Author: Karen Hugg

Publisher: Magnolia Press

ISBN: 978-0-578-4840?-5

Would you want to forget events that plague or upset you ? What if there was an unusual plant that can provide the release from stress, haunting memories and supposedly make you feel better.

Renia and her sister deal with rare botanical plants. She works in a special plant shop with different kinds of botanicals most people never heard of or imagined seeing. Some are more fragrant than others but one The Violet Smoke presents an odd and strong smell and emits an odor that influences memories and might even be deadly.

Something happens and her sister’s boyfriend shows up at Le Sanctuaire where she works in order claiming she had to atone for what she did yo her sister. Estera and Zbiggy are supposedly a couple and his offer and threats are chilling and Renia if she accepts his business proposition might head on a path of destruction, death and danger.

When her boss demands full rent or find another place to live showing no compassion or appreciation for what Renia foes for her she decides to take another path and the author shares more about this man , his relationship with her sister and things take a different path . A memory, a scent and a death behind this plant. Deciding to work with Zbiggy became her choice and learning more about some young teens turned drug dealers explains the times in Poland and her desperate moves to have funds to pay for her rent and bills. The author shares more about her sister and her boss who squanders funds for her trips , clothes and other desires not using it for the business putting a strain on Renia and Minh.

Me. Palmier owns the shop and the only thing she wanted was the rent then regaling things about her trip.

Two sisters hoping to survive each one taking paths that will lead them downward in a spiral that might create more harm than good. Renia entering a world of black marketing the Violet Smoke and her sister using drugs and taking abuse then justifying the actions of the abuser. Added in Renia meets with Alain’s parents and something said alerts her to the fact that his death might not have been an accident or suicide.

Tensions rise and Renia realizes that her sister is using the flower and her memory of what Zbiggy did to her fades into the recesses of her mind and she refuses to face the truth when confronted. Instead she pushes Renia away as , Renia becomes more invoywith selling her flowers to Zbiggy in order to pay her bills.

There’s a veil of sadness and darkness over the characters in this novel.

Both Renia and Estera are struggling to survive in a world they created within their own minds and cannot escape. Their parents are often in denial about both of them and each other and her boss is self absorbed, unfeeling and does not ever consider that without Renia and Minh she’d have no business and might have to actually work herself. Added in Renia takes a second job and the tensions build as her life takes more of a dangerous path.

Author Karen Hugg creates tragic characters that are lack self awareness, full recognition and solid thinking about their actions and choices.

Imagine a scent so powerful but not fragrant that can take away your memories, cause you to act in odd ways and possibly create more tragedy without you knowing it.

A horticulturist is researching the plant and the initial reactions are illuminating and the Renia has to make several life changing decisions in order to save her sister from herself.

Adding to the suspense and final reveal we learn more about Alain and the possibility of opioids involved in his death.

More deals, a break-in and Minh is fired leaving Renia in a bind and then dealt with her sister who’s behavior is erratic and unpredictable as the Violent Smoke seems to have affected her mind and memory as deals change and the uncertainty of futures are at stake.

As the author draws it to a close the reader learns more about Zbiggy, his boss Vlad who is deadly and several others that provide the suspense as Renia, Esteria,Zbiggy and more learn the power of a plant that might change the course of your thinking and life unless you inhale too much. Deadly and yet beautiful the power of The Violet Smoke.

An ending so heartbreaking yet in some ways a new beginning when Renia stands her ground, Estera has to face her demons and together they have to find a way back to being sisters but first a dangerous situation and a plant as the prize as author Karen Hugg takes us inside the wonderful world of plants and the power and truth about The Violet Smoke. A novel reminding us about the beautiful and magnificent plants that make our world brighter and more fragrant and a final tribute to a good friend