Rock The Heart Blog Tour (Striker Bio & Excerpt)

I'm delighted to be part of the Rock The Heart blog tour today, especially as I loved the book!!  If you like New Adult novels with a little romance and a lot of rock stars, then this is definitely the book for you.  Here's the synopsis:

For the last four years, good girl Lane has regretted breaking up with Noel Falcon. She thought she was sensible when she told him his dreams of being a rock star would get him nowhere, but now that he's a rock god and her career is stagnant, she realizes just how wrong she was. When Noel hires the marketing company where Lane is an intern, she’s forced to see him again. If she wants to land her dream job as executive within the company, she has to win him over and secure his account. Too bad Noel is still pissed at her for breaking his heart.

When Lane’s company flies her to a Black Falcon concert to gain Noel’s attention, emotions run high the moment she sees him and realizes she’s far from over him. But Noel’s countless trysts with groupies and his cocky attitude make Lane believe he isn’t the same guy she once loved—now he seems to only want her body. Then after Lane discloses she needs him to procure a job, Noel proves he’s a changed man by forcing her to go on the road with him in order to get it.

After Lane reluctantly takes Noel up on his offer, she becomes willing to do whatever it takes to keep him satisfied, even if it means succumbing to his seductive ways. Lane soon finds deception is a dangerous game and she’s not the only one playing.

One of the characters is a British guy called Striker and I'm here to tell you all about him.  Here's his biography:

 
STRIKER

■Character Name: Striker
■Birth Date: May 12th
■Place of Birth: London, England
■Current Residence: Orange County, CA
■Height: 6’1”
■Weight: 190
■Hair Color: Black
■Hair Length: Shoulder length, straight, sometimes with multiple colors mixed in
■Eye Color: Brown
■Tattoos: Sleeves on both arms, back, hands, and chest
■Work History: Front man of Embrace the Darkness
■Quirks: Tucks hair behind his ear when nervous
■Key Adult Experiences: Achieving musical fame
  Tobias Arthur Grant  (born May 12th), better known by his stage name Striker, is the lead singer, songwriter, and founding member for the British heavy metal band Embrace the Darkness. Striker is best known for his smooth vocal ability that can easily turn into a defining scream on command.

Striker began playing instruments at an early age, and went on to be classically trained in many forms of music. He studied at the University of West London: London College of Music. He fronted a band called Granting Admission while in at University that later disbanded due to creative differences.  Following this, Striker met up with Tolen Michaels, head talent scout for Mopar Records and formed Embrace the Darkness through the record label.  

Embrace the Darkness debut album, Too Many Times, went gold, making the band a household name practically overnight. Their latest single Come to the Top is currently on Billboard’s Top 40.
Striker uses a stage name according to a recent interview because he hates his given name of Tobias. It reminds him of the father he’s never met, and hates the fact he’s named after him.
 
He currently sides in Orange County, California near Mopar Records home office.

Here's an excerpt from the book featuring Striker in all his glory: 

I wander around back stage and find an empty bench. The roadies rush back and forth connecting cables and tuning instruments. The opening act for Black Falcon is set to take the stage in the next few minutes. I’m really enjoying all the great music I’ve heard the last couple shows and I’m curious as to what band is playing with them tonight. “Lanie, love, didn’t expect to see you again so soon.” I jerk my head towards the voice and set my eyes on a grinning Striker. His long, dark hair hangs in a low ponytail and a few shorter strands fall haphazardly around his face. The brown in his eyes is so dark they almost appear black from a short distance. Tight leather pants accompanied with a sleeveless dress shirt shows off his body and perfectly placed tattoos. I’m definitely intrigued by him. I smile at him. “Hey, Striker. I didn’t know Embrace the Darkness was opening for Black Falcon.”Striker must take my smile as an invitation because he plops down next to me on the bench and causally stretches his arm behind me. “We do from time to time. Same record label and all. Say, you think you might fancy getting a drink with me later?”When I gave my number to him the other day, I didn’t even think about the possibility of something happening between Noel and I. But, since we kissed last night, I feel like that changes things a bit.
 “Striker, I’m not sure…” “Ah, come on. Just one drink.” He winks at me, and when I hesitate with my answer, he says, “Don’t tell me you’ve got a thing going on with that Noel, bloke. He’s not worthy of a lovely such as you.”
  I raise an eyebrow, taken back at his forwardness. “And you are?” Striker takes my hand into his and then raises it to his lips. “I would treat you like the queen you are.”

Rock the Heart was published on 20th November, 2012.  To find out more about Michelle and her books, please click here.