Using the 'C' word.

[AmyAmy]

Tom makes a good point.

C-STAR-STAR-STAR can be used in ways that are somewhat positive.

I have plenty of horrible people in my stories, and so you will find it there, occasionally. Used by horrible people, to be horrid.
I don't think I've ever used it in a romantic context. It guess we all write without our own little box. Tom's has different boundaries to mine. That's good, I think.

[Tom]

That's essential, I think. The world has horrors enough, it may be why people turn increasingly to fiction as life remains brutal. At least you don't have the problems all Richards have...and perhaps have a fresh angle to explore. And your use of without does appeal to the mediaevalist in me!
It's interesting is that other languages are often less hung up than we are. The Belgians even have a top lawyer by the name of Conrotte, "Redpussy". The French word for silly, stupid is "con".