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Belleville Family #2
To Love, Honour & Betray
It's 10 years since the end of book 1, The House of Secrets: Julia's Story which introduced the Belleville family of Prior Park, their secrets and betrayals. Now, in book 2, To Love, Honour & Betray, Elizabeth Belleville, the family matriarch, continues to dominate the lives of her three children: Richard, William and Julia.
Richard's marriage to Catherine is under pressure as her dissatisfaction with life in Australia grows more apparent. It is the unexpected events in her aristocratic family that draw her back to her English life. Will Richard join her or remain committed to his life in Australia?
Julia Belleville, now Fitzroy, continues to mourn the daughter she was forced to give up and the American Army captain she loved and lost, while her husband James begins to look elsewhere.
Hundreds of miles from the Belleville family's grand Australian home, a terrible accident robs a young girl of her parents. It is only later that we see the consequences of this tragedy.
Far way in New York, successful surgeon Dr Philippe Duval, the man Julia loved and lost, hears unexpected news from the past that brings him back to Australia, a country he thought he would never visit again.
And what of Alistair McGovern, the late Francis Belleville's bastard son? Now an adult, he demands his share of the Belleville fortune and to be part of the Belleville family but he is spurned by the two brothers, Richard and William, who will do almost anything to ensure that their father's terrible secret never reaches their mother. When he is finally rejected, his anger and disappointment lead him in only one direction.
In this book, for each of the Belleville family, there are long buried secrets from the past that will begin to surface to reveal the depths of the betrayals within their midst and the bitter legacy for those who remain.
In a dramatic finale, Prior Park itself must pay a price as the secrets and betrayals are brutally revealed.
Book 1 in the series garnered high praise for first time author J Mary Masters. Book 2 delves deeper in the story of the Belleville family, especiallyJulia's story, which takes a totally unexpected and unforeseen twist.
Richard's marriage to Catherine is under pressure as her dissatisfaction with life in Australia grows more apparent. It is the unexpected events in her aristocratic family that draw her back to her English life. Will Richard join her or remain committed to his life in Australia?
Julia Belleville, now Fitzroy, continues to mourn the daughter she was forced to give up and the American Army captain she loved and lost, while her husband James begins to look elsewhere.
Hundreds of miles from the Belleville family's grand Australian home, a terrible accident robs a young girl of her parents. It is only later that we see the consequences of this tragedy.
Far way in New York, successful surgeon Dr Philippe Duval, the man Julia loved and lost, hears unexpected news from the past that brings him back to Australia, a country he thought he would never visit again.
And what of Alistair McGovern, the late Francis Belleville's bastard son? Now an adult, he demands his share of the Belleville fortune and to be part of the Belleville family but he is spurned by the two brothers, Richard and William, who will do almost anything to ensure that their father's terrible secret never reaches their mother. When he is finally rejected, his anger and disappointment lead him in only one direction.
In this book, for each of the Belleville family, there are long buried secrets from the past that will begin to surface to reveal the depths of the betrayals within their midst and the bitter legacy for those who remain.
In a dramatic finale, Prior Park itself must pay a price as the secrets and betrayals are brutally revealed.
Book 1 in the series garnered high praise for first time author J Mary Masters. Book 2 delves deeper in the story of the Belleville family, especiallyJulia's story, which takes a totally unexpected and unforeseen twist.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2019
4 people are currently reading
219 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
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 27, 2025
Queensland, 1957. Richard Belleview's marriage to Catherine isn’t a happy one, she’s an English aristocratic and grew up Haldon Hall and doesn’t like living in Australia. They have two sons Paul and Anthony, each time she receives news from home, he thinks it’s a good excuse to visit and not return.
William is the middle son, he’s worried about his wife's and daughter Marianne's future, Alice has ran the Prior Park household for over a decade and he thinks it’s not fair if he and his brother pass away his nephews will inherit the lot.
Julia is married James Fitzroy and despite falling in love with American Army captain during the Second World War, she was forced by her mother Elizabeth to give their baby up for adoption and she discovers her husband has a roving eye.
Pippa Jensen is orphaned in a car accident, she’s sent to live with her great-aunt, her only remaining relative and until she reads a letter. Dr Philippe Duval is a neurosurgeon, he was the man Julia loved and lost, and he returns to Australia.
Alistair McGovern is the late Francis Belleville's illegitimate son and now that he’s an adult, he demands his share of Prior Park and to be recognised as part of the family? He’s furious when Richard and William make it clear he’s not welcome, he will never be a Belleville and their mother must never find out.
