Joshua's Country

By: Gerard de Marigny

Narrated by: Theo Holland

Length: 3 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Born and raised a cowboy, Vietnam vet Joshua Jacobs looks out across the West Texas plain. All the land stretching to the uncluttered western horizon is his. From just a patch of land, he built an empire, one he runs by his own rules. Yet, Joshua learned a hard lesson...that his family couldn’t be run the same way.

Joshua deeply regretted not being on speaking terms with his only son when James died serving his country. James’s wife Katy never forgave Joshua for trying to run their lives. Heartache upon heartache, Joshua’s beloved wife Sarah passed away not long after. Now, the only legacy Joshua has left is his grandson, but like his dad and granddad before him, young Josh also chose to serve his country.

Joshua spends his days waiting for letters from him. In the latest letter, young Josh said he was thinking of finally leaving the military to take his place on the ranch at his grandfather’s side. Joshua was overjoyed, but his joy was cut short when he saw a picture of his grandson on the news. The report said young Josh was taken hostage by the head of the most violent ISIS unit, known as the “Storm Demons”. Their leader, Shakir, was infamous for beheading his hostages and broadcasting the horrors online to the world.

Threatening Joshua Jacobs’ grandson was a mistake. Now, an Islamic extremist’s hate for America faces an old cowboy’s love for his grandson.

©2017 Gerard de Marigny (P)2019 Gerard de Marigny

One of the best Modern day westerns

Joshua's country.
One of the best modern-day westerns.
A gripping storyline action packed with break neck speed. Old cowboy, retired and active marines, bad D.E.A agents and Mexican cartels. And best of all Apaches . What more can you ask for all in one book.
Great narration.
A unique western.
I received a free copy of this audio book at my own request and voluntarily leave this honest review. ..

Let go & let God!

The tale starts out with an interesting, yet emotional background on the elder Joshua Jacobs. Joshua is a hard-working, ornery old cuss that built himself quite an empire on the Texas plains. Unfortunately, dedication to build and expand left little time, passion, or understanding for his family. Joshua’s son is killed in Afghanistan. Not wanting to make the same mistakes with his grandson, Joshua hopes and prays that young Josh will tire of the Marines, return home, and take over the empire. The focus of the tale turns to young Josh. My only complaint is when Sgt. Josh leaves the ISIS leader Shakir alive back in Afghanistan, especially after threatening his family. The action and excitement pick up as Josh returns home, only to have his family confront a terrorist’s vengeance. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Great Read!

Not what I usually listen to, but really enjoyed it. I definitely recommend it.
Will look for more by this author.

Fantastic

I wasn't sure when I started but I quickly fell in love with this book. The characters are very well done and you feel for everything that they go through. The narrator did a great job of bringing out the emotions within the story. I was given a free copy of this audio in return for an unbiased review.

An Excellent Audio Book On All Levels

Joshua's Country is as well written page turner enhanced by excellent narration. Upon starting it, I found the book to be everything I want in an adventure; a modern day western. We meet Joshua the eldest family member who owns a huge ranch. Quickly we learn about this friends who work with him, his family, and one of the drama experienced in the latter. The reader also learns of Joshua's namesake, his grandson, who is a marine at war.

This is where I thought the book might lose me, but it did not. I am not a fan of "war novels" and though there is a brief dip into that genre, it quickly takes a turn back into the modern day western. Adding to the finely developed story is the wonderful narration by Theo Holland. I am a fan of Mr. Holland's and he has such the right touch. Weather presenting the dialogue of a woman, a Native American male, or a black FBI agent (male) - none of his vocals becomes a character or cartoon. His vocal readings remain authentic to the character and thus does not take the listener away from the audio experience; he enhances it.
'
If you like Westerns, you will enjoy this modern day version.

A Good Western

This is a good book. There is action and adventure . There is a good story line. It will keep you wanting to finish it. Theo Holland does a great job narraiting these books. If my review was any help will you please click the helpful link. Thank you

A Great Modern Western

I’ve always thought it was difficult to capture the spirit of the westerns set in the late nineteenth century in a twenty-first century tale, but Gerard de Marigny managed this feat in his short novel, Joshua’s Country. Joshua Jacob is an old man who struck me as being a little bit out of time. He is very much the sort of rancher you could find in a Louis L’Amour novel carving out a living for himself and his men and their families out in the great American west (in this case, Texas). When his grandson gets in trouble with ISIS insurgents in Iraq, Joshua is forced to look more closely at the relationship he forged with his now dead son and is trying to build with his grandson.

There is a lot of action in this novel and a dastardly set of villains ranging from terrorists, drug cartels and corrupt government officials. It’s all a lot of fun. De Marigny could have built this novel as a thriller or a simple action/adventure piece, but his decision to ground it in the western genre made it feel much more approachable and less over-the-top to me. Joshua has stepped out of the romanticized legends of the west. Character matters. Family matters. A man’s word matters. It made so many of his decisions and actions instantly credible. My only complaint is that I don’t see a sequel coming out of this story. It doesn’t need one.

I received this book from Audiobook Boom in exchange for an honest review.

Don't mess with a Texan

This story starts out with setting the scenery and the background of Joshua and his family. It doesn't take long to pick up the pace and the rest of the story stays action packed and fast moving. I don't normally like war stories but this one is a cross between a good old Texan western and the war. The author did an amazing job on combining the two and making a very interesting story. I love how they wanted to make an example out of this brave cowboy.....but the thing that captured their attention ended up being the traits that moved him to give them a fight. Joshua is such a good character. I love how even though at one time he was such a tough, hard to love guy....he had mellowed out some in his old age and you can see the love he has for his family, especially his grandson. All I can say is don't mess with Texans & their families. The narrator (Theo Holland) did so many voices to make each of these characters seem so real. His voice also fit the Joshua character to a T. If they make a movie of this one day....they should get him to be Joshua. Overall, this is just a really good story and very pleasant to listen to. I definitely recommend it.

Nothing like family

I have to admit that I'm a bit biased about this story because my brother and nephew are both named Josh. I saw a lot of my brother in Joshua, the grandfather in this story who will stop at nothing to protect his family. I loved the loyalty he inspired in those surrounding him; their presence showed that he was a good man. This story is very timely and invokes some concepts that many fear may come to pass if nothing changes with our border policies (although the ability to corrupt law enforcement renders any law meaningless anyway). Thought provoking and enjoyable.