BLACK Country author Miranda Dickinson's new novel hits book shelves today (Thursday October 20).

The best-selling romantic fiction writer’s eighth book – 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 opportunity to make amends when she meets spirited 84-year-old singer Reenie Silver and together they embark on a road trip across the UK that will find lost friends, uncover secrets from the 1950s and put right a 60-year wrong.

Dudley News:

Miranda, who grew up in Kingswinford and now lives in Gornal, said: "It was so much fun to write. It's a bit of a trans-generational Thelma and Louise - except no-one drives off a cliff at the end."

The 43-year-old author, whose books include Sunday Times best-seller Fairytale of New York and romantic mystery A Parcel for Anna Browne, held a book launch for her latest read at Kingswinford's Café CC on Tuesday night ahead of a signing with fellow authors Lucy Diamond, Cathy Bramley and Cressy McLaughlin which is taking place tonight (Thursday) at Waterstones in Birmingham from 7pm.

Tickets are £3 and redeemable against one of the author's books.

To read an extract from Searching for a Silver Lining click here.