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Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes #7
The Worst Fugitives in the Star Nation
Jessica Lin is missing!
And Brad Mendoza has no idea where she is. Now he'll need to brave returning to the star nation that wants him dead to follow the one slim lead he has. On the way he'll discover a king's shame, a princess' secret, and a duke's guilt, and he might just stop another war!
Hot on his tail is a ruthless criminal warlord with a chip on his shoulder and a fleet at his command. As Brad races to find Jessica before it's too late, he'll have to pull out all the stops and put his trust in a woman who just recently betrayed him and another who has orders to kill him...slowly.
The seventh book in the exciting and fan-favorite Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes series, The Worst Fugitives in the Star Nation will make you cheer (for sure), laugh (almost certainly), and cry (probably) as you follow our hapless heroes through another romp across the galaxy! Space opera meets military sci-fi and humor in this glorious story of flawed people stepping up to do heroic things.
Order today!
And Brad Mendoza has no idea where she is. Now he'll need to brave returning to the star nation that wants him dead to follow the one slim lead he has. On the way he'll discover a king's shame, a princess' secret, and a duke's guilt, and he might just stop another war!
Hot on his tail is a ruthless criminal warlord with a chip on his shoulder and a fleet at his command. As Brad races to find Jessica before it's too late, he'll have to pull out all the stops and put his trust in a woman who just recently betrayed him and another who has orders to kill him...slowly.
The seventh book in the exciting and fan-favorite Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes series, The Worst Fugitives in the Star Nation will make you cheer (for sure), laugh (almost certainly), and cry (probably) as you follow our hapless heroes through another romp across the galaxy! Space opera meets military sci-fi and humor in this glorious story of flawed people stepping up to do heroic things.
Order today!
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2024
546 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Skyler Ramirez
41 books136 followersSkyler grew up in Southern California, under the best weather that state has to offer. So, he's shown a little of his insanity over the years in moving to colder, wetter places: New York City; Provo, Utah; Bainbridge Island, WA. He now resides with his family in Texas, which (apart from the humidity) gives him that great weather once again.
Skyler has been and continues to be a leader and executive with multiple Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies, working across a variety of functions, both technical and non-technical. In other words, he's very much a jack-of-all-trades but master of none. Maybe that's why he has now decided to be an author as well. In it, he’s finally found the thing he loves to do most.
Mr. Ramirez currently resides in Texas with his wife, Lindsey, and their four children.
Skyler has been and continues to be a leader and executive with multiple Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies, working across a variety of functions, both technical and non-technical. In other words, he's very much a jack-of-all-trades but master of none. Maybe that's why he has now decided to be an author as well. In it, he’s finally found the thing he loves to do most.
Mr. Ramirez currently resides in Texas with his wife, Lindsey, and their four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 26, 2024
I absolutely LOVE this series!
At the start of this book, the crew is enjoying a much needed vacation while they wait for their ship to be repaired. I laughed aloud at Brad's love for tacos with pineapple by the pool. It was so perfect that I knew it couldn't last for long.
Jessica is forced to leave without notifying Brad or any crew member. Of course as soon as he realizes that she is gone, Brad and the crew go after her.
It amazes me that enemies don't understand the bond among the crew members or how Jessica and Brad are so loved by the crew. Splitting up Brad and Jessica will never work. They will ALWAYS fight to be together.
Of course Brad is captured and beat up again. This happens quite frequently to him. Jessica faces off against a past enemy and learns why a bounty is on her.
My late father was US Marine. He lived by Gunny Boyd's words "Once a Marine, always a Marine." I believe that he would have loved these books.
At the start of this book, the crew is enjoying a much needed vacation while they wait for their ship to be repaired. I laughed aloud at Brad's love for tacos with pineapple by the pool. It was so perfect that I knew it couldn't last for long.
Jessica is forced to leave without notifying Brad or any crew member. Of course as soon as he realizes that she is gone, Brad and the crew go after her.
It amazes me that enemies don't understand the bond among the crew members or how Jessica and Brad are so loved by the crew. Splitting up Brad and Jessica will never work. They will ALWAYS fight to be together.
Of course Brad is captured and beat up again. This happens quite frequently to him. Jessica faces off against a past enemy and learns why a bounty is on her.
My late father was US Marine. He lived by Gunny Boyd's words "Once a Marine, always a Marine." I believe that he would have loved these books.
