
Set against the serene beauty of Kashmir, Ladakh and Tibet, Kingdom Come is a gripping story of death and loss, vengeance and retribution, love and life. Krivi Iyer is an embittered former spy and bomb defusal expert with only one regret. That he couldn't catch The Woodpecker, a dangerous, mentally unstable bomber who ended his partner's family. He has a second chance to go after his arch enemy with the arrival of Ziya Maarten, the manager of 'Goonj Business Enterprises' in Srinagar, Kashmir, who is alleged to be The Woodpecker's sister. Except, Ziya is a beautiful distraction and not a terrorist's sister. When a tragedy in London tears Ziya's life apart, she can only rely on Krivi to give her the absolution and vengeance she needs to move on. Between training to be an anti-terrorist squad member and finding The Woodpecker, Ziya uncovers the secrets of Krivi's tormented past. But will two tortured souls find the courage to love?

Genres: Thriller

311 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2014

About the author

Hi, there I’m USA Today Bestselling Romance Author Aarti V Raman. I write all shades and forms of romance or will in the future because I suffer from writing attention deficit disorder. I must tell all the stories! So, my romances range from romantic comedy, chick lit to romantic suspense and dark romance starring tortured billionaires and suffering military types!
Before I turned to writing and telling these stories full-time, I was a teacher, business journalist and editor for close to fifteen years. So my heroines are career-minded, city-living, strong-willed hot messes who still have their lives together. I believe in writing what I know and I know me best so most of these heroines are Indian (South Asian women of color).
I also believe in writing more of what I want so my heroes are indecently hot, filthy rich, fiendishly smart with secret hearts of gold. Thus, the angst and steam-meter are off the charts when stubborn force meets immovable object on the way to happy ever after. So does the banter and danger, because what’s love without a little bit of jeopardy, am I right?
I’m a TEDx speaker and 24 of my romances have hit the Amazon Bestseller Charts so I can also proudly call myself an Amazon 100 International Bestselling Author. My chick lit dramedy “The Worst Daughter Ever” has been optioned for screen. My bestselling Millionaire Foes series is part of the Writers on the Moon Project, on a time capsule to go to the actual moon. Most notably, I’ve been absolutely privileged to be part of two fantastic for-charity anthologies, Stand for Ukraine and Dissent.
I’m also known as Writer Gal. I live in Mumbai with my large and largely loveable extended family in a version of my three favorite words – Happy Ever After.

Reviews

[Priyanka Menon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, first up, Krivi Karthik Iyer is no ordinary man. He is, as mentioned in the novel quite a few times, a mountain man. Tall, good-looking in a dark kind of way, and most importantly, he's a military man. Up goes the hot quotient!
And then you have Ziya Maarten. Not the quintessentially meek and docile girl-next-door. Ziya is a firebrand in her own way. Wonderfully smart, with a somewhat quick tongue, yet tender and loving and womanly underneath it all.
Put these two together, with the beautiful backdrops of Kashmir, London, and Tibet, along with a hardass terrorist who's time to get shot between the eyes is approaching - that's Aarti V Raman's "Kingdom Come".

An overnight read for me, it was a story that ended much too soon.
Sigh. Big, sad and weepy sigh.

Aarti not only gives you a story that is fresh, but she also makes you believe in a love that transcends beyond all else. Why can't a hard, straight-faced military man fall in love with a woman who could very well be the sister of the person he has been sent to take out?

And this is where Aarti proves to be a wonderful storyteller.
She makes you fall in love with Ziya from the moment she comes alive through the pages of Kingdom Come. So even if she is the sister of a notorious terrorist, your heart is constantly telling you that she cannot be anything like her sibling.
She also makes you fall in love with Krivi, albeit in a slightly different way. Starting with his name. I'm so fed up with Raj, Veer, Pratap and a whole horde of other typical names we have for our army heroes. Krivi (I still haven't googled what his name means) I like! Right from your first encounter with him, you know that this fellow is a real coconut - you know, hard from the outside and soft from the inside. Okay, that was a bad analogy. But I can't tell you how many times I have wished I could just enter the story through its pages (like Harry does with Tom Riddle's diary), station myself near an IED which is about to explode, and wait for Krivi Iyer to come and save me.

But where I would have actually liked to read a little more on how Ziya is (or not) related to the Woodpecker (and a certain other character I shouldn't really name), the breathtaking vistas and landscapes of Kashmir, Ladakh, and Tibet more than make up for my grouchiness.

Fast, edgy to the point of wanting to bite your fingernails, gripping, and tenderly romantic, Kingdom Come keeps you on tenterhooks till the very end. So much so that even when you read the words "THE END", your mind goes, "Wait, what? That can't be right. Aarti V Raman, I want more."

[Reet Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I have read Aarti V Raman.
I learned much about her while reading her book 'Kingdom Come'.
One, she is a fantastic story teller, painting pictures with her words – drawing landscapes of loathing, and fear, and anguish, and love.
Two, she is not the 26 six year old “freelance Editor” that she purports to be. That is just a front; in reality, she is the ubiquitous 'M' – retired from the British Secret Service at the ripe old age of eighty – but by no means ready to hang up her boots. I'd love to know where she found the fictitious profile picture, although that, I suppose, is a simple enough job for an ex-spy.

This book, 'Kingdom Come' is 'M's' attempt to come back in the game – to show the Secret Service that she isn't finished – and to share decades of experience (running myriad zero zero spies) with readers thirsting for a good spy thriller. That is why the book has so much fantastic detail – stuff only a highly placed ex-spy, of the caliber of 'M', could possibly know.

Laconic, grim Krivi, is awesomely drawn. Ziya is molten silver. The interactions between these two are pure, unbridled passion, intensely fun to watch. The friendship between Ziya and Noor is a beautiful thing.

Emotions are Aarti V Raman' thing! She depicts them well, and makes you ache with unshed tears; exult with happiness; or tremble with fear or loathing. Woody, the terror-maker, actually caused me a sleepless night or two, so I made it a policy to never end the day with a Woody scene. I would read on to a happier place in the book, and then turn out the lights.

Highly recommended.

[Njkinny (Njkinny's Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://njkinny.blogspot.in/2014/05/bo...

Krivi Iyer, a former spy and now in private security, is the best at what he does. Years ago, his life was turned upside down when "the love of his life" , Gemma died in a car crash which was supposedly orchestrated by the master bomber known only as The Woodpecker. Now years later, Krivi is alive but dead to all emotions, feelings and sensations. He is a warrior devoted to his mission and hisultimate mission is to find and kill The Woodpecker. So when, one day, he gets a call with a clue to a person knowing the Woodpecker's whereabouts, he is all ready to follow it.

