Ratings?

The Superromance thread on eHarlequin.com is a favorite stop for me. The girls offer a huge range of topics that sometimes really make me think. Which isn't hard to do considering I'd rather not...it hurts. LOL. jk. Anyhoo...one of the subjects brought up lately was language. I can't quite remember what started the discussion but many chimed in with their opinions. Which was actually nice because some were very forthcoming with admitting to the fact that they have a potty mouth. Unfortunately I had to raise my hand. I really try hard not to because it's hard telling a 4 yo he can't say something at school or in public when he hears it spoken often at home. My 13 yo is at an age where they are trying them out at school...Grrr. Oh well. I can only pray and do my best.

But. I heard bad words growing up and my husband used to be really bad...he heard them quite often in his home growing up...hmmm a trend maybe? I wouldn't dare use them in public but I began to look through my manuscript. They were peppered occasionally throughout and only used in anger. One of the girls online is an author for the Harlequin Blaze line and says she uses them to heighten sexual tension. Hmmm...it's probably not as acceptable in many lines but what do you think? I had a few in my ms but began taking them out with the thought...I don't want to offend anyone. I know I will eventually, somehow ~ someway. I've read them in books and it never bothered me but we're bad about using them. Would they offend you? If used sparingly? What about if they dropped the "F" bomb?