B.J. Denver

B.J. Denver is the name, bestselling author, J.J. Michael uses for her Fornakopia series. Ms. Michael, a spiritual teacher and intuitive numerologist, wrote the Fornakopia series to highlight the healing power of sexual energy.

J.J. Michael is an author, blogger, numerologist, and Indie publisher living in Washington, DC. Her formal education includes a BA from Howard University and an MLS from the University of Maryland. For several years, she worked as an administrator of the District of Columbia Public Library. Several of her books have been bestsellers on Amazon. She is a member of the International Thriller Writers, Inc. and a member of the Washington, D.C., Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. Ms. Michael also writes under the pen name, BJ Denver. Visit J.J. Michael at www.jjmichael.com.

BPM: Could you tell us something about your most recent work? Is the book available on Kindle?
On August 19, 2016, I release my seventh book, Fornakopia, under my pen name BJ Denver. It’s available on Amazon Kindle as an eBook and trade paperback. Fornakopia falls in the genre of romance, featuring a matured woman’s search for love and sexual ecstasy. It’s for matured audience only.

BPM: Give us some insight into your main characters or speakers. What makes each one so special?
The main protagonist is Annaliza Wentworth, a rich widow living a passionless life. As I prepared to write the book, I interviewed several women about their lives, especially about sexuality and spirituality. From their stories, I crafted the character of Annaliza to look at her flaws, lack of what she didn’t have, what she desired in life and how she sets out to discover herself and happiness.

The antagonist overshadowing Annaliza is her deceased husband. The reader learns about Tommy Wentworth’s life through Annaliza’s flashbacks, his friends, and emails. Tommy’s life and death play a major role in the plot.

Fun Article: “Let’s Talk Sex and Spirituality” – https://lnkd.in/eAwXCt6  

BPM: What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book? Why now?
Many of my friends fall into one of the following categories: empty nest; retiring, starting new careers, going back to school; traveling; babysitting grandchildren, exercising, downsizing the home, divorcing, marrying, being a widow or widower, dating, and making other significant life changes. Life after sixty continues and can be fulfilling. I wanted to write about a matured woman going through one or several of the above life changes.

BPM: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
The book is character driven. I enjoyed writing about strong contemporary women and showing their spiritual and sexual growth.

BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot-driven or character-driven? 
My ideas come from something I have seen or heard, someone’s recommendation, or thoughts that streamed into my consciousness. The majority of my books are character-driven. I love writing about strong characters with their flaws and gifts and watching then growth over the course of the book.

BPM: Are there under-represented groups or ideas featured in your book? 
Except for Fornakopia, all of my books have a character that has a physical, mental or emotional disability. I like to bring awareness to the diversity in our world. My son was born with multiple disabilities. In my book, Five Days of Darkness, I link autism with psychic abilities, showing a different perspective of this order. The majority of my books are visionary fiction where I interweave the supernatural or psychic phenomena with ordinary life, with Fornakopia being the except.

BPM: How does your book relate to your present situation, spiritual practice or journey?
As mentioned earlier in this interview, Annaliza Wentworth, the protagonist in Fornakopia is aligned with women of my age group, education, spiritual and social practices.

BPM: Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?
Yes, I learned women of my age group (60 and older) are doing fantastic things in life. They return to school, live out the dreams they had in their younger years, and they take responsibility for their physical, emotional and spiritual health. The motto is -live life to the fullest.

BPM: Can you share some stories about people you met while researching this book?
I met several powerful, dynamic matured women who shared their stories with me. All volunteered their stories for the book, but as I explained this was a work of fiction. However, I composed stories based on the information I learned from them to fit in with the plot of the story. Most of these women knew what they wanted in a relationship, including fulfilling their sexual needs and desires.

BPM: What were your goals in writing this book, and how well do you feel achieved them?
My goal in writing Fornakopia was to bring awareness of sexual suppression and the connection between sexuality and spirituality. Before publishing the book, several beta readers read it. I’m happy to say the response was positive. Even though the book is fiction, they thought it would be a self-help sex guide for women of all ages.

BPM: What projects are you working on at the present?
I am writing part 2 to Fornakopia. It will continue Annaliza and Tommy Story. I’m also working on an eBook about spirituality, metaphysics, and quantum physics for the lay person.

BPM: How can readers discover more about you and your work? 
http://www.jjmichael.com
http://www.facebook.com/jjmichaelauthor
http://wwwfacebook.com/BJDenever
http://www.twitter.com/jjmichael
http://www.twitter.com/fornakopia
http://www.amazon.com/author/jjmichael

 

 

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