The Moon Dancers - John Pitman
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The Moon Dancers - John Pitman
@jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
1.2K followers 2.5K following 170 posts
Retired publisher and author of 'The Moon Dancers', a series of swashbuckling historical novels full of bodice-ripping pleasures, murder, intrigue and a dash of the briny deep - a bit like Hornblower but with a lot more spice!
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jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
Good advice!
November 4, 2025 at 5:18 PM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
Poetry?

Percy Bysshe
Ordered the fish,
Elizabeth Barrett
Tried boiled beef and carrots, but
Robert Burns, well he just
Yearned, for a haggis.
Scottish poet, Robert Burns, asking for a haggis
November 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
OK, Halloween's over but this'll do just as well for Christmas!
Book cover image featuring gothic church interior
November 3, 2025 at 4:12 PM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
Just finished Lion Hearts by Dan Jones. A good old fashioned historical adventure. Best I’ve read for a long while 👍
#historicalfiction
September 6, 2025 at 12:24 PM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
A new addition to Roman legionary corner! Thanks for the impressive looking Pompeii gladius @timpitmanpt.bsky.social 👍
August 31, 2025 at 4:09 PM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
Rosie the little rescue dog has arrived 🐶🐾❤️
August 9, 2025 at 4:40 PM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
There's a #heatwave!
Make it even hotter with the Moon Dancers series, a fast paced, witty, and exciting story of love, adventure, and general naughtiness set in 18th century #Essex.
#FREE on #kindleunlimited
Go to www.themoondancers.co.uk
#Histfic #witches #heatwaveuk
18th century lady lying on bed with fan
June 27, 2025 at 10:08 AM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
Picked up today in Wells Next the Sea - Nelson Remembering by David Burton. The oak fragment on the cover of the book is from the Victory and has provenance that it formed part of the ship in 1805.
#NavalHistory #Nelson #HMSVictory
June 19, 2025 at 6:59 PM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
Hot off the press!
June 15, 2025 at 5:23 PM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
The Devil in the Detail
From gothic horror to urban myth, from dark fantasy to vengeful spirits, these twisted tales offer an intriguing blend of the real and the supernatural that will keep you reading well into the night.

Ebook only £1.80 or FREE on #KindleUnlimited
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FCDCPLX4
The cover of The Devil in the Detail: A Collection of Devilishly Good Short Stories by John Pitman showing a young girl with black wings crouching on the steps of a church. From gothic horror to urban myth, from dark fantasy to vengeful spirits, this collection of twisted tales from the author of The Moon Dancers offers an intriguing blend of the real and the supernatural that will keep you reading well into the night. In the pages of this slim volume you will meet a London publisher who literally will do anything for love, a pair of metal detectorists who dig up more than they bargain for, a student intent on having the time of his life, and a cat who is not quite what she seems. And that’s not to mention the ghoulish calcéophile and the Demon King himself. So, settle yourself down in your favourite chair and prepare for a bumpy ride! Ebook only £1.80 or FREE on #KindleUnlimited https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FCDCPLX4
June 9, 2025 at 10:34 AM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
Kicking off her shoes, she lifted one dainty foot up onto the box at the end of the bed and grasped the hem of her skirts, raising them up so that she might remove the ribbon that tied her stocking and slowly roll that garment over her knee
#HistoricalFiction
www.themoondancers.co.uk
June 5, 2025 at 5:57 PM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
"The Horned God nodded for Tom and Susannah to now enter the circle... Then with nimble fingers they unfastened the buttons that held close our robes and reached up to slide those last remaining coverings off our shoulders."
Find out more in THE MOON ON THE WATER
themoondancers.co.uk
#HistFic
A couple embrace in front of a burning bonfire
May 2, 2025 at 9:23 AM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
As one of the stops of the Grand Tour, Rome has always been a destination for European wealthy travelers. In 1845 the former Torlonia palace was turned into a hotel. Byron, Keats, and Shelley stayed here. Because of this, the palace was named Hotel d’Angleterre and is now the Hotel d’Inghilterra.
The lounge at the Hotel d’Inghilterra The library at the Hotel d’Inghilterra Hotel d’Inghilterra lobby Flowers in the lobby of the Hotel d’Inghilterra
March 31, 2025 at 6:00 PM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
NEW BOOTS

