Jennie Dodd was raised in the picturesque market town of Shrewsbury, famous for its medieval castle, steep narrow streets, little alleyways, and timber-framed buildings. Situated on the River Severn, the town nestles in amongst the ancient Shropshire hills of the Stiperstones, the Long Mynd, Wenlock Edge and the Wrekin.
Educated at the Wakeman Grammar School, Jennie developed a keen interest in art, history, a love of English literature and excelled in sport. Following three years of study at Glamorgan College of Education, she acquired a Dip Ed in Advanced Main Physical Education and subsidiary Art and English before beginning a teaching career spanning over forty years.
Ride the Waves, her third novel to be published, shows her continuing passion for horses, dogs, indeed animals in general and a deep appreciation of the natural world.
Set in Western Australia this tale of jealousy and revenge sees teenage sisters embark on a perilous ride through the outback. They must rely on the courage and devotion of their horses, Star, a black Arabian and Galaxy, a white Andalusian stallion to save them. A magic kingdom secretly existing deep in the bush harbours a bitter love triangle. The wicked fairy, Alba, will use all her dark arts to rid herself of her rival and the girls and their horses will be caught up in the crossfire. Only by seeking the help of an ancient Koori shaman can they hope to survive. The plot is exciting and contains almost every element any young girl would love, including fairies, horses, animals of every description, as well as magic, romance, and adventure in a world where girls are the ones who make the difference rather than ubiquitous boy heroes. The stories are a mix of reality and pure imagination, drawing on aboriginal mythology and traditional storytelling. They combine magical fantasy and adventure with historic evidence and theories based on modern-day fact and up-to-date research. In addition, factual details regarding the natural flora and fauna of this beautiful part of the world, make this a truly educational, exciting, and immersive read.
This novel is a powerful, grim, historical fantasy story, based around the slave trade of the 17th and 18th centuries and its repercussions on a family whose wealth is built on it. The first part of the story introduces the present-day 10th Lord of Eastlyn, Robert Montague, and his family, who continue to endure the consequences of a voodoo hex placed upon them centuries before. The second part describes the 1st Lord of Eastlyn, George Montague, a wealthy but cruel and callous slave trader, and the enslavement of an Amazonian warrior named Nabila. Much of the novel’s strength is rooted in its foregrounding, which depicts man’s inhumanity to man and the vile and heinous nature of slavery. The final part shows the effect the curse has had on the Montague family and describes the actions and courage of young cousins who set out to free themselves from the voodoo hex placed upon them. The twists and turns that take place as a result are comprehensive and will provide entertaining relief for the reader following this tale of human suffering and vindication.
In this sequel to Ride the Wind, we return to the outback of Western Australia and the unexpected reappearance of the wicked fairy, Alba. Once again, she will attempt to destroy the sisters, their horses, and the magic kingdom itself.
Like the original story, this is a tale based on Aboriginal mythology. It combines elements of magical fantasy with factual details regarding the beliefs and culture of Australia’s Indigenous people and their use and protection of the natural flora and fauna of their beautiful land. The storyline raises issues concerning the historic mistreatment of Aboriginal peoples during the British Empires colonial years.
However, readers will find this an absorbing and uplifting novel, as they follow their favourite characters on a journey of discovery. The sisters are maturing into exceptional young women/riders, and Enzo is no longer a mere puppy and shows his true nature as he plays his part in family life.
The Shaman and the fairies will be called upon to defeat Alba’s evil schemes, but will their endeavours be triumphant this time? New, powerful magic will be required, and success or failure will hang in the balance.
The Resurrection Men draws inspiration from the notorious legend of Edinburgh’s infamous body snatchers, Burke and Hare. Set in the 1800s, this compelling tale serves as a sharp social critique, vividly portraying the poverty and deprivation endured by the lower classes. The novel exposes the callous exploitation by the upper echelons of society, highlighting how wealthy employers often neglected the welfare of their workers. Particularly, it sheds light on the appalling conditions faced by young children forced to work in the mines, where danger to life and limb was a daily reality.
This powerful, grim historical novel employs gallows humour to bring its characters and their struggles to life. As the story unfolds, it raises profound questions: Can desperate circumstances fundamentally change a person’s behaviour? When subjected to extreme poverty, are all humans capable of heinous acts, regardless of their inherent nature? Above all, The Resurrection Men is a poignant love story that will captivate the imagination of any reader, leaving them both moved and reflective.
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Satin Moth" by Jennie Dodd.]5 out of 5 starsMaddie, the daughter of the 10th Lord of Eastlyn, Robert Montague, lives a sheltered life with h ........
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Ride The Wind" by Jennie Dodd.]Ride The Wind by Jennie Dodd takes place in Western Australia. The family is invested in training and riding hors ........
Post by Sandra Engelmeyer » 07 Nov 2024, 09:09[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Resurrection Men" by Jennie Dodd.]4 out of 5 starsIt’s a gruesome tale with the feel of a clas ........
The Aussie adventure book -Ride the Wind- has its penultimate chapter set on Christmas Eve. The final chapter on Christmas Day. As special guests, sisters Dakota and Chaney attend the wedding of Princ ........
One of the joys of writing (which I had not anticipated) has been receiving feedback from readers. It's a wonderful feeling when you are able to read the thoughts and opinions of people who have decid ........
In February 2023, I received this email from Edwina Currie.Wonderful books! Well done. I only wish I was 10 years old again, when I was deep into “My Friend Flicka,” and pestered my parents for riding ........
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