The intel is about a woman known as Ziya Maarten, assumed to be related to the bomber and who now lives in Kashmir. Determined to know everything about her and in turn, make her talk about her knowledge about Wood's whereabouts, Krivi is not prepared for the kind, loving and strong woman that he finds in Ziya.

Is she really the Woodpecker's sister?
Can this honest woman with clear eyes be involved in all those heinous crimes against humanity?
What will Krivi do about his attraction towards her?
Can they let go of the past and find a future for themselves?
Can Krivi let go of his mission for her love?

All this and more keeps the reader sitting at the edge of his seat while reading Aarti's book, Kingdom Come. A tightly plotted story with in-depth research of the lives of the soldiers, their missions, their family commitments and their willingness to sacrifice everything for their country makes this story a pleasure to read.

The cover art is appealing and the title is very unique. Both these things catch the attention of the reader.

The writing style of the author is simple and yet it captivates and enchants the reader. The vivid and lively descriptions of the beauty of Kashmir and serenity of Ladakh bring these places right in our living rooms while we read the book. I haven't visited these nature enriched locations but still feel as if I have had a tour already. :)

The spot on description of army procedures or the life saving procedures employed by the army gives us an insight into the minds of these brave men and women who risk their lives daily so that others can live free and safely. The poignant and heart breaking reality of the families who send their sons, daughters, brothers, husbands etc. to serve their country is also beautifully painted in the book.
After reading the book, I have a renewed respect for the army and the people who work day and night to keep us safe. Hats off to the author for thinking and then writing such a difficult book.

The characterization is noteworthy and the author gives us people who are complicated and flawed with their own share of mistakes and wrong decisions but still they are able to win our hearts and connect with us due to their actions which speak of their inherent goodness. Krivi and Ziya are both difficult characters to sketch and execute but they were so flawlessly portrayed in the story that they instantly made themselves dear to me. The romance between these characters and their feelings are equally complicated and gives the reader a new perspective to the human nature. Noor and Sam, Ziya's friends and only family, symbolize all the good and honest people in the world who are in love. Their love and devotion makes one realize how fortunate one is to have people who love them in their lives.
Dada Akhtar was a cool and very homely character and I could easily visualize myself living with him, laughing and enjoying the beauty of Kashmir. The villain, the Woodpecker, is a character that instills fear in the readers' hearts and also brings out a deep hatred towards such criminals who kill innocent people just for fun or money.

The story is divided into three parts and maintains its pace according to the demand of the story. With high drama, intense action, sensuous romance and a goosebumps inducing villain, Kingdom Come is a must read and deserves a full 5 on 5. Go buy, read and enjoy this great story by the very promising author, Aarti V. Raman.

"...the sun rose over the Kashmir valley, where people went about their business, where death walked amongst the living, and the living went on. Because nothing could defeat death, like life..."

I received the book from the publishers and I am very thankful to them. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.

[Jaibala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whenever you pick a book to read, you always have this preset notion, as to what the book is going to be. Some book fit just right and are exactly as you imagined them to be, where as some break those boundaries you set for them. They are either worse than you imagined them to be or like Kingdom Come better than you ever imagined the book would turn out.


Read the full review at http://jaibalarao.com/2014/05/05/blow...

[Devika Fernando · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being an author and avid reader, I don’t give 5-star ratings easily – but there is so much to love about "Kingdom Come" by Aarti V. Raman that I couldn’t resist. While I’m a big fan of some of the famous Indian writers like Arundhati Roy or Jhumpa Lahiri, I have shamefully little experience with the up and coming writers from South Asia. On my quest to get to know the latest fiction from the Indian subcontinent, I couldn’t have picked a better book that KC. This novel pulled me in with its first sentences and tightened its grip chapter by chapter until it had me glued to the computer.
I absolutely love Ziya, the heroine. She’s strong, intelligent and emancipated in the way I hadn’t expected it from an Asian woman in a romance story. Where others would crumble and give up, cry and lament, she keeps her chin up and stays determined. She fights for her love, her happiness and her right to a life that seems destined for her. Oh, did I ever suffer along with her! Ziya is one of the many reasons why I’d love to see KC adapted as a movie. Krivi, the hero, is another. The two of them are made for each other in a way that is sadly rare among romantic fiction. They have met their perfect match in each other… and besides, I’ve never been able to resist dark, confident, brooding heroes. Thank God the author has chosen an uncommon name and fleshed him out just as much as the other main character! He’s irresistible. Just like Ziya, the reader knows that he is danger impersonated, and yet, falling for him—and hard—is inevitable. What’s more, all the other characters in "Kingdom Come" are so real and intriguing, too. Let’s not forget the villain, The Woodpecker. Just remembering Wood and ominous Tom Jones (watch out for that one) sends a chill down my spine. Each and every person that plays a role in the story is credible and will stay with the reader long after putting the book down.
I’m a sucker for settings that catch attention, and Aarti V. Raman didn’t disappoint on that count either. While the events take place in the West and the East, it is unquestionably Ladakh with the 'home' Goonj that shines the brightest and enhances the plot.
There’s so much more that I want to praise. How can I forget the transformations the characters go through, just like a good story warrants it? At the end of the book, Ziya and Krivi—and many others—have changed but are still true to themselves. Perfect!
As for the story, it’s full of details and background information and clever twists that will have you stare and then shout. I certainly didn’t see coming what the author hurled at me more than once, but every surprise was another puzzle piece fitting into the bigger picture. As soon as you relax a little to indulge in some romance or steam, enjoy a description or get spooked by the insights into the villain’s devious mind, the pace will pick up again. Before you can grip the edge of your seat, the book explodes in action that leaves you breathless (pardon the pun).
KC resonates with a lot of themes and motifs, from friendship to finding your soul mate, from fighting for your rights to fighting injustice, from overcoming clichés to giving yourself and others a chance. Sometimes the story made me laugh, at other times I felt like crying. I was totally freaked out by the criminal aspect of it, fascinated by the tit-bits on the world of spying and special ops, and thoughtful because there were so many underlying messages. Everything and everyone portrayed in "Kingdom Come" comes alive.
Make no mistake, this is no typical book by an Indian about Indians. You won’t find arranged marriages, Bollywood glam, exotic food, gorgeous clothes and religious ceremonies. What you will find is lots of steam, action, mystery and an emotional ride that has huge movie potential. There’s more than an ounce of suffering, there’s a love story that stands tall in the end—and there’s a book that is unputdownable.

