A Storm of Infinite Beauty. I think Julianne MacLean wanted to share some favorite places with her readers, and why wouldn't she? Gwen is a museum curator in the beautiful town of Wolfville, (one of my own favorite places) nestled in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley orchards and vineyards. She guards the legacy of her late great-aunt, Scarlett Fontaine, who is a bit of a family mystery having left at 18 to make her way in New York and Hollywood, and died in 1979 after a successful life as an actor and songwriter. Scarlett was estranged from her family, but Gwen and her parents have reconstructed her life story and collected her memorabilia for a popular museum. Enter Peter, a celebrity photographer who visits the museum to tell Gwen that he thinks he’s found a photo of a young Scarlett in a 1964 article in a newspaper from Alaska, Scarlett’s biography says nothing about Alaska. This leads to Peter and Gwen joining forces and going to Alaska to try to find out what really happened. In a different, fascinating timeline, we trace the story of Valerie, (Scarlett’s original name) who spent a year in Alaska, suffering a terrible loss the Valdez earthquake of 1964. Gwen is grieving pregnancy loss, and the associated separation from her husband, and on her own road to recovery as they investigate records and interview old-timers in Alaska. The two connected stories are charming and I enjoyed the settings especially. My only quibble is that I didn't completely buy into chemistry with either of the male main characters, though the ending was believable and satisfying.

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.

Gorgeous setting, unique plot! The setting descriptions are vivid and written fabulously. The characters were a bit surface for my liking, I was hoping for more depth considering the plot. I enjoyed the multiple timelines and perspectives but the pacing is off and I had trouble navigating the changes.

Gwen Hollingsworth is in charge of a museum dedicated to a Hollywood legend that grew up in Gwen’s hometown in a small village in Nova Scotia and who she was related to. Scarlett Fontaine was a singer, actress who died young, with no children or so the world thought.

When writer Peter Miller contact Gwen with a story he is writing about Scarlett, and she gives Gwen some shocking news that Scarlett had been living in Alaska where she had been sent by her father to have a baby. Gwen is shocked by this news, and she knows she must investigate, so she and Peter go to a small village in Alaska to seek out the truth. What they find is extortionary and what they find could rewrite history.

This was an extraordinary and emotional story of a young girl who had her life changed forever in circumstances she had not seen coming. It was also a history lesson about Alaska and a tragedy that affected so many lives. Julianne Maclean gives us both fact and fiction in this story that brings two people together and changes their lives too. You will feel every emotion of these two women who lived in two different generations and the men that changed their lives. It’s a book that you will want to keep reading, yet not want to finish too fast to savor every word of this wonderfully written book.

Thank you to the publisher, the author and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest opinion.

A journey of discovery, a story of heartache and loss but also hope, forgiveness and peace, A Storm of Infinite Beauty is an emotional rollercoaster of a read. This is a dual timeline story, partly set in Valdez, Alaska around the time of the devastating 1964 earthquake and partly set in Nova Scotia and Alaska in 2017. In the first timeline we discover the story of unmarried mother Valerie McCarthy leading up to the birth of her baby son Cameron. In the second, we follow Valerie’s cousin and heir Gwen and biographer Peter Miller as they piece together the missing year in the history of actress and songwriter Scarlett Fontaine. This story is exquisitely written with superbly realistic characters. The two timelines drive each other and keep you turning the pages and the backdrop of Alaska’s marvelous scenery is so realistic you feel as though you’re there. I always enjoy Julianne MacLean’s books and this one is definitely another for my keeper shelf.

A beautiful journey about love, loss and coming out the other side. Gwen knows all about grief after losing her baby daughter. She also lost her husband when she just couldn't bring herself out of her grief. He has moved on, but she is just having a hard time doing that herself. Gwen has a cousin that died before she was born who was a famous actress and songwriter. Gwen thought she knew everything about Scarlett until Peter shows up with a bombshell. Peter is writing a book about the life of Scarlett and comes across something that throws a wrench into everything they ever knew about her. Gwen and Peter start on a journey that takes them to Alaska to find answers. What they find changes not only what they knew of Scarlett, but it changed them too. A great story. Didn't want to put it down.

