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Hell's Belles: Love and War Downrange
Two souls collide in the middle of a deadly war.
Sergeant Sylvie Lyons of Her Majesty’s Royal Engineers wishes she’d listened to her grandda’s advice and stayed away from the military.
USMC Sergeant Hondo Cassidy wants nothing more in life than being a Marine and fighting.
Hondo and Sylvie find themselves thrown together when his artillerymen are assigned to provide security for her engineers deep in the desert of Afghanistan.. Amidst death, destruction, cultural misunderstanding and the inevitable that happens when you mix an all male unit of Marines with an engineer unit that is mostly female, Sylvie and Hondo find in each other a reason to live.
That is, if they can survive.
Sergeant Sylvie Lyons of Her Majesty’s Royal Engineers wishes she’d listened to her grandda’s advice and stayed away from the military.
USMC Sergeant Hondo Cassidy wants nothing more in life than being a Marine and fighting.
Hondo and Sylvie find themselves thrown together when his artillerymen are assigned to provide security for her engineers deep in the desert of Afghanistan.. Amidst death, destruction, cultural misunderstanding and the inevitable that happens when you mix an all male unit of Marines with an engineer unit that is mostly female, Sylvie and Hondo find in each other a reason to live.
That is, if they can survive.
556 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2024
36 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 8, 2024
A hell of a book, one you should definitely read.
It's fiction, but all throughout it was clearly written by a Marine. Yes, some of them can actually read and write, and not just eat the crayons. Too much was too true-to-life to NOT have been written by one of Uncle Sam's misguided children. Makes me wonder just the many scenes were taken directly from real-life events.
Its the best book I've read in months, and that's saying something since I usually make it through at least four or five books per week. If you enjoy military fiction, or simply love the Devil Dogs, This is a must-read.
God bless the Marines.
It's fiction, but all throughout it was clearly written by a Marine. Yes, some of them can actually read and write, and not just eat the crayons. Too much was too true-to-life to NOT have been written by one of Uncle Sam's misguided children. Makes me wonder just the many scenes were taken directly from real-life events.
Its the best book I've read in months, and that's saying something since I usually make it through at least four or five books per week. If you enjoy military fiction, or simply love the Devil Dogs, This is a must-read.
God bless the Marines.
August 5, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyable read
Battle, allied issues, 😕 politicians, sexism, and a host of other things.
One of the best reads this year.
Good battle scenes, great quotes and thoughts upon life, and what a life stands for and is worth.
Knowing that you can escape or grow out of bad families or relationships, and ultimately, it is what we are all called to do, to be the best citizen of the world we can be, honoring and protecting those around us, brothers and sisters not by blood, but by common cause.
Battle, allied issues, 😕 politicians, sexism, and a host of other things.
One of the best reads this year.
Good battle scenes, great quotes and thoughts upon life, and what a life stands for and is worth.
Knowing that you can escape or grow out of bad families or relationships, and ultimately, it is what we are all called to do, to be the best citizen of the world we can be, honoring and protecting those around us, brothers and sisters not by blood, but by common cause.
September 18, 2024
One of the best written books I've read in a long time.
I'm fairly picky about the books I read. If they aren't well written from a mechanical standpoint, well researched, and fairly fast-paced, I'm out. This book hit all three marks for me. It also went the extra mile when the author included Captain Tamara Long as one of the helo pilots. Every Ringo book is dedicated to her memory, and I looked her up. Bless you, Mr. LaForce for making her a part of the story.
I'm fairly picky about the books I read. If they aren't well written from a mechanical standpoint, well researched, and fairly fast-paced, I'm out. This book hit all three marks for me. It also went the extra mile when the author included Captain Tamara Long as one of the helo pilots. Every Ringo book is dedicated to her memory, and I looked her up. Bless you, Mr. LaForce for making her a part of the story.
August 1, 2024
Excellent story
Wonderful story and great characters!! I loved it!! Good plot, characters who are engaging and a rollercoaster of emotions. A good book is enjoyable, a great book takes you on an emotional ride.
This was a thorough ride!!! I look forward to seeing where this author goes.
Wonderful story and great characters!! I loved it!! Good plot, characters who are engaging and a rollercoaster of emotions. A good book is enjoyable, a great book takes you on an emotional ride.
