Thank you readers for giving me so many hits each month! You never fail to make my day! :) :) :)

All my Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman fanfiction is derivative work based upon the T.V. series and movies of the same name. All characters and situations, other than my own, are the sole property of Beth Sullivan and CBS, Copyright (1993). I have merely borrowed the characters for “fair use” purposes, in order to educate the general public to the moral values expressed within the show, especially the expression of unconditional love between a devoted husband and wife. Completely nonprofit - I make no money from fanfiction.

Hello. My name is Tess Thieler and I've been a member of the Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman community/forum (drquinn.us) since 2004. Since I love to write romantic suspense, I strive to give my readers passionate "warm fuzzies" in each of my stories that center around romance... which are most of them, I assure you.

I've written quite a few Dr. Quinn fanfics (including short story monthly challenges), and one Dr. Quinn - Magnificent Seven Crossover fanfic. A sequel to the DQ-M7 crossover is still in the works. I have it divided into 2 parts, but it will be combined into one full length story once it's finished. I have the first part 75% complete and then will probably begin work on the 2nd part sometime in the future as soon as God provides me with some free time, or "me" time. With the recent increase of my hours at work, it seems that free time will not be as soon as I would like. I do apologize for the extreme delay in getting back to this story, but (as many of you know) real life takes over, especially for us moms who put ourselves last for our family's sake. It is my hope that fans of the crossover (DQ-M7) will deem it worth the wait. I assure you that I have never forgotten you. Sully, Dr. Mike, Vin and the new lady in his life (yep that's a spoiler for the the sequel) continue to pop into my mind and tease my muse nearly every week. Finishing this story is of extreme importance to me.

I have also taken part in many of the Dr. Quinn Monthly Short Story Challenges (1500 word limit) which began in Jan./Feb. 2009 on drquinn.us. I have included all these here on fanfiction.net.

"Thank you" to all who take the time to read my stories. Us newly published authors are in your debt. :)

I am also working on writing in real life. On September 2nd, 2009, The Wild Rose Press, an online publication (thewildrosepress.com), published my romantic suspense short story, "The Stranger Behind the Kiss."

I plan to submit more romance stories (currently have two in the making) to The Wild Rose Press, as time allows, (but only after I have completed and posted the DQ-M7 sequel mentioned above). Once I have several published short story credits to my name, I hope to either start submitting my romantic suspense novel to literary agents, or look into self-publishing.

Here are a few direct links and an excerpt to "The Stranger Behind the Kiss" if you're interested, or just curious.

It is available for 99 cents on amazon.com, Barnes&Noble, and The Wild Rose Press. Comments from review websites have also been posted in all these places. Links are below for your convenience.

(*just remove the (dot) and replace with a . and the links will work. This way I'm not directly linking this website to another in case that is not allowed.)

EXCERPT:

Still trying to slow his erratic breathing, the man alarmingly glanced down the dark empty alley. His eyes wild with terror then directly locked onto Arden’s stunned gaze. “Pretend you know me,” he anxiously blurted out.

“What…”

The rest of her question lodged in her throat as the panicking man wrapped his arms tightly about her, capturing her open mouth with his own. Shock seized Arden’s joints, locking her in place. As she struggled to collect her wits about her, she found herself responding to this desperate stranger’s request. Her heart raced as the heat of his kiss sent warm tremors though her. This is crazy. I should be fighting him.

As if having a mind of their own, her unsteady hands snaked up his firm muscular chest to settle upon a pair of sturdy shoulders. “Mmm…” she heard him murmur at her acceptance of the situation.

His urgent desperate kiss gentled, yet remained intense. The tight embrace he held her with eased until she felt a large warm hand possessively caress the back of her head. A sigh emanated deep within her at his touch and her heart flip-flopped as he deepened the kiss.

Arden’s whirlwind thoughts soared through the logical clouds in her mind. What the heck was she doing? She didn’t even know this guy; yet the sweetness of his kiss conveyed to her that she shouldn’t be afraid of him. As his lips sensuously caressed hers as though they were lovers, she sank deeper into the ardent feelings coursing through her very being.

Abruptly, a brilliant shaft of light targeted her face. The fiery kiss ceased as she and the rugged stranger squinted into two bright flashlight beams.

TSBtK * TSBtK * TSBtK *