2/4
TEXT: “I don’t like it, Sal,” Nate said ominously. “Yon gennelman ‘ad the stink o’death about ‘im to my mind, ‘an I fancy ‘is purse ‘eld as many worms an’ maggits as it did coins. Y’know, if ‘e shows up tomorra fer the uvver boot, I’m resolved t’foller ‘im ‘an see where ‘e goes.” Well, at dawn the next mornin’ the stranger did come a’rappin’ at our door once more. ‘E took the remainin’ boot an’ ‘anded over anuvver gold coin in payment before takin’ ‘is leave. Nate waited a few moments before slippin’ out the door ‘imself and followin’ in the man’s footsteps. “Be careful ‘usband,” I whispered. “Pray you don’t do anyfin’ stupid.” I fink I must’ve bin waitin’ about an ‘our or so before Nate returned to the ‘ouse. ‘Is face was as white as a sheet an’ ‘e was all cranky an’ shakin’. “Bring us a jug, Sal,” ‘e croaked, fallin’ into a chair beside the fire. “I dunno what I just saw, but it weren’t o’this world that’s f’certain.” “What in ‘eavens’ name was it, what did you see?” “I crupped along be’ind that fing all the way up the lane to the churchyard, Sal. It was constantly lookin’ all about so I ‘ad to keep outta sight by duckin’ down amongst the stones. Any’ow, at last it found what it was a’lookin’ for.” “What did it find, Nate, tell me…”
March 12, 2025 at 10:43 AM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
“Signor Vaccà Berlinghieri has advised most strongly that both parties disrobe before the engagement,” said Mary Shelly flatly.
“What?” I exclaimed. “D’ye mean to tell me that you expect my wife to strip to the skin?”
THE MIRROR OF DIANA:
amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
#historicalfiction #witches
A lady with a sword standing behind a statue of Diana the Huntress.
March 9, 2025 at 10:21 AM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
Why not check out my website for all the info on the MOON DANCERS series, videos, free stuff, and more?

www.themoondancers.co.uk
A screenshot of John Pitman's Moon Dancers website.
February 25, 2025 at 1:02 PM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
#thoroughbred

Sitting deep, heels back, tight rein,
Power building, collected, checked,
Then released, hands forward, standing in stirrups,
Explosion of movement, hooves pounding, body stretched beneath,
Wind rushing, rider and mount transformed into one glorious entity,
At the gallop.

#vss365
The racehorse, Bow Street, winning at Newcastle.
February 23, 2025 at 12:47 PM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
FREE KINDLE PROMOTION ENDS TONIGHT
This weekend only, THE COMPLETE MOON DANCERS, containing the first two novels in the MOON DANCERS series is completely #FREE!

Get your copy:
amazon.co.uk/Complete-Moo...

Don't miss out!!

#HistoricalFiction #Essex #witches #Booksworthreading
Poster advertising that The Complete Moon Dancers Kindle edition is free this weekend. It shows an image of a woman in the woods wearing a flimsy dress. Offer ends 12:00 AM PST tonight (8.00 AM GMT tomorrow). The two novels that make up the Moon Dancers series - The Moon Dancers and The Moon on the Water - are brought together here in one volume. They see the shy and studious young naval lieutenant, Roger Ellis, return to his home village of Canewdon in the Essex marshes where he is drawn into a world of superstition and sexuality that unlocks certain feelings within him so that as time passes he becomes more and more inclined towards the pursuit of life’s sensual pleasures. Years later, however, his riotous behaviour catches up with him and in the wake of a royal scandal he finds himself ordered ignominiously to assist the Revenue in patrolling the Essex coast, thus triggering a chain of events that plunge him into a dangerous world of criminality and perceived supernatural influence that threatens his very existence.
February 23, 2025 at 12:25 PM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
FREE KINDLE PROMOTION ENDS TONIGHT

This weekend only, THE COMPLETE MOON DANCERS, containing the first two novels in the MOON DANCERS series is completely #FREE!

Get your copy:
amazon.co.uk/Complete-Moo...

Don't miss out!!