January 26, 2025
I expect nothing less for what I would describe as my guilty pleasure sci-fi series
December 26, 2025
DNR
Book starts with Jessica and Brad mixing business with pleasure, having a pseudo honey moon on the planet's surface while their spaceship is being repaired in the space above. Protagonists escapades since their excommunication having been too flashy to escape notice by imperials security services, all the while being too useful to pass up on exploiting, Jessica is kidnapped and interrogated, while Brad is coerced to perform a solid one for his ex-star nation. Playing the antagonists - crime baron, Jacob and Jaxonians make a reappearance.
Again and again, and again. Author seems to be allergic to long cons. Technologically far more advanced than widespread technological availability would suggest space light assault ship makes an appearance, as well as, previously not mentioned, improved warp drive. Adding a new character just so that protagonists mayor crew characters would have a fitting love interest pair-dynamic seems excessive. If anything having so many couplings in such a small crew is out of the ordinary.
Conclusion: 3/5. Listened on Audible included in plus catalogue. Narrated by: Michael Murphy, Madeleine Brolly. Viewed internal/external monologues of Brad as separate from the story's, as a whole, seriousness gauge. With author favoring short term pay offs and constant use of problem solving using solutions pulled out of nowhere without any foreshadowing, I was wrong. Humorous story to be taken offhandedly. Terrible value for the length of the book, buying it with USD- 2.09 $/hour (19.99 $ / 09 hrs 36 mins ).
Values:
Terrible: >1.66 $/hour
Bad: 1 - 1.66 $/hour
Good: <1 $/hour
Dream: 0.4 - 0.27 $/hour
Stars:
1 - Not worth the resources to reproduce/preserve this title.
2 -Bad
3 -Good
4 - Personally, love it
5 - Recommended to everyone
Book starts with Jessica and Brad mixing business with pleasure, having a pseudo honey moon on the planet's surface while their spaceship is being repaired in the space above. Protagonists escapades since their excommunication having been too flashy to escape notice by imperials security services, all the while being too useful to pass up on exploiting, Jessica is kidnapped and interrogated, while Brad is coerced to perform a solid one for his ex-star nation. Playing the antagonists - crime baron, Jacob and Jaxonians make a reappearance.
Again and again, and again. Author seems to be allergic to long cons. Technologically far more advanced than widespread technological availability would suggest space light assault ship makes an appearance, as well as, previously not mentioned, improved warp drive. Adding a new character just so that protagonists mayor crew characters would have a fitting love interest pair-dynamic seems excessive. If anything having so many couplings in such a small crew is out of the ordinary.
Conclusion: 3/5. Listened on Audible included in plus catalogue. Narrated by: Michael Murphy, Madeleine Brolly. Viewed internal/external monologues of Brad as separate from the story's, as a whole, seriousness gauge. With author favoring short term pay offs and constant use of problem solving using solutions pulled out of nowhere without any foreshadowing, I was wrong. Humorous story to be taken offhandedly. Terrible value for the length of the book, buying it with USD- 2.09 $/hour (19.99 $ / 09 hrs 36 mins ).
Values:
Terrible: >1.66 $/hour
Bad: 1 - 1.66 $/hour
Good: <1 $/hour
Dream: 0.4 - 0.27 $/hour
Stars:
1 - Not worth the resources to reproduce/preserve this title.
2 -Bad
3 -Good
4 - Personally, love it
5 - Recommended to everyone
October 5, 2025
Solid 4 across the board! Once again we have just enough naval command structure to muck up any semblance of reasonable order or actionable offenses on those commands and orders. This book is fun. How is it fun? Regrettably by splitting up the dream team for 3/4ths the book, more trauma, more angst, and taking like three house decks and stacking them against out intrepid heroes.
We dont bother figuring out everyone's names, but we focus on our core... 15? But 15 can't run a battle cruiser. So we get more crew! But a battle cruiser can't do.... well, covert missions, but rather if like NCIS decided to boost a ship and go kidnap the head of the Medellín cartel. So, covert?
We get a ship that I'm calling Oregon in Space, a Navy " Q Ship" that plays into good space physics and design (really), and is heavily armed to accomplish that mission. Brad, of course, can't run it by himself, so we get a new crew of Naval Intelligence goons and Naval Marines. Shenanigans and inter office conflict abounds.
