Danna Wilberg [Wilberg - The Red Chair

The RED CHAIR

a DNNA WILBERG novel

Copyright 2019 Dnna Wilberg

Second Edition

The RED CHAIR

Book One in the Grace Simms Trilogy

Cover Art by Karen Phillips (phillipscovers.com)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used, reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or in any information retrieval system without the prior written consent of the publisher.

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. The author intends no resemblance to actual persons, living or dead.

Printed in the United States of America

To the one whose love held no boundaries:

my mother, my friend, my inspiration,

and my biggest fan, Sonia Dennis

Her story lived November 12, 1927

to February 8, 2011

Dark and chilling.

You might want to lock your doors while reading this.

Robin Burcell

Award-winning author of The Kill Order

Dnna Wilbergs exciting romantic suspense,

The Red Chair , kept me on the edge of my own chair late into the night. Her protagonist, Grace Simms,

a conscientious psychotherapist, helps clients face their fears.

But when she finds herself being stalkedpossibly by one of her clientsshe has to overcome her own fears

in order to save her own life. A great debut novel by a wonderful new writer.

Penny Warner

Author of Death Of a Crabby Cook and How to Host a Killer Party

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This story was inspired by love , a foundation that launches us to soar to great heights. Without the help of a dedicated teacher and devoted friend, Donna Benedict, The Red Chair would still be in my head, ruminating and collecting dust. Donna retaught me the basic fundamentals of grammar and sentence structure after I suffered injuries in a car accident. She reminded me how to differentiate between a verb and a noun, knowledge I had lost due to closed head trauma. I can never be grateful enough for her time, energy, and love.

And thank you Evie Turner at KVIE television for reminding me that writing is what I loved to do.

Ten years is a long time to wait for meals, to side-step messes, and stand outside the door. I am grateful to my husband, Don, who allowed a writer her space. I am thankful to him for picking up the slack, carrying the load, and being so damn patient. I promised I would buy him dinner when the book got published. He thought that was fair.

Having five beautiful daughters gives a writer plenty of fodder for content and characterization when it comes to dating, starting a career, and growing up. Thank you, my loveliesDawn, Elia, Ashleigh, Erika, and Oliviafor your encouragement and for giving me tips on how to keep my characters fresh, and interesting. Sorry about the sex and violence; you know better, right? Right?

I always felt this story was meant to be told by the synchronistic events preceding its publication. Compelled to pick up a newspaper in a doctors office one day, I stumbled upon an ad for the El Dorado Writers Guild, the most amazing critique group a novice could ask for. I remember driving down the freeway the next day, oblivious to make-up and dirty hair because I had a story to share! Nick, Kirk, Pat, Lizanne, Dena, Sammie, Lisa, Donna, Marsha, Duncan, Ellen, Bill, and all of the members who spent years sharing their expertise, I cant thank you enough. I couldnt have grown without you

Thank you to my Saturday critique group, Cathy, Suzanne, and Donna who paid attention to the right stuff and gave me awesome edits. Also, thanks to Noreen, Linda, and Tina for listening to me go on and on about murder plots on our way to spiritual expos. And more acknowledgments go to my professional friends, Mark Yankauer, M.A., M.F.T. and Jenyn Darnell, M.A., M.F.T., for answering all my what if questions.

I am grateful to Robin Burcell and Penny Warner, as well, for their endorsements.

My sister Kathys passion for my success has been unrelenting. Even when she was busy or had other things on her plate, she stopped to listen. And to my mother Sonia, to whom I dedicate this submission, thank you for being my biggest fan! Although you are no longer with us, your input and encouragement supersede all boundaries.

Oh, and thank you FEAR, for daring me to write this book.

What were you thinking??Im an Aries!