Review – A Storm of Infinite Beauty by Julianne MacLean #newrelease #fiction
Synopsis
From the bestselling author of Beyond the Moonlit Sea comes an atmospheric tale of how one woman’s search for the truth uncovers long-hidden secrets and rocks the very foundation of her world.
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.
A Storm of Infinite Beauty takes readers on a breathtaking journey from a lush vineyard in Nova Scotia to a rustic lodge in Alaska where old family secrets are revealed and the quest for true happiness begins.
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Review
This book has a surprising mystery that intrigued me from start to finish. An iconic star has a missing year, and what everyone was told couldn’t be further from the truth.
This book is told from two points of view – Scarlett, the star, and a distant relative, Gwen. Scarlett’s story is in 1963-64, the missing year. What brings this to light is a random discovery by a writer of Scarlett in Valdez, Alaska, during a memorable earthquake at that time. This discovery surprises her living relatives. Their knowledge was based on what was told to them by Scarlett’s father. What a surprise when the whole story is uncovered!
My favorite part of the book was the sections that detailed Scarlett’s existence in Alaska during this time. I felt like we were getting a peek into something no one knew about until now. As more clues are uncovered, it is as if they kept it a secret from the world. That wouldn’t have been too hard to do at that time since there were no electronics or social media. I also liked the detailed research into the earthquake and how it impacted this town.
Scarlett’s story has an impact on Gwen. Not just because there could be another family member out there, but personally, as she endured a personal tragedy a few years prior. However, I believe that uncovering this information helped her process her own grief.
While there is a budding romance between Gwen and Peter. However, it felt flat. I also was surprised at how much she discussed her marriage with someone that she barely knew. Perhaps because he was more of a stranger, and it was easier to talk to him? I do think that this journey might have helped Gwen realize that her marriage was over, but it took time to reach that answer.
There are other characters that help round out the story, including Blaine and Maud, who run the Wilderness Lodge in this town. There are also some more nefarious characters that add the sinister moments. Some characters you might dislike at the beginning just might become someone you like at the end.
Overall, we give this book 4 paws up.
About the Author
Julianne MacLean is a USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including the popular Color of Heaven series. Readers have described her books as “breathtaking,” “soulful,” and “uplifting.” MacLean is a four-time Romance Writers of America RITA finalist and has won numerous awards, including the Booksellers’ Best Award and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from the Romantic Times. Her novels have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been translated into more than a dozen languages.
MacLean has a degree in English literature from King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a business degree from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She loves to travel and has lived in New Zealand, Canada, and England. She currently resides on the east coast of Canada in a lakeside home with her husband and daughter.