The only quibble I had was that Jessica ( spoilers) was not the one to erase the man who perpetuated her violence from this realm. And I dislike that it fell into the Joss Weadon Trope of Violence Against Woman again. They had redemption points but it was still a little odd to read.
The epilogue was a little odd, like if I kept reading books about the Oregon and Juan Cabrillo himself rescued me from a swamped sail boat.
A lot highlighted and a lot saved, a good read.
We dont bother figuring out everyone's names, but we focus on our core... 15? But 15 can't run a battle cruiser. So we get more crew! But a battle cruiser can't do.... well, covert missions, but rather if like NCIS decided to boost a ship and go kidnap the head of the Medellín cartel. So, covert?
We get a ship that I'm calling Oregon in Space, a Navy " Q Ship" that plays into good space physics and design (really), and is heavily armed to accomplish that mission. Brad, of course, can't run it by himself, so we get a new crew of Naval Intelligence goons and Naval Marines. Shenanigans and inter office conflict abounds.
The only quibble I had was that Jessica ( spoilers) was not the one to erase the man who perpetuated her violence from this realm. And I dislike that it fell into the Joss Weadon Trope of Violence Against Woman again. They had redemption points but it was still a little odd to read.
The epilogue was a little odd, like if I kept reading books about the Oregon and Juan Cabrillo himself rescued me from a swamped sail boat.
A lot highlighted and a lot saved, a good read.
March 24, 2025
Another awesome read in a fantastic series
Another awesome book in a series I can't get enough of since picking up the first book. This one had a lot more going on, still an amazing and fast-paced read. The characters slowly build up their depth over the 7 books, with still some details unknown. The action in space and on the ground is well written. It's got more in-depth in the battle and fight "scenes" as the series has expanded, and it feels like the author has evolved in a sense of taking an idea for a novella into a fully fledged novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat and wanting more.
It's quickly become one of my favourite series, and I hope there's a lot more to come.
The only problem is now I have to wait 3 months before I can read the next in the series, and then even longer to read whatever comes next. I hope the author is forgetting about sleep, and has his pen to the paper (or most likely keys to the keyboard) and gets cracking on bringing us more of the luckiest heroes in the galaxy.
Another awesome book in a series I can't get enough of since picking up the first book. This one had a lot more going on, still an amazing and fast-paced read. The characters slowly build up their depth over the 7 books, with still some details unknown. The action in space and on the ground is well written. It's got more in-depth in the battle and fight "scenes" as the series has expanded, and it feels like the author has evolved in a sense of taking an idea for a novella into a fully fledged novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat and wanting more.
It's quickly become one of my favourite series, and I hope there's a lot more to come.
The only problem is now I have to wait 3 months before I can read the next in the series, and then even longer to read whatever comes next. I hope the author is forgetting about sleep, and has his pen to the paper (or most likely keys to the keyboard) and gets cracking on bringing us more of the luckiest heroes in the galaxy.
October 22, 2024
It is one of the best books in the series.
Wow, what can I say about this installment to the Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes series.
Lots of action with some drama and comedic brevity. This one is more of a fast-paced action adventure that takes you to different worlds and places. There are many characters that you will get to like and care for. The romance is light enough so that the story still feels like a sci-fi novel.
Skyler Ramirez is getting very good at knowing what sci-fi buffs want to read.
I highly recommend this book and the rest of the series.
Wow, what can I say about this installment to the Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes series.
Lots of action with some drama and comedic brevity. This one is more of a fast-paced action adventure that takes you to different worlds and places. There are many characters that you will get to like and care for. The romance is light enough so that the story still feels like a sci-fi novel.
Skyler Ramirez is getting very good at knowing what sci-fi buffs want to read.
I highly recommend this book and the rest of the series.
October 27, 2024
Very good, highly entertaining
It pretty much continues from where book 6 left off. Thankfully there is a full recount of the previous 6 books, so you can hit the ground running when you start 7.
Brad is his usual self being flippant at every opportunity and the rest of the crew are their usual selves too. Hayley is still the one to watch
You get to learn a bit more of Jins back story and towards the end of the book the adversary in the dark is. No real surprise, but good to put a name to them
Pity book 8 is 9 months away
It pretty much continues from where book 6 left off. Thankfully there is a full recount of the previous 6 books, so you can hit the ground running when you start 7.
