4.25stars-- A STORM OF INFINITE BEAUTY by Julianne Maclean is a stand alone story line of women’s fiction focusing on two timelines, two women, two pregnancies, and a family history ripe in fame, secrets and lies.

Told from omniscient third person perspectives and dual times lines 1963-64, and 2017, A STORM OF INFINITE BEAUTY focuses on Hollywood legend Scarlett Fontaine aka Valerie McCarthy in the year before her life changed in the blink of an eye.

In 2017, former photojournalist turned author Peter Miller is hoping to write the biography of the late award winning, Hollywood legend Scarlett Fontaine, and his search for the truth brings him to Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada where the Scarlett Fontaine Museum is located and housed in a large Victorian mansion. Meeting curator and Scarlett Fontaine descendant Gwen Hollingsworth sets into motion a journey to Alaska where Gwen and Peter will uncover the heart breaking story and beginnings of the woman the world would come to know as Scarlett Fontaine.

In 1963-64, the reader is ‘told’ the story of Valerie McCarthy as she is banished, by her family to Alaska, where she will never come to terms with a perceived betrayal, accepting of the present, and a new direction in life going forward. A secret pregnancy, the Great Alaskan earthquake of 1964, and the death of 139 lives forces Valerie to take on a new role, a new life, and the personification of someone who has it all.

A STORM OF INFINITE BEAUTY is a dramatic, heart breaking, emotional and tragic story of betrayal, unrequited love, dysfunctional family behavior, loss and acceptance set against the real world earthquake and ensuing tsunamis in Alaska in 1964. The premise is edgy, haunting and real; the characters are desperate and impassioned. A STORM OF INFINITE BEAUTY is a journey; a trek into the past focusing on loss, love and taking back control.



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From the book blurb:
Scarlett Fontaine is a true Hollywood legend—a singer, actress, and beloved fashion icon. But Scarlett dies tragically at just thirty-six years old, leaving behind no children. Or so the story goes…

Gwen Hollingsworth is the curator at a museum dedicated to Scarlett’s life. She’s also sole heir to Scarlett’s fortune as a descendant of the star. But all is not well in Gwen’s world. She’s dealing with a messy marital separation and is struggling to move forward. So when Peter Miller, a biographer and photojournalist, comes to the museum with shocking claims about Scarlett—a life of exile in Alaska, a baby born in secret—Gwen’s whole world is turned upside down.Again.

Determined to uncover the truth, Gwen and Peter set out for Alaska together but soon find themselves on a path toward something far deeper and more meaningful than either of them ever expected.

My thoughts:
I love the beautiful setting and unique plot to this story and the dual timelines gave it more depth. I was fascinated by the story in the 1960s more than the present timeline however and the romance felt a bit flat and awkward. Overall a pretty good read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Storm of Infinite Beauty is Julianne Maclean’s latest novel and I loved it from start to finish. I have read other books by this author and I love her writing style. This is a romance and mystery intertwined and it will pull at your heartstrings. It is told in dual timelines and perspectives. The characters are very well developed, scarred, beautiful and brave. One of timelines and perspectives is told around the earthquake of Alaska in 1964. Ms. Maclean writes with such vividness that let my imagination take off. She pulls you in and makes you feel apart of the story. The beauty in this book is beyond belief. I loved every page. I highly recommend you read this book by this very talented author. She never disappoints.

Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union and Julianne Maclean for the honor of reading this very beautiful story. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
#netgalley. #lakeunion #juliannemaclean. #astormofinfinitebeauty. #arc

This book offers a masterfully woven dual time line story. Julianne MacLean has an amazing talent to bring out the emotions of her characters in such a way that the reader can relate to them. This story of love and family should go on every readers list.

Another wonderful book by Ms MacLean

I am a big fan of Julianne MacLean and especially her more recent books. A Storm of Infinite Beauty lives up to her reputation, lush landscapes, complex plot, heartbreak, romance, big characters; what's not to love. I read this book in about 24 hours, it kept distracting me from my work and enticing me in again. Highly recommended!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-constrained e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.

