
Coming July 15, 2022!
“Karen Hugg has written a fine and important guide.”
–Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle
Have you ever felt happier after a walk in the woods or fiddling with houseplants but your hectic life stressed you out again? In our rushed, tech-based, indoor society, we may yearn for a break but only manage to get through a noisy day and collapse in bed. Regaining a peaceful mind seems beyond reach. But what if there were easy, low-cost activities to heal the soul? What if we could regularly access tranquility? How would we do that? The answer may be in the simplest, most abundant thing all around us: plants.
Plants are like a magic pill for our mental health. Growing science tells us…

Hi, I’m Karen, an author of mysteries and wellness books inspired by plants. My latest novel, The Dark Petals of Provence, is about an American photographer uncovering the dangerous secrets of a small French village.
My forthcoming nonfiction book, Leaf Your Troubles Behind: How to Destress and Grow Happiness Through Plants, helps readers apply the mentally healing power of plants to their own lives via a unique system.
I live in the Seattle area with my husband, kids, and dog Olive. To learn more about me, click here. And don’t forget to leave a comment so I can get to know you!

“With prose as delicate as filigree,
Hugg draws us into April’s struggle while enchanting
with magical descriptions that will make you
want to book your next flight to Provence.”
–Maureen Connolly, author of Lovely Little Things
The Dark Petals of Provence is a thrilling mainstream novel rich with atmosphere and dark questions. It brings the beauty and culture of rural France to life while enticing readers with the magic and allure of plants. In the tradition of Joanne Harris’s Chocolat, The Dark Petals will not only entertain readers with its compelling plot but move people with its memorable characters and emotionally profound theme.
Get the First Chapter Free!
Latest Blog Posts
- Why You Need to Buy Slow Flowers this Mother’s Day
- Happy Earth Day! 5 Tips to Help Our Beautiful Planet
- The One Ritual That Helped my Sleep Problems
- The Dark Petals of Provence Is Now Available!
Get the First Chapter of Dark Petals Free
Subscribe to my newsletter and start reading The Dark Petals of Provence today. Then every month, I’ll send you tips on lowering stress and cultivating happiness, book and plant recommendations, my latest blog posts, some inspiration, and news of my latest releases and giveaways.
Podcast Interview

Listen to my latest podcast interview with the lovely G.P. Gottlieb, for the New Books Network podcast. We talked about Harvesting the Sky, secret greenhouses, and where the first apple trees grew on earth.