American Smile weaves together a D-Day love story and a contemporary tale. When Emma Rowland discovers that her family tree is a work of fiction, she is determined to uncover the truth, though it has been hidden for sixty-five years and few people are willing to talk.

The irresistible Tyler Robinson, an American aircraft mechanic, promises to help solve the wartime puzzle. It soon becomes clear that Tyler knows more about the mystery than he is willing to say, and that he has secrets of his own.

Together they follow the trail blazed by a reckless GI and his blonde bombshell - a couple who fell in love in the months before the Normandy landings of 1944. A DNA test holds some surprises and the search takes Tyler and Emma to Paris, where their questions are finally answered, but what does the future hold for them both?

EXCERPT

‘May I have the pleasure?’ he asked.

‘What?’ Emma looked up at the young man. It was such an archaic phrase. It matched his conservative clothing and his Air Force haircut.

‘Of this dance,’ he added, by way of clarification. He was standing with his hand held out towards her.

She liked the way he said ‘dance’. Very American. ‘I don’t know,’ she said, with an apologetic grin, ‘the strap has come off my shoe.’

‘Yeah, I saw,’ he said.

That made her feel awkward. He’d probably seen the whole performance with the other men. She hesitated, and he looked a bit crestfallen.

‘Would it be ok to dance in bare feet, do you think?’ she said.

‘I could try to steer us away from the crowd,’ he offered, ‘so people don’t stamp on your toes. I could even take my own shoes off, if you like.’

He was so polite and so hopeful.

‘Ok,’ she said. She tossed her shoes over by the wall, and he loosened his lace-ups and kicked them off too. She hoped he wouldn’t slip over in his grey socks.

Then they turned back to face each other. He broke into a big dimply smile and took her hand. He led her onto the dance floor. He told her his name was Tyler, but she didn’t manage to reply"she was too busy concentrating on the dance steps.

Some people are a dream to dance with, and others"not so good. Emma was a little nervous after the nightmare dance with the guy who wrecked her shoe, but fortunately Tyler was a good dancer.