Brad is his usual self being flippant at every opportunity and the rest of the crew are their usual selves too. Hayley is still the one to watch
You get to learn a bit more of Jins back story and towards the end of the book the adversary in the dark is. No real surprise, but good to put a name to them
Pity book 8 is 9 months away
May 13, 2025
Situation normal, all f***ed up!
Brad, Lin and crew are enjoying their first real vacation. They are getting full value from their all-inclusive resort. So of course the evil Murphy has other plans for them.
Lin vanishes first, then Brad meets some slimy intelligence agents who make them an offer they can’t risk to refuse.
This begins another story that involves all of the crew going in and out of hopelessly desperate situations and getting through on razor thin odds. In other words, the usual!
Brad, Lin and crew are enjoying their first real vacation. They are getting full value from their all-inclusive resort. So of course the evil Murphy has other plans for them.
Lin vanishes first, then Brad meets some slimy intelligence agents who make them an offer they can’t risk to refuse.
This begins another story that involves all of the crew going in and out of hopelessly desperate situations and getting through on razor thin odds. In other words, the usual!
October 5, 2024
Entertaining space opera listening ✨🎎🤗🎆
This kindle novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book seven of eight.
Book eight yet to release. 7/2025
Bard and his finance are both sent on separate missions both do not go well. But they both survive and get back together leading to the conclusion and next book.
I would recommend this series and author to readers of space opera fantasy worlds adventure novels 😘🎎🤔🎆 2024 👒
This kindle novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book seven of eight.
Book eight yet to release. 7/2025
Bard and his finance are both sent on separate missions both do not go well. But they both survive and get back together leading to the conclusion and next book.
I would recommend this series and author to readers of space opera fantasy worlds adventure novels 😘🎎🤔🎆 2024 👒
October 29, 2024
Another fun space opera adventure that has continuing good characterization and just plain interesting people. A new friend is introduced and joins the crew. Unexpected twists develop. I am purposely keeping this general so not to give away what is going on. I recommend this book and series. If you have not read any of the books, start with the first book "The Worst Ship in the Fleet." Enjoy the humor!
April 13, 2025
Always a pleasure!
Ramirez’s books are the rare kind that you hold off reading until you have the PERFECT reading situation all set up and ready.
Are there some tactical errors? Sure. Is he really rough on the guys in red shirts? Definitely. But who cares?? It’s not just that it’s a helluva story, but you can’t help but love the characters. I swear, he kills one of them, it’ll hurt my heart.
Ramirez’s books are the rare kind that you hold off reading until you have the PERFECT reading situation all set up and ready.
Are there some tactical errors? Sure. Is he really rough on the guys in red shirts? Definitely. But who cares?? It’s not just that it’s a helluva story, but you can’t help but love the characters. I swear, he kills one of them, it’ll hurt my heart.
October 10, 2024
Another great entry in the series
I have enjoyed every one of this time the Promethean Naval Intelligence runs an op on Brad and Jessica. Enemies old and new are everywhere. Ilian starts to come out of his shell.
Huge surprise in the end.
Each book is more fun than the last. Plus, it looks like the Big ex-marine has met his match.
I have enjoyed every one of this time the Promethean Naval Intelligence runs an op on Brad and Jessica. Enemies old and new are everywhere. Ilian starts to come out of his shell.
Huge surprise in the end.
Each book is more fun than the last. Plus, it looks like the Big ex-marine has met his match.
October 14, 2024
this one has all kinds of surprises!
Love this series! Characters are great—wonderful personalities with funny, witty banter, which I get a kick out of. The ending in this one has a humdinger of a surprise and I can’t wait to find out how such a weird circumstance will effect them going forward.
Love this series! Characters are great—wonderful personalities with funny, witty banter, which I get a kick out of. The ending in this one has a humdinger of a surprise and I can’t wait to find out how such a weird circumstance will effect them going forward.
November 9, 2024
Excellent zreading
Chapter Seven in an amazingly readable series of books full of all the ingredients needed for an on the edge of the seat unputdownable read, once started page turning to the end I read in in on go. I enjoyed it so should you and Iwould highly recommend off buy and enjoy
Chapter Seven in an amazingly readable series of books full of all the ingredients needed for an on the edge of the seat unputdownable read, once started page turning to the end I read in in on go. I enjoyed it so should you and Iwould highly recommend off buy and enjoy
November 11, 2024
Another great book in the series
Another great tale in the adventures of Brad & Jessica. Although for most of the book they're separated which makes the storytelling a bit disjointed. And sometimes the switch from Brad to Jessica felt a bit too long. But overall, well paced and entertaining, just like the other books in the series.
