Tonya Harding: The Victim?

"A few years later, I saw her on 'Entertainment Tonight,' and a reporter was asking her, 'When are you going to tell your story?'" Prouse said. "I'm thinking, 'I have her story, things nobody knows'."

Prouse said she can see how a pattern of abuse has affected Harding's life. "In her mind, that's what life is all about, being used by people for their gain," Prouse said. "In many respects, people have the wrong opinion of her."

Harding, who says she's found "inner peace" and notes that she hasn't been in trouble for "a long time now," says her interest isn't necessarily in changing that opinion. She says she's more concerned with having an impact on other victims of abuse, to let them know that they should come forward and not be ashamed of what's happened to them. "People have their own opinions, and that's all right," Harding said. "If I could help just one person out there realize it's OK, it's not shameful to ask for help. You don't have to hang your head."

Harding, who's now working as a commentator on the Court TV show "The Smoking Gun," says she'd teach ice skating if the closest rink weren't an hour away, if her "rig" didn't get 10 miles to the gallon and if gas prices weren't so high right now. How well the book will do is anyone's guess, but the author is sure to face some tough questions on her promotional tour.

Among those questions: is Harding really hungry for the truth, or just hungry?

© 2008