#HistoricalFiction #Essex #witches #Booksworthreading #Booksky #Freebooks
Poster advertising that The Complete Moon Dancers Kindle edition is free this weekend. It shows an image of a woman in the woods wearing a flimsy dress. Offer ends 12:00 AM PST tonight (8.00 AM GMT tomorrow). The two novels that make up the Moon Dancers series - The Moon Dancers and The Moon on the Water - are brought together here in one volume. They see the shy and studious young naval lieutenant, Roger Ellis, return to his home village of Canewdon in the Essex marshes where he is drawn into a world of superstition and sexuality that unlocks certain feelings within him so that as time passes he becomes more and more inclined towards the pursuit of life’s sensual pleasures. Years later, however, his riotous behaviour catches up with him and in the wake of a royal scandal he finds himself ordered ignominiously to assist the Revenue in patrolling the Essex coast, thus triggering a chain of events that plunge him into a dangerous world of criminality and perceived supernatural influence that threatens his very existence.
February 23, 2025 at 11:07 AM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
FREE KINDLE PROMOTION
This weekend only, THE COMPLETE MOON DANCERS, containing the first two novels in the MOON DANCERS series is #FREE!

Get your copy:
amazon.co.uk/Complete-Moo...

Offer runs for 48 hours starting Saturday, February 22, 2025, 12:00 AM PST (8.00 AM GMT).

#Histfic #Essex #witches
Poster advertising that The Complete Moon Dancers Kindle edition is free this weekend. It shows an image of the book, a girl's bare shoulder and hip, and a length of naval lashing. The image includes the following text: 1795 The shy and studious young naval lieutenant, Roger Ellis, returns to his home village of Canewdon in the Essex marshes where he is drawn into a world of superstition and sexuality. Years later, his riotous behaviour catches up with him to trigger a chain of events that plunge him into a dangerous world of criminality and perceived supernatural influence that threatens no only his own life but also the lives of those dearest to him.
February 22, 2025 at 11:55 AM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
FREE KINDLE PROMOTION
This weekend only, THE COMPLETE MOON DANCERS, containing the first two novels in the MOON DANCERS series is #FREE!

Get your copy:
amazon.co.uk/Complete-Moo...

Offer runs for 48 hours starting Saturday, February 22, 2025, 12:00 AM PST (8.00 AM GMT).

#Histfic #Essex #witches
Poster advertising that The Complete Moon Dancers Kindle edition is free this weekend. It shows an image of the book, a flintlock pistol two brass candlesticks, and a broadsword resting on an eighteenth century smuggling notice. The two novels that make up the Moon Dancers series - The Moon Dancers and The Moon on the Water - are brought together here in one volume. They see the shy and studious young naval lieutenant, Roger Ellis, return to his home village of Canewdon in the Essex marshes where he is drawn into a world of superstition and sexuality that unlocks certain feelings within him so that as time passes he becomes more and more inclined towards the pursuit of life’s sensual pleasures. Years later, however, his riotous behaviour catches up with him and in the wake of a royal scandal he finds himself ordered ignominiously to assist the Revenue in patrolling the Essex coast, thus triggering a chain of events that plunge him into a dangerous world of criminality and perceived supernatural influence that threatens his very existence.
February 20, 2025 at 12:20 PM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
Listen to the audio version of Chapter One of my five star historical novel, THE MOON ON THE WATER, and lose yourself in a world of high adventure and extreme naughtiness: youtu.be/IMksUYZ8p0k
Buy now: themoondancers.co.uk
#Historicalfiction #Histfic #booksworthreading
A group of rather wanton young ladies pose in an 18th century drawing room
February 18, 2025 at 12:58 PM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
Foxy the cat. Passed away at Christmas and we’re still imagining that we can see her all around the house.
Photograph of a tortoiseshell cat sitting facing the camera
February 16, 2025 at 4:50 PM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
Winnie the Pooh and Piglet are sitting on a log. ‘Is it summer yet?’ asks Pooh. ‘No it’s still February’ says Piglet. ‘For fucks sake’ says Pooh.
February 16, 2025 at 4:36 PM
jpitmanauthor.bsky.social
Good luck at Southwell this afternoon #BowStreet 🏇🏿🏇🏿
The racehorse, Bow Street, in his stable Betting slip showing bet of £10 each way on the horse Bow Street running at Southwell today
February 15, 2025 at 3:35 PM