Part of Series
When a rash of suicides strikes Bellingham, Washington, Sarah Beauhall finds herself embroiled in a conspiracy that involves long-dead gods, love-scorned ancients, dragons, witch feuds, and the rediscovery of a mysterious abandoned world. Can Sarah put together the puzzle pieces before her world comes crashing down around her? "Pitts brings Norse Mythology into the modern world in this amusing debut… There's enough entertainment and romantic tension to keep readers interested in the planned sequels." — Publishers Weekly “Dark Urban Fantasy with some clever touches that should appeal to Urban Fantasy fans.” —Kirkus Reviews John's stories are as unique as the voice he told them in. John's huge heart and inventive mind informed his tales with love and magic."—Brenda Cooper, award-winning author of The Silver Ship and the Sea From Black Blade Blues “A hip, urban take on dragons and dwarves, and add to that a sexy blacksmith in Doc Martens. It's about time we had a fantasy heroine like Sarah Beauhall!”—Kay Kenyon, author of City Without End “Endlessly entertaining. A colliding mix of action and ancient myth—yet sexy with a dash of tongue-in-cheek humor. Not to be missed!”—Barb and J. C. Hendee, Authors of the Noble Dead saga "A fast-moving, action-packed story…Sarah Beauhall is half girl, half warrior, and all attitude." — Louise Marley, author of The Singers of Nevya "J. A. Pitts writes an impossible combination of lean, muscular and lyric prose. These are pitch perfect stories, both beautiful and tough." — James Van Pelt "J. A. Pitts brings a fresh voice to speculative fiction." Brenda Cooper "Get Ready for a voice that plays to a wide audience in its fluid strength, and stories that sing the human spirit in all its beauty, fear and sadness." — Ken Scholes "His writing is as smooth as good whiskey, and these stories pack that same delightful wallop." — A. M. Dellamonica “Pitts’s protagonist is a delight.”—Realms of Fantasy "A fast-paced fantasy thriller." — Midwest Book Review "Pitts mixes familiar urban fantasy tropes with some new twists." — Publishers Weekly
Author
(from author's website) I learned to love science fiction at the knee of my grandmother, listening to her read authors like Edgar Rice Burroughs and Robert E. Howard during my childhood in rural Kentucky. My life has always been heavily influenced by strong women. My mother first among them: raising three boys after the death of my father, with grace and wit. There were always women coming and going in our house, friends, family, folks who needed a hand, and folks who had one to lend. All of my life has been steeped in the stories of average people doing extraordinary things—and most of them were women. That is why I was drawn to the character Sarah in my new novel. She embodies all the strength of the women who have influenced me over the years. I can’t remember a time I wasn’t absorbing and creating story. I read early, and became a regular at my local library. There for a while, I thought the coolest thing in the world would be to grow up and be a librarian. I even got the degree. Once I hit the workforce, I discovered how poorly most librarians are paid, and I ended up in high tech instead. But I live my life surrounded by books and story. Selling my own tales still comes as a surprise to me. The characters and worlds I build have been given loving care by some pretty spectacular editors. I’ve been very lucky. I continue to launch my words into the world, for all to read if they have the mind. I just hope you are entertained in the process. The opportunities for you to read my work has just gotten even better. Tor Publishing has agreed to purchase the first three books in my Black Blade series. The first—BLACK BLADE BLUES—comes out in trade paperback and hardback April 27th, 2010. Of course, if you want a sneak peak on the novel, you can read the short story which launched it all in the DAW anthology Swordplay, edited by Denise Little. It was released June 2, 2009. My other short fiction can be found in such fine magazines as Fortean Bureau, Talebones magazine (issue 36 and forthcoming in issue 39) as well as two additional DAW anthologies Zombie Raccoons and Killer Bunnies (Oct 2009), and The Trouble with Heroes (Nov 2009). I have a BA in English and a Masters of Library Science from University of Kentucky. In addition, I am a graduate of the Oregon Coast Writers Workshops with Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith. When I’m not writing, you can find me practicing martial arts with my children or spending time with my lovely wife. I am a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