I read this book as ARC reader.

This story is about Gwen who runs the Scarlette Fontaine museum. Scarlette had a tragic loss in Alaska in 1960s. Gwen is dealing with her tragic loss 2017. The 2 timelines are many years apart but both women are so strong & determined to move forward.

A Storm of Infinite Beauty is a beautifully written dual timeline novel set in 1964 and 2017. The story takes the reader on an Alaskan journey via Valerie, an unwed and pregnant teenager who is sent from her home in Nova Scotia to live in Valdez, Alaska. Eventually, Valerie flees Alaska for Hollywood where she takes the name Scarlett Fontaine.

Gwen is Valerie/Scarlett’s distant relative and runs a museum in honor of Scarlett and is approached by Peter, a photojournalist with what he believes is a photo of Scarlett. The photo kicks off Gwen and Peter’s sojourn into Valerie/Scarlett’s life in Valdez.

The story takes the reader back to 1964 where we get a front-row seat to Valerie/Scarlett’s life in Alaska. We learn that Gwen and Valerie share a similar loss and how each woman comes to terms with her loss.

I did at times struggle to like Gwen and felt the ending was a bit too contrived, though there is a surprise about Valerie that wraps up her story line nicely.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own. #NetGalley #AStormofinfiniteBeauty

Hollywood icon, Scarlett, dies in Switzerland at a young age, leaving no children. Gwen, cousin and resident expert in charge of running a museum in Scarlett’s family home in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Enter Peter, paparazzi turned biographer, who believes he’s found a secret in Scarlett’s past. Together they work in trying to find out if this secret is true. Thru this process, Gwen heal from her own tragedy and heartbreak, and she’ll learn more than she ever felt possible.

Maclean takes us to the beautiful state of Alaska, with its frozen beauty and warm hearted people, and the horrific earthquake that took place in the early 1960’s. From the first page to the satisfying ending, I found it hard to put down. Dual time line from the 1960s and 2017. The story is fast paced enough to keep the reader engaged and wondering how the two will intersect. Characters are well developed, situations and circumstances are appropriate for the times. Her beautifully descriptive narrative takes us on a journey of love, loss, heartbreak and grief. Secrets are uncovered. I’ve read and enjoyed quite a few books by this author, and this one didn’t disappoint.

Thanks to Lake Union and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest review.

Immersive, emotional, and vivid!

A Storm of Infinite Beauty is set in Valdez, Alaska and Wolfville, Nova Scotia, in both 1964 and 2017, and is told from two different perspectives; Gwen, a young woman who spends her days running a museum dedicated to Scarlett Fontaine until a biographer shares some intriguing information that sees her travelling to Alaska to unravel the secrets surrounding one year of her late, legendary family member’s life, and Valerie/Scarlet, a young girl whose life is changed forever after she spends a year of heartache, loss, and tragedy in Valdez before heading to LA to follow her dream of becoming an actress/songwriter.

The prose is eloquent and expressive. The characters are resilient, brave, and scarred. And the plot is a moving tale about life, loss, family, secrets, desperation, friendship, survival, grief, marital discord, and the devastation of the Great Alaskan earthquake.

Overall, A Storm of Infinite Beauty is a heartfelt, sentimental, affecting read by MacLean that does a lovely job of interweaving historical facts and compelling fiction into an insightful, heart-tugging tale that is atmospheric and highly absorbing.

Gwen has been approached by Peter, a biographer and photojournalist. He wants to write a biography about Gwen’s famous cousin, Scarlett Fontaine. And he comes bearing a photo that no one in the family has ever seen. This opens a whole new mysterious life of Scarlett Fontaine.

This story goes back and forth between two different time periods, present day and the 1960s. I enjoyed both aspects of these time periods, however, I felt the 1960s went on longer than it should. But, I enjoyed how the author portrayed all the secrets and the full reveal!

