What do you think?
Rate this book
Bells and Bullets: The Brad Mendoza Chronicles
Spending Christmas alone is a real drag...
...especially when someone is trying to kill a member of the Royal Family. For Brad Mendoza, a couple of chance encounters at the Promethean Naval Academy thrust him unwittingly into a fight against shadowy forces he knows nothing about. Now his life... and the future queen's hang in the balance.
But even then, not everything is what it seems, and Brad is going to need a lot of help if he's going to get lucky enough to survive this time.
A prequel novella to the fan-favorite Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes series, Bells and Bullets will thrust you into a world of intrigue, assassins, and Holiday fun with a humorous sci-fi twist! Order and read today.
...especially when someone is trying to kill a member of the Royal Family. For Brad Mendoza, a couple of chance encounters at the Promethean Naval Academy thrust him unwittingly into a fight against shadowy forces he knows nothing about. Now his life... and the future queen's hang in the balance.
But even then, not everything is what it seems, and Brad is going to need a lot of help if he's going to get lucky enough to survive this time.
A prequel novella to the fan-favorite Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes series, Bells and Bullets will thrust you into a world of intrigue, assassins, and Holiday fun with a humorous sci-fi twist! Order and read today.
91 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 16, 2024
About the author
Skyler Ramirez
55 books159 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 22, 2024
Entertaining fantasy listening 🎶🔰
This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account a prequel
Brad is staying at the academy during the Christmas Season. He meets Theresa who is also staying. They run into Prince's Ann and the fun begins. It all comes to a happy ending 😀.
I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of romantic family and friends space opera adventure novels 👍🔰. 2024 👒😀
This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account a prequel
Brad is staying at the academy during the Christmas Season. He meets Theresa who is also staying. They run into Prince's Ann and the fun begins. It all comes to a happy ending 😀.
I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of romantic family and friends space opera adventure novels 👍🔰. 2024 👒😀
July 2, 2025
Another King's Star for Brad?
This book continues to flesh out Brad Mendoza's back story. The story is set during Brad's Academy days during a Christmas break when he has nowhere else to go during the holidays. And due do unforseen circumstances, he ends up meeting and befriending the Princess Anne.
And in typical Brad Mendoza fashion, he ends up saving the day through sheer dumb luck. While not explicitly mentioned, his actions during this incident probably earned him his second King's Star. More importantly, it earns him a very powerful friend. One who, unbeknownst to him, may keep him alive, years down the road.
Per usual, Skyler Ramirez has once again written an entertaining and well paced tale. If, like me, you've been enjoying the stories set in the "Dumb Luck & Dead Heroes/Star Nation in Peril" universe, it's well worth the read to learn more about what shaped our favorite "idiot".
This book continues to flesh out Brad Mendoza's back story. The story is set during Brad's Academy days during a Christmas break when he has nowhere else to go during the holidays. And due do unforseen circumstances, he ends up meeting and befriending the Princess Anne.
And in typical Brad Mendoza fashion, he ends up saving the day through sheer dumb luck. While not explicitly mentioned, his actions during this incident probably earned him his second King's Star. More importantly, it earns him a very powerful friend. One who, unbeknownst to him, may keep him alive, years down the road.
Per usual, Skyler Ramirez has once again written an entertaining and well paced tale. If, like me, you've been enjoying the stories set in the "Dumb Luck & Dead Heroes/Star Nation in Peril" universe, it's well worth the read to learn more about what shaped our favorite "idiot".
February 12, 2025
Nice little addition to the Brad Mendoza chronicles
This was a very fast and entertaining breed. There is a little bit of romance and some bullets flying action. As always, Brad gets himself into trouble while saving somebody important and eventually getting the pretty girl.
Yes , it is a cliche story , but it is very entertaining nonetheless.
This was a very fast and entertaining breed. There is a little bit of romance and some bullets flying action. As always, Brad gets himself into trouble while saving somebody important and eventually getting the pretty girl.
