Issue: August 2025
Hello my sweet Bunburians!
I'm take a quick break from the writing cave to celebrate with you. Today is the release of 'Love's Forever Tale' with my retelling of Rumplestiltskin, like you've never seen, in 'Heart of Gold'. Keep scrolling to read the first chapter of my story.
In the U.S. it's the end of summer for many as kids head back to school, cooler temperatures ease in, and pumpkin spice everything makes an appearance. With my kids all grown, one hot day blends into another here in South Florida. I can't say that I really notice unless my puppy wants to go outside for the hundredth time in 104 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures. At least she gets me up and moving from my desk.
Next month there will be more writing news and excerpts, as well as a sneak peak into the end of the year plans
Be sure check out the great book fairs below for more fr33bies.
This Month's Excerpt
by Michelle Moncrieff
Blurb
He can transform base metals into gold, but can Stiltskin master the alchemy of his own desire?
For nearly a decade, he's maintained the careful boundaries between handler and agent. Tina Egaré, the platinum blonde hacker who first caught his attention on the streets of Barcelona, has become his most dangerous temptation. Her citrusy scent haunts his sterile laboratory, her sparkling blue eyes challenge every rule he's constructed around his heart.
When a fellow agent vanishes in Dubai, Stiltskin faces an impossible choice: send Tina into harm's way or lose another woman to the shadows. Their rescue mission becomes a test of professional restraint colliding with primal need. Where every stolen glance and accidental touch threatens to ignite the passion, he's spent years suppressing.
In the space between protection and devotion, some transformations prove irreversible. Stiltskin must decide what he's willing to sacrifice, his carefully constructed control, or the woman who sees through every defense he's built.
Chapter 1
The fresh citrusy scent of a Mediterranean breeze on a warm summer’s day still lingered in Stiltskin’s memory from yesterday’s workout, distracting him even in the sterile environment of his lab. He forced himself to focus on the failed experiment before him, but concentration had become elusive. Ever since Tina Egaré had walked back into his life as one of Doray’s agents, his controlled world had been spinning off its axis.
Frustrated, he flung his pen down on the stainless steel table. It ricocheted off beakers and skittered across the surface, echoing through the silent room. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, alleviating the strain of peering into the microscope. If he could create gold and silver from natural amalgams, melting steel shouldn't be that difficult. Taking a deep breath, he silenced the alarm on his watch. It was time to prepare for Doray’s meeting with his agents. He retrieved the pen, admonishing himself for his outburst, and cleaned up the materials and tools from the testing of his latest hypothesis.
The day started with his regimented routine: yoga stretches, meditation, and the online workout for Doray's Detective Services. As the agents' handler, overseeing their training was part of his role. Usually he could focus on instruction, but lately he’d been more captivated by a particular platinum blonde with a radiant smile.
Almost ten years ago in Barcelona's Plaça de Catalunya, an alluring fragrance triggered a primal need he'd never experienced. There became an urgency to track down and savour the source, but he had learned to be patient. He sat on the edge of the fountain amongst the crowds and watched for a pattern. The culprit was more obvious than they may have thought, with their dark baseball cap slung low over their face and matching bomber jacket that was too big for the slight frame. It was the sway of the hips that got him out of his seat. He followed her to confirm she was the object of his obsession, as well as to see what kind of trouble she was creating.
She was new at pick-pocketing, but not unsuccessful. She must have stolen the perfume, but it was so perfect with her chemistry, he was already willing to keep her supplied in the product. He needed to get closer to her. If he played his cards right, he’d have her in his bed by nightfall. Making it easy for her, he moved his wallet from the front pocket of his jeans to the back and made sure it stuck out a bit.
“Perdón,” he mumbled, bumping her arm as he passed. From his quick glance at her, her full lips formed a circle like she was going to protest. He smiled, thinking of what else that mouth was going to do to him later. Sauntering away, he gave her time to catch-up. By the time the citrus aroma wrapped around him, he could feel the heat of her behind him. Grabbing the hand that was touching his pocket, he spun her around until he had her pinned against the wall of the nearest building with his body. He moved his wallet back to his front pocket to avoid someone taking advantage of them, looking like a distracted romantic couple. He wondered if her panting was from surprise or attraction. Either way, it caused her firm breasts, clad in a tight t-shirt, to rub against his chest.
“You’d do well to practice that before you accost the wrong person.” He whispered in her ear, breathing her in, his hardening erection pressing against her.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The airy musical sound of her voice didn’t cover the quaver of insecurity. He slid her hat off, revealing a shock of white blond hair in a messy pile on her head. Her slender porcelain neck had him licking his lips.
“You’re gorgeous. If you bumped into me, I might give you my money, especially if your hands were on my ass.” He moved back to assess her more carefully.
“I don’t need anything from you.” Her beautiful crystal blue eyes flashed with a spark of defiance. He recognized that feeling all too well. Estimating her to be in her late teens, he retreated further, thinking how he had been close to her age when he had to fend for himself after his grandparents died. But he hadn’t taken to the streets, since he had had the means to take care of himself.
“That may be true at the moment, but if you ever do, call or text me. No questions asked.” Her confused face showed her innocent youth and the tough life she had survived already. With a wink, he slid his business card into the edge of her top and walked away.
