I thought there had been a thread about this topic recently but I did a search and can't find/am missing it.  Anyway---I just read what I think is a very good book with a emotionally screwed up violent hero.  It's Temptation's Trail by Dana Ransom.  It's a western romance themed book set in the late 1800's.  The hero was traumatized as a boy by a vicious attack on his family, and he's scarred physically and emotionally.  One of the rare books where the man isn't sexually experienced.  He equates sex with violence and this is displayed in with his relationship with the heroine (basically a rape scene).  If you like reading about tortured heroes with major issues to overcome, I recommend this book. 

http://www.paperbackswap.com/forum/topic.php?t=143975

here's one for heroes sufferingmental anguish. dunno if I can handle a rape scene though.

Susanna, it's not an actual rape as in forced non-consent, but he forces himself in her before she is "ready" because 1) he doesn't know enough about sex to know she needs to be "ready", and  2) what he does know about it is sex equals violence, so it's rough and physical.  He's never been kissed before until the heroine kisses him. 

oh ok that might not be so bad,...not knowing is understandable...

I think To Bequile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt fits into this.  He's also physically damaged which is what's causing his emotinal issues.  Great book.  Heroine is a nice departure from the simpering virgin heroine.

Hmm.  You know I think I have read that book. 

I just read Silk and Shadows by Mary Jo Putney.  The hero in the story has emotional and physical scars from a period of slavery as a child.  I couldn't put this book down and think that Mary Jo Putney may be my new favorite author.

Another one that's really good is England's Perfect Hero by Suzanne Enoch.

Karen Ranney's latest A Scotsman to Love has a hero still mourning the death of his wife and daughter --- I'm reading it right now -- poignant and anguished in turn but some decent verbal sparring so far.

That sounds like a good book Dawn....

Well, I read Temptation's Trail based on your recommendation, Dawn, and I'm glad you mentioned the book. I really enjoyed it. It had a very gritty western feel to it, which I like even in my western romances. It actually reminded me a bit of A Heart so Wild by Johanna Lindsay. I'm keeping it for now, and I don't usually keep the romances I read.

I just finished Broken Wing by Judith James.  Little bit gritty, about a man who is abandoned as a child and raised in a brothel to be a high priced prostitute.  He moves to England from the brothel in Paris when he is hired (no spoilers) to live with an English family.  What we call a psycho-drama at our house.  How love rehabilitates him.  Pretty good book.