Synopsis of Tempting Faye by Aimee Taylor

'In an instant her heart rate accelerated so much she felt nauseaous. It couldn't be? Not Alexei, not here, tonight, in the same room?'

Haven't we all been there; that embarrassing moment when out of the blue you bump into an ex, an old flame, or simply someone you once had a fierce crush on?

It's on her best friend Lindsey's birthday, in July 2000, when Faye Raleigh encounters her first love excactly eight years after he took her virginity, and she is absolutely mortified. She thought Alexei Lockhart was still DJ'ing abroad; not in the VIP lounge of some Essex nightclub. But now he's back and looking more incredible than Faye remembers, and to make matters more awkward, he happens to be Lindsey's cousin. Only when Faye finally plucks up the courage to speak to Alexei, she has to rush to the toilets in time of throwing up - being a little 'intoxicated.'

After sneeking away from the club, Faye hopes she'll never have to face Alexei again. But of course it's just the beginning of things to come, as that night evokes certain memories and sparks of a chain of events because Alexei isn't the only person who's returned after eight years. Someone who makes Faye's skin crawl is back, with a shocking secret that's never been unveiled and a need for vengeance long overdue.

So it's by pure chance that Fabian Morgan happened to be in that VIP lounge at the same time - on the same night. It's by pure and strange coincidence that he happens to be seeing a woman who's already familiar with certain people from his past. And for that reason, Fabian has to keep a very low profile - hide amongst the shadows, until he's ready to reveal his new identity and set the truth free. He's not the man they used to know, and after a financial 'touch', Fabian's now able to afford the finer things in life - and meet the demands of his salacious, gold-digging girlfriend - who adores the 'high' life. But in Martina Green - Fabian has found the perfect ally to help mastermind his plan, and as his plans slowly unravel, Fabian realises he has to make a few life-changing decisons.

Until that night in July 2000, Alexei's sole focus was to better his career and not be distracted by the ladies lavishing their attentions on him. He's been there and had his fun. Now it's time to get serious, especially as he now has the chance and potential to make it big in the world of DJ'ing. Only there's one little lady who's still on his mind. A girl who's sweet and shy and completely unnasuming - like no other girl he's known before. If only he could talk to her, explain why he walked away. But Faye's involved with someone - and its serious, so he doesn't pursue her; not until a surprise visitor turns up from New York and encourges Alexei to open his heart to Faye.

Gary' Porter might not be the greatest talker, looker, or lover, or give Faye the attention and respect she deserves, but having known no different, having someone safe, dependable and predicatble in her life, is suffice for Faye - who begins to realise she's the one with a major problem; repressed and hurting herself because of things that have happened in her past. But just after she embarks on her journey of self-help, Faye also discovers that mummy's-boy Gary isn't all that he's portrayed himself to be, and nothing in Faye's life is black and white any more. Nor is it predicatble or mundane - and the twisted path of fate thereafter, turns her world upside down so unexpectedly.

Can Faye be strong enough to confront and deal with the shocking truths she stumbles upon whilst battling her affliction? Can Fabian feel at peace with himself at last and become a changed man for the better? Can Alexei forfeit his sudden rise to fame and fortune to instead find happiness on a personal level? And can his Aussie flat-mate and fellow DJ Ross, clean up after himself for once?

With something for everyone, TEMPTING FAYE is sexy, funny and moving, as it delves into the lives and idiosyncrasies of both young men and women as they come to be just that; dealing with their vanities and insecurities, redemptions, retribution, and feelings that aren't always requited. Nothing is without consequence, and in order to move on in life - sometimes you have to look into your past and surrender part of your soul to those you love. But most importantly - it's about learning to love yourself.