March 2015 | Issue 5.2 | OutBoise.com
‘The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell’ by William
Klaber
How do you make it in a man’s world if you’re
a woman? When it’s 1855 and women’s rights
are all but nonexistent, you dress like a dude and
take what’s yours. That’s what the real-life Lucy
Lobdell did on the frontier just as the Gold Rush
was coming to an end. But her decision to leave
her young daughter and family behind in search
of a better life has bitter consequences – like
public scorn, physical violence and answering to
the law. This fictional take on Lobdell’s life includes
newspapers articles and sources from the true life
of this courageous woman who was way ahead
of her time.
NEWS | OutBoise Magazine | 15
film version of “50 Shades of Grey,” you can stay
cozy in the comfort of your own home with “The
Manservant,” a modern-day comedy of manners
based on the audacious experiences of Michael
Hardwood, personal chef to Britain’s aristocracy.
For this fictionalized tale, dive into the down-anddirty world of a dashing butler who discreetly
carries out his master’s requests – and, yes, it
includes a paddle.
‘The Thing I Didn’t Know I Didn’t Know’ by Brent
Hartinger
‘Roadkill’ by Alexandra Allred
You can pick up the new YA novel-nomenon
du jour about a not-so-distant dystopian future –
seriously, is society doomed to a life of depression?
– or you can pick up this murder-mystery series
starring Allie Lindell, stay-at-home lesbian mom
turned detective, which kicks off with “Roadkill.”
There are three existing books in this serial
whodunit with two more additions scheduled for
release this summer and fall, respectively.
‘The Talk Show’ by Joe Wenke
Celebrated New York Times reporter
Jack Winthrop is in trouble. After agreeing to
collaborate on controversial talk show host
Abraham Lincoln Jones’ “Emancipation Tour,”
he’s found himself in the crosshairs of a crazed
stalker who’s putting everybody’s life in danger.
Even Jones’ unconventional family – including
Rita Harvey, the transgender ex-priest and LGBT
activist; Slow Mo, the larger-than-life vegetarian
bouncer; Donna the stripper; and Jones’ lover,
media expert Danielle Jackson – are targets of the
madman. Can Winthrop uncover the truth before
it’s too late? Put on your investigative specs and
get lost in this fast-paced and gritty thriller by Joe
Wenke.
‘The Manservant’ by Michael Harwood
While all your sexually deprived and
desperate friends are lining up in the cold for the
Russell Middlebrook – who you may
remember as the protagonist of Brent Hartinger’s
2003 novel “Geography Club” (there’s now a film
adaptation, too; great pick for LGBT movie night
with your friends) – returns in “The Thing I Didn’t
Know I Didn’t Know,” the first in a new series for
adults. At age 23, Russell’s living in trendy Seattle
but lacks the direction and drive that seems to
come easy to his friends. Enter blast-from-thepast Kevin, his high school boyfriend; eccentric
screenwriter Vernie Rose, who’s vying for Russell’s
attention; and Gunner, Russell’s BFF ready to set
out on a search for Bigfoot. Each give Russell a lot
to think about.
Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and
blogger whose work has been published in more
than 100 outlets across the world. He and his dog,
Jaxon, split their time between homes in New York
City and Asbury Park, N.J. Connect with Mikey on
Twitter @mikeyrox.