THE BIG REVEAL. (drum roll!) There are two books coming this year - books set in the same time period in the lives of the Belleville family, beginning in 1968 when the next generation are young adults.
Writing
Writing life – book 4 in the Belleville saga during the saga of Covid
What a strange year 2020 has turned out to be. For me, Covid-19 was a big distraction, and my work rate suffered. And yet, apart from travel, our lives in Queensland have been relatively unaffected except for a short period of lockdown. I feel so sorry for people in countries overseas where coronavirus is rampant. … Continue reading Writing life – book 4 in the Belleville saga during the saga of Covid
Social distancing? Writers are used to it.
I couldn't help but think that writers are probably the one group of people most suited to social distancing ... but even we get to a point where we need to see another human being and interact with someone, at least with our loved ones. I feel really sorry for people who live alone during … Continue reading Social distancing? Writers are used to it.
In my fiction, some bits are real
St Paul's CathedralCriterion HotelPowder compact circa 1942 As I begin to write my 4th Belleville novel, I was reflecting on my pleasure in having my fictional characters inhabit a world that is not entirely fictional. I enjoy grounding my characters in real environments, (where practical, I hasten to add). I originally set out to write … Continue reading In my fiction, some bits are real
Book Review 4**** stars: Return to Prior Park by J Mary Masters
And Mrs B, a dedicated reviewer, finished book 3 in my Belleville series, Return to Prior Park. She awarded all books 4 stars. Thanks so much, Mrs B.
Title: Return to Prior Park
Author: J Mary Masters
Published: February 28th 2019
Publisher: PMA Books
Pages: 400
Genres: Fiction, Historical
Rating: 4 stars
A final act of vengeance. An illicit liaison. A passionate affair. In this third instalment of the Belleville family story, loyalties will be tested and new secrets concealed as the family begin to rebuild their shattered lives. But in the end, it is Prior Park that draws them back as the next generation of the family begins to emerge.
In this third book in the series, the Belleville family begin to rebuild their shattered lives. Wrongly believing they are safe from the madman Alistair McGovern, he escapes from custody to attempt one final act of vengeance. In the aftermath of this final desperate act, each of them must come to terms with the events of the past.
Her marriage in tatters, Julia Belleville begins to question whether she can rebuild…
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Book Review 4**** stars: To Love, Honour and Betray
Thank you, Mrs B, for reading on and posting this great review for book 2 of the Belleville family saga, To Love, Honour & Betray
Title: To Love, Honour and Betray
Author: J Mary Masters
Published: July 7th 2017
Publisher: PMA Books
Pages: 284
Genres: Fiction, Historical
Rating: 4 stars
It’s 10 years since the end of book 1, Julia’s Story and the stresses are beginning to show in two marriages.
Julia Belleville, now Fitzroy, continues to mourn the daughter she was forced to give up, while her husband James begins to look elsewhere.
And Catherine, Richard Belleville’s wife, restless and unimpressed by her life in Australia, embraces the unexpected events in her family that draw her back to her English life.
Hundreds of miles from the Belleville family’s grand home Prior Park, a terrible accident robs a young girl of her parents. It is only later that the consequences of this tragedy become known.
And what of Alistair McGovern, the late Francis Belleville’s bastard son? Now a young adult, he demands his share of the Belleville…
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Book Review 4*** Stars: Julia’s Story
I’m seriously delighted to share this great review from Mrs B’s Book Reviews for book 1 of the Belleville family saga, Julia’s Story
Title: Julia’s Story
Author: J Mary Masters
Published: March 29th 2015
Publisher: PMA Books
Pages: 334
Genres: Fiction, Historical
Rating: 4 stars
It’s 1942. The world is at war. Julia Belleville, the headstrong only daughter of the wealthy Belleville family, falls hopelessly in love with American Army surgeon Dr Philippe Duval. When he is suddenly posted away, Julia is devastated, fearing she will never see him again.
Half a world away, Julia’s elder brother Richard is fighting for Britain, flying dangerous missions across the Channel knowing 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…
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What authors want to see ….
Harry Hartog - a beautiful bookstore with a memorable name #fiction #jmarymasters
Brisbane – then and now, from a writer’s viewpoint
70+ years on (from my fictional Brisbane) this is now a modern city with some fine early buildings and a multi-cultural feel. It almost felt like a European city with its inner city open air market.
For British readers: Your history within my Belleville novels
For British readers: Read your history within the pages of my Belleville novels
Judith Mary Masters (Judith) - Australian author writing as J Mary Masters 