Even his precious lab time couldn’t bring back his calm balance. Perhaps because the very same person was going to be attending the weekly status meeting later that day. He secured his chemicals in a locked cabinet before buttoning his sleeves and hanging his lab coat on the back of the door. Shrugging on his suit blazer from the back of the chair was like slipping into another persona. The ‘Jewels’, as Doray referred to the agents, were intelligent and diverse of skill, who had been underestimated and dismissed by society. He was the protector of these elite warriors, who looked to him as a mentor. The suit was a small part of his effort to keep professional boundaries in place.
They only saw him in casual clothing when he wore sweats for their morning workouts or their monthly sparring sessions. He instructed them as he observed their interactions with each other. They never questioned why he didn’t participate, until last month. There was one who challenged him, called him out on his nonsense, and demanded to be treated as his equal. In moments of brutal honesty, he could admit he spent too much time contemplating this. Not to mention his wandering fantasies of exploring their primal urges while rolling in his sheets. To this point, he had been successful in resisting temptations of all varieties. This one would just take a little more discipline and focus.
He strode through the cavernous halls, recalculating formulas to shift his attention away from the one who treated his authority as more of a suggestion. In the grand foyer, he traversed the checkerboard marble flooring toward the mahogany front doors. Crossing the threshold, he felt for the light switch in the small, dark space. Once illuminated, he opened the closet door that led to what he called the office, and headed to the kitchen to check on the automatic coffee maker.
He had heard stories from his grandparents of a time long ago, when his home had been a hub of dignitaries, academics, and celebrities. The tales told of people traveling the world to admire the mansion carved into the mountain and they stayed to rub shoulders with the famous and infamous. He wasn’t sure when the little cabin from the edge of the forest was placed over the original entrance, but to him it had always been like this, with its secret entrances between them.
The simple one level structure was ideal for Doray’s headquarters. Entrenched deep in the forest and backing to the mountain, there was little chance of anyone stumbling upon the location. And even if they did, they would see an old, rundown cabin. Measures had been taken to hide it from the naked eye, satellites, and any other sensors. This allowed the agents the freedom to hone their combat skills in the wild without interference. One bedroom had been converted into a dojo-like space where they could practice various forms of martial arts. That left the rest of the cabin for the agents to meet.
He carried coffee and water to the living room's antique table, surrounded by cream-colored chairs. A button press unlocked the front door and slid open the windows. Another selection raised the three-panel monitor from the credenza. As the screen came to life, the infrared light scanned his retina, granting him access to the network.
The faces of the agents populated the display while he settled back in a plush chair across from them. Although Doray was not visible, his smooth French accent was unmistakable as he greeted each of the participants. Each one brightened with his compliments and praise. A reclusive billionaire, Guy (pronounced Gee, as he corrected everyone) Doray, was the charismatic leader of the organization. No one seemed impervious to his charms, even though they had never seen him.
Stiltskin, in contrast, they teased for being a grump because he was always focused on business and never flirting with anyone. He didn’t bother to mention that he was busy trying to keep them safe. The crunch of gravel under tires announced her arrival, followed by the sharp staccato of stiletto heels on the hardwood steps before the door flung open, reminding him it might prove difficult to keep his boundaries.
“Hiya, boss man!” Tina Egaré sauntered into the room like she wasn’t twenty minutes late, greeting everyone as her cheerful self. She was the most stunning, witty, and whip-smart woman he’d ever encountered. He recalled the angry young girl who had wanted to prove herself to the world when they first met years ago. That part of her still struggled to break free, but wasn’t as ready for a fight as she used to be. It’s part of why Doray had recruited her as one of his agents, and she’d proven an invaluable asset.
“Bonjour, Tina. Ca va bien?” Doray replied, though she had been staring at Stiltskin.
“Glad you could make it.” His eyes trailed down her curvy figure, from her white blonde hair to her stiletto black boots. A dark green silk wrap shirt and body hugging jeans gave his hands ideas about exploring instead of typing.
“Did you miss me?” she winked before unpacking her bag like she was staying for the day instead of the quick check-in this was supposed to be. She leaned over her chair, giving him a full view of her ample breasts overflowing a small black lacey bra. From the smirk on her face, she knew the effect she had on men. She always teased him like this, but he acted like he didn’t notice, though something as delectable as that was difficult to ignore.
“You know the rules,” he stated, not looking away from the screen. His admonishment came out more like a growl. He pressed his lips together, resisting any further remarks, and returned his attention to the meeting. With Doray leading, the agents had already started their reports.
Dropping in her chair with a huff, it seemed she understood his double meaning. She angled her seat away from him and flipped her hair over her shoulder. Her unique scent seized him and made him want to lay her out across the table to test if every square inch of her tasted as hypnotizing as the next. Working side-by-side for the past couple of years had increased his yearning for her, but it also gave him more reason to keep her safe, even from him.
Doray’s voice cut through the reports. “Before we conclude, has anyone heard from Jasmine? She was supposed to check in from Dubai yesterday.” A chorus of ‘No’s’ filled the room. Stiltskin felt his jaw tighten. Jasmine was never late with check-ins—it was the first rule he’d drilled into all of them.
“I’ll follow up with her after this meeting,” he said, keeping his voice steady despite the cold dread settling in his stomach. As the other agents signed off one by one, Stiltskin caught Tina watching him with those perceptive blue eyes. She’d noticed his tension. She always did.
I can't wait until you read the rest of it. And there are so many other good stories in the anthology. Go bunbury for the day with 'Love's Forever Tale'.
Books by Michelle Moncrieff
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Stay sassy and keep losing yourself in books. Be sure to visit my page or my Facebook group, Bunburying with Moncrieff, and tell me about those great reads.
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