Admittedly Heather MacKenzie-Carey of Martins River wasn't so sure how the role of author was going to suit her.

 Yes, she's an established author of medical textbooks and continues to work in the field. But writing medical texts is one thing. Writing stories is another.

 She released her first work of fiction, a children's book titled "Melvin's Balloons," in 2010. But she admits there were no guarantees there would be a second book.

 In late December Bryler Publications released Ms MacKenzie-Carey's latest writing adventure, "Sweet Shack and Bach Bar."

 "This time the process was a lot different," she said. "I felt like a real writer. The characters lived with me when I worked on each chapter. It was fun."

 "Sweet Shack and Bach Bar" is a creative non-fiction novella combining some emotional healing strategies with comfort food and pure magic.

 "In a way this is more like the medical texts to some degree," she said. "There's a fiction part there but the book is based in non-fiction, in medicine."

 But she admits the fiction aspect is just as important as the non-fiction in this case.

 "When I read a book I want it to be exciting," she said. "I want it to be interesting but along the way you learn something, too."

 Like "Melvin's Balloons" before it, "Sweet Shack and Bach Bar" provides a basic understanding of the chakra system, the colours that resonate with each chakra, and the emotions and issues experienced as we develop through each level.

 The book got its start in a blog (http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com) Ms MacKenzie-Carey writes.

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 The blog eventually was expanded and fine-tuned and turned into a series of chapters and individual stories that make up the book.

 "There are seven chapters and each one has a particular character going through some issues related to a chakra," she said. "The characters stumble into an alternate dimension into this Sweet Shack and Bach Bar. Here they get a nice recipe from Wise Woman Bach to comfort them. The recipes, which are real and can be found in the book, are related to the particular chakra that relates to the character."

 Although somewhat unique in her delivery methods, Wise Woman's Bach Flower remedy selections can be copied by anyone identifying with the characters. The recipes provided will appeal to everyone with a bit of a sweet tooth, and a love of comforting foods.

 The book is meant to appeal to women of all ages and at all stages of life. Wise Woman provides the gentle counsel everyone could use at some point in their life. Merlin the cat provides just that extra bit of magic.

 "Sweet Shack and Bach Bar" can be purchased on-line, directly through Bryler Publications at http://www.brylerpublications.com/sweetshack.php. The book will also be available in Chapters/Indigo/Coles and many local bookstores early this year.

posted on 01/18/12