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Velvet Chains
ECSTASY'S TIES
The notorious pirate, "The Raven," despised anything British—and that included ravishing Lady Season Chatsworth. The black-garbed captain had kidnapped the English beauty as ransom for an American patriot. But the longer the Redcoats stalled negotiations, the more time the Raven spent with his prisoner…and the closer he came to tumbling her to his bed! Soon all thoughts of freedom for the Colonies fled his mind and the only cause he now embraced was possessing his sumptuous captive!
LOVE'S BONDS
Emerald-eyed Season Chatsworth had defied her father's plans for her future; she certainly wasn't about to obey a stranger's commands! Escape was all the spirited young woman could think of—until she gazed into her handsome abductor's eyes and lost her will to resist. His searing touch and devouring kiss kept her by his side with more force than manacles of steel. Then the moment came when Season no longer rebelled against the cruel fate that linked her to the Raven; now she was forever bound to him by passion's VELVET CHAINS.
The notorious pirate, "The Raven," despised anything British—and that included ravishing Lady Season Chatsworth. The black-garbed captain had kidnapped the English beauty as ransom for an American patriot. But the longer the Redcoats stalled negotiations, the more time the Raven spent with his prisoner…and the closer he came to tumbling her to his bed! Soon all thoughts of freedom for the Colonies fled his mind and the only cause he now embraced was possessing his sumptuous captive!
LOVE'S BONDS
Emerald-eyed Season Chatsworth had defied her father's plans for her future; she certainly wasn't about to obey a stranger's commands! Escape was all the spirited young woman could think of—until she gazed into her handsome abductor's eyes and lost her will to resist. His searing touch and devouring kiss kept her by his side with more force than manacles of steel. Then the moment came when Season no longer rebelled against the cruel fate that linked her to the Raven; now she was forever bound to him by passion's VELVET CHAINS.
558 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1985
29 people are currently reading
673 people want to read
About the author
Constance O'Banyon
54 books198 followersEvelyn Gee was born on 1939 in Texas, USA. She makes her home in San Antonio with her husband, Jim and their son, Jason.
She signed her novels as Constance O'Banyon. She also wrote as Micah Leigh with Texan writer Emma Merritt. Her books range from historical to contemporary and include several novellas. Many of her books have been published in trade paperback.Among her many awards, she is the recipient of the 1996 Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. There are eight million copies of her books in print.
She says: "I have always loved history, and I loved storytelling — it was only natural that I would one day put them both together. I must have lived in another life and time, because when I write, I can almost feel I was there. My favorite part of writing is the research. Whenever possible, I will go to the place I am writing about to walk the land and smell the air."
https://www.facebook.com/Constanceobanyon/
She signed her novels as Constance O'Banyon. She also wrote as Micah Leigh with Texan writer Emma Merritt. Her books range from historical to contemporary and include several novellas. Many of her books have been published in trade paperback.Among her many awards, she is the recipient of the 1996 Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. There are eight million copies of her books in print.
She says: "I have always loved history, and I loved storytelling — it was only natural that I would one day put them both together. I must have lived in another life and time, because when I write, I can almost feel I was there. My favorite part of writing is the research. Whenever possible, I will go to the place I am writing about to walk the land and smell the air."
https://www.facebook.com/Constanceobanyon/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 24, 2017
Superb Storytelling in this Privateer Adventure from the American Revolution
Set during the American Revolution, 1779-1781, this tells the story of Lady Season Chatsworth, a young English beauty who fakes a tumble in the hay with the stable boy on their English estate to avoid a dreaded arranged marriage. Her reputation in tatters, her father the duke sends her away to America to marry her cousin, Sir Edmund Kensworthy, captain of His Majesty’s Guards in New York. But her reputation as a loose woman, false though it may be, has followed her to the Colonies.
Both Edmund and his handsome friend Lucas Carrington, to whom Season is immediately attracted, assume she is free with her favors, much to her chagrin. Meanwhile, there is an American privateer called “the Raven” terrorizing the British and winning the praise of the patriots.
This is a great story of a worthy heroine who is constantly faced with the foibles of men who underestimate her. She put up with so much one could only wonder at the wisdom of a 19-year-old girl. When she is captured by the Raven and held for exchange of an American prisoner, the adventure begins and Season finds herself in love with the masked man who takes her innocence.
