Friday, January 17, 2014

Love and War: Meet Romance Author and Poet, Dawn Torrens


Dawn, it’s great to have you here! I love your romance novels. For people who haven’t had the chance to read them yet, could you tell us a bit about them?

I love romance combined with drama, so my books often contain heart-wrenching scenes. I like my books to evoke all kinds of emotions in people and for them to feel the pain, the love and all the emotions my characters are feeling. This is not easy to do and so I often find I have to get into character myself when writing certain scenes. Romance is a common theme throughout all of my books and combined with the drama my readers have come to know me well for I think it's a great combination.

Your books contain some beautiful poetry and I believe you have published several books of poems. Could you share one of them?

Soldier on Operations:

A soldier on operations clearing the route
Treading ground carefully with his military boot
An IED war that's hard to control
They do their best while on patrol.

Many bombs planted every day
Beneath the soil, refusing to decay
The slightest pressure; it will explode
Death is certain for all on the road.

Yet still our soldiers risk their lives
In armoured vehicles they do drive
Along dangerous roads, minefields they are
Searching the routes, long and far.


Some lives are lost and many wounded
Sadly, a few tragically executed
The war will continue, it never stops
It remains forever, a constant backdrop.

Wow! What a moving poem. Thank you for sharing it. What are you working on at the moment?

I am currently working on "The Poppy Fields" trilogy. I have completed book one and I am half way through book two in the trilogy. I will be releasing all three books together in June. This is another military romance, a heart wrenching romantic drama. Once again it's filled with love, loss and undying hope. The sheer emotional strength of human will really shines through this story. I am very excited about this trilogy...

Sounds great! I can’t wait to read them. Several of your books have a military theme or element to them. Are you connected to the army?

Both of my Grandfather's fought in World War 2 and my Great Grandfather fought in World War 1. My father was a flight engineer for the RAF and then went on to work as a flight engineer in the private sector. Then tragically in 2008 I lost a dear friend to the war in Afghanistan. This really upset me beyond words.

My paternal Grandfather has shared so many of his stories with me and my Grandma told me her stories from the women's point of view during those times. From rationing food, to using gravy browning to smear on their legs because they could not afford stockings! It all fascinated me so much and there began my life long fascination with wars past and present.

What are you reading at the moment?

I am currently re-reading "Great Expectations" by the fabulous Charles Dickens. I love this story and have read the book once before many years ago. I came across this book recently while clearing out my loft and decided to re-read it...

It’s a great book. I might reread it myself this year. What do you like to do in your free time when you’re not reading or writing?

My free time is so precious and I spend every single moment I have with my beautiful daughter!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Writing is something I am so very passionate about... It's a job I would gladly do for free and actually I did in the beginning... I am never deterred by negativity, in fact it serves to make me stronger not weaker! I am a true believer that if you want something badly enough you CAN make it happen. Just have enough faith in yourself and be patient.

Good advice. Where can readers buy your books?




Where can readers find our more about you?

Twitter: @Torrenstp

Thank you so much Katheryn for inviting me here today it was a great pleasure...

Thank you Dawn. It's been great chatting with you!


12 comments:

  1. Thank you so much Katheryn for inviting me once again to your virtual studio! I always feel so at home here :) D.G. Torrens

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  2. Fantastic interview! I can't wait to read, "The Poppy Fields"!

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    1. Thank you Michelle :) D.G. Torrens

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    2. Me too! Poppy Fields sounds like a great book

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  3. Dawn's books all touch a nerve in us somewhere--she is known worldwide as "The Voice of the Battlefield." Well done guys---a tribute to one of the great authors that has great heart!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words Kwondoman :) D.G. Torrens

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    2. Thank you very much Kwondoman! Dawn has a HUGE heart!

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  4. Dawn you are an inspiration! What a military history you have in your family.

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  5. I just loved both of these books! Great interview and review

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