[Rubina · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://rubinaramesh.blogspot.com/2014...

Kirvi ( uff! ) is a hunk who is trained by the military, burning with revenge, and man of many secrets. He arrives at the Goonj Estates and gets the job of a manager. But of course, our hero has an ulterior motive. Does it involve Ziya in any way?

Ziya Maarten. After finishing her tenure at the London School of Business, she comes out of it it wealthier. In Knowledge and friendship. It is her friendship with the gorgeous Noor Saiyed which lands her in Kashmir at the Goonj Estate, where she finds what she has always missed in her life. Family, friends and love.

The Relationships....

As with any relationship cloaked under hidden truths,the attraction between Ziya and Kirvi too undergoes many ups and downs. Kirvi is on a mission. But how is it related to Ziya who is an orphan? The attraction between them is very palpable, very very hot. The chemistry between them oozes sensuality. But this story has more to offer. Lives haunted by terrorism, relationships destroyed due to the debris of terrorism. It also gives us a peep on how the character of a terrorist came into being.

The wheels that keep the story moving in the direction where the reader can't even think of going are also the characters besides the main protagonists.

Nooriya or Noor Saiyed, her bubbly nature is a pleasure to read even though I shed a few tears for her.
Sam,a Major in the army. Totally in love with Nooriya. An eternal kinda love.

Woodpecker, will make you forget Mokambo or Shakkal.Mr.Joshua of Lethal Weapon or Norman Stanfield in Leon. This guy gives me the creeps. A real dastardly character I have come across after a long time.

(This is not the exams of my English paper which demands characterizations to be done :) but, this story is such that without the mention of these chars, it won’t be a complete picture).

What I liked.....

1) The story line. Clean ,clear, driven. I wanted to reach the end. No, make it ...I needed to reach the end. The twists (I found 3 actually),will make you sit up, just as you reach your comfort zone.

2) The characters. Perfect hero with the right amount of weakness. Strong female character- not the damsel in distress kind, but a fighter who is ready to walk at par with any man in combat to protect her loved ones, to avenge her loved ones. A villain, whom you will love to hate.

Aarti has done a fabulous job weaving the characters together. Each character leaves a mark, even if they have a small part to play. Her authority over the English vocabulary is evident even though I feel she has compromised in some places with the grammar to keep the voice young and trendy.

She creates a vivid picture of few of the heaven on earth places- Kashmir, Ladakh....each etched beautifully. The best part has been her research on the bombings and the military lifestyle. The scene that has truly left a mark on me-to the extend that I had to keep my kindle down a few times is the scene between Ziya and Woodpecker. I felt a bile rising in my mouth and I did shed a few tears. This young author sure knows how to pull her punches.

[Ahana Mukherjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the word go Kingdom Come is filled with action and excitement very much like a Desmond Bagley or, may I say, even a Robert Ludlum. With the background of terrorism the story opens with the hero, Krivi, on a mission to save a young, teenage girl and how adeptly he manages it, despite last minute revelations.
The story is set amidst the beautifully lush surroundings of Kashmir - God’s own Country, yet it is far from paradise. It is a land rife with friction and violence but life moves on. Under such circumstances, the plot brings two diametrically opposite characters, Krivi and Ziya, together, who despite struggling to keep each other at bay, give in to the sexual tension and the intense attraction between them.
Krivi, as far as the reader gets to know, has had a normal childhood in a normal family. Yet losing his partner and friend in a tragic accident converts him into a dark, brooding, and relentless warrior, hovering precariously in the borders of cold-hearted ruthlessness. In contrast Ziya has had a tumultuous childhood, bouncing from one foster home to the other. She has never had a real, close-knit, family. Her childhood struggles taught her to put all her faculties at work to become not just an accomplished woman but a strong woman too. As an adult she finally finds her family in Noor and Kashmir and is at peace with herself until tragedy strikes bringing her world crashing down.
Aarti V Raman has created characters and plots in such a way, that one can vividly visualize the story unfolding and unraveling. Each character is cleverly thought through and is passionately and lovingly crafted. She has kept alive the readers interest, by creating wholesome characters who go through and endure, transformation traversing the journey of life. Even the antagonist has been portrayed with care and the twist given to the character at the end is shockingly remarkably indeed.
Also commendable is the research that has gone behind the work. The episodes on the military espionage, the bombs used, and how they have been diffused, give an idea of the lengths Aarti has gone to make a riveting plot and a visually stimulating story.
Her mature and seasoned writing, also brings to the fore the mindlessness and senselessness of terrorism. When the most adorable, loving and endearing characters perish in a gruesome attack, it leaves the reader in utter shock and dismay. It immediately transports the reader to the jarring reality of today’s cruel world and its uncertainties, and one finds oneself at par with Ziya’s emotion of justice and retribution.
To put it in short, Kingdome Come by Aarti V. Raman proves to be quite a cliffhanger with a nail biting clincher. It is a thorough entertainer with a strong storyline and memorable characters. It is not just a romance but also a tale of destiny and fate and life. And as the author herself writes in the end, ‘life mattered’.
If I had to rate the book it would be :-
Story: 5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Ending: 5/5

[Sundari Venkatraman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still recovering from the thrill of the last fifty pages. My nails are still hurting with the constant chewing they underwent.

The complete review:
http://sundarivenkatraman.blogspot.in...

[share Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is a story ?

What is it made up of ?

..... A story is made up of different characters. Characters which have different persona, different past experiences, and each has a different Destiny to reach to. The way in which these characters happen to interact and influence each other, thereby altering their Destiny, makes an interesting story.

This book primarily captures the fictitious story of Kirvi, Ziya, Sam & Noor. How Destiny changes their lives and they find themselves on the opposite side of the table because of terrorist activity of ' The Woodpecker'

Aarti will make you fall in love with the character of Noor, who is an "Incurable Romantic" & an Eternal Optimist.

The raw romantic incidents between Kirvi - Ziya or Sam - Noor under different circumstances are purely pleasurable to read, and many pages are filled with those, making it a good weekend read.

They say a picture is worth a 1000 words, but to create different characters and their personalities and the way they interact with each other requires Art.

The 300 odd pages book, takes you on a journey of Love & Life (Death).

The way @RT_writes describes places like Ladakh, makes you want to visit those places personally, as they feel so beautiful.