O’Banyon vividly portrays the emotions of the Colonists with the British living among them. Our hero is a spy as well as a privateer and I loved that! This is one that will hold your interest. And though I might not have wanted to wait until the very end for Season to learn The Truth, I cannot deny I was absorbed enough to hang in there.
A few nits: With her careful attention to historical details, it was surprising O’Banyon got the forms of address wrong for the British nobility. If her father was the Duke of Chatsworth, their surname would not be “Chatsworth,” and she would not be “Lady Chatsworth” (that would have been her mother); she would be “Lady Season (surname).” Also, I just have to say that naming your daughter “Season” in England at that time (when “Season” referred to the London social season) would be like naming an American girl “Cotillion.” Seemed bizarre and it distracted. But these were minor in the scheme of the whole story.
Set during the American Revolution, 1779-1781, this tells the story of Lady Season Chatsworth, a young English beauty who fakes a tumble in the hay with the stable boy on their English estate to avoid a dreaded arranged marriage. Her reputation in tatters, her father the duke sends her away to America to marry her cousin, Sir Edmund Kensworthy, captain of His Majesty’s Guards in New York. But her reputation as a loose woman, false though it may be, has followed her to the Colonies.
Both Edmund and his handsome friend Lucas Carrington, to whom Season is immediately attracted, assume she is free with her favors, much to her chagrin. Meanwhile, there is an American privateer called “the Raven” terrorizing the British and winning the praise of the patriots.
This is a great story of a worthy heroine who is constantly faced with the foibles of men who underestimate her. She put up with so much one could only wonder at the wisdom of a 19-year-old girl. When she is captured by the Raven and held for exchange of an American prisoner, the adventure begins and Season finds herself in love with the masked man who takes her innocence.
O’Banyon vividly portrays the emotions of the Colonists with the British living among them. Our hero is a spy as well as a privateer and I loved that! This is one that will hold your interest. And though I might not have wanted to wait until the very end for Season to learn The Truth, I cannot deny I was absorbed enough to hang in there.
A few nits: With her careful attention to historical details, it was surprising O’Banyon got the forms of address wrong for the British nobility. If her father was the Duke of Chatsworth, their surname would not be “Chatsworth,” and she would not be “Lady Chatsworth” (that would have been her mother); she would be “Lady Season (surname).” Also, I just have to say that naming your daughter “Season” in England at that time (when “Season” referred to the London social season) would be like naming an American girl “Cotillion.” Seemed bizarre and it distracted. But these were minor in the scheme of the whole story.
December 6, 2020
4.5 stars loved this story. I had previously read many of the reviews, however, if you really wish for no spoilers I suggest not reading reviews first. I read one not labeled with a spoiler that just gave away a major twist in the book. Had I not read it the book may have been a little different experience until perhaps I figured it out ...Never the less...it was still a great story I throughly enjoyed it and I recommend it!
October 19, 2010
This was my first romance novel, mostly because it has been passed down through the women in my family for years!
August 15, 2022
I want to throw this f****ing book across the room!!!
0/5 stars. I want the time and money I wasted back!!!
I have soooooooo much to say. This book was awful. Buckle up.
First off. I feel like I read two books. The first half of the book was about a women named Season who was taken as a prisoner by guy named The Raven. He wanted to use her as leverage. The second half of the book was after he was done with her and “set her free” by returning her to a guy named Lucas aka himself. Up until this point it was fantastic. So much drama, so much action, it was fun to be the reader and know the secret was there and going to come out.
BUT IT NEVER DID FOR 550 MORE PAGES!!!!!
I was very confused. The author would trick you into wondering if they were the same guy because Lucas would get mad at Season for saying she loved the raven…………. WHICH WAS THE SAME GUY AS HIMSELF!!!! Several times I had to stop and ask myself….. were Lucas and raven the same guy because it became that confusing. They toyed with your emotions.
This book had so much potential. The first half I loved. If you cut the book in half and ended it in the middle it would have probably been a favorite book of mine. After the “raven” drops season off. It just gets bad. I feel like he had multiple personality disorder. He kept arguing that she can’t love both him and the raven WHEN THEY ARE THEY SAME GUY!!!! It was a mind f**k and super manipulative. He would test her by seeing if she would give Lucas information about the raven. Or he would come to her as the raven and get her to cheat on her husband aka Lucas akaka THE SAME GUY.
As the story went on you just get more irate and fed up with the lies.