A Storm of Infinite Beauty takes love to new heights. MacLean finds beauty in the heartache. Through the eyes of tragedy, an enduring legacy is found. One of great strength, heartbreaking loss and unprecedented love. A journey so captivating, you can't look away. Each time I step into a Julianne MacLean novel, I experience magic. From empowering characters to emotional stories, I leave pieces of my heart between the pages of her spellbinding stories.

A Storm of Infinite Beauty by Julianne Maclean is a stand-along novel with a powerful impact. Gwen Hollingsworth lived in the small town in Nova Scotia where she ran a museum dedicated to her cousin, actress and composer, Scarlett Fontaine. It was housed in her childhood home, and contained many artifacts of the woman’s short life. She had died at thirty-six. One day a researcher arrived who upset her equilibrium, in several ways. He brought with him a newspaper photograph of a woman who sure looked like Scarlett (real name-Valerie McCarthy) taken in Alaska, right after a huge earthquake. Gwen was certain that her relative had been in New York at the time, but after a little research found the director of a museum there and reached out. He didn’t recognize either of the persons in the photo but offered to inquire of his sources. By the next day he had responded with the name of the man in the photo. From there, they searched the internet and found him on Facebook, of all places. Gwen DM’d him and he responded. After assuring him she was not press, they set up a meeting. She and Peter Miller, the researcher, set off on what would become an amazing adventure, both for the museum and for herself.

Maclean writes a lovely, nuanced novel, always has and in this one she touches on so many hidden soft spots, it hurts. Valerie, whose story took up most of the novel, was a young girl with a dream. Her father was a relatively powerful man who was determined that her dreams would never be fulfilled. His duplicitous act sent her to Alaska, where friends of his did the rest. Fortunately she had friends there, too, and through a mysterious set of circumstances, they took excellent care of her until tragedy struck. The man in the photo met with them several times and told the whole story: a sad and gripping one. As Gwen and Peter explored they became closer, too, providing clarity to Gwen’s tragic personal situation. It was a heart-breaking book, but a happy one in so many ways. The characters were masterfully crafted and the story well told. Excellent read.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of A Storm of Infinite Beauty by Lake Union Publishing, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #LakeUnionPublishing #JulianneMaclean #AStormOfInfiniteBeauty

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced reader copy of “A Storm of Infinite Beauty” by Julianne Maclean. This story is set in present day with Gwen, a relative and historian of Valerie, whose story in the 1960s is slowly revealed. The story of Valerie, set in the past, is, I feel, the strongest part of this book. There is plenty of tension through the telling of her struggle through a pregnancy on her own in a new place. The description of the earthquake that devastated and decimated Valdez, Alaska is extremely well written and made me feel like I was witnessing it.

The trouble I had with this book two fold. I like to know what characters look like as well as their habits and idiosyncrasies. I didn’t feel like I really got much of that in this book, especially of Gwen and Peter, the main characters in the present. It’s hard for me to imagine a character without these pieces. Additionally, their romance was very lightly touched on and not well developed. This was disappointing to me, but that is just my opinion.

The story offers an interesting mystery that is resolved by the end, which is satisfying.

Lovely new novel from this author. Settings are described so that you can imagine the vastness of Alaska and it's natural beauty. There is a some historical information about the area woven into the story regarding an earthquake and the relocation of Valdez,Alaska --- who knew!!!?? Interesting! The story is told from points of view of various characters with the backstory being in the not too distant past. It is well defined and easy to follow. The cover gives an adequate synopsis... I don't do book reports. You'll also find the story dealing with relationships, death,divorce, natural disasters and the effects on the characters. A page turner,easily read on a rainy day or beach or pool outing. I was provided an advanced reader copy bit under no obligation to write a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author,publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.