Sometimes, while reading the book you are reminded of army scenes from the movie Jab Tak Hai Jaan, simply because of the context in which this book is set.

If you are in a relationship, then it is recommend that you read out this book to your partner, it will bring you guys closer.

[Summerita Rhayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snappy writing, profound characters, exciting and sometimes scary twists in the plot made this a gripping read. It definitely does not bear the mark of a debut book. As a romance fiction addict and writer, I found the romance part as gritty as the thriller side. A few typos distract initially but once you get into it, it reads quiet smooth. My only complain was the blood and gore. I don't go for that much, so found it tough to read. I also wish the climactic ending had more role of the main characters in it. However, that is a subjective opinion. Whether you go for romance or thrillers, you will not regret a moment of picking up this book. well done, Aarti.

[Nilima · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review:
Book Review: Kingdom Come by Aarti V Raman

How do you kill a man with no Achilles heel? You cut off his foot - Tom Jones
This line got me hooked !

Exceptional writing and more exceptional research about everything. Aarti hats off to that. Loved the twists, human emotions clearly depicted via writing, really wicked revelations about the Woodpecker & Ziya's parents. I wish I could meet all the characters in real coz you portrayed them so clearly.

[Ruchi Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced and unputdownable!

The story is about the two main characters’ (Krivi and Ziya) journey from falling in love, beating all the odds amidst life threatening situations, courtesy a bomb obsessed terrorist, to ultimately realizing the power of love and being together.

The vivid descriptions of beauty of Kashmir, Ladakh and Tibet made the story come alive.

Totally awesome!

[Kalyani Rao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kingdom Come is a classic love story with all the ingredients to make the reader sigh and also be on their toes!Aarti's style of narration makes the story come alive for her readers.Its difficult to comprehend that this is a work of a new author:)way to go Aarti!

[Anurag Rusia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have met the author personally during one of the events and I am surprised that the book is totally opposite to what she is.. She is so bubbly but the book that she has written is aggressive. That's called a true author.

[Pankti Mehta · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's definitely one -time read. For full review, click here: http://panktimehta.blogspot.in/2014/0...

[Christina Teilmann · Rating 1 out of 5]

This review contains SPOILERS, and LOTS of them, so if you have a problem with that, bugger off and stop reading NOW!

This book didn’t really work for me. To me, this doesn’t read like a completed novel, more like a draft for a story that MIGHT one day become a compelling story when all the kinks have been ironed out. But it just isn’t there yet. There are just too many inconsistencies and contradictions for my liking.

First of all, the characters:

Frankly, the relationship between Ziya and Krivi and the progression of it makes zero sense to me, there’s just too much nonsensical back-and-forth.
For example, they keep denying that they’re a couple, in spite of the minor detail that they love each other (even if they ARE too stupid to admit it), and in spite of the fact that everyone else sees them as a couple, and even though they do many activities together throughout the story that most people would agree made them a couple. They live together, eat together, sleep together (both actual sleeping and bumping uglies), go running together and so on. But they’re definitely, definitely NOT a couple!
At one point their lovemaking is described as “there wasn’t much passion to it”, but only a few pages later, it’s “soul-searing”. So it’s soul-searing, but without passion. To me that doesn’t make sense, but maybe I’m just weird that way.


I also don’t understand what they see in each other. Krivi, Mr. Secret Agent Man, is in Ziya’s own words “brooding and surly, silent and uncommunicative and he gave every indication of not having any feelings for her anymore, but he was a hero and he was brave and conflicted and damaged and he had helped her when she thought she was beyond help...” and he gets turned on by “flame-tipped hair and silly footwear” (pink plush UGGS if you were wondering). But hey, it’s not my place to judge. There’s also the minor detail that he had an affair with his best friend’s wife for 5 years (which also included doing it in THEIR bed!) and doesn’t show much remorse for deceiving his best friend (who actually loved his wife dearly) in the worst possible way, for 5 (!) years. Apparently betraying your best friend’s trust, someone who’d trust you with their life, repeatedly for years is no biggie. How charming...
(Sidenote: why does Krivi climb the balcony 9 stories to Ziya’s room? What’s to stop him from climbing the stairs or taking the elevator like a normal person? It’s not like it’s a secret to anyone that they’re kind of an item. Is it solely to prove to the readers just how Mr. Macho he is?).

And Ziya? Well, she’s a bit of a volatile drama queen, in my opinion. One minute she’s quite happy with what she sees in the mirror: “the rest of her wasn’t that bad either, she conceded as she showered rapidly. Nice legs,... etc” and a few pages later her body is “decidedly unsexy”. So which is it? Make up your mind, woman!
In the beginning she’s pretty rude to Secret Agent Man, I assume partly in an attempt to assert herself and partly in response to perceived rudeness from him (of which there is none, except in her head) and it baffles me what he likes about her, but I guess some men just enjoy being treated like shit. Later, after Krivi told her of his true identity and reason for being there, she completely overreacts and to me, her anger at him seems utterly misplaced. All he said was that he was investigating whether or not she might in fact be the sister of a known terrorist, and that he’s reached the conclusion that she is not (it turns out later that she is, and it was never really clear to me why Krivi said she wasn’t, just yet another thing I didn’t really understand in this story). I really don’t see how that can in any way be perceived by her as if he is accusing her or condemning her. Yet that is how Ziya sees it. She reads all these motives into his actions that I simply don’t see and keeps claiming that he condemned her, which he never did.

Despite being able to get multiple scholarships (which we later learn were orchestrated by her father, which makes more sense) and multiple mentions of her intelligence, I’m not entirely convinced she’s very bright. She certainly hasn’t a clue how the world of spies work. After the big reveal of Secret Agent Man’s true identity and his mission she thinks: “He could have told her, straight out from the beginning about his secret activities and she could have saved him six months’ worth of covert investigation.”. That would pretty much make him the world’s most inept spy, if he had just flat out asked his target (a woman he does NOT know at this point and has no reason to trust yet, who as far as he knows might be deeply involved in terrorist activities) : “Sooo, hows about that terrorist brother of yours, seen any of him lately?”
At one point she also compares Krivi to The Woodpecker, and thinks to herself that he is as bad as the Woodpecker is, simply because she’s just seen him “torture” a guy he needed information from, by breaking his arm and making threats (which he didn’t follow through with). As anyone who’s ever seen “24” will tell you (and really anyone who hasn’t lived a completely sheltered life), a broken arm and idle threats is getting off REALLY easy, which only makes Ziya’s comparison all the more ridiculous.