I have only read one other book by this author, The Color of Heaven. I only rated it three stars because it was just too sweet for my tastes. But this tale is a bit different. I loved the setting of Alaska and the secret life of Scarlet Fontaine! This kept me entertained from start to finish!

Need a story full of secrets…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

What a great story! I loved how the story from the past weaves into the story in present time. The transitions from one to the other works really well. The story included a real-life event and was done so well. From the start, I wanted to know Valerie's life story. I was pulled in wanting to know what comes next right away. The parallels between Valerie's and Gwen's life were interesting. I liked how Gwen and Peter worked together. The book really made me want to take a trip to Alaska! I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Storm, calm, beauty...

A Storm of Infinite Beauty is a quote from John Muir about Alaska, where the earthquake of 1964 starts the a mystery for Gwen and Jeremy. Gwen, a descendent of Scarlett, the singer and actress, has her storyline set in the present. Through flashbacks, we unravel the mystery around Valerie, before she was Scarlett. Its a bit like Possession and the mystery of a possible child. Valerie and Gwen have their own journey to travel.
Recommend.

Julianne MacLean writes women’s fiction/ romance that take you on an epic adventure. I always know when I begin one of her books that I will be thoroughly entertained and consumed with the storyline. This latest book does not disappoint and I highly recommend picking it up for one heck of a roller coaster ride.

A Storm of Infinite Beauty by Julianne MacLean gets its title from a John Muir quote that comes at perfect timing in the book. While this is the story of a search for a famous actress/songwriter’s missing time, it is sometimes overshadowed by the stark beauty and power of the Alaska’s wildness. There is a dual timeline with Gwen, a descendant of the star searching for her own missing life held hostage by grief and tragic events. Her life has some parallels to Scarlett’s life in that way. Scarlett was able to overcome hers, now Gwen must do the same, so the search turns into more than just what secrets might the Alaskan area hold from the past.

The beginning is a masterpiece of the 1960’s earthquake. You can feel the ground rolling as well as the emotional turmoil that is happening. At time when the contemporary characters are talking it is not quite as powerful writing, but no one gives a better sense of place than Julianna MacLean. I looked forward to Gwen and Peter going to Alaska just to see it through their eyes, with fact finding concerning Scarlett/Valeria aside.

A breathtaking story that I can recommend to others.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Storm of Infinite Beauty written by Julianne MacLean is a romantic drama with dual timelines set in exquisite location, Alaska. This is the third novel that I have read by the author and this book exceeded my expectations. One of the timelines is centered around the Alaska earthquake of 1964 and the other story takes place in the present. I love the way two stories intersected. I never have had a desire to travel to Alaska until I read this novel. The descriptions are vivid and the beauty is beyond the imagination. The characters were multi-faceted and relatable. I most definitely want to read more of Ms. MacLean's books and am quickly becoming a fan! Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Press for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this book. I like reading about Alaska, and about history. And Julianne MacLean writes excellent historical fiction. It's a cliche, but truly had trouble putting this book down unless I absolutely had to. It was always, "one more chapter."

Well I just finished going down a rabbit hole about the earthquake in Valdez Alaska on March 27th, 1964 and WOW. Julianne MacLean opens this story with an account of that day that completely grips you and pulls you into the story right away. I also recently returned from a two week road trip with my wife where we traveled through Nova Scotia and found myself visualizing a lot of the places we had seen while reading this beautiful story.

A Storm of Infinite Beauty introduces us to Gwen, a thoughtful woman suffering through some of her own personal tragedy, who runs the Scarlett Fontaine Museum. The Museum is dedicated to Gwen’s distant relative, Scarlett, who passed away when she was only 36. Peter Miller, a notorious Hollywood paparazzi, is interested in writing a story about Scarlett’s life. Together Gwen and Peter take a journey to Alaska to find out what happened to Scarlett.

Immediately I was immersed in this story. MacLean’s writing transforms you right onto the page as if you are there with the characters. The descriptions of Alaska are so enthralling and have now made Alaska one of my top places to visit. I also enjoyed the way the story was structured and was captivated by it being told in three parts with dual timelines.

