I am a romance writter, myself, and I have to say that if I wrote this peice of garbage, I would hang my head in shame! The idea that this book is still being published as a romance disgusts me.To all the ladies who have reviewed this book and given it a two star rating or higher, I have to ask you, what would you do if Brandon did this to YOUR 17 year old daughter?It's a sad day when women give good reviews to books that promote violence against women. And I don't give a darn that this was written in a time where 'bodice rippers' were the thing. We are living in an 'enlightned' age now, 2003 even, and there are still women out there that are saying that this is the best romance they had ever read! To those women I have one peace of advice: Go to a book store and get another book!!