More than once I found myself wondering why Ziya was even friends with Noor (who’s described as having “an IQ in the triple digits”, which is... normal. I get that this sentence is meant to depict that she’s highly intelligent but since it really only means ‘at least 100’ (which is within normal intelligence range) it just doesn’t work for me), and if she even liked her and considered her her equal. Sure, she exclaims often how much she loves Noor, (more so after her death) but her behaviour belies this.
To me, she comes across as condescending and eye rolling and like she thinks Noor is rather silly (which she is), and she never seems to confide in Noor about what’s going on with her and Secret Agent Man. Here’s an example: “Ziya put in a full hour with Noor, sympathizing, encouraging and alternating with sharp words that defended Sam’s actions before she escaped to the sanctuary of her own office”. It sounds like spending time with her best friend is a bit of a chore.

Another thing that puzzled me was Sam’s reaction to Noor saying yes to his proposal. She’s basically been begging him repeatedly to marry her. At first he was all ‘no baby, I can’t marry you, I’m a soldier, that’s my career, it wouldn’t be fair to you bla bla bla bullshit bullshit bullshit’, but when he proposes to her not long after (what brought about this sudden change of heart? Who knows.) he’s really surprised that she says yes. HELLO! She’s been literally (literal in its actual sense!) begging for it, so why the surprise? Honestly...

Secondly, some of the major plot points just didn’t add up for me.

It is repeated several times that there’s just no way the Woodpecker would NOT try and meet his sister. But why is that exactly? Why should this coldblooded serial killer/terrorist/psycho/who is perceived to be pretty devoid of normal human feelings be interested in meeting a sister he’s never met nor known the existence of? It is unclear to me why “the good guys” are convinced of this, and it is even more of a mystery to me why The Woodpecker actually DOES see Ziya as a threat. S/he is after all supposed to be pretty intelligent.
“And she could lead anyone to The Woodpecker, just because she possessed the same eye color and height and was a possible sibling. Ninety percent. Too huge a number. A threatening number, a threatening woman. Ziya Maarten.”. Let’s just for a moment ignore the ridiculousness of the villain referring to himself as The Woodpecker, capitalization and all, like he’s some obnoxious jock referring to himself in the third person, since he does after all have a bloated ego) and ask HOW? HOW could any of these things lead to the capture of The Woodpecker? Provided that The Woodpecker himself isn’t stupid enough to ever seek out Ziya, how could her mere existence and somewhat similar appearance (apparently there’s also a “face and features match”, which makes you wonder why Krivi didn’t put two and two together when she showed up at The Big Meet as a woman, seeing as Wood’s features must match Ziya’s to some extent) and their shared DNA ever lead anyone on to The Woodpecker’s identity and whereabouts? I simply don’t get that.
(Sidenote: Here The Woodpecker and Ziya are claimed to be of the same height (and we know that Ziya is 5’5, she mentions this earlier), yet later on The Woodpecker is described by Ziya as being of “towering height”. So which is it? Since The Woodpecker is thought to be a man for most of the story, I assume the latter makes more sense.)

As for their grand scheme of capturing The Woodpecker: wouldn’t it have made more sense that grabbing Wood at the meeting was the main plan, and putting Ziya, a civilian, in danger, was the back-up plan, the plan of last resort? I would think that was common practice for government agencies, to only put civilians at risk if there were no other viable options. And considering how intent Secret Agent Man is on keeping Ziya safe, I’d have thought he’d insist on it, yet it is never even suggested.

It is not exactly clear to me why The Woodpecker is after Secret Agent Man in the first place. Surely it can’t just be because Krivi was chasing The Woodpecker, since he at this point has no leads and is at a dead end (which Wood very well knows). Being a terrorist and all, Wood ought to be used to being chased by the authorities, it comes with the territory, and it was never clear to me why Krivi should get special attention. But perhaps that’s a failing on my side.

If Tom Jones thought that Wood was getting out of control and had to be taken out, then why didn’t he just take care of it himself, instead of this convoluted plan with a big meeting and a fake auction for a bomb that never existed? It just seemed really unnecessary setting all these things in motion when taking Wood out himself would’ve been the easiest thing in the world. He explains that it had to be done in that elaborate way because otherwise Wood would become a martyr and he’d have ten more Woodpeckers to deal with and dispose of. Where would these other Woodpeckers come from, how would they know anything of what happened to “The Woodpecker”, and even if they did, why would they care? Who the hell knows, it is never said. Maybe I’m just too dense to figure that one out.

I enjoy a little gender-bender twist as much as the next person, but in order for that to work, this kind of clumsy sentence need to not exist: “As Wood was speaking, Wood produced a small pocket knife, doused it with an airplane bottle of rum that Wood had forethought to pack along…..”. This sentence (and the others similar to it, which are of course oddly constructed in order to avoid giving away the true gender of The Woodpecker, I get that) just annoys me. A lot. I’d rather just not have that twist if it can’t be achieved without this kind of sentence.

One final thing: When I buy a book, I expect it to be completely free from typos, punctuation errors, spelling errors, missing words, etc. I really don’t think that I’m being too demanding here. If I’m going to spend money on a book, those details should be in order. It ruins my reading flow when I have to keep rereading sentences/paragraphs to make sure I understood what I just read correctly. And this book has quite a lot of these errors.

In short, this book just didn’t work for me.

On the plus side, I do like the cover. It represents the mixture of romance and thriller that this story aims for very well.

[Aayesha Hakim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story has been amazingly penned. I loved every single character in the book, even the bad guys. Congratulations Aarti V. Raman! You have a way with words.

Set mainly in the breathtakingly beautiful Kashmir Valley, but also travelling to England, Central America (Mexico), Ladakh and Tibet, the protagonists' journey is far from simple. The characterization is noteworthy and the author gives us people who are complicated and flawed with their own share of mistakes and wrong decisions but still they are able to win our hearts and connect with us due to their actions which speak of their inherent goodness. It is the supporting characters that come across as more real and add depth to the story.

Kingdom Come could have been a typical story in many ways. Terrorism and Kashmir, or a man and a woman falling in love while fighting for survival against a dangerous adversary aren't new plot lines. It could easily have been the usual angst-filled love story were it not for the characters, the research behind the plot, and the plot twists.

Overall, the book is well paced, and it doesn't have any obviously gaping holes in it. Raman has researched the elements of her story well, providing realistic descriptions of places and situations, especially the ins and outs of the military operations.

Highly recommended.

Full review here: https://intheclassroomoflife.blogspot...

[Vaishnavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not entirely sure whether I like the book or not. 😶 I guess it’s one of those styles of writing that make u wanna love-hate it. There was too much about reading eyes and body language that didn’t feel believable, and kinda frustrated me. Is the story believable? I don’t know.. let’s just say it’s a story.

[Abhilash Ruhela · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Kingdom Come"- Isn't it an unusual title for a book? When I heard it first, I was sure that this book can be skipped but the good reviews made me go for it and thus, I picked up Aarti V Raman's Kingdom Come which is published by Harlequin publication. The book is 310+ pages and thus, you enjoy a ride that takes quite long to end. It's smooth but gets bumpy at times. The best part about the authoress is her command over the language and the way she explains the philosophies of the contemporary scenario between the characters at every specific points. Also her narration is good and the characterization is done very well which ensures that you get attached with almost everyone- Right from Krivi, Ziya, Noor, Sam to Woodpecker and Tom. That's the magnificence of each character.

Cover page and synopsis promises some great action and thriller in the story which authoress delivers every now and then. Book even starts with a scene where Krivi Iyer is diffusing a bomb. Another commendable part is Aarti's research behind the lives of the people in army, terrorist groups and the way bombs, arms and ammunition are dealt with. The jargon that she has used many times regarding gadgets, machinery, bombs etc shows the kind of knowledge she ensured in herself before scripting this manuscript.

Well, out of everything, the best part has been The Woodpecker. I have read many books where a villain is introduced in a latter half and not given the kind of importance he/she deserves to make the hero of the book more macho. Author has definitely won brownie points here. She has discussed Woodpecker as stronger and better than Krivi and his whole team many a times. Even in the pre-climax, it is narrated as if The Woodpecker is a step ahead of Krivi and company. If for one point, I would ask you pick this book up, it would be to read about the villain here. I also feel that the title of this book should have been "The Woodpecker". Yes!

Coming to the drawbacks:- I found it hard in getting into the story initially as author tries to introduce us with too many things and hence we don't get attached with any character except Noor's. It's only after some time that the book becomes alive and active. Also, I found too many love-making sequences every now and then once Krivi and Ziya patches up. It slows down the story and also adds up to your irritation. Book could have been 50 pages thinner easily. Too much time has been given in discussing of how Krivi and Ziya are confused with each other because of the same problem again and again. Also, few scenes where the narration could have been more exciting and thrilling, author has kept it flat as if just another scene. Else, I must say a good book indeed. Definitely, one-time read. I give it 3.75*/5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

[Meera Nair · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Harlequin India for review. A big thanks to them!

Kingdom Come by Aarti Raman is a romantic thriller woven into the grim and steadfast world of terrorism. Krivi Iyer is part of a bomb diffusing squad and has lost enough in life to not care when he is on a mission. Years of dealing with crime and death have taken a toll on him. No longer the soft, smiling self, he sees no sense when a certain female individual gives him more attention than need be and somehow he finds himself wanting to reciprocate it. Ziya Maarten is more than intrigued by Krivi’s tough guy exterior. Surely he knows how to laugh? Captivated by his allure, she finds herself risking everything to be with him, even if it means being pushed away by him. A tragic event leads Ziya to accompany Krivi on the trail of an inhuman, maniacal terrorist known as The Woodpecker. His works spread like wildfire, pun intended, and this time around, a personal vendetta has him focused on Krivi Iyer and everyone around him, which includes Ziya. Meanwhile, a terrible folly on the part of Krivi drives a wedge between the two lovers. Will they catch The Woodpecker before he blows up any chance of a future for them?

Admittedly this book took a lot longer to finish but that’s only because of college priorities. So take no notice of that and assume it’s an uninteresting book. No, it was totally and absolutely worth spending time over. Ziya Maarten is a do-gooder with deep rooted love for her dear ones. Throughout the novel, as would anyone, she is inclined to take some silly decisions but at a point the stronger side of her surfaces upon being tormented. I really liked the collab of terrorism, detective and romance angles in this book. Krivi is the typical brooding guy with smouldering looks who thinks he doesn’t need love in life but is proven wrong by the female protagonist. He too must make some sacrifices for the greater good of the world. I haven’t read much on terrorism so this was a good change. I thought this might be like your average detective novel with a love angle to it. But its so much more and the revelation towards the end is mind blowing. Something you’d never have thought. Not to mention the beautiful vivid imageries describing Ladakh and Tibet helped the novel play out in my mind. The one thing that sort of nagged at me is how fixated he got with her “silver eyes”. I mean, once he realizes he cares for her, its like every second page has a mention of her silver eyes. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed it and you should definitely give it a try.

[Natasha Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aarti V Raman has a fantastic imagination for thrillers. She has an enigmatic, alpha-dog, cold-blooded hero who melts at the touch of the quicksilver heroine. They’re both tensely-drawn characters that you will admire and will empathize with (with the exception of Krivi’s choice of a wife-beater in the middle of freezing Kashmir. Really, Aarti? NO. Please.). And they come together under strained, crazy-paced action that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I have to admit, sadly, that Krivi is not my hero—I actually preferred Sam to Krivi, who was a little broody and one-dimensional for my taste. And he’s the only reason that this review went from 5 to 4 stars, because everything else is stellar. Kingdom Come has a devious, twisty plot that makes this book more than just a romance. It has all the ingredients of a suspense thriller—international terrorism, far-fetched coincidences (that she manages to pull off, because you will be engrossed in the story), surprise twists, exotic locales, and protagonists that really grow over the course of the book.

But the jewel in this book actually comes from the 5% that has been dedicated to the Woodpecker. Of all the characters in this book (and all the real estate they consume), the Woodpecker’s character has very little airtime, but is a towering personality that, in my case, stole the show. You will get into this layered and deeply flawed mind in the few tantalizing glimpses Raman gives us.

I have to mention the research that obviously went into this book—Raman has clearly boned up on the intricacies of building bombs and their disposal. While I can’t attest to the accuracy of her descriptions, I thought the details were scary in their realism. I do think she needs to check on her spy agencies, because I believe MI5 is a domestic agency and MI6 would have been the appropriate agency for international manhunts. And, she may want to look up Muslim funerals, as they are quite different from Christian burials (no coffins, for instance, and no service at the graveside. We have funeral prayers, normally prayed at a mosque).

Minor niggles aside, this is a book that you will want on your bookshelf. It’s a thrilling ride that’s well-written and really takes you out of your humdrum life, just like a good thriller should do.

