What do you think?
Rate this book
Belleville Family #1
The House of Secrets
Set against the backdrop of World War 2, the wealthy Belleville family must face the tragedies and heartbreak that war brings to the doorstep of their grand Australian home.
There is Julia, headstrong and on the cusp of womanhood, who falls desperately in love with an American Army officer against her family’s wishes. For Julia, it is life-changing. For her family, it is a secret they swear to keep forever but can they?
Half a world away, her brother Richard is fighting for Britain, flying dangerous missions across the Channel knowing that the next mission could be his last. He meets the beautiful Catherine Cavendish whose aristocratic parents disapprove strongly of the brash young Australian officer. Is he destined to find happiness with Catherine or will he be haunted forever by, Jane, the woman he left behind?
Brought up in Richard’s shadow, William Belleville resents the popularity of his older brother and when there is an unexpected death in the family, it is William who attempts to usurp his older brother’s authority and take charge of the family fortune.
Into this mix, comes James Fitzroy, handsome and charming, who sets his sights on Julia. But can he remain faithful to just one woman or will his roving eye mean more trouble for the family.
And what of the matriarch Elizabeth Belleville, whose preference for her elder son is well known, but who must endure the fecklessness of her husband, Francis, and the disappointment of a failing marriage.
What betrayals are revealed and secrets unravelled as the family adjusts to a post-war world where nothing is certain and the shifting sands threaten to engulf them all?
J Mary Masters has created a compelling story of a family whose lives are entwined in a web of secrets and lies that bind them together until one by one the secrets are painfully and ruthlessly revealed.
There is Julia, headstrong and on the cusp of womanhood, who falls desperately in love with an American Army officer against her family’s wishes. For Julia, it is life-changing. For her family, it is a secret they swear to keep forever but can they?
Half a world away, her brother Richard is fighting for Britain, flying dangerous missions across the Channel knowing that the next mission could be his last. He meets the beautiful Catherine Cavendish whose aristocratic parents disapprove strongly of the brash young Australian officer. Is he destined to find happiness with Catherine or will he be haunted forever by, Jane, the woman he left behind?
Brought up in Richard’s shadow, William Belleville resents the popularity of his older brother and when there is an unexpected death in the family, it is William who attempts to usurp his older brother’s authority and take charge of the family fortune.
Into this mix, comes James Fitzroy, handsome and charming, who sets his sights on Julia. But can he remain faithful to just one woman or will his roving eye mean more trouble for the family.
And what of the matriarch Elizabeth Belleville, whose preference for her elder son is well known, but who must endure the fecklessness of her husband, Francis, and the disappointment of a failing marriage.
What betrayals are revealed and secrets unravelled as the family adjusts to a post-war world where nothing is certain and the shifting sands threaten to engulf them all?
J Mary Masters has created a compelling story of a family whose lives are entwined in a web of secrets and lies that bind them together until one by one the secrets are painfully and ruthlessly revealed.
- GenresRomance
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2015
7 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
J. Mary Masters
7 books41 followersI write family saga/romance books that focus on relationships - family, romantic, professional.
My books include the Belleville series – Julia's Story, To Love, Honour and Betray and Return to Prior Park and Heirs and Successors– the story of a wealthy Australian family, focusing on the three children - Richard, William and Julia. The fifth book in the series, Winds of Change was released in November 2025.
First Born Son is a companion book to Heirs and Successors. The book takes a key character - Dr Philippe Duval - and explores his life. In 2024, I released the sequel to First Born Son, the stunning Price to Pay
I love the characters I've created. I hope my readers do too.
Want to check out my books before you commit?
For FREE READING downloads go to: http://www.jmarymasters.com
My books include the Belleville series – Julia's Story, To Love, Honour and Betray and Return to Prior Park and Heirs and Successors– the story of a wealthy Australian family, focusing on the three children - Richard, William and Julia. The fifth book in the series, Winds of Change was released in November 2025.
First Born Son is a companion book to Heirs and Successors. The book takes a key character - Dr Philippe Duval - and explores his life. In 2024, I released the sequel to First Born Son, the stunning Price to Pay
I love the characters I've created. I hope my readers do too.
Want to check out my books before you commit?
