Shadow Boxer is a novel about identity crisis. Willie Guyles has struggled with his gender identity for his entire life. He's mostly tried to ignore it by pursuing traditionally masculine pursuits: boxing, military, law enforcement, but after encountering a drag prostitute and being exposed to her humanity, he can no longer contain his true self. Set in Oklahoma City during the late 1990's, Willie Guyles faces a deeply homophobic environment and realizes that the cost for expressing his true identity can be life threatening.