He was JEALOUS OF HIMSELF and he admitted that to her!!!!!Also, he would say how loyal he was and flirt with other women. After leaving her FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AT A TIME. He wouldn’t write to her to “punish himself.” He left her alone to celebrate holidays by herself. She almost died once, lost their baby, and he STILL LEFT HER FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. Oh but don’t worry he would still visit her as the Raven and pretend to trick her into kissing him.
Also, the crew during the first half of the book was a HUGE part of the story and the characters fell off the face of the earth for the second half of the book. None of them tried to tell her the truth?!?!
ALSO, let me just ask this. How did she not know it was him?! Okay so he wears a mask. You still know the height, smell, vocabulary, and body language of someone especially if they hide their features. That will only enhance your observations more.
And finally, he mans up and confesses 5 pages from the end of the book and she goes… I FORGIVE YOU! I probably knew all along you were the same person lolllllllll
Honorable mentions —
• He named the ship Lady Season after her.
• He was super excited to be a dad.
• That’s it.
It is sad to say that I don’t have the drive to pick up another book. I am so disappointed in the ending that it makes me want to put off reading for a while.
0/5 stars. I want the time and money I wasted back!!!
I have soooooooo much to say. This book was awful. Buckle up.
First off. I feel like I read two books. The first half of the book was about a women named Season who was taken as a prisoner by guy named The Raven. He wanted to use her as leverage. The second half of the book was after he was done with her and “set her free” by returning her to a guy named Lucas aka himself. Up until this point it was fantastic. So much drama, so much action, it was fun to be the reader and know the secret was there and going to come out.
BUT IT NEVER DID FOR 550 MORE PAGES!!!!!
I was very confused. The author would trick you into wondering if they were the same guy because Lucas would get mad at Season for saying she loved the raven…………. WHICH WAS THE SAME GUY AS HIMSELF!!!! Several times I had to stop and ask myself….. were Lucas and raven the same guy because it became that confusing. They toyed with your emotions.
This book had so much potential. The first half I loved. If you cut the book in half and ended it in the middle it would have probably been a favorite book of mine. After the “raven” drops season off. It just gets bad. I feel like he had multiple personality disorder. He kept arguing that she can’t love both him and the raven WHEN THEY ARE THEY SAME GUY!!!! It was a mind f**k and super manipulative. He would test her by seeing if she would give Lucas information about the raven. Or he would come to her as the raven and get her to cheat on her husband aka Lucas akaka THE SAME GUY.
As the story went on you just get more irate and fed up with the lies.
He was JEALOUS OF HIMSELF and he admitted that to her!!!!!Also, he would say how loyal he was and flirt with other women. After leaving her FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AT A TIME. He wouldn’t write to her to “punish himself.” He left her alone to celebrate holidays by herself. She almost died once, lost their baby, and he STILL LEFT HER FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. Oh but don’t worry he would still visit her as the Raven and pretend to trick her into kissing him.
Also, the crew during the first half of the book was a HUGE part of the story and the characters fell off the face of the earth for the second half of the book. None of them tried to tell her the truth?!?!
ALSO, let me just ask this. How did she not know it was him?! Okay so he wears a mask. You still know the height, smell, vocabulary, and body language of someone especially if they hide their features. That will only enhance your observations more.
And finally, he mans up and confesses 5 pages from the end of the book and she goes… I FORGIVE YOU! I probably knew all along you were the same person lolllllllll
Honorable mentions —
• He named the ship Lady Season after her.
• He was super excited to be a dad.
• That’s it.
It is sad to say that I don’t have the drive to pick up another book. I am so disappointed in the ending that it makes me want to put off reading for a while.
July 5, 2016
Started off strong, sagged in the middle, and could have been about 50 pages shorter. Still, I enjoyed it.
August 26, 2025
Bruv what was this ?? like you think you gonna read about romance right, but it’s just only despair and melancholy. Once I reached halfway I just couldn’t stop laughing, because what am I reading… like what ?? I was so confused.
But tbh actually, the quality is there, the writing-style is good, but the plot is just shit. Like you cannot be serious about this.
I do have so much more to say, but I just cannot stop laughing about this, like this is serious released, well tbh it should be, but i just don’t know. Let’s just end on that it’s entertaining but lacking in plot.
But tbh actually, the quality is there, the writing-style is good, but the plot is just shit. Like you cannot be serious about this.
