In today's world of technological advancements, political polarization, the responsibilities of life and career, and the unending world of social media chatter, many of us are stressed out, inside all the time, and yearning for peace. After certified horticulturalist and master pruner Karen Hugg discovered the miraculous effects of peaceful planting on her own life, she wondered whether these powerful benefits were limited to people who had a garden. Can apartment dwellers heal from their stress with either a small or no outdoor area? Is it possible to create a soothing green space indoors with houseplants? And, for those who are either physically unable or uninclined to grow plants, could they benefit as well by mimicking a green space through photos and decor? According to the growing amount of scientific research about the healing effects of nature, the answer is yes. Leaf Your Troubles Behind shows readers how to discover nature's healing effects to reduce stress and increase happiness. This practical and inspiring book puts forth the concept of "Green Leisure", an original and approachable system for dialing into nature's healing via seven basic destressing strategies. Composed of relatable stories, insightful scientific research, and fun, easy-to-do exercises for beginners and experts alike, this guide to houseplants and their profound impact will be a refreshing oasis in our mostly indoor world of work, school, and home where screens, not nature, dominate our lives. Through stories, science, and easily replicable exercises, Leaf Your Troubles Behind offers detailed how-to advice on creating your own plant-oriented space to unlock and maintain the power of nature at home.

"Karen Hugg is the rare author who can blend wonder and suspense." —Emily Carpenter, Author of Until the Day I Die, Every Single Secret, and Burying the Honeysuckle Girls Botanist Andre Damazy lands on the opportunity of a lifetime when he discovers a rare medicinal apple in Kazakhstan and brings back tree cuttings to his hidden greenhouse in Paris. Growing the cuttings into trees is personal for Andre since the apples can heal people with serious illnesses, like his mother who’s suffered a stroke. But a mysterious stranger constantly thwarts Andre’s work, sending harassing calls and menacing effigies, stalking Andre, and vandalizing his trees. Andre doesn’t understand why anyone would do this, but he wonders if it’s related to a project from his past that went wrong and resulted in a deadly mistake. So with the help of his new friend Renia (The Forgetting Flower) and her street smarts, he works to outmaneuver his enemy while uncovering a larger, more dangerous plot that threatens the foundation of all that Andre holds dear, including the woman he secretly loves. Harvesting the Sky is the second book in the Botanique Noire series which combines vivid literary prose and a thriller plot, while enticing readers with the wonder and magic of plants. 

"Superb characters and alluring prose make for a truly exceptional read." —Kirkus Reviews Secrets and half-truths litter Renia Baranczka's past, but the city of Paris had offered the refuge of her dream job. The specialty plant shop kept her busy, but also had brought her to a new friend, Alain. His presence had buffered the guilt of what happened to her sister but, all too suddenly, Alain turns up dead. His demise threatens every secret Renia holds dear, including the rare plant hidden in the shop's tiny nook. It emits a special fragrance that can erase a person's memory - and perhaps much more than that. As Renia races to figure out the extent of the plant's powers, she's confronted by figures from her past who offer a proposal she can't outright refuse. Bit by bit, she descends into an underworld of black market mobsters, navigating threats and fending off abuse to protect the peaceful life she's worked so hard for in Paris. Desperate to outwit her enemies, Renia maneuvers carefully, knowing one wrong move will destroy not only the plant, but the lives of her and her sister.