Mina Hanbury-Tenison has two sons, aged eight and 11. While they are aware their mother has written a book, 'they're not allowed to read it', she says on a quick trip to Hong Kong from her home in Shanghai.
Shanghai is the focus of her risque read, a cheeky, humorous or, alternatively, entirely offensive 'guide' to how to snag men in order to get rich and then richer and go up in the world.
Shanghai Girls: Uncensored and Unsentimental has generated plenty of controversial press on the mainland. It's had women creased up in laughter and annoyed some of the husbands of the author's friends to such an extent that at least one refuses to speak to her.
Why would he be offended? Here's a snippet from the section on 'Starter boyfriends': 'A starter boyfriend is not necessarily the guy you would want to take home to your parents or be seen dating by other men, especially by the ones you might want to marry.
'A starter boyfriend can help you practise your English or other skills you want to learn. He can also give you clothes, apartments, cars and jewellery that you can use to leverage up your status ...
'What's the trade-off? Sex, and sometimes with guys who are much older and physically unattractive.'