Arrival is the opening novel in the Iskander series of alternate world/SF adventures that features the strong female storm-crow Gisel Matah a security agent for the castaway Iskanders on the alternate Earth called Gaia.
In this story she is a sixteen year old starship brat who, much to everyone's surprise, becomes one of the leaders of their actions to establish themselves against the Empire's opposition. There is romance, violence, and a little non-explicit sex, suitable for teenage and adult readers.
The Iskander series were originally published in Canada by Double Dragon and the rights for all five novels have reverted to the author.