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J.’s Year In Books

J.’s 2025 Year in Books

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J. Boyce Gleason

Goodreads Author

Born

in Canastota, New York, The United States

Website

http://www.JBoyceGleason.com

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JBoyceGleason

Genre

Historical Fiction

Member Since

April 2012

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/joegleason

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With an AB degree in history from Dartmouth College, Gleason brings a strong understanding of what events shaped the past and when, but writes historical-fiction to discover why. Gleason lives in Virginia with his wife Mary Margaret. They have three sons.

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Popular Answered Questions

Just finished "Anvil of God". Being French, I really enjoyed a book set in this time in history. Not books set in this time period or in France for that matter are written for English speakers. I was able to read this AND share it with my English speaking husband. Are you planning on a second book? Or more? I sure hope so!

J. Boyce Gleason Glad you enjoyed it! I have lived in France twice in my life - both times with French families and have always been fascinated by French history.

I am …moreGlad you enjoyed it! I have lived in France twice in my life - both times with French families and have always been fascinated by French history.

I am about half way through Book II of the series which picks up two months after the action ends in Anvil. I found myself so invested in the characters that I want to see how the story ends. I think there will likely be three books in the series, although I might be convinced write a fourth book on Charlemagne and his knight Roland. (less)

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Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

J. Boyce Gleason Anvil of God came out of a history class I took in college. We were studying Charlemagne and I became fascinated by the "Song of Roland," an epic poem…moreAnvil of God came out of a history class I took in college. We were studying Charlemagne and I became fascinated by the "Song of Roland," an epic poem about one of Charlemagne's greatest knights. I decided then, that if I ever did a novel, it would be about Roland.

When I sat down to write it, however, I had to make a few decisions. Do I write about the legend or the history? I chose history. Where do I start the story? I couldn't find the right spot, so I kept moving backward in time. Charlemagne as a young man? His father? His grandfather. I ended up choosing a story about the death of his grandfather and the impact that it has on their family. I became so engrossed in their story, I haven't yet made it to Charlemagne.

Roland will have to come later.(less)

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Combine Editions
J. Boyce Gleason’s books

Average rating: 4.13 · 1,136 ratings · 146 reviews · 5 distinct works • Similar authors

	Anvil of God (The Carolingian Chronicles, #1) 3.97 avg rating — 777 ratings — published 2013 — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Wheel of the Fates (The Carolingian Chronicles, #2) 4.45 avg rating — 285 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Crown of a King (The Carolingian Chronicles, #3) 4.51 avg rating — 74 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Carolingian Chronicles 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Anvil of God: Carolingian Chronicles, Book 1 by J. Boyce Gleason (Goodreads Author), Deborah Balm (Goodreads Author) (Narrator) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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J. Boyce Gleason's Blog

First the Good News…

For those wondering about how all of my life has been unfolding. I recently had some great news! After spending a minor eternity without a literary agent, I was signed last month by Ritu Anand of the Robert Diforio Agency! They are a full-service, multi-agent literary agency representing authors who have topped the New York Times and USA … Continue reading First the Good News… → Read more of this blog post »

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Published on August 04, 2025 11:08

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Series by J. Boyce Gleason

The Carolingian Chronicles (3 books)
by

J. Boyce Gleason (Goodreads Author)

4.13 avg rating — 1,136 ratings

J. is Currently Reading

J. Gleason is currently reading

Bodily Harm

by Margaret Atwood (Goodreads Author)

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Mar 12, 2022 12:23PM

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A Crown of Swords (The Wheel of Time, #7)

by Robert Jordan

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Jul 23, 2020 08:21PM

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Lord of Chaos (The Wheel of Time, #6)

by Robert Jordan

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Jul 11, 2020 12:32PM

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J. Gleason entered a giveaway Queen Esther by John Irving (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 24, 2025 06:21AM · like · see giveaway · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Queen Esther by John Irving. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Queen Esther by John Irving <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
J. Gleason rated a book it was amazing The Quiet Librarian by Allen Eskens (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Mar 15, 2025 12:39AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Quiet Librarian by Allen Eskens. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Quiet Librarian by Allen Eskens <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Making Connections: 1633. ANVIL OF GOD (The Carolingian Chronicles, #1) by J. Boyce Gleason	22	89	Jan 11, 2014 03:38AM
Ancient & Medieva...: Any books on the merovingian franks, the goths, or the lombards?	13	152	Sep 05, 2023 02:13PM
Around the World ...: France	83	1528	Jan 30, 2025 11:15PM
Ancient & Medieva...: * What Are You Reading Right Now? ( Hwæt béon ðu bocrædung?)	10105	2140	Aug 26, 2025 05:54AM

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“Son, can you play me a memory. I'm not really sure how it goes. It was sad and it was sweet and I knew it complete when I wore a younger man's clothes.”
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