My novel, Dare to Love, went onto Amazon today. What a journey!! Its not available for sale till January (official publication date) but can be pre-ordered at a reduced price. Available as ebook, however, at only 60% of hard copy price.

I'm so excited I could burst. I've got interviews with radio and TV lined up in Barbados, and Starbroek News in Guyana got back to me today and want to feature the book!! YEY. All this in addtion to the Alliogauna Literary Festival in Montserrat. God's working overtime on my case. I appreciate it.

Been telling everyone I'm going to the Caribbean, to Barbados, Montserrat and Guyana. Of course, as most of you already know, Guyana is in South America. DOH!! Will be my first time in South America. Also just discovered we will be there during their elections campaigning. Should be interesting.

Big tick in big box. My CD - Raw Vol 1&2 finally finished. Delivered today. Looks and sounds great! If only the novel had gone as smoothly, but as a good friend reminded me - everything in its own time. Today I'm happy with the CD.

The most peaceful in years, despite the fears.

I'm watching Newsnight and am appalled by the sheer lack of understanding by politicians of the problems that lead to the riots; or maybe they do understand and are just too cowardly to admit it. Too afraid to agree with the young man who pointed out that Britain is a society built on greed, that Britain was built on precisly the kind of actions the young people are engaged in, namely going in and looting from other countries. What are we doing in Iraq? Maybe at least some of these young people watch the news, and understand that there is a view that we went into Iraq on false information, and have stayed because of oil.

What happens when prople feel they have nothing to lose? For some of them, not all, they will act irresponsibly. I have great sympathy for the people who've lost their homes and livelihood. If it's not to happen again we need to really start understanding that this society created these young people. We can't expect them to change until we do. It takes a whole village to raise a child - actually with the advent of the media, it takes a whole country. We are all responsible for what is happening.

Last night I had the most randon and wonderful night. I had a Groupon voucher for the Red Lion in Hockley which ran out on the 13th. A they would not extend it I asked a friend of mine to go along with me. (Reason I asked for extension is that I normally have bellydance on Wed nights). They said no so I asked my friend to go with me. Spoke to my son (middle musician) at about one o'clock and he said he was doing an open mic gig at a pub called 'Red Lion' same night. To cut a long story short we met up. I had my meal, he did a brilliant job on the saxaphone and had everyone spell bound. Great food by the way at the Red Lion, Warstone Lane, Hockley, Birmingham 18. Also met Gerry who was manager of Steel Pulse way back. Mention it because my son Ash is nephew of Basil Gabbidon ex Steel Pulse base guitarist. It was a great night. Thanks guys for brightening up a pretty unintresting Wednesday. Looking forward to next month's event.

Seems like ages since the walk and so much has happened since, a couple of performances (Bellydance and Poetry) and a trip to Canada. It took a while to collect it all in but the final sum was £663.60 (including giftaid).

I am bowled over by everyone's generosity. A MASSIVE thank you to you all. Please see my website for all the names who made this possible.