LAS VEGAS Aug. 25, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- A captivating novel that reaches from the mysterious Moroccan desert to the mountains of Montana, C.F. Frank's Qismah (now available through AuthorHouse) weaves a story of tribal warfare, cultural differences, secret plots and friendship.
A tribal feud endangers the lives of Grand Emir Azim El-Shahad al Kahan Abdah and his heir apparent, Prince Mulai. The council of elders separates these two leaders for their protection and Mulai finds himself in the mysterious land of his dreams, America, in 1985.
There he is reunited with Paul Armitage, a friend and spiritual brother raised with him as a Bedouin in Morocco. Paul invites Mulai to seek refuge with him. Although highly educated, Mulai's upbringing and his unfamiliarity with American culture leave him dismayed. Immodesty abounds, especially in three very different women who vie for his affections. A spoiled teenage coquette is swept away in the idea of romance; the attractive daughter of a wealthy rancher pursues him; and a woman 20 years his senior is irresistible. Mulai struggles to maintain a balance of emotion and reason.
When Mulai returns home, Paul moves to Washington, D.C. to train as an intelligence officer. He is later assigned to a case in Morocco involving stolen military equipment that authorities believe has been taken by the Algerian Polisaro guerillas with help of Mulai's tribe. They suspect a coup is in the works. As Paul attempts to expose traitors and return the stolen equipment, Mulai knows his friend is hiding a deep secret which threatens their strong friendship. Paul is compelled to do the unthinkable to accomplish his mission: bring two warring tribes together. It could result in a terrible fight or give the Grand Emir a chance to ally his tribe with the Moroccan Crown for the first time in history.
Qismah is a creative novel that brims with fascinating detail about the Bedouin people. Its intense storyline draws readers into the lives of two young men caught in an old feud and confronted with difficult personal dilemmas.
For years, Frank's interest in Arab culture has led her to study the ways of the Bedouin life. Research for Qismah included touring countries such as Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates, riding camels, sleeping in the desert and meeting scores of Arab citizens. A lifelong musician, Frank has written poetry and music for many years. In 1978, she composed "The Legend of Sir Hambone St. John," a children's musical.
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