To Love, Honour and Betray (Belleville Family, #2) by J. Mary Masters explores relationships within the family, and those associated with them through marriage or infidelity, what happens when secrets from the past come to the surface, betrayals, the bitter legacy left behind and it explodes.
A gripping historical saga about love, rejection, disappointment, shame, anger, resentment. I’m keen to read the next book in the series Return to Prior Park and five stars from me.
William is the middle son, he’s worried about his wife's and daughter Marianne's future, Alice has ran the Prior Park household for over a decade and he thinks it’s not fair if he and his brother pass away his nephews will inherit the lot.
Julia is married James Fitzroy and despite falling in love with American Army captain during the Second World War, she was forced by her mother Elizabeth to give their baby up for adoption and she discovers her husband has a roving eye.
Pippa Jensen is orphaned in a car accident, she’s sent to live with her great-aunt, her only remaining relative and until she reads a letter. Dr Philippe Duval is a neurosurgeon, he was the man Julia loved and lost, and he returns to Australia.
Alistair McGovern is the late Francis Belleville's illegitimate son and now that he’s an adult, he demands his share of Prior Park and to be recognised as part of the family? He’s furious when Richard and William make it clear he’s not welcome, he will never be a Belleville and their mother must never find out.
To Love, Honour and Betray (Belleville Family, #2) by J. Mary Masters explores relationships within the family, and those associated with them through marriage or infidelity, what happens when secrets from the past come to the surface, betrayals, the bitter legacy left behind and it explodes.
A gripping historical saga about love, rejection, disappointment, shame, anger, resentment. I’m keen to read the next book in the series Return to Prior Park and five stars from me.
January 1, 2025
Big thanks to Judith for sending us a copy to read and review.
The lynchpin of the series unfolded with drama, intrigue and answers.
A family saga that has all the juicy elements subtly embedded in the past settings that alight in a blaze in this edition.
Secrets, discretions and life changes unfurl.
Each of the Belleville siblings have their own children, marital issues and complexities that lay under the surface.
An illegitimate brother makes an appearance and stakes a claim.
A death in the family sees the English rose return and make decisions about the future.
Julia’s heartbreak or sordid secret resurfaces after tragedy strikes.
Loss, heartbreak and resolution abound as life speeds through the decade and cements the future of the dynasty.
This edition was the perfect part of the jigsaw and was very satisfying with what I have enjoyed so far.
I have really connected to this series and family and the extra layers of familiarity have enhanced the experience.
Now for the next instalment.
The lynchpin of the series unfolded with drama, intrigue and answers.
A family saga that has all the juicy elements subtly embedded in the past settings that alight in a blaze in this edition.
Secrets, discretions and life changes unfurl.
Each of the Belleville siblings have their own children, marital issues and complexities that lay under the surface.
An illegitimate brother makes an appearance and stakes a claim.
A death in the family sees the English rose return and make decisions about the future.
Julia’s heartbreak or sordid secret resurfaces after tragedy strikes.
Loss, heartbreak and resolution abound as life speeds through the decade and cements the future of the dynasty.
This edition was the perfect part of the jigsaw and was very satisfying with what I have enjoyed so far.
I have really connected to this series and family and the extra layers of familiarity have enhanced the experience.
Now for the next instalment.
June 30, 2019
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
It was a warm welcome and an embracing homecoming as I returned to the fascinating lives of the Belleville family in J Mary Master’s second chapter of this Australian historical fiction series, To Love Honour and Betray. With the emphasis on family, secrets, the past, legacy and entitlement, the sequel to Julia’s Story entertains the reader from the breathtaking first page, through to the final parting word of this compelling Australian novel.
In this absorbing second issue in the series, there are plenty of shocking secrets, tragic events, unexpected twists of fate and a bevy of agonising decisions to be made as the Belleville family fold negotiate life in the late 1950s. Following my experience of reading book one in this series, Julia’s Story, I was reminded of just how engaging this series has proved to be. J Mary Masters is a skilled storyteller, drawing her reader in at all times, with a well written and carefully plotted narrative. I enjoyed being carried away from the pressures of real life as I surrendered myself to the trials and tribulations of the colourful Belleville family clan.
What I appreciated about To Love Honour and Betray was the way in which J Mary Masters is able to so easily transport the reader to yesteryear, Australia in the 1950s, with a sense of ease. The period detail is to be applauded. Masters captures the very essence of the 1950s, with a particular emphasis on the strict moral codes and expectations of Australian society at this point in time. There is a strong ring of truth that follows the characters and their actions in this novel, which I feel is down to the commitment the author has gone to in order to maintain the authenticity of this time piece.