For FREE READING downloads go to: http://www.jmarymasters.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 11, 2025
Australia, 1942. The world is at war but for the wealthy Belleville family but life hasn’t changed at Prior Park, Elizabeth and Francis have three children, Richard, William and Julia the youngest is about to turn eighteen.
Despite her own marriage being lacking, Elizabeth is determined to find a suitable match for Julia and has no idea her daughter will meet a handsome and earnest American Army doctor and will fall in love with Captain Philippe Duval.
Richard is the heir and Elizabeth's favourite and can’t believe it when he signs up, begins training to be a pilot and flying dangerous missions across the English Channel to Germany and Richard and his crew not knowing if it will be their last. Is he still pining for his first love Jane Saville an Australian governess, or will he find happiness with Lady Catherine Cavendish, and survive the war?
William has always played second fiddle to his charismatic brother, so while he's away William grabs his chance to run Prior Park, find a bride, have children and secure the Belleville legacy.
James and Alice Fitzroy live nearby at Mayfield Downs, James has been waiting for Julia to grow up, for the right time to pounce and Alice’s thinks William would be suitable for her and with Richard out of the picture.
I really enjoyed reading Julia’s Story (Belleville Family, #1) by J. Mary Masters, it’s rather addictive and I’m keen to start the next novel in the series To Love, Honour and Betray.
Set against the backdrop of the Second World War, in Australia, England and briefly in America, an emotional story about family, duty, love, romance, consequences, conflict, sacrifice, secrets, class, and society’s expectations and snobbery.
I highly recommend for readers who enjoy intergenerational saga fiction and Australia’s version of the Morland Dynasty and nowhere near as complicated to follow and four and a half stars from me.
Despite her own marriage being lacking, Elizabeth is determined to find a suitable match for Julia and has no idea her daughter will meet a handsome and earnest American Army doctor and will fall in love with Captain Philippe Duval.
Richard is the heir and Elizabeth's favourite and can’t believe it when he signs up, begins training to be a pilot and flying dangerous missions across the English Channel to Germany and Richard and his crew not knowing if it will be their last. Is he still pining for his first love Jane Saville an Australian governess, or will he find happiness with Lady Catherine Cavendish, and survive the war?
William has always played second fiddle to his charismatic brother, so while he's away William grabs his chance to run Prior Park, find a bride, have children and secure the Belleville legacy.
James and Alice Fitzroy live nearby at Mayfield Downs, James has been waiting for Julia to grow up, for the right time to pounce and Alice’s thinks William would be suitable for her and with Richard out of the picture.
I really enjoyed reading Julia’s Story (Belleville Family, #1) by J. Mary Masters, it’s rather addictive and I’m keen to start the next novel in the series To Love, Honour and Betray.
Set against the backdrop of the Second World War, in Australia, England and briefly in America, an emotional story about family, duty, love, romance, consequences, conflict, sacrifice, secrets, class, and society’s expectations and snobbery.
I highly recommend for readers who enjoy intergenerational saga fiction and Australia’s version of the Morland Dynasty and nowhere near as complicated to follow and four and a half stars from me.
April 17, 2015
I have been not feeling the love for a while now but fortunately this book popped up like a little fountain in a big ole' desert.
This is one of those epic family drama stories with everyone manipulating and sneaking and making bad choices that you just know are going to come back and bite them later on.
The characters and plot lines were pretty standard for the story style but the writing was engaging and the characters were well developed.
I was feeling sad for all the characters at one point or another, and while some of the actions taken were pretty reprehensible, I did get where they were coming from and of course I was rooting the young hero and heroine to be with their secret loves at the end - not that that has happened yet, but I am hoping.
I would have liked the whole story in one volume as I am not a serial kinda girl, but that quibble aside, I like this like I like Susan Howatch or Daoma Winston -- epic building an empire drama with just enough zest and sass to keep you turning the pages and a welcome relief from the crash and burn wrecks I have been running into lately.
Give this one a go if you like the big historical familial dynastic drama, it is well worth spending an afternoon on.
This is one of those epic family drama stories with everyone manipulating and sneaking and making bad choices that you just know are going to come back and bite them later on.
The characters and plot lines were pretty standard for the story style but the writing was engaging and the characters were well developed.
