{Guest Post} Yes, We're *Virtually* Old Friends by Joanna Campbell Slan

I tend to get so caught up in the Kiki Lowenstein series and the Cara Mia Delgatto series that I forget Joanna writes fantastic historical fiction. The Glassblower's Wife is rich with vivid historical details and emotion. If you're looking for a short escape to the past, this one's for you. 

Yes, We're *Virtually* Old Friends

By Joanna Campbell Slan

I have no idea how Michelle and I met, but I'm pretty sure it was online. Looking back over our emails, we've been in touch with each other for nearly three years. I've read about her sons going trick-or-treating, and her daughter returning from a sleep over.

A lot of people complain about Facebook and blogs and social media. I'm not one of them. I'm a huge fan of all these wonderful ways of reaching out and staying in touch. It's true that I'm a bit of a hermit, so I know I'm not in the majority. The island that I live on is practically deserted. Only 300 souls live here year round. My husband travels a lot. Most days a big conversation at my house goes like this: "Wanna go outside and potty? Yummies! Sit! Roll Over."

Yup. That's me talking to my Havanese puppy, Jax.

So I value my online friends like Michelle. Many nights I literally fall asleep with my iPad on my chest while I feed my Pinterest addiction. (A friend once told me with a sigh, "Pinterest is like crack for soccer moms." I'm totally in agreement.)

The sad part is that if Michelle and I were both in an airport at the same time, we might pass each other by. I have no idea what she looks like!

The happy part is that I once posted on Facebook about a problem I was having with my hotel while traveling, and a dear friend I hadn't seen in twenty years was in the SAME town at the SAME time so we got together and had lunch. Wow. Was that ever cool!

A lot of my readers think of my characters as old friends. I'm known for my Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series and for my newer Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery Series.

I'm taking a chance by introducing Ruth Telfin, a heroine from 1684, in my newest work, The Glassblower's Wife. But Ruth has been tugging on my sleeve for more than a year. She's insistent that her story is worth telling.

I hope that some of you will give her a chance. Who knows? You might meet a new *virtual* friend!

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About The Glassblower’s Wife –

In the late 1600s, the Doge of Venice sent assassins to kill a group of glassblowers who had been enticed by the French to work on the Palace of Versailles. One by one, the Jewish artisans were picked off…leaving the Hall of Mirrors unfinished, until an unlikely heroine stepped forward and performed a miracle.

Buy it today for only 99 cents!  * 4.8 out of 5 stars rating  

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Free offer—

If you'd like to learn more about the background of this LONG short story, send an email to TGBWBonus@JoannaSlan.com You're receive a printable copy of the cover, discussion questions, and information about the fact and fiction in this tale.

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About the author—

Joanna Campbell Slan is the national bestselling and award-winning author of twenty-eight published works. She loves history and traveling, but most of all, she loves walking the beach. Joanna and her husband David live with their Havanese puppy, Jax, on Jupiter Island, Florida. Visit her at www.JoannaSlan.com

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Giveaways

There's a giveaway for a $50 Amazon gift card over at the tour page. You can find that by clicking here.  And I've got a copy of the ebook to give away to one of my own readers. To enter, just leave a comment below before 11:50 PST April 13.  I'll randomly pick a comment and notify the winner.

Starting this week, my friend Joanna Campbell Slan will be giving away her work several times a month. To find out WHAT and WHEN, you must be on her mailing list. Go to http://www.JoannaSlan.com and sign up.