BLACK Country based best selling author Miranda Dickinson's new novel hits book shelves later this week.

The popular romantic fiction author, who grew up in Kingswinford, is set to release her eighth book on Thursday.

Searching for a Silver Lining tells the tale of Matilda Bell who is left heartbroken when she falls out with her beloved grandfather just before he dies.

Haunted by regret, she seizes the chance to make amends when spirited singer Reenie Silver enters her life and together they embark on a journey that will find lost friends, uncover secrets from the 1950s and put right a 60-year wrong.

Its release, however, is bittersweet for mum-of-one Miranda, whose dad Brian Dickinson - one of her biggest supporters - died just two weeks ago after a short battle with cancer.

Yorkshire-born Mr Dickinson, a keen amateur actor and film and TV extra, reminisced in detail about being a teenager in the 1950s to help provide background information for Miranda's latest book and she said: "Dad was so excited about my new book coming out and so many of his memories and favourite songs now form part of the book."

She said her father was "such a brilliant promoter" of her work and she was pleased she got to share the news with him before he died that she has now achieved worldwide sales of more than one million books. She said: "He was chuffed to bits.

"He was also very amused to discover my book is going to be advertised on the side of West Midlands network double decker buses for a week commencing October 24. He thought it was hilarious."

Miranda, whose last novel was the romantic mystery A Parcel for Anna Browne, is holding a book launch for her latest read at Café CC in Market Street, Kingswinford, tonight (Tuesday October 18).

The event, which starts at 7pm, is free to attend and Miranda will be selling and signing copies of Searching for a Silver Lining ahead of its general release in book stores this Thursday October 20.