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J.L. Michael

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Born

in The United States

Genre

Fiction, Historical Fiction, Paranormal

Member Since

July 2022

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https://www.goodreads.com/jlmichael

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J.L. Michael is a Maine author partial to old-school jazz, vintage travel posters, and historical literature that champions daring quests into realms unknown. The majority of the author’s time is spent pursuing the honor code of an impossible dreamer, which includes acting as an able Healthcare Director, committed spouse, and steadfast (though imperfect) role-model to an eight-year-old best-thing-ever. When not thrashing away on a keyboard, J.L. can be found lounging beachside atop the hood of a Jeep Wrangler, contemplating a next escape to distant exotic lands or plotting further misadventures to include in the sequel to the just released novel... Missteps Perfecting the Shutterbug Strut.

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Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

J.L. Michael Origin of my novel-- Missteps Perfecting the Shutterbug Strut

I live in a cold weather state. Seeking a winter escape to tropical climes is high on my …moreOrigin of my novel-- Missteps Perfecting the Shutterbug Strut

I live in a cold weather state. Seeking a winter escape to tropical climes is high on my daydream list. A few years back, I came across a great airfare to Quito, Ecuador. Without hesitation, it was booked. The trip was split between the Galapagos (where else do people run into the water holding phones high when someone yells “Shark!”?) and more intrepid excursions along the outer fringes of the Amazon jungle. I had booked reservations at the Hamadryade Lodge along the Rio Napo, as not to rough-it too much. My daughter, Alexandra, was age three at the time. One day at the lodge, I was teaching “Alee” to swim in the pool. I quipped to my spouse, “At least Alee will be able to honestly say that she learned to swim in the Amazon jungle.” I gave passing thought that it would make for a good opening line to an adventure novel and left it at that. What I did not yet know was that moment had relit my author’s pilot light.

Six months later, while lazing in Samara, Costa Rica, the fever hit. I was in our lodge’s pool teaching Alee to swim—howler monkeys prancing the trees above—when it thunderstruck: female adventuress; more hijinks, less gunplay; she's a 20-something photographer; it will start in Papua (I still have no clue where the Papua angle came from). Part offbeat adventure, part madcap historical, part outright the unexpected, would entail the genre formula. Upon return to Maine, I started my research, and I’m amazed to this day how everything soon fell into place.
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J.L. Michael’s books

Average rating: 3.1 · 20 ratings · 9 reviews · 1 distinct work • Similar authors

Missteps Perfecting the Shutterbug Strut

3.10 avg rating — 20 ratings — 3 editions

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J.L. Michael's Blog

Life as it was... and is.

While the storyline for Missteps Perfecting the Shutterbug Strut prioritizes a zany and historically detailed account of the people, places, and events of the fading 1920s, its underpinnings reveal my protagonist’s rebellious refusal to venture down tempting, dark paths and not allow loneliness, trauma, or setbacks to extinguish her life light. It is an imperfect quest to reclaim one’s broken Read more of this blog post »

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Published on February 24, 2023 07:32

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J.L. is Currently Reading

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Dragon Hunter: Roy Chapman Andrews & the Central Asiatic Expeditions

by Charles Gallenkamp

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Sep 28, 2025 05:17PM

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Mayhem

by Sarah Pinborough (Goodreads Author)

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Oct 22, 2022 05:00PM

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J.L.’s Recent Updates

Shida Ketzer answered J.L. Michael's question: Hi, Shida. Thanks for the good advice regarding a link to my twitter account. I'll try to figure out how to do it (am I even doing this right?) Not much of a techie. Until then, I assure you, I'm not a bot. Best-- J.L. Michael Hi! Sorry! I just saw this today! Did I already follow you back on Twitter?
Dec 03, 2025 06:55AM · like
J.L. Michael rated a book liked it Dragon Hunter: Roy Chapman Andrews & the Central Asiatic Expeditions by Charles Gallenkamp	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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J.L. Michael is starting Dragon Hunter Dragon Hunter: Roy Chapman Andrews & the Central Asiatic Expeditions by Charles Gallenkamp progress:	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Quotes by J.L. Michael (?)

“Having always been directionless, Alexandra never felt lost. She pointed east.”
― J. L. Michael, Missteps Perfecting the Shutterbug Strut

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“Occasionally, the only unpalatable difference between adventure and misadventure is eating exotic foods as opposed to being exotic food.”
― J. L. Michael, Missteps Perfecting the Shutterbug Strut

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“She bid farewell and picked up her sole suitcase, believing fresh starts were best initiated with limited baggage.”
― J. L. Michael, Missteps Perfecting the Shutterbug Strut

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J.L.’s Quotes

“She bid farewell and picked up her sole suitcase, believing fresh starts were best initiated with limited baggage.”
― J. L. Michael, Missteps Perfecting the Shutterbug Strut

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“Having always been directionless, Alexandra never felt lost. She pointed east.”
― J. L. Michael, Missteps Perfecting the Shutterbug Strut

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