I found this to be a combination of women’s fiction and mystery. Gwen is a character I immediately connected with and was rooting for. She has been through some difficult things and I love that she uses music to cope and feel understood. I don’t know about you but music that makes me feel seen and understood is so helpful to me. I love that she listens to Scarlett’s music as a way to process. To follow along on Gwen’s journey was very powerful and will resonate with so many readers. Peter also really grew on me. What he shared about his experience with being a paparazzi was very interesting. In a time where paparazzi have such a reputation it was interesting to get a more human view of their work.

This is my first read by Juilanne MacLean and I did not know what an amazing backlist she has! She is definitely going to be an author I read more from and really recommend her stories if you love women's fiction with captivating and descriptive story telling!

A Storm Of Infinite Beauty by Julianne MacLean is an absolutely delightful dual timeline novel that will educate you as you read.
The novel revolves around the little-known Alaskan earthquake in the 1960’s. It was a catastrophic event for a seaboard town and one I had not heard of. We see the beauty in nature and also the dangers of the natural world.
As the story opens, the reader is in the middle of the quake. It is both an exciting and utterly terrifying place to be. Julianne MacLean draws us in with her descriptions as we witness the all-round devastation. My pulse rose and I wanted to read on.
The action is set in two different time periods – 1964 and 2017 – it is told in the form of memories and also present-day events. A family links the two time periods.
Within both time periods there are parallel themes of love and loss, infidelity and faithfulness. We see how people were judged and shunned in the past for what we now see is acceptable today (thank goodness). Judgement from others causes much unhappiness. We should look at our own lives and keep our noses out of what does not concern us.
We see that beneath a lovable rogue, beats a heart of gold. It is a heart that loves, is loyal and faithful, and contrasts strongly with the character many would believe to be upstanding.
It is a journey of discovery as we travel through the novel. There are literal journeys and there are the journeys made by several hearts in both time periods. The reader is privileged to travel alongside the characters.
This is a work of great beauty. There is beauty in the natural landscape and there is beauty in following lives. This truly is a work of infinite beauty.
I always adore Julianne MacLean’s novels. They always speak to my heart and A Storm Of Infinite Beauty is no exception. Grab your copy today and be both educated and entertained as you travel to the wilds of Alaska.
I received a free copy from the author. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

When it comes to historical fiction, I have always enjoyed dual timelines. In this book I especially appreciated the fact that the author did not jump back and forth as frequently as most others do. I truly became engaged with Valerie's story and liked the ending that tied up the loose ends. Even though I was old enough to remember Alaska becoming the 49th state, I have no recollection of the earthquake a few years later. It was fascinating to learn about it through this fictional story. Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advance copy of A Storm of Infinite Beauty to read and review.

Loved it!! I loved Julianne MacLean's previous books and was excited to read this. It definitely didn't disappoint and I would give the book 4.5 stars. There were so many unexpected twists and turns. I enjoyed how the book alternated between Gwen in the present and Valerie in Alaska during 1963-64. I had no knowledge of the 1964 Alaska earthquake. There was so much destruction between the earthquake and tsunamis. I loved Maud and Blaine. they were such wonderful and caring people. They immediately accepted Valerie as part of there family. I wanted to visit the Wilderness Lodge and take a tour on the Wanderer. I can understand how Valerie fell in love with Alaska. Everything sounded postcard beautiful. (Maybe not the fifteen feet of snow and four hours of daylight.) I loved the ending and I'm glad Gwen came to her senses about Eric and the mystery of Drew was finally revealed. My favorite parts of the book revolved around Valerie and her time in Alaska. Jeremy turned out to be a true hero and not a criminal like everyone thought. He was a wonderful friend to Angie and Valerie.

Definitely recommend the book. I loved the characters, story and writing style. There's romance and mystery. The story definitely turned into something I wasn't expecting, in a good way. I felt like I was right there with Valerie and Gwen. I couldn't put the book down because I wanted to know what happened to Valerie and the baby. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Love the cover of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.