Yes , it is a cliche story , but it is very entertaining nonetheless.
March 23, 2025
Brad Mendoza's Dumb Luck novellas are much more enjoyable to read than the later novels in the series. For one simple reason: they're not all alike, they're not cluttered by a myriad of secondary characters, and they therefore feature all the author's strengths from the beginning of the series: pace, humor, action, and, above all, something new.
October 26, 2025
Great read...hard to put down.
At this point I have read most everything from the Brad Mendoza universe and am anxiously waiting for the next release...the stories really suck you into the action and the characters have a real feel about them...imperfect...anyway a great fun read...
At this point I have read most everything from the Brad Mendoza universe and am anxiously waiting for the next release...the stories really suck you into the action and the characters have a real feel about them...imperfect...anyway a great fun read...
December 25, 2024
Short story from Brad's academy days, with a Christmas theme. Stuck on campus on his own during the holidays, Brad gets caught up in a kidnap scheme of the kings daughter and a depressed lonely plebe.
April 17, 2025
Brad Mendoza does it again
Well, Brad Mendoza was born to be a hero. With dumb luck on his side and a good head on his shoulders (most of the time), he comes through with flying colors, making an important friend along the way. Another good story by Skyler Ramirez.
Well, Brad Mendoza was born to be a hero. With dumb luck on his side and a good head on his shoulders (most of the time), he comes through with flying colors, making an important friend along the way. Another good story by Skyler Ramirez.
May 29, 2025
Brad Mendoza is the Best
I don't think that I have ever read such a great series that just pulls you in. I mean I have never been so enthralled about any other. It captured my attention from the start and keeps me glued. It's another page turner. I highly recommend it.
I don't think that I have ever read such a great series that just pulls you in. I mean I have never been so enthralled about any other. It captured my attention from the start and keeps me glued. It's another page turner. I highly recommend it.
July 24, 2025
Don’t judge the book by it’s cover!
It’s a stupid “Christmas edition” cover, but the story is everything you love about Brad Mendoza, even if he’s still just a midshipmen. Exciting moments throughout..very enjoyable!
It’s a stupid “Christmas edition” cover, but the story is everything you love about Brad Mendoza, even if he’s still just a midshipmen. Exciting moments throughout..very enjoyable!
July 8, 2026
Back stories are the best!
When you love a character and all his adventures, finding out how he got that way is a real treat. These stories are short entertaining glimpses into a past that is every bit as enjoyable as the future stories.
When you love a character and all his adventures, finding out how he got that way is a real treat. These stories are short entertaining glimpses into a past that is every bit as enjoyable as the future stories.
December 22, 2024
Interesting back story for Brad. The author is adept at churning out these stories that help round out all the characters.
December 28, 2024
A standard Brad Mendoza episode - that is to say delightful and well written. I really enjoyed it
December 29, 2024
A great little story
When brad Mendoza is involved even the holidays are ripe with adventure. Another great little short story about our favourite hero.
When brad Mendoza is involved even the holidays are ripe with adventure. Another great little short story about our favourite hero.
Read
January 7, 2025Funny and well written series
January 26, 2025
Short but still entertaining
February 13, 2026
Interesting and engaging
August 9, 2025
I suggest it is important to read this before The Worst Mercenaries in the Border Systems.
April 22, 2025
A new prequel novella to the fan-favorite Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes series. This book is a blend of intrigue, assassins, and holiday fun with a humorous sci-fi twist. The story follows Brad Mendoza, who finds himself spending Christmas alone, only to be thrust into a dangerous situation where someone is trying to kill a member of the Royal Family. Through a series of chance encounters at the Promethean Naval Academy, Brad is unwittingly drawn into a fight against shadowy forces he knows nothing about. His life, and the future queen's, hangs in the balance, and Brad will need a lot of help to survive this ordeal.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews