BLACK Country author Miranda Dickinson's new novel A Parcel for Anna Browne hits the book stores tomorrow (Thursday).

The Gornal based chick lit writer hopes to intrigue fans with her tale about unassuming Anna Browne, a receptionist for a tabloid daily newspaper, whose life starts to change as she receives a series of unexpected parcels from a mystery gift-giver.

The romantic read is sure to appeal to existing fans of the bestselling author whose success began with the 2009 hit Fairytale of New York.

Her seventh offering boasts an array of the kind of quirky and comedic characters readers have grown to know and love - all doing their bit to help the protagonist in her pursuit of happiness.

But, published by publishing giant Pan Macmillan following Miranda's departure from Avon after six years, the book marks the start of a new era for the 42-year-old novelist who says readers will meet her first "irredeemable character" in A Parcel for Anna Browne.

She said: "It's a story I've wanted to tell for a long time. The time just hasn't been right to tell it until now. I like the mystery element; it's something I haven't used before.

"And it's so nice to be able to write a book that's about a romance, but as well as romance it's as much about Anna's journey of discovery - that she can be more than she thinks she is.

"This is much more like the kind of book in my head that I wanted to write. It's really exiting. I've had butterflies for about four or five weeks.

"Some early reviews have come through and people seem to love it. It's Prima's book of the month and it's been reviewed by Heat magazine. I'm thrilled with it."

To celebrate the book's release tomorrow - the publishers are organising a treasure hunt in Birmingham, London and Manchester. Posters of each gift received by Anna Browne in the book will be dotted around the cities and fans are invited to locate them, photograph them and tweet the pictures.

The person who captures the most posters will win signed books and an afternoon tea with Miranda herself.

She said: "This has never happened before - I'm really excited. There will definitely be one poster outside Waterstones in New Street and I'm going to put some clues up.

"I'll be going with my agent to Birmingham on Thursday and we're going to see if we can do the trail so people might find us instead."

To find out more keep an eye on Miranda on Twitter @wurdsmyth.

A Parcel for Anna Browne will be available from all major high street and online book sellers, priced £7.99.