I do have so much more to say, but I just cannot stop laughing about this, like this is serious released, well tbh it should be, but i just don’t know. Let’s just end on that it’s entertaining but lacking in plot.
October 7, 2017
AFTER READING O'BANYON'S STORY I AM BEGINNING TO SEE A PATTERN, AND IT'S NOT ADVISED TO READ HER STORIES CONTINUOUSLY WITHIN DAYS OR YOU WILL BE QUITE VEXED WITH THE ALMOST SIMILAR PLOT. WHILE I AGREE THERE IS ANGST TO THE STORY, I CANNOT APPLAUD THE ROMANCE FOR IT WAS STILTED AND DIDN'T FLOW SMOOTHLY WITH THE CHARACTERS ONLY HURTING EACH OTHER AND NOT CONFESSING THEIR TRUE EMOTIONS.
MAY CONTAIN SPOILER! CAUTION BEFORE YOU READ AHEAD.
OUR HERO is fighting for his own cause, he lives a double life, known to most as the elusive and mysterious "Raven" and his true self as Lucas Carrington, a Virginian planter. As the Raven, he's clearly a most wanted man who is deeply involved in the political war going on between the English and the Americans. When he was introduced to his cousin's fiancee, he finds her to be a convenient pawn that will secure him the freedom of his detained uncle but alas, Silas was executed before the Raven could save him. Drifting upon his pain, he takes out his revenge upon Season and only earns her wrath later. The Raven finds himself falling for Season despite himself, and no woman has ever succeeded to capture his heart, until her. Throughout the story, we will meet several of his past dalliances and I can only attest to feeling quite bitter on Season's behalf at his past promiscuity. When the situation calls for him to release her to the care of Lucas Carrington, he reverts to his other persona and frankly while I do realise his double identity, I was quite annoyed and frustrated when he becomes almost like a stranger to me. Clearly, he's the same man but when he was Lucas Carrington, it's almost like he really is another man. I didn't quite like it when he finds himself competing with himself 'The Raven' for Season's love and attention. I didn't really understand his reason for thinking he had to compete with himself at all when Season loves both of him. As a man, I would say he is quite an honorable and responsible character, but when it comes to love...he clearly needs a lesson in it because he's terribly botched it up at every turn. I can say that his character holds appeal, because there is a mysterious air surrounding him that just pulls you in, making you want to know him, capture him and win him.
OUR HEROINE is quite a delightful beauty and while I was sometimes irritated with the way she handles her emotions and rages towards The Raven, I just wished that she could have handled it with more tact and pride, instead of just screaming 'I Hate You! You're Evil! I Hope You Hang!" right after a passionate round of love-making and such. It's stupid, because she is obviously spouting words of hurt that she doesn't mean, and honestly it only made her appear really cheap. Same goes to Lucas Carrington's behaviour. When Season finds herself abducted, I won't say that she resisted much...and can't help but wonder if that's even a normal reaction but oh well...The first time she met Lucas Carrington when she was introduced to her betrothed, its clear she's taken with him. The reason she was sent to America was because she spurned her initial fiance, a man old enough to be her grandfather, and a lecherous one at that. Indeed, she does have spirit and that's always a welcomed personality for my heroines. I felt sorry for her, when she struggles between accepting her love for the Raven and falling in love with her husband, Lucas Carrington later. Okay, you might be puzzled why she is suddenly married to him. Well, after the rendezvous with The Raven, she finds herself pregnant with his child and Lucas, already in love with her and well, technically he's the father of her child...marries her to save her honor, but also it was an excuse for him to possess her, coward that he was. You can imagine her ire when she discovers his double identity, yet I was surprised that she didn't explode in rage for his duplicity like I expected a normal person would. Although, Lucas did have his reasons for hiding his identity. It depends on whose perspective you prefer to see it from.
OVERALL this was quite a long, adventurous story filled with passion, angst and romance. The only thing that didn't sit well with me was how tiresome their fights were. It was always right after they made love, and when either of them feels the prick of loving someone....ughh can you both just say 'I love you' already?! I believe is a hit or miss with some people, for me I liked it despite the frustration it caused me because it's a classic story written before the 2000s. That's always a treasure for me.
MAY CONTAIN SPOILER! CAUTION BEFORE YOU READ AHEAD.
OUR HERO is fighting for his own cause, he lives a double life, known to most as the elusive and mysterious "Raven" and his true self as Lucas Carrington, a Virginian planter. As the Raven, he's clearly a most wanted man who is deeply involved in the political war going on between the English and the Americans. When he was introduced to his cousin's fiancee, he finds her to be a convenient pawn that will secure him the freedom of his detained uncle but alas, Silas was executed before the Raven could save him. Drifting upon his pain, he takes out his revenge upon Season and only earns her wrath later. The Raven finds himself falling for Season despite himself, and no woman has ever succeeded to capture his heart, until her. Throughout the story, we will meet several of his past dalliances and I can only attest to feeling quite bitter on Season's behalf at his past promiscuity. When the situation calls for him to release her to the care of Lucas Carrington, he reverts to his other persona and frankly while I do realise his double identity, I was quite annoyed and frustrated when he becomes almost like a stranger to me. Clearly, he's the same man but when he was Lucas Carrington, it's almost like he really is another man. I didn't quite like it when he finds himself competing with himself 'The Raven' for Season's love and attention. I didn't really understand his reason for thinking he had to compete with himself at all when Season loves both of him. As a man, I would say he is quite an honorable and responsible character, but when it comes to love...he clearly needs a lesson in it because he's terribly botched it up at every turn. I can say that his character holds appeal, because there is a mysterious air surrounding him that just pulls you in, making you want to know him, capture him and win him.
OUR HEROINE is quite a delightful beauty and while I was sometimes irritated with the way she handles her emotions and rages towards The Raven, I just wished that she could have handled it with more tact and pride, instead of just screaming 'I Hate You! You're Evil! I Hope You Hang!" right after a passionate round of love-making and such. It's stupid, because she is obviously spouting words of hurt that she doesn't mean, and honestly it only made her appear really cheap. Same goes to Lucas Carrington's behaviour. When Season finds herself abducted, I won't say that she resisted much...and can't help but wonder if that's even a normal reaction but oh well...The first time she met Lucas Carrington when she was introduced to her betrothed, its clear she's taken with him. The reason she was sent to America was because she spurned her initial fiance, a man old enough to be her grandfather, and a lecherous one at that. Indeed, she does have spirit and that's always a welcomed personality for my heroines. I felt sorry for her, when she struggles between accepting her love for the Raven and falling in love with her husband, Lucas Carrington later. Okay, you might be puzzled why she is suddenly married to him. Well, after the rendezvous with The Raven, she finds herself pregnant with his child and Lucas, already in love with her and well, technically he's the father of her child...marries her to save her honor, but also it was an excuse for him to possess her, coward that he was. You can imagine her ire when she discovers his double identity, yet I was surprised that she didn't explode in rage for his duplicity like I expected a normal person would. Although, Lucas did have his reasons for hiding his identity. It depends on whose perspective you prefer to see it from.
OVERALL this was quite a long, adventurous story filled with passion, angst and romance. The only thing that didn't sit well with me was how tiresome their fights were. It was always right after they made love, and when either of them feels the prick of loving someone....ughh can you both just say 'I love you' already?! I believe is a hit or miss with some people, for me I liked it despite the frustration it caused me because it's a classic story written before the 2000s. That's always a treasure for me.
March 14, 2016
Mixed feelings
I have so many issues with this book it is hard to review. I basically enjoyed it very much.....but I detested the inferences of the happy slaves and the martyred heroine because she helped out one day doing manual labor...heaven forbid! Also, hated the Raven and Lucas 's deception .... if you truly love someone why would you lie...and then to lie repeatedly having the audacity be angry at her when she questioned him. I would have dumped the guy. Why didn't he just tell her who he was? I don't believe I would recommend this book.
I have so many issues with this book it is hard to review. I basically enjoyed it very much.....but I detested the inferences of the happy slaves and the martyred heroine because she helped out one day doing manual labor...heaven forbid! Also, hated the Raven and Lucas 's deception .... if you truly love someone why would you lie...and then to lie repeatedly having the audacity be angry at her when she questioned him. I would have dumped the guy. Why didn't he just tell her who he was? I don't believe I would recommend this book.
August 16, 2021
Great book halfway through, not sure what happened then and I doubt the author had a clue what was going to happen either. If she had tossed out 300 pages of shit, this book could have been 5 stars. Pity
October 2, 2020
The plot was great, the deception was carried on way too long and became a bit ridiculous. IMHO
March 24, 2022
This was a really good one! I loved the h, Lady Season Chatsworth,(her story begins in England) and her two H's: plantation owner Lucas Carrington and the mysterious privateer/patriot spy known as "The Raven".