The narrative itself is polished off nicely. Masters strives to achieve a good balance between tying up the loose ends left hanging from her previous issue of this series, and introducing new areas of concern for the characters to work through. I enjoyed marking out my favourite, as well as the unlikeable players in this novel. I also continued to refer to the cast of characters list for this book, included at the beginning on the story. It ensured that my understanding of this protagonist set remained on point.
The more and more I read and committed myself to the Belleville family, the more I feel this book is closely aligned to one of my favourite television drama series, A Place to Call Home. There are some great parallels between this book series and television adaptation. It really does warm my heart to see such quality Australian historical sagas, such as To Love Honour and Betray, beamed into our book world. This stunning book is a wonderful reminder of the stories that come from our passionate Australian writers.
*I wish to thank the author, J Mary Masters, for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
To Love, Honour and Betray is book #92 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
It was a warm welcome and an embracing homecoming as I returned to the fascinating lives of the Belleville family in J Mary Master’s second chapter of this Australian historical fiction series, To Love Honour and Betray. With the emphasis on family, secrets, the past, legacy and entitlement, the sequel to Julia’s Story entertains the reader from the breathtaking first page, through to the final parting word of this compelling Australian novel.
In this absorbing second issue in the series, there are plenty of shocking secrets, tragic events, unexpected twists of fate and a bevy of agonising decisions to be made as the Belleville family fold negotiate life in the late 1950s. Following my experience of reading book one in this series, Julia’s Story, I was reminded of just how engaging this series has proved to be. J Mary Masters is a skilled storyteller, drawing her reader in at all times, with a well written and carefully plotted narrative. I enjoyed being carried away from the pressures of real life as I surrendered myself to the trials and tribulations of the colourful Belleville family clan.
What I appreciated about To Love Honour and Betray was the way in which J Mary Masters is able to so easily transport the reader to yesteryear, Australia in the 1950s, with a sense of ease. The period detail is to be applauded. Masters captures the very essence of the 1950s, with a particular emphasis on the strict moral codes and expectations of Australian society at this point in time. There is a strong ring of truth that follows the characters and their actions in this novel, which I feel is down to the commitment the author has gone to in order to maintain the authenticity of this time piece.
The narrative itself is polished off nicely. Masters strives to achieve a good balance between tying up the loose ends left hanging from her previous issue of this series, and introducing new areas of concern for the characters to work through. I enjoyed marking out my favourite, as well as the unlikeable players in this novel. I also continued to refer to the cast of characters list for this book, included at the beginning on the story. It ensured that my understanding of this protagonist set remained on point.
The more and more I read and committed myself to the Belleville family, the more I feel this book is closely aligned to one of my favourite television drama series, A Place to Call Home. There are some great parallels between this book series and television adaptation. It really does warm my heart to see such quality Australian historical sagas, such as To Love Honour and Betray, beamed into our book world. This stunning book is a wonderful reminder of the stories that come from our passionate Australian writers.
*I wish to thank the author, J Mary Masters, for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
To Love, Honour and Betray is book #92 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
October 24, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this superbly written follow up novel to the introductory story of The House Of Secrets: Julia's Story. I think the Author has polished her writing skills and has found her stride in the telling of this intriguing tale. The novel is very easy to read and continues the family saga that was introduced in the first novel, the story pulls you in and whisks you away from this day and transports you to the 1950's where all is not as it seems on the surface. Looking forward to where the family saga takes us in the next installment.
May 9, 2020
This is the first time I've read book 2 of my Belleville series on Kindle. Any author approaches re-reading their own work with trepidation.
Mistakes? Yes, a couple of layout errors that are appearing in the way the Kindle handles it.
Editing? Could always do with a bit more tightening up but not so bad it affects the story.
Why am I re-reading it? Well, working on my fourth book of the Belleville family now, I need to be sure I don't contradict something that's happened previously. So call it research.
You might guess from this review that I fell in love with my characters. It's such an unusual but rewarding feeling to be in charge of their lives and how they proceed.
Mistakes? Yes, a couple of layout errors that are appearing in the way the Kindle handles it.
Editing? Could always do with a bit more tightening up but not so bad it affects the story.
Why am I re-reading it? Well, working on my fourth book of the Belleville family now, I need to be sure I don't contradict something that's happened previously. So call it research.
You might guess from this review that I fell in love with my characters. It's such an unusual but rewarding feeling to be in charge of their lives and how they proceed.
October 21, 2023
Book 2/4 As I finished Book #1 I leap straight into book #2. This book exposes all the family secrets and leaves no rock unturned.
Julia is finally free!
Couldn’t put it down .
Looking for to book 3.
Julia is finally free!
Couldn’t put it down .
Looking for to book 3.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews