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Title:
The Favor: Out
of the Ashes
Book III

Author:
Catherine
Snodgrass

Published By:
Amber Quill
Press

ISBN:
1-59279-150-6

Copyright:
October 2003

Format:
Electronic

Toni was a combat reported on assignment in Vietnam in 1970. Married for four years to Rob she was always faithful. Sam, a Marine, was a temptation beyond any other. Then, after he leaves to Hawaii on leave, she gets news about her husband: he was wounded and lost both his legs. She flies to Hawaii to his side, ready to be the dutiful wife. That is when the sky falls. Rob asks her to promise to return to ‘Nam and retrieve his mistress and their two children. Of course, she is incredibly angry and goes off on a binge, only for Sam to find her about to get a tattoo saying, “Men Suck”.

When she returns to the hospital to tell Rob she wanted a divorce, he insists she holds to her word. Upset, she gives into her baser needs and begs Sam to love her. Sam didn’t want to take advantage of the situation, but he had wanted her for so long. Just when he thinks he can spend his leave with her, he is called back to ‘Nam.

They both return and more mysterious things pop up. Why did everyone seem to know something about Rob and his mistress? Moreover, what was the connection to the platoon’s last mission? As the hours passed it became clear that Sam and Toni couldn’t trust anyone. Something was definitely going on, but he didn't know what exactly?

The Favor is a wonderful conclusion to this Out of the Ashes trilogy. Ms. Snodgrass has proved again, why she is a best-selling author. The Favor delivers adventure, intrigue, and budding romance all in one neat package. The chemistry between Toni and Sam is not only electric, but also deeply touching. They hold on to each other through the news of the loss of the platoon and gain the strength to carry on. When things become more mysterious, they can only trust each other. There truly is strength in numbers. You never know who is really out to get you.

This tale brought the Vietnam War to life through the eyes of a reporter and a Marine. The often-ignored indiscretions of the American soldiers with Vietnamese women are addressed in Rob’s affair. It was especially touching during a scene when Toni looked through a pile of photographs of the Mauritanian children. It pulls at the heartstrings to see the children left behind to be shunned for the rest of their lives. The Favor is a wonderful tale this reviewer highly recommends. Actually, this entire series, A Simple Choice and My Only Wish, was terrific, and this reviewer is sad to see it end.

Reviewed by: Miriam