I was feeling sad for all the characters at one point or another, and while some of the actions taken were pretty reprehensible, I did get where they were coming from and of course I was rooting the young hero and heroine to be with their secret loves at the end - not that that has happened yet, but I am hoping.
I would have liked the whole story in one volume as I am not a serial kinda girl, but that quibble aside, I like this like I like Susan Howatch or Daoma Winston -- epic building an empire drama with just enough zest and sass to keep you turning the pages and a welcome relief from the crash and burn wrecks I have been running into lately.
Give this one a go if you like the big historical familial dynastic drama, it is well worth spending an afternoon on.
June 30, 2019
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Julia’s Story, penned by Australian author J Mary Masters, is the spectacular opening piece to the Belleville family series. Book one in this historical fiction based family saga was also my introduction to the work of J Mary Masters. A story filled with choices, love, loyalty, family and duty, I can easily recommend this novel to fans of grand inter-generational sagas.
When Julia’s Story opens, we are thrown amidst the chaos of World War II, which has touched Australian shores. J Mary Masters captures the feelings of this time with sensitive insight and accuracy. Masters highlights the sacrifices, duty and obligations of those who travel to bravely fight for our country. Masters also covers the feelings of those left behind on the home front. At all times I felt that the author adequately captured the correct period detail. This extends to the dialogue, customs and typical expectations of decades past.
Family drama and politics are at the centre of this novel, but it is not melodramatic, or overly sentimental. I could easily envisage these kinds of issues arising in the situational context J Mary Masters has based Julia’s Story directly in. There are some great conflicts that the reader is able to sink their teeth into. The emphasis on class, position, fulfilling expectations and lineage are some major points of contention in the novel, which is covered very well by the author.
There is a nice layer of romance in Julia’s Story and it doesn’t seem to dictate the overall proceedings of the novel. I enjoyed following the respective love stories in this book, there were definitely some strong matters of the heart to attend to! Again, matters of class, wealth and social standing come to the floor. Many of the characters in Julia’s Story must negotiate these issues on their pathway to happiness. I appreciated that each character did not always get what they wanted in the love stakes, which made this aspect of the tale much more authentic.
Overall, I found the approach Masters took to her characterisation to be nice and clear. The assistance of a cast of characters overlay at the opening of this book did wonders. I liked how Masters separated this list by country, family and location. It was a helpful touch. As much as I enjoyed the characters, I also appreciated the rich presence of Prior Park, which looms heavily over the proceedings of this book with pride.
Julia’s Story works as a fabulous introductory piece to an engaging historical fiction saga, which is rich in Australian flavour. The cliff-hanger ending had me turning to my copy of book two, To Love, Honour and Betray, quick smart!
*I wish to thank the author, J Mary Masters, for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Julia’s Story is book #91 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
Julia’s Story, penned by Australian author J Mary Masters, is the spectacular opening piece to the Belleville family series. Book one in this historical fiction based family saga was also my introduction to the work of J Mary Masters. A story filled with choices, love, loyalty, family and duty, I can easily recommend this novel to fans of grand inter-generational sagas.
When Julia’s Story opens, we are thrown amidst the chaos of World War II, which has touched Australian shores. J Mary Masters captures the feelings of this time with sensitive insight and accuracy. Masters highlights the sacrifices, duty and obligations of those who travel to bravely fight for our country. Masters also covers the feelings of those left behind on the home front. At all times I felt that the author adequately captured the correct period detail. This extends to the dialogue, customs and typical expectations of decades past.
Family drama and politics are at the centre of this novel, but it is not melodramatic, or overly sentimental. I could easily envisage these kinds of issues arising in the situational context J Mary Masters has based Julia’s Story directly in. There are some great conflicts that the reader is able to sink their teeth into. The emphasis on class, position, fulfilling expectations and lineage are some major points of contention in the novel, which is covered very well by the author.
There is a nice layer of romance in Julia’s Story and it doesn’t seem to dictate the overall proceedings of the novel. I enjoyed following the respective love stories in this book, there were definitely some strong matters of the heart to attend to! Again, matters of class, wealth and social standing come to the floor. Many of the characters in Julia’s Story must negotiate these issues on their pathway to happiness. I appreciated that each character did not always get what they wanted in the love stakes, which made this aspect of the tale much more authentic.