I'd love to go into the story, like I usually do when I review a book, but I don't want to give anything away and spoil it for readers. I'll just say that there's plenty of adventure, mystery, historical detail (George Washington makes an appearance, as does Benedict Arnold, John Paul Jones and Gen. Henry Clinton), as well as a rather complicated love story. And just when you think you're sure of who The Raven is, the author throws in a few red herrings to confuse things.
I'll add that it was entertaining how Lucas and The Raven, each in their own way, fought to win the heart of the woman they loved.
I only found minor flaws. I would have liked to have seen more of Lucas's sister, Rebecca and her true love (and later husband), Capt. Robert Wolf, a friend to both Lucas and The Raven. They were secondary characters, whose story could have been given more time. The same goes for Season's relationship with her father, which started out troubled, but then saw them grow closer. Also, Mariana Bartlett, who had her cap set for Lucas, abruptly disappeared from the story, when she seemed like the perfect one to cause trouble, instead of just make snarky remarks.
I would also have liked more time devoted to Season's budding abolitionism, as she developed a respect and sympathy for slaves, even worked with them to help prevent flood waters from damaging their homes, as well as the fields on the plantation.
Also, at one point, when the absent Lucas's life was threatened, Season was ready to meet the man who made the threat and shoot him, to save Lucas. She was calm about this when she thought it through and set out to do it. Then later, when she did have to kill and save the man she loved, she was overwhelmed by horror and guilt. Where did all that calm rationality go? (Though, to be honest, it did seem a bit over the top for an innocent young woman to calmly plan an execution, especially when she didn't know how to shoot.)
Anyway, aside from these few incidents, the book was a high on the entertainment scale, and never went overboard with arguments and misunderstandings (though there were some of those). Also, you get a sense of how difficult a time it was, with the war going on, Whigs vs. Tories, neighbors divided over political differences, and the book adds an ironic twist, with British Season finding herself on the side of the patriots, while American Lucas favors the British! (It's more complicated, of course, but that's part of the fun.)
So just have fun and read this book.
I'd love to go into the story, like I usually do when I review a book, but I don't want to give anything away and spoil it for readers. I'll just say that there's plenty of adventure, mystery, historical detail (George Washington makes an appearance, as does Benedict Arnold, John Paul Jones and Gen. Henry Clinton), as well as a rather complicated love story. And just when you think you're sure of who The Raven is, the author throws in a few red herrings to confuse things.
I'll add that it was entertaining how Lucas and The Raven, each in their own way, fought to win the heart of the woman they loved.
I only found minor flaws. I would have liked to have seen more of Lucas's sister, Rebecca and her true love (and later husband), Capt. Robert Wolf, a friend to both Lucas and The Raven. They were secondary characters, whose story could have been given more time. The same goes for Season's relationship with her father, which started out troubled, but then saw them grow closer. Also, Mariana Bartlett, who had her cap set for Lucas, abruptly disappeared from the story, when she seemed like the perfect one to cause trouble, instead of just make snarky remarks.
I would also have liked more time devoted to Season's budding abolitionism, as she developed a respect and sympathy for slaves, even worked with them to help prevent flood waters from damaging their homes, as well as the fields on the plantation.
Also, at one point, when the absent Lucas's life was threatened, Season was ready to meet the man who made the threat and shoot him, to save Lucas. She was calm about this when she thought it through and set out to do it. Then later, when she did have to kill and save the man she loved, she was overwhelmed by horror and guilt. Where did all that calm rationality go? (Though, to be honest, it did seem a bit over the top for an innocent young woman to calmly plan an execution, especially when she didn't know how to shoot.)
Anyway, aside from these few incidents, the book was a high on the entertainment scale, and never went overboard with arguments and misunderstandings (though there were some of those). Also, you get a sense of how difficult a time it was, with the war going on, Whigs vs. Tories, neighbors divided over political differences, and the book adds an ironic twist, with British Season finding herself on the side of the patriots, while American Lucas favors the British! (It's more complicated, of course, but that's part of the fun.)
So just have fun and read this book.
