books for adults
the alchemy of flowers
Coming July 29 2025 with Harper Muse!
A French castle.
A walled garden.
The power to heal or harm.
Welcome to Les Jardins du Paradis, where magic is unlocked.
When Eloise Bourne finds a mysterious job at a chateau in Provence, she hopes to escape reminders of children, but soon discovers an enigmatic little girl who needs her help.
I hope you love this lush book club fiction with touches of mystery, suspense, myth, and romance—a magical, modern-day take on The Secret Garden… for adults.
More about The Alchemy of Flowers
"Here lie the bones of those who broke the rules . . ."
There are many rules those who wish to live and work behind the mysterious walled gardens of Le Château du Paradis must follow. One must not gossip. One must not leave one’s room during dusk. And most importantly for the newest gardener, Eloise Bourne, children are forbidden.
Although she's locked inside the castle grounds and subjected to strange rules, Eloise's new home enchants her with otherworldly lodging and magical flowers. Best of all, her co-workers—who are also retreating from the world—spark her to heal both body and soul. And she feels surprisingly drawn to the intriguing handyman, Raphaël.
But when she starts glimpsing a mysterious child in the trees, she reels. Is this a human girl? Or a woodsprite? Is it her imagination, or is this place truly enchanted?
As the summer unfolds, Eloise fears the girl is in danger. It's not until she breaks the rules and risks her heart that Paradise becomes a prison. Eloise must unearth the garden’s secrets, fight for her newfound family, and ultimately, claim a second chance at happiness.
bio
Laura Resau is the author of The Alchemy of Flowers, her debut novel for adults coming summer 2025, and eleven acclaimed books for young people. Her books have won five Colorado Book Awards, spots on “best-of” booklists from Oprah, the American Library Association, and more.
Trilingual, she’s lived in Provence and Oaxaca, and studied cultural anthropology and languages. She teaches creative writing at Western Colorado University.
You might find her writing in her cozy vintage trailer in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she lives with her rock-hound husband, musician son, wild husky, and a hundred house plants.
Tina Wood Photography
Here you can find a longer bio with glimpses of Laura’s travels and time living abroad.
“I devoured this in one sitting! Immersive, enchanting, and packed with mystery, The Alchemy of Flowers drew me in from page one. I was rooting for the curious and brave heroine, Eloise, and her cryptic compatriots in the Jardins du Paradis, as each finds friendship and healing after their own separate heartbreaks. The dreamy Provençal walled garden is the perfect escapist setting. Fans of Sarah Addison Allen will love this charming, feel-good novel.”
interviews and press
Tina Wood Photography
The above images are for press and promotion. To make sure the image is the high-resolution version, please click first for the full-sized image and then save it as a large file or copy the jpg link. Credit to Tina Wood Photography.