Overall, I found the approach Masters took to her characterisation to be nice and clear. The assistance of a cast of characters overlay at the opening of this book did wonders. I liked how Masters separated this list by country, family and location. It was a helpful touch. As much as I enjoyed the characters, I also appreciated the rich presence of Prior Park, which looms heavily over the proceedings of this book with pride.
Julia’s Story works as a fabulous introductory piece to an engaging historical fiction saga, which is rich in Australian flavour. The cliff-hanger ending had me turning to my copy of book two, To Love, Honour and Betray, quick smart!
*I wish to thank the author, J Mary Masters, for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Julia’s Story is book #91 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
December 22, 2024
Big thanks to Judith for sending us a copy to read and review.
All family sagas have a beginning and a foundation, to get an insight into one of the pivotal unions of the family group we see how Julia and Philippe meet and the obstacles they faced.
The Belleville family of Prior Park are living through the horrors of World War Two.
A son in battle and a daughter smitten by an American soldier.
A sudden death, a social blip and a quick marriage set the tone for a series of events that shape the family’s future.
The landed gentry were carving out a lifestyle based on the aristocracy of England and inter marriage between families common.
Julia caught the eye of a neighbour and will his pursuit come to fruition?
Her heart is still with Philippe.
I loved how this set the scene by focusing on the years early on.
It pieced together the connections in a later book.
I am now keen to read the next book and see what unfolds.
I love a family saga and highly recommend this one if you share my view.
All family sagas have a beginning and a foundation, to get an insight into one of the pivotal unions of the family group we see how Julia and Philippe meet and the obstacles they faced.
The Belleville family of Prior Park are living through the horrors of World War Two.
A son in battle and a daughter smitten by an American soldier.
A sudden death, a social blip and a quick marriage set the tone for a series of events that shape the family’s future.
The landed gentry were carving out a lifestyle based on the aristocracy of England and inter marriage between families common.
Julia caught the eye of a neighbour and will his pursuit come to fruition?
Her heart is still with Philippe.
I loved how this set the scene by focusing on the years early on.
It pieced together the connections in a later book.
I am now keen to read the next book and see what unfolds.
I love a family saga and highly recommend this one if you share my view.
January 11, 2026
Julia's story
A well written story telling how life was, during WW2 and theft ect it had on families, lost lives, pregnancies that had to be hidden. Lives torn between family and tradition to wanting something else looking forward to the sequel
A well written story telling how life was, during WW2 and theft ect it had on families, lost lives, pregnancies that had to be hidden. Lives torn between family and tradition to wanting something else looking forward to the sequel
October 21, 2023
4 books in series- I recommend having all 4 on hand because as you finish Book 1 you immediately want to pick up book 2.
Lots of characters in book 1. Settings the scene and unpacking all the characters in-front of Julia. Everyone evolves around Julia’s story.
Julia’s story is so Heart reaching. She pays the ultimate price for her family - keeping up appearances for the local community. /country town.
Book 2 exposes the secrets
Lots of characters in book 1. Settings the scene and unpacking all the characters in-front of Julia. Everyone evolves around Julia’s story.
Julia’s story is so Heart reaching. She pays the ultimate price for her family - keeping up appearances for the local community. /country town.
Book 2 exposes the secrets
March 24, 2015
A well written story that pulls the reader into the era and the family. Looking forward to continuing the saga with book 2. An entertaining read that reflects the life and times of a wealthy rural family surrounding the second world war years.
March 30, 2019
This is the earlier edition of the first of my Belleville series. The latest edition has been re-titled Julia's Story - I just want to clear up any confusion. The trilogy is complete with the publication of book 3, Return to Prior Park, at the end of February 2019. I enjoyed writing the series. I'm in love with my characters (well, most of them) and I hope to give readers a few hours of reading enjoyment.
January 22, 2020
As much as I loved the idea of this trilogy and it sounded really exciting. I'm not sure I like her writing style and found I was skim reading it. Not really taken with the main characters and there are so many names of other characters to remember and relate to. So I wont continue this trilogy it fell a little flat to me
August 16, 2017
I've given this a five star but then I wrote it so that may explain it. However it has been updated (a couple of spelling mistakes) and a new cover in 2017, but the story remains the same. Book 2, the sequel, is now available - To Love, Honour & Betray.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews