Books with author Cecilia Johansson

(90,000 words)Willow is Lily Ann Bud closest confidante until the mysterious Colleen Harrison befriends her. Colleen teaches her about nature and she realizes there is more to the elderly Mrs. Harrison than meets the eye. But it's Colleen's final lesson that has the greatest impact on Lily's world.Pea Peckle, one of the Fey, introduces Lily to enchanting spirit beings that strengthen her link with the planet and expands her view of the universe. Nature fairies may have funny names but they are only silly sometimes. Lily's quest for the Spiritstone's next caretaker is plagued with nightmares and loss, but when she alone sees the violet spark the stakes are raised.Uncertainty of her worth, sanity, and strength haunt Lily even after each new achievement. Can Lily stop the menacing phantom that threatens everything she hold dear? Will Lily's soul offer the answers that her mind refused to believe? Will Lily recognize the 'Energy In Stone'?'Energy in Stone' ~ a magical garden of fantasy ~ the first in Lily's odyssey with nature.Excerpt: After taking another bite of my sandwich, I dug the miniature stone bear out of my pocket, and set it down on the table beside her plate. Watching her carefully, I saw the smile leave her face as her mouth turned into the shape of an O.A tiny gasp slipped out, and then she excitedly asked, "Where did you get this?"Quickly, I asked, "Do you see it?"Colleen forgot the rest of her fruit as she picked the relic up, and peered at it very closely. She stared quite intently without saying anything, but the smile crept slowly back onto her face as I saw dazzling light reflected in her eyes. Her expression became radiant, and I questioned, "Colleen?"She hastily pulled the bear from her vision, and handed it back. What was that all about? I said, "You looked a million miles away.""Did I?" She picked up her fork, stabbed a piece of pineapple, and then before putting it into her mouth, she said very casually, "Where did you say it came from?""I got it at the very first thrift sale we went to last Friday. You saw something, didn't you?"She was noncommittal, but asked, "What did you see?""The light at its center... well, did you?"She must have seen something with the way she reacted. It seemed as if she was choosing her words carefully, as she said, "Yes, I believe I did.""Good, because Mom just glanced at it and said it was cute, as if there was nothing really very special about it at all. I have been carrying it in my pocket since I got it.""Out of curiosity, how much did you have to pay for the bear?"Proudly, I beamed, "Fifty cents."Colleen giggled, and sat back in her chair with her hands over her mouth rocking forward and backward, in a giddy thrall. I was becoming exasperated with her behavior. Her quick change of mood was confusing. Normally, she was a lot easier to understand. As she continued her giggling, several times I heard her say, "fifty cents," and each time she giggled a little harder.

Name in Stone is Lily Bud's last stand.Lily's not like you and me. Lily understands nature's distinctive voice and has honed her instincts razor sharp in order to slice through the very fabric of the universe. Her past lives are intricately intertwined and form a deadly tapestry that is on the brink of unraveling.The Cruin, Gloam, an ancient nature being, and one of the guardians of Earth, blames all of humankind for the planets pain. Gloam wants us gone. Lily vowed to stop the Cruin in more than one lifetime and the culmination is now. But Gloam's minions are many and Lily needs help.Lily's love for the boy with the golden aura spans eternity. Her bond with him is like no other. If she is to survive her final confrontation with the Cruin Lily must find John. In a world full of limitations Lily has absolutely no boundaries, though she is still altogether too human. When Earth offers her something it has never gifted another, will Lily accept? Or are some powers better left alone? In Lily's final confrontation with Gloam who will be victorious? And whose memory will be etched forever, a 'Name in Stone'?Excerpt:Abigail followed me to our room. I was leaning the painting against the wall when she snapped, "This is all your fault. You're ruining one of the best weeks of the year.""Abbey, you're the one who said I should tell someone about John. You can't have it both ways." In a snotty tone, she repeated, "You can't have it both ways." Then she said, "I hope you're happy. Andrew won't even come out of his room." "You really think I want this? What do you want me to do?" Abbey just huffed and stomped out of our bedroom. To make matters worse, ice-cold sleet pelted me every time I went out to take care of the chickens. Something had to give. Joni and I had stepped back into the friendship that had lapsed at the end of our last school year, but we were still on shaky ground. She was supposed to be with us over the holiday weekend. We were planning to stay at my Aunt Janet's as was our tradition. Should I call it off? No one was talking, and the wind continued to gain momentum. The windows rattled and intermittent hail bombarded the night-darkened glass. The loud clacking tings set my teeth on edge. My life would be much easier if I just―but that was exactly what Gloam wanted me to do. I sat in the unlit den and focused on my misery. When Dad said, "We wondered where you were," my heart lurched, and I jumped. Swallowing my irritation, I said, "It was quieter in here." Dad switched on the lamp, and I squinted with annoyance at the unwanted light. He stepped out of the doorway, and I heard his muffled call to my mother. Taking a deep breath, I sighed and pounded the pillow on the couch. Moving closer to the arm of the sofa, I tried to find some comfort in the fluffed cushion. My parents came in with Andrew, Abigail, and Randy in tow. Shelley wouldn't be home until Thursday. She was going to college in Madison and only graced us with periodic visits. Jasper somberly followed the procession as if he understood the seriousness of the situation. Andrew plopped down beside me, and Jasper promptly lay across our feet. Andrew mumbled, "Lummox." But he immediately reached down to give our supporter a pet. Rubbing the rough scab on the back of my neck, I exhaled noisily. Everyone was sitting down except for my father. He glanced at me after my loud breath, and then walked over and perched with one leg draped over the corner of the desk. Crossing his arms, he clenched than released his jaw and said, "Your mother and I have been talking―"

In a world filled with fundamental rules, Lily no longer recognizes the guidelines, for her they just don't exist.It s 1978, and fifteen-year-old Lily Ann Bud is trying hard not to think about starting high school in a few months. She has enough on her hands already, between her summer job, helping her family while her trucker father is on the road, and learning to control her abilities to tap into nature's magical, strange energy.When an ancient being warns Lily of a dark power bent on harming her and the earth she is determined to learn about dimensional travel and the mysterious tools that can help her: a crystal skull and a silver dagger.New to town, John throws Lily into a tail spin when he admits to sharing her dreams of a distant world ruled by phoenixes. Lily suspects that the key to the peril lies somewhere in her past lives. When John goes missing and the threats to her loved ones increase, it's up to Lily to maximize the strength of the dagger and crystal to find the Secrets in Stone.Exerpt:In a flash, I perceived a black shining stone beyond the closed door of the turret. With mere thought, the latch lifted, and the door swung open soundlessly. Inside, instead of the tool shed that dwelled in my everyday existence, I saw beyond into an alternate reality. Excitedly, I slipped out of my flip-flops and stepped through the gossamer portal, over the threshold into a world of softness.The hush I experienced crossing into that dimension only lingered the first few steps. Then, with an almost imperceptible pop, an engaging, humming orchestra of sounds greeted my ears. The tones surged around me like the warm dazzling clouds that caressed my bare arms and legs. Pastel colors of the most delicate hues blanketed the ground I trod and reflected in a prismatic fashion through the cloaking mists.Giggling, I held out my arms and spun in a circle, relishing the silken quality of the fluffy soil under my dancing feet. All around me, undulating meadows slowly changed color. Similar to sheets billowing in the wind, shadow and light transformed the fabric of the ground in harmony with the haunting melody.Gliding and twirling, I swung my arms high luxuriating in velvety sensations. Flopping down, I rolled back on the feathery cushion of land and gazed past the gleaming vapor into the pale orange sky. There, high above me, suspended as a tiny planet, was the glossy black nugget. Closing my eyes, I raised my right arm and floated high up into the hazy sunset sky. Warmth emanated from the smooth vibrating stone. It was the only hard substance in the otherwise gauzy world.I rotated face down, and only then, I realized I was floating from a dizzying height. As far as I could see, the colorful quilted land rolled and shifted. Other than rainbow clouds, there didn't seem to be anything else occupying this strange place. My eyes drooped in luxuriating relaxation. Not really wanting to leave my weightless drift, I yawned and reluctantly called to the Cruin. "Loam, I'm ready, I have the stone."

(90,000 words)Willow is Lily Ann Bud closest confidante until the mysterious Colleen Harrison befriends her. Colleen teaches her about nature and she realizes there is more to the elderly Mrs. Harrison than meets the eye. But it's Colleen's final lesson that has the greatest impact on Lily's world.Pea Peckle, one of the Fey, introduces Lily to enchanting spirit beings that strengthen her link with the planet and expands her view of the universe. Nature fairies may have funny names but they are only silly sometimes. Lily's quest for the Spiritstone's next caretaker is plagued with nightmares and loss, but when she alone sees the violet spark the stakes are raised.Uncertainty of her worth, sanity, and strength haunt Lily even after each new achievement. Can Lily stop the menacing phantom that threatens everything she hold dear? Will Lily's soul offer the answers that her mind refused to believe? Will Lily recognize the 'Energy In Stone'?'Energy in Stone' ~ a magical garden of fantasy ~ the first in Lily's odyssey with nature.Excerpt:After taking another bite of my sandwich, I dug the miniature stone bear out of my pocket, and set it down on the table beside her plate. Watching her carefully, I saw the smile leave her face as her mouth turned into the shape of an O.A tiny gasp slipped out, and then she excitedly asked, "Where did you get this?"Quickly, I asked, "Do you see it?"Colleen forgot the rest of her fruit as she picked the relic up, and peered at it very closely. She stared quite intently without saying anything, but the smile crept slowly back onto her face as I saw dazzling light reflected in her eyes. Her expression became radiant, and I questioned, "Colleen?"She hastily pulled the bear from her vision, and handed it back. What was that all about? I said, "You looked a million miles away.""Did I?" She picked up her fork, stabbed a piece of pineapple, and then before putting it into her mouth, she said very casually, "Where did you say it came from?""I got it at the very first thrift sale we went to last Friday. You saw something, didn't you?"She was noncommittal, but asked, "What did you see?""The light at its center, well...did you?"She must have seen something with the way she reacted. It seemed as if she was choosing her words carefully, as she said, "Yes, I believe I did.""Good, because Mom just glanced at it and said it was cute, as if there was nothing really very special about it at all. I have been carrying it in my pocket since I got it.""Out of curiosity, how much did you have to pay for the bear?"Proudly, I beamed, "Fifty cents."Colleen giggled, and sat back in her chair with her hands over her mouth rocking forward and backward, in a giddy thrall. I was becoming exasperated with her behavior. Her quick change of mood was confusing. Normally, she was a lot easier to understand. As she continued her giggling, several times I heard her say, "fifty cents," and each time she giggled a little harder.

Watch out, Little Fluff! Danger lurks along the river where he walks—and although all the other animals try to warn him, the duckling just doesn’t see the hungry, snapping crocodile eyeing him for lunch. He even thinks the croc’s a rock and walks right on top of him. But it turns out the sneaky reptile’s the one who’s in for a big surprise . . . because Little Fluff has a very special friend! Kids will have a blast spotting the crocodile in the picture—and they’ll love the story’s unexpected twists and turns.

Do you have an active child always looking for another challenge? Does your child like to mimic the older children or grown-ups and do the things they usually do? If so, this kids' coloring activity book with mandalas will make a great gift! It will satisfy the need for "feeling older" but at the same time, won't be too difficult (or boring!) to color. Julia Johansson, the author, mom of 3 and bonus mom of 5:"I have noticed that my youngest children are only interested in things that their older siblings do, but as these activities usually are too difficult, my ambitious small people get frustrated and sad. Many coloring books are "just for children" (that's a quote from my 5-years old), while the big and beautiful "grown-up" mandalas are just too much for them. This is why I came up with an idea of making this book, dedicated especially to children from 5 to 10. It offers many beautiful "mandala" designs with cute animals, presented in a way that "real coloring books" look. I added black pages to prevent bleed-through issues as well as doubled all the designs. This way there is a possibility to improve or... to share" This one of a kind Mandala Coloring Book For Children comes with:Beautiful Cover in Matte Finish (just like mom's!)2 sets of 20 beautiful "Mandalas" with adorable animals like dolphins, seahorses, panda bears, elephants and more - easy to improve or share!Universal designs suitable for boys and girlsThicker lines to "support accuracy"Single-side printing for best convenienceBlack pages in between each design to prevent bleed-through issuesColor Testing Page (yes, this is a REAL coloring book!)Acid-free white paper printed in the USA If you would like to make your child feel really special and provide with many hours of playful and relaxing coloring (in a grown-up way), get this book now and enjoy it ♥