Tom Montgomery is a soldier returning from doing his duty for his country. Ravaged by war and being imprisoned, he returns to make a life with his wife, Beth. His homecoming isn't what he expected. Beth's senile grandfather says that everyone had presumed Tom was dead and Beth had remarried. Heartbroken and angry at Beth for not waiting for him, Tom decides to just move on.

Moving back to Texas, Tom finds himself in need of evicting some folks from his land. He meets the twin boys first and later encounters their mother, who turns out to be Beth. Tom lies to Beth about his identity, and Beth discovers she is being evicted. More is in store for this couple who it took so long to reunite.

A Christmas Smile was a real tearjerker. A true historical and a wonderful story about a lonely, broken man in need of the only person who ever mattered to him. I couldn't quit reading this one, and I cried in the end. These two had an awful time before the dust completely settled. Years upon years of being separated, Beth believing Tom was dead, raising two children on her own; these are all obstacles that are really believable circumstances that occurred in a time period such as this story takes place in. You can really feel the characters emotions in this one. Praise to Ms. Otten for A Christmas Smile.

Reviewed by: Pamela