The Currency of Love: A Courageous Journey to Finding the Love Within

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Simon and Schuster, 2017 M06 6 - 320 pages
“This page-turning memoir of decadence and faith will resonate with seekers everywhere." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

In this courageous and inspiring memoir about personal freedom and spiritual empowerment, Jill Dodd “writes earnestly and refreshingly about learning many of life’s more difficult lessons the hard way” (Kirkus Reviews) through her journey from Paris model to Saudi billionaire’s harem wife to multi-million dollar business entrepreneur.

In the 1980s, Jill Dodd determined that her ticket out of an abusive home was to make it as a top model in Paris. Armed with only her desire for freedom and independence, she embarks on an epic journey that takes her to uncharted territory—the Parisian fashion industry with all its beautiful glamour and its ugly underbelly of sex, drugs, and excess. From there, Jill begins an eye-opening adventure that includes trips to Monte Carlo, sexual exploitation, and falling in love with one of the richest men in the world, agreeing to become one of his wives—until she finds the courage to walk away from it all and rebuild her dreams.

The Currency of Love is a raw, honest, and inspiring portrait of a young woman’s struggles and triumphs from fashion model to Saudi billionaire’s pleasure wife to founder and creator of global fashion line, ROXY. This modern memoir with a feminist fairy tale twist reveals how one woman chose to live her life without forfeiting her independence, ambition, creative expression, and free spirit, all while learning one invaluable lesson: nothing is worth the sacrifice of her integrity, inner peace, and spirit.
 

Contents

Wilhelmina Models
5
My Plan de Paris
15
Adjustments
27
Julie on the Couch
39
Pollywogs
49
The Girl Who Dresses Weird
57
LA Model
63
Stained Glass
71
Monte Carlo
133
Queen Jewelry
155
The Contract
173
Tokyo or Milan?
195
The Sands
213
FIDM
227
Question Everything
245
A Cabinet of Drawers
259

Jardin des Modes
83
The Road to Puerto Banús
99
Revolving Door of Models
117
The Black Notebook
273
Graduation
289
Copyright

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About the author (2017)

Jill Dodd is a writer, artist, and designer from Los Angeles, California. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising with honors and spent twenty-five years in the international fashion business. She gained recognition as the founder and original designer for the global women’s brand ROXY. She also designed swimwear for fifteen years for brands including Jag, On the Beach, and Sunsets. Prior to that, Jill modeled with Wilhelmina for ten years appearing in Paris Vogue, French Cosmopolitan, American Glamour, Bazaar, Mademoiselle, Teen, Women’s Wear Daily, and many other publications. She now lives in Northern California with her three ever-loving and entertaining children, her husband, and her dogs.

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