This was a thorough ride!!! I look forward to seeing where this author goes.
August 20, 2024
Romance for Marines
A very military romance, with explosions and everything. Quoting Kipling and referencing Country Music.
Probably not a popular novel in Kabul.
I *do* know the author, though I am not reviewing this for him. Mostly I try to review everything I read, just to keep track.
A very military romance, with explosions and everything. Quoting Kipling and referencing Country Music.
Probably not a popular novel in Kabul.
I *do* know the author, though I am not reviewing this for him. Mostly I try to review everything I read, just to keep track.
June 29, 2025
This was a real surprise
I really didn't expect to like this book but I was very happy with it. I loved the characters and the action scenes were outstanding. I could have done without the romance angle but I just skipped over a lot of that. The battle scenes made this book great.
I really didn't expect to like this book but I was very happy with it. I loved the characters and the action scenes were outstanding. I could have done without the romance angle but I just skipped over a lot of that. The battle scenes made this book great.
August 14, 2025
I was looking for something different to read and I took a chance on this book. Absolutely glad I did. Fantastic read. Lots of action with humor and romance involved.
If you are a fan of military novels read this book. Loved the characters and the authors style of storytelling. Look forward to more.
If you are a fan of military novels read this book. Loved the characters and the authors style of storytelling. Look forward to more.
July 18, 2024
Marine's Paradise!
An absolutely outstanding portrayal of combat, chaos, and emotion. Even if you don't understand the military jargon, the story rips itself off the pages and straight into your heart! Well Done, Mr. LaForce!
An absolutely outstanding portrayal of combat, chaos, and emotion. Even if you don't understand the military jargon, the story rips itself off the pages and straight into your heart! Well Done, Mr. LaForce!
November 12, 2024
Hondo Cassidy is my new hero!
Very intriguing plot with some great action, moments that are so riveting you’ll re-read those passages for enjoyment. Jon LaForce is the real deal for the genre. Looking forward to further adventures he’ll bring to front!
Very intriguing plot with some great action, moments that are so riveting you’ll re-read those passages for enjoyment. Jon LaForce is the real deal for the genre. Looking forward to further adventures he’ll bring to front!
November 17, 2024
Simply wonderful
As an American who married an Englishman this story resonated with me on so many levels. The author's depth ANF breadth of knowledge is authentic and impressive. An excellent read.
As an American who married an Englishman this story resonated with me on so many levels. The author's depth ANF breadth of knowledge is authentic and impressive. An excellent read.
December 19, 2024
Master storyteller!
I was so taken by this story I recommended to my sister who reads only romance novels! This is a hell of a mixed genre that will make for interesting conversations between the sexes! Guys there's a shit load of action with a respectable body count.
I was so taken by this story I recommended to my sister who reads only romance novels! This is a hell of a mixed genre that will make for interesting conversations between the sexes! Guys there's a shit load of action with a respectable body count.
August 4, 2024
Rah
An outstanding read. Full of action and humor and not a little romance. An exceptionally well done piece of love at war.
An outstanding read. Full of action and humor and not a little romance. An exceptionally well done piece of love at war.
August 29, 2024
Damn good
I just read the last 200 pages, finishing at 0051 est. Great story. Waiting for more. Thank you and hurry up.
I just read the last 200 pages, finishing at 0051 est. Great story. Waiting for more. Thank you and hurry up.
November 1, 2025
A great romp
Full of eminently quotable lines and some amazing scenes, this is a very good read and an amazing adventure. I am eagerly looking forward to reading the sequel.
Full of eminently quotable lines and some amazing scenes, this is a very good read and an amazing adventure. I am eagerly looking forward to reading the sequel.
November 29, 2025
Wow!
I had no idea a romance novel could be written in a firefight! Great read, great battle scenes and a romance to be had also.
I had no idea a romance novel could be written in a firefight! Great read, great battle scenes and a romance to be had also.
July 28, 2024
Excellent Read.
Just finished Hell’s Bellles. EXCELLENT read. I laughed, it rained, I wanted to beat you when it said To Be Continued. More. Need more of this.
Just finished Hell’s Bellles. EXCELLENT read. I laughed, it rained, I wanted to beat you when it said To Be Continued. More. Need more of this.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews