A fantasy take on the Joan of Arc legend with an Arabian Nights twist, Al-Kabar follows a woman shaped by tragedy and thrust into the position of championing the common people. Corruption runs rampant over the desert land of Serescine and Fakhira must learn hard lessons to fight against it.

Excerpt:

Tahjis grabbed her arm and tugged her to her feet. “Never show weakness. Get up, shake it off, keep going.”

She pulled her hand back before she touched the wall to use it for support. “Never?”

“No.” He smacked her hand. “When you pull back, don’t bring your hand so close. Let it fall to your side or cross your arms.”

She dropped her hand to her side and took a deep breath. “This is going to be harder than I thought.”

“Don’t think about how small you are. You’re the biggest, baddest man ever. No one can beat you, no one can put you down. You’re the king of your hill. Head up, eyes forward, walk like you own the street and you’ll fight to defend it.” Despite his words, Tahjis seemed to cower away from everyone and everything, including her.

Squaring her shoulders, she scanned the street and thought about the idea of every spot she placed a foot on being somehow hers. No one could take her space away from her. She belonged here, and nothing would change that. Her gait took on a swagger, with her head high and her arms out and ready to hurt anyone who came close.

Al-Kabar, a fantasy novel by Lee French, releases on September 18th. Print and ebook editions are available on Amazon, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The ebook edition is 99 cents for a limited time, until the 26th.