Heirs and Successors

Belleville Family #4

by J. Mary Masters

It’s 1968 and the Belleville family - Richard, his brother William and their sister Julia - believe their lives are settled until a near tragic accident almost claims the life of a beloved family member. As the family recovers, no one has any inkling of the chain of events that will be unleashed by the near tragedy.
At twenty-two, it is Richard’s son Paul at the centre of this period of turmoil. His lack of judgement leads to a shocking betrayal for which he and others will pay a big price, including his own father.
And there are newcomers too in the family circle. Is Richard right when he considers meeting Amanda Robinson a stroke of misfortune for the family? And will they similarly come to regret putting their trust in the charming but ambitious Alex Fraser?
In the midst of the family’s problems, William and his wife Alice remain steadfast, offering comfort and support in their sprawling homestead at Prior Park. Yet, they too will suffer the bitter disappointment of their daughter Marianne’s choices.
There is trouble ahead too for Julia’s marriage to Philippe Duval. Julia and Philippe’s story continues in the new book First Born Son , published as a companion title to Heirs and Successors .
As the decade turns to the 1970s, the Belleville family appear settled again. Except there is a new secret at the heart of the family. A secret known only to three people. A secret that, if revealed, could tear marriages apart and threaten the very foundation of everything the family has built. Richard Belleville is determined this secret must never become known ...

450 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 10, 2023

About the author

I 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

Reviews

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 4 out of 5]

1968, Australia. The Belleville family, eldest Richard, his brother William and their sister Julia believe their lives are settled until a near tragic accident almost claims one of their children.

The next generation are now young adults, Richard's son Paul is obsessed with flying, the new way to travel from the city to the property and he’s a lady’s man like his father.

William and Alice are the stewards of the family, they live at Prior Park, and they hope they have brought their only child Marianne up to make the right choices?

Julia’s marriage to Doctor Philippe Duval is floundering, she tries to repair the damage she did when she left her first husband and son John, and she has no idea that he felt like she replaced him with her daughter Pippa.

Howard and Amanda Robinson are new to the story and so is the charming and ambitious station hand Alex Fraser.

Richard and William must decide who inherits the family fortune and how it will be divided amongst their children and secure it for future generations.

Alice is still my favourite character, she’s the only one with any common sense and the glue that holds them together.

For some reason the members of the Belleville family seem create mayhem, when you think the door has been closed on the past it will be opened again and a pattern has formed, women are humiliated and hurt by the men they love and can’t trust them.

In Heirs and Successors (Belleville Family Series #4) by J. Mary Masters, romantic relationships start or begin again, marriages are organized and others end, and babies are born and I look forward to the next instalment Winds of Change.

Four stars, I recommend if you like sweeping intergenerational Australian historical fiction, with lots of drama and bring on book five.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in this series that I have read, so it did take me a bit to work out the family and their partners and children, but it is really well written and compelled me to keep reading to discover everything that happens. This book continues the story of the Belleville Family, a family of rich grazers set in 1968, I did have to keep reminding myself that it was the 1960’s and times were very different, this one spends a lot of time with the heirs and successors, come along and meet them, it is a busy story with lots happening.

Richard, William and Julia Belleville are content with their lives now or so they thought, it is time for their children to move forward but it seems that scandal, betrayal and secrets seem to follow this family, Richard has two sons to his first wife, Catherine Paul and Anthony and a daughter Susan to his second wife, Kate, William and his wife Alice have a daughter Marianne, Julia has a daughter Pippa to her husband Phillipe and a son, John to her first husband, James but after a plane accident a new comer arrives at Prior Park, first Alex Fraser and then Amanda Robinson who are soon linked to the Bellville family, there is a lot going on, pregnancies and broken marriages and affairs, where will it all lead?

I have to be honest and say that I am not sure that I personally agree with the way some of the characters in this story act in the bounds of marriage, but all that happened made for a very interesting story, the author pulled me into the story even if I was shaking my head at times, to me that means the author has done her job well and made me feel the emotions.
If you love a good family saga then this is one to read, I have the next book to read a companion book to this series and look forward to it.

My thanks to the author for my copy to read and review.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you J Mary Masters for gifting us a copy to read and review.
The intrigue and misgivings of the landed gentry and the lives of those in the family dynasty always capture my attention.
They live in a surreal bubble where money is no object and ensuring the right marriages are made to continue the bloodlines is paramount.
Meet the Belleville family.
The next generation emerge with gusto as they find their place in the world among turmoil, accidents and love.
Paul is the eldest son of Richard Belleville and is involved in a near fatal plane crash. A course of events that will change his destiny as he paves the way for his future and a tumultuous love journey.
Richard and his siblings can only spectate in the lives of their children, the heirs to vast lands and fortunes.
They too have emotional baggage that needs to be unpacked and addressed.
A family saga that is rich in detail and delves into the intricacies of family relationships.
It sweeps across the country and over to an Estate and the aristocracy of England. Choices are key in the survival of this family to continue successfully.
This is book four in the series and I read it as standalone.
A helpful summary of the characters at the front is useful.
I’m keen to see what happens in the new generation.

[Lauren Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed the continuing story of the Belleville family. I slipped directly back in to the comforting story with starting the 4th book in the series, I was concerned I would need to re-read the first 3 books again (extremely time poor) but as soon as I begun reading, the familiar characters came back to life easily and the previous storylines all clicked back into place. It is so easy to see life as it is described in the books and sometimes it takes me straight back to my young years (the books are set before my birth (so far) but I very much picture my grandparents and their friends and how they spoke/gossiped in my childhood) It very much makes me crave the pre digital days. I have changed some views and opinions of some of the characters as the saga continues, which helps to create a "3D" image of the characters, something not that many authors can achieve successfully. While Heirs and Successors is the 4th instalment in the Belleville family saga, it would be entertaining to read as it is but I would highly recommend reading the other 3 books beforehand. I am about to read First Born Son, the companion novel to this one and I am very much looking forward to the continuation of the Duval story. Thank you for a very enjoyable read. 100% highly recommended

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book more than book #3
The children have become adults and the apple doesn’t fall to far from the tree, but it’s the response of the parents that I appreciated.
Interesting turn of events and many have gone full circle which was interesting.
The family certainly has its fair share of scandal.
I loved the “living in sin” explanation , well done dad.

I’m about to read “First Born Son”

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Heirs and Successors is a sweeping family drama that beautifully captures the emotional complexity of the Belleville legacy. With richly drawn characters, surprising betrayals, and layered secrets, J. Mary Masters delivers a poignant and compelling look at loyalty, ambition, and the fragile bonds of family. Perfect for fans of multigenerational sagas!

[Denise Tannock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so sorry that I've finished this book as it was so good. The family dramas continue into the 1970s with history repeating itself with some family members. Thank goodness for Alice and William who are the family stalwarts.
Now I have to wait for my local library to purchase #5 in this wonderful series that i can't get enough of.
Already three of my friends have now reading this series, thanks to my sister recommending it to me.