[Inderpreet Uppal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everywhere I looked, where ever I read, I just found high praise for this book KINGDOM COME and I was so interested to read it. Boy! Was it difficult to get my hands on one but thanks to the #TornadoGiveaway by +TheBookClub and the #WriteTribe Book review program I did finally manage to get my hands on both the paperback and eBook! Yes, good things do indeed come to those who wait.



My wait for the book was well rewarded as the book is fantastic and I recommend it as a must read. Aarti has done so much research and detailed the scenarios so exquisitely that I feel I have finally found the Indian answer to Sidney Sheldon and Jeffery Archer!!

You disagree? I don’t care as Aarti knows what she is writing about. Detailed background checks, nail-biting scenarios, attention to detail, sizzling chemistry and enchanting visual descriptions. Add to that the huge amount of emotional baggage the characters carry – all of them. Just describing it alone would be a herculean task for me!! She does it effortlessly and makes reading “Kingdom Come” a pleasure.

Too high praise you say? Well I feel the way the story unfolds, it has maybe one odd twist that was predictable and rest was just plain thrilling. The language she uses is crisp, full of descriptions and yet precise and has a sense of humour. The narration and scenes are tautly drawn without a single moment where you want to put the book down. In fact, I had so much trouble keeping the book down because of other personal work L

I wanted to shut out the world like I used to as a young girl; when my mother’s scolding would fall on deaf ears and she would blame herself for introducing me to reading and the love of books. This book has the right balance of a beautiful, evocative, poignant love story – the kind that is possible when you have seen the fragility of life. It also has all the elements of a spy thriller with big baddies, bigger bombs and crazy villains. Did I mention the scorching romances?

There are no slow points and the twists and turns just keep going on, so much that you are amazed that, can anything more happen? Luckily for you it does. J

All I want to say is please keep writing Aarti and as I eagerly await your next book.

I can read your books till kingdom come.

[Svati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kingdom Come is a wonderful book written by Aarti V raman .A very good writer with lot potential.

The book is based on Vengeance ,Determination and love in the time of war .

Set against the BEAUTIFUL Backdrop like Kashmir,ladakh and TIBET

The story is about Krivi Iyer an ex spy and who is no ordinary guy he is Tall ,Dark and Handsome guy who is brooding over his past which was taken away from him by THE WOOD PECKER in an car explosion .Ziya Maarten on the other hand who is an orphan and is manager at 'Goonj Business Enterprise' in Srinagar in Kashmir .She alleged to be sister of the Wood pecker expect ,Ziya is beautiful Distraction and not terrorist sister


When a tragedy in London tears Ziya life apart she can only rely on Krivi to get the absolution and vengeance she need to move on .Between her training Training to be anti terrorist squad member to finding the woodpecker she uncover the truth of Krivi's past .Will the two tormented soul become one .

My perception:

The Author has beautifully describe the characters and their emotions very well with a lot precision and how they over come the inner demons fighting along with the demons of the word like Woodpecker a socio-path who trying to destroy or is in verge of destroying the entire Kingdom .

Krivi Iyer who is like coconut hard from out side and soft from inside & Ziya Maarten who is bold ,confident and faces challenges no matter what happens.............The author has describe both Krivi Iyer & Ziya Maarten so well that made me fall in love with both the characters especially Krivi Iyer

The Author has weaved the characters very well which will make you fall in love with her book and which will force you to read her book over and over

The plot is simple .

Aarti v Raman you are great story teller and writer too as you have put your imagination down on the piece of paper which indeed a great boon which only few posses. Hats off to u

All the Best


Warm hugs .Awaiting for you next book release .

I Love the ending line THAT LIFE MATTERED
The ending is quiet philosophical

[Sriramana Muliya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kingdom Come is a 'Mills & Boon' novel in fatigues.

That said, it is no less a racy thriller than let's say, any one of the Jason Bourne series. The writing is crisp, witty, and humorous even. I found myself turning the pages in the same feverish pace as the protagonist's hunt for the most sought after terrorist in the world 'the woodpecker'.

I'll not give away a lot of the plot, read the book (which, you must) and find out. But this much I got to say. Aarti has researched very well and brought a certain authenticity to the characters, their craft, and to the entire cat and mouse construction of the spy genre with aplomb. The technical detailing is bang on. Very very impressive. Kudos. If it weren't for the constant reminder in the back of my head that the author was a bespectacled girl who could easily be mistaken for a studious college student, the book could easily be mistaken as the work of a serious and mature writer with years of experience writing spy stories.

If I were to nitpick, it would be that despite the hero (and heroine) having their roots in India but having grown up in the Queen's land, the tone of the book (not in all places but many, nonetheless) and the way the characters speak, is oddly... American. In the initial sequences when we're shown the deftness in which Krivi Iyer rescues a kidnapped girl and diffuses a bomb, one can't help visualizing a Matt Damon or even a Brad Pitt conversing with subordinates, with a liberal smattering of US military Jargon being thrown around (for example: FUBAR is an often used US military slang). Same goes with phrases like 'the whole enchilada' & 'skivvies'. Not something you'd expect from a Brit. In fact, skivvy has a different meaning altogether in Britain. But like I said, this is nitpicking. And the US does have a sort of skewed influence in the way we all speak & write English in the 21st Century.

All in all, Kingdom Come is an enjoyable 'Romantic Spy Thriller'. Waiting for your next one, Aarti.

[Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the chance to attend the book launch of ‘Kingdom Come’ at Bangalore. The author is a vivacious young lady who is very bubbly and articulate. She and her guests did a reading from the book there and it was enough to catch my attention. I knew then that if she writes half as well as she speaks, I would enjoy the book.

Kingdom Come is a unique title that hardly gives away what the story is about. It tells us the story of Krivi Iyer and Ziya Maarten set in the backdrop of beautiful sceneries of Kashmir and Tibet. Krivi Iyer is a former spy and bomb defusal expert whose only regret in life is that he could not capture the mentally unstable Woodpecker, a master bomber. It was personal to him since the Woodpecker was responsible for the demise of his partner’s family. So when he receives intel that Ziya Maarten is Woodpecker’s sister and may know about his whereabouts, he goes all out to finish what the Woodpecker had started. Yet he was not prepared for Ziya. She is strong, kind and loving. When an incident tears apart Ziya’s life and threatens to bring down her world, Krivi can only lend his strength to protect the beautiful Ziya.

I am not a sexist, but I hardly ever had the reason to expect the kind of story that Aarti presents to us from a woman. Yes, the love and sensuality infused in the story is precious and the complexities of a relationship captured and expressed in a way only a woman can. However, talking about IEDs and bomb disposal squads with such familiarity is scarce from a woman. I would like to applaud the author for narrating it so convincingly.

The characters in the story all have different shades to them and the author has developed them in a expert manner. I particularly enjoyed the chemistry between Krivi and Ziya and how Noor and Sam added something special to the story. Vivid descriptions and beautiful settings only compliment the story.

An interesting combination of thrills and romance makes it a good option for the book lovers of both the genres.


http://www.b00kr3vi3ws.in/2014/08/Kin...

[Janhvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't keep many expectations before diving into Kingdom Come so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I actually ended up liking it. By the end of the book I was very much invested in Krivi and Ziya's story and desperately wishing for their happy ever after. I really enjoyed Kingdom Come.

Ziya is the manager of Goonj Business Enterprises in Kashmir. She has come a long way from being an orphan. She has worked hard to get where she is at present. I really liked Ziya. She was stubborn but determined. I loved that she was such a good friend to Noor and Sam. Ziya can't help but be intrigued by Krivi who comes into her life and makes her question her feelings.

Krivi is a former spy and a bomb defusal expert. When he gets intel that Ziya may be the sister of Woodpecker, a wanted terrorist, he will do anything to take him down. Even if it means spying on Ziya. Krivi is shown as a cold hardened soldier. He was all that but as we get to know him there is so much more depth to him. I liked how protective he was of Ziya after the truth comes out.

Ziya and Krivi may look different on the surface but actually they had a lot of traits in common. The sparks start flying right off the pages. I liked how the romance went. Somehow Ziya and Krivi worked seamlessly when they were together. But the book is not all romance. We also get Woodpecker's point of view. It just brings home the point of how serious their situation is.

Aarti V. Raman has a very engaging writing style. She got me hooked on to the story as soon as I started reading. There were some twists that I did not see coming. One made me angry while the other left me shocked. All in all Kingdom Come was a really good blend of romance and thriller and I would recommend it to everyone who enjoys both the genres.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author/ publisher in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Find more of my reviews at The Readdicts- http://thereaddicts.blogspot.in/

[Shilpa Garg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kingdom Come is more of a romantic thriller. Against the backdrop of bombs blasts and bomb disposal, kidnapping, terrorists is a passionate love story of Krivi and Ziya. Krivi’s past haunts and distresses him. To make peace with his past, he has a mission to complete and Ziya could lead him to his enemy who is the insane Woodpecker. Ziya is unaware of the existence of the Woodpecker and has no clue of Krivi’s past. In the course of time, she falls in love with him. As Krivi lets his past dominate his life, will love enter his life? Will love ever come their way? You need to read Kingdom Come to know all that and much more.

I liked the immaculate research the author has done for the military operations. This made the story line very realistic and made it all the more credible. The plot of the story is a novel one and the characterization is good. Loved Noor’s character, I wish there was more of her in the story. The pace of the story is good and keeps you engaged. The climax takes you by surprise and is executed well.

Coming to the big dampener! No marks for guessing. It is the editing! The book is poorly edited and lacks proof-reading. Sentences like, “What’s your gut tell you?” or “Now let me the hell go.” take you away from the intense scene that is about to unfold and make you cringe. I wish authors and publishers are vigilant about the quality of their work.

In a nutshell, Kingdom Come is an admirable debut, although there is a room for improvement.
http://shilpaagarg.com/2014/09/kingdo...

[Rhiti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started the book and I was hooked.

In the Acknowledgements Aarti herself says that her muse for the protagonist’s character was Akshay Kumar, and I couldn’t agree more. Krivi Iyer is silent, brooding, macho and all things heroic that make you swoon, he is THE Hero. Aarti’s portrayal of her protagonist is near perfect. To match him up you have the beautiful and fiery Ziya Maarten. Their love forms the spine of the book, together they create a romance that makes you yearn for their happiness.

In the body of a very well-crafted thriller, this book is actually about love, relationships and emotions. The side characters have been drawn well, Noor leaves a long lasting effect on your soul. The antagonist of the novel The Woodpecker is drawn horridly to perfection, at points I wanted to kill him myself!

Aarti has delivered a top notch read, her use of language is brilliant. She knows her craft well. Her narrative voice is absolutely magnificent. She effectively uses the setting in her storyline, I can’t divulge the plot for it would take away the suspense factor of this superlative thriller.

I would recommend it to all who love a mix of thrill and romance.

On the down side I would say that she has been let down a little by the average editing, given that it is from Harlequin, you kind of expect better proofreading quality.

Overall an excellent book! A wonderful world of love, adventure, excitement, betrayal and destiny awaits you. What are you waiting for? GO! BUY! READ!…

[Purnendu Chatterjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Kingdom Come’ is the debut work of Aarti V Raman. This book is an acute mixture of romance and thrill. Each and every time the reader turns the page while expecting the next scene, the author opened a whole new chapter. This book is one of those which offers twist in its every chapter.

At a glance the name ‘Kingdom Come’ can bring an unfamiliar feeling but while reading the content and after completing the book readers will have all their queries answered. The cover looks perfect to me with two main protagonists walking towards the kingdom come.

There are a few books which would make the readers think that the language is very easy to write but the readers are going to read this book with envy in their eyes. The way the author has narrated the whole story is admirable for a debut work. The words are chosen so brilliantly that they give this story the perfect atmosphere needed. From choosing the names to framing the characters, everything has been done so well that readers can easily visualize everything.

Read the full review here:
http://timidfingers.blogspot.in/2014/...

[Priti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kingdom Come means “the next world” and “the end of time”. This title is aptly suited for this book as something bad ends and Krivi and Ziya (the two main characters of the book) get to enter the next world which is more beautiful and loving.

The book is based in the beautiful valley of Himalayas- Kashmir and the description is so beautiful that you can actually experience it yourself. I must say that it is a well-researched book and all the characters have been immortalized by the author.

What I loved most about the book is that it has the essence of both romance and a spy thriller. Both the parts are blended so well together that I actually had a nail-biting experience. Sometimes I was so immersed in the book and was so excited to know what’s going to happen next that I even forgot to breathe. I was actually having Goosebumps while reading this book. There were so many twists and turns and I could never guess what’s going to happen next. Even in the end when the suspense is finally revealed, it was totally unexpected. This book is a perfect spy love story.

For complete review: https://bibilophile.wordpress.com/201...