Another great tale in the adventures of Brad & Jessica. Although for most of the book they're separated which makes the storytelling a bit disjointed. And sometimes the switch from Brad to Jessica felt a bit too long. But overall, well paced and entertaining, just like the other books in the series.
December 12, 2024
Great read.
This book kept me reading late into the morning hours. I could not put it down for the fact that I had to see what happened next. It was always something around every corner. Plenty of action and a great storyline to go with the series and now I just have to wait for the next one.
This book kept me reading late into the morning hours. I could not put it down for the fact that I had to see what happened next. It was always something around every corner. Plenty of action and a great storyline to go with the series and now I just have to wait for the next one.
December 31, 2024
I have read all the Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes, by Skyler Ramirez, currently out. I have found them to be wonderful, quick military sci-fi reads. These stories are action-packed, with plenty of quick-witted humor, clean romance, and great characters in a vast yet trackable universe. Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes has quickly become my favorite enjoyment sci-fi read.
August 9, 2025
WARNING
I had read book 8 on accident and finished up the series sadly until I realized I’d forgotten this one! What a relief! Except now I’m done with it, too.
It’s not my fault! The story is too lively and entertaining to put down.
Well, now you’ve been warned. Don’t read this book unless you want the series to end. Kind of like you can’t have your cake and eat it too!
I had read book 8 on accident and finished up the series sadly until I realized I’d forgotten this one! What a relief! Except now I’m done with it, too.
It’s not my fault! The story is too lively and entertaining to put down.
Well, now you’ve been warned. Don’t read this book unless you want the series to end. Kind of like you can’t have your cake and eat it too!
October 25, 2024
I can’t get enough of the Brad Mendoza stories!
Seriously, I plow through this series. Skyler Ramirez has a way with words that keeps the story riveting, adding some chuckles as I read. I can’t wait to read the next in the series, book 7.
Seriously, I plow through this series. Skyler Ramirez has a way with words that keeps the story riveting, adding some chuckles as I read. I can’t wait to read the next in the series, book 7.
April 11, 2025
I love love love it
This is the best series that I have ever read in the 60 years of my life. It had me turning the pages, neglecting sleep. I am totally in love with the characters. I am looking forward to their next adventure.
This is the best series that I have ever read in the 60 years of my life. It had me turning the pages, neglecting sleep. I am totally in love with the characters. I am looking forward to their next adventure.
May 25, 2025
how can you NOT laugh?
And cringe in sympathy, and follow excitedly and get back to laughing? Great series of books, and I feel bad I disdained Brad in the beginning for a lousy drunk!
And cringe in sympathy, and follow excitedly and get back to laughing? Great series of books, and I feel bad I disdained Brad in the beginning for a lousy drunk!
June 8, 2025
Catchup was a very good idea
Getting readers back to speed with a little history was good. Characters and actions too easily get forgotten. In particular with complex characters in varied situations.
Getting readers back to speed with a little history was good. Characters and actions too easily get forgotten. In particular with complex characters in varied situations.
December 1, 2025
On point for series
Just what I expected and wanted. Good yarn, plenty of action, and a love story that's not too steamy. Great pacing to make it a great diversion to keep you interested.
Just what I expected and wanted. Good yarn, plenty of action, and a love story that's not too steamy. Great pacing to make it a great diversion to keep you interested.
October 5, 2024
I absolutely love this series. Can hardly put the book down. Can’t wait for the next one to come out!
October 6, 2024
Brad, Jessica and the team are back, when Jessica disappears the team set about getting her back. Good story, that has the team facing multiple threats, as the past and old enemies return.
October 8, 2024
always an enjoyable read
Pure entertainment from start to finish. Book 7 was no exception and I eagerly await the next adventure. Loved it.
Pure entertainment from start to finish. Book 7 was no exception and I eagerly await the next adventure. Loved it.
October 10, 2024
Excellent, really enjoying this series
November 6, 2024
the story continues
But it’s not consistent enough to carry the weight of a badly orchestrated plot. Book 7 is not what book 1 was.
But it’s not consistent enough to carry the weight of a badly orchestrated plot. Book 7 is not what book 1 was.
November 7, 2024
Top Notch Science Fiction!
November 10, 2024
So much fun dumb luck.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews