Joan Burleson

Author of 'I Love You More'

I Love You More: A Reluctant Memoir

HOW DO YOU FORGIVE THE UNFORGIVABLE?

Betty Jean was left penniless with three children in 1960’s Appalachia.
Desperate, she followed her husband, uprooted their family, and bootstrapped failure into a fresh start in Anchorage, Alaska. Once transplanted, she became inspired by the audacious country and established herself as a true Alaskan pioneer. Principled and headstrong, she began to succeed in the wild culture of early Anchorage. Betty
Jean refused to leave her troubled marriage, creating a toxic home. But when she met steadfast Dale, she faced an unexpected opportunity for happiness. Her choice drove her husband insane, and he hired an assailant to maim her and Dale with acid. The vicious assault left Betty Jean with grave injuries. She survived, and made an astonishing bargain to regain her eyesight.

The acid attack, investigation, and legal maneuvers that followed are
meticulously researched and documented in I Love You More. This true crime story is revealed through the reluctant eyes of the youngest daughter as, seeking to heal, she explores how the brutal crime affected each family member.

A stirring memoir, I Love You More weaves a powerful sense of place and
compelling characters into a remarkable tapestry of misguided love, passion, and
redemption.

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Testimonials

I Love You More immerses us in a world of Alaska adventure, family saga, and criminal investigation. This memoir asks, what is forgiveness, and how does it intersect with love, grief, and anger? Often heartbreaking and always rewarding, I Love You More is a beautiful exploration of family trauma, faith, and human connection.

Joan Burleson has written a powerful, honest, and courageous memoir. It’s one of those books that was necessary to write, and Joan wrote it with grace, diligence, intelligence and heart. I’ll never forget the characters, the story, the lives portrayed in I Love You More.

Glassentricity

Joan’s stained-glass habit evolved into the ancient art of fusing. Layers of glass are heated to temperatures of over 1500 degrees, creating unexpected interplays of light and color. Her work often juxtaposes contrasting materials, celebrating the luminescence of colored glass. She creates architectural glass art out of her studio Glassentricity in Denver.

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About Joan

Born in Asheville, NC, Joan moved with her family to Anchorage, Alaska as a fifth grader. She studied at the University of North Carolina-Asheville before earning her B Sc. in Geology from the University of Alberta, Canada. After college she returned to Anchorage and worked different jobs while flying, learning to make stained glass, and carousing. She later moved to Denver and earned a Juris Dr. at the University of Denver College of Law. An independent Fiduciary and Trustee, she is currently working on a book of Short Stories, Light Through Colored Glass.