The Anstruther Lass

About the Book

The Anstruther Lass is a historical romance set in the Dundee Jute Mills in 1865. Lana, a young widow from Anstruther, works at a mill and falls in love with a Dutch sailor Stefan, the son of a rich jute trader and shipping magnate. Problems arise when the mill manager, Campbell, also falls in love with Lana and pays local Anstruther smugglers to kill his rival. Meanwhile, a serial killer is targeting sailors in Dundee. The smugglers rescue Stefan from this killer and decide not to assassinate him, but sell him to the British Navy. Her sister hides a pregnant Lana until the birth of Lana’s baby, and another sister pretends the baby is hers to ensure the baby’s acceptance in society. When the baby is weaned, Lana returns to work, and Campbell offers to provide for her if she will become his mistress. When Lana rejects his offer, Campbell angrily shouts that it is useless to wait for Stefan as he paid the smugglers to kill him. Lana, incredulous, confronts the smugglers. Ton, Stefan’s father, arrives in Anstruther to find his son and meets Lana, only to be told of his disappearance. Where is Stefan? Is he alive or dead? Will Lana ever see him again?

About the Author

Vivien Carmichael is the only daughter of Scottish parents, Anna and Alex Carmichael. She was born and brought up in Brighton, but has always loved Scotland. She went to Varndean Grammar School for Girls and then undertook a Teachers Training Course at Manresa House, Roehampton, a branch of Battersea Teachers Training College. She spent a year living in Paris and then returned to London where she met and married her husband. She has two sons, Nick and James. Vivien decided to attend Brighton University as a mature student when her youngest son went to school. She successfully gained a BA (Hons) degree in Library and Information Studies. She worked for some years in special libraries in London. Vivien became tired of commuting and she studied for a CELTA certificate and taught English to foreign students in Brighton. She is now retired. She divorced her first husband and remarried, but is separated from her second husband and now lives alone.