April 23, 2023
I quite enjoyed this. This romance was set smack dab during the American Revolution. The Raven is a masked man in a full leather mask who is part pirate and part spy for the Americans. In order to secure an American prisoner's release, the Raven kidnaps a duke's daughter that had come to America to marry. Lady Season Chatsworth had been sent to America in disgrace after a scandal at home in England in order to marry her colonist cousin. The Raven hopes that a British lady will be a great exchange.
However, the American prisoner is executed early in the kidnapping scheme and this makes the Raven furious. He takes his anger out on Season by seducing, thinking her to be a "loose woman" (according to gossip). Even after, he does not want to let her go, though he is not honest with himself or his crew as to why. It does not seem that he really knows that he is drawn to Season in a way that no woman has ever managed before. This part of the book drags on though because the Raven mostly avoids Season when they are not in full argument.
The Raven finally decides to release her, but only to her betrothed's cousin, Lucas. He indicates that he cannot take her back to New York because it is too dangerous for him, but he is safe in Virginia waters. After all, there is a bounty on his head. Lady Season realizes that she does not want to be parted from the Raven as she believes she loves him. She is at least grateful that she does not have to be returned to her betrothed, Edmund, because she did not care for his behavior towards her. I do wish that there was a scene or two more with Edmund so that we were better able to determine his character.
Overall, this romance had a good mix of adventure, romance and historical detail. It was a definite ripper and all of the tropes associated, so I read it keeping that in mind. I enjoyed the mystery of who the Raven was, though it was pretty obvious. I did appreciate the author throwing a few red herrings in there to keep us guessing. Also, I liked how the author never had a scene where the Raven exposed himself (to us).
I also enjoyed the complications of her relationship with Lucas Carrington who managed to be everything that the Raven was not. The jealousy that developed when it was clear that she still had feelings for the Raven seemed true to form.
However, the American prisoner is executed early in the kidnapping scheme and this makes the Raven furious. He takes his anger out on Season by seducing, thinking her to be a "loose woman" (according to gossip). Even after, he does not want to let her go, though he is not honest with himself or his crew as to why. It does not seem that he really knows that he is drawn to Season in a way that no woman has ever managed before. This part of the book drags on though because the Raven mostly avoids Season when they are not in full argument.
The Raven finally decides to release her, but only to her betrothed's cousin, Lucas. He indicates that he cannot take her back to New York because it is too dangerous for him, but he is safe in Virginia waters. After all, there is a bounty on his head. Lady Season realizes that she does not want to be parted from the Raven as she believes she loves him. She is at least grateful that she does not have to be returned to her betrothed, Edmund, because she did not care for his behavior towards her. I do wish that there was a scene or two more with Edmund so that we were better able to determine his character.
Overall, this romance had a good mix of adventure, romance and historical detail. It was a definite ripper and all of the tropes associated, so I read it keeping that in mind. I enjoyed the mystery of who the Raven was, though it was pretty obvious. I did appreciate the author throwing a few red herrings in there to keep us guessing. Also, I liked how the author never had a scene where the Raven exposed himself (to us).
I also enjoyed the complications of her relationship with Lucas Carrington who managed to be everything that the Raven was not. The jealousy that developed when it was clear that she still had feelings for the Raven seemed true to form.
April 17, 2025
Alright girls, I’m doing you a public service here—this is a spoiler-free review, so you don’t waste your precious time like I did.
Let’s start with the only good thing: the plot had potential. That’s it. Potential that was completely flushed down the toilet.
Now, we all love a good anti-hero—the morally grey, slightly unhinged man who redeems himself and makes us swoon. But this guy? He’s not an anti-hero. He’s not dark, mysterious, tortured, or even a proper villain. He’s just a walking red flag made of pure stupidity.
And the way he treats the heroine? It’s not part of a carefully crafted storyline where she gets mistreated and then gets the grand apology and redemption arc we all cry for. No. He humiliates her simply because he’s a clueless idiot who has zero emotional intelligence and even less common sense.
I’ve read over 300 books. I’ve loved villains, killers, liars, and monsters in fiction—but this one? I wouldn’t give him the time of day even if we were the last two beings left on Mars. He’s the kind of character who makes you want to reach into the book and slap the author.
This book isn’t just a waste of time—it’s an insult to fiction.
PURE. UNFILTERED. TRASH.
Let’s start with the only good thing: the plot had potential. That’s it. Potential that was completely flushed down the toilet.
Now, we all love a good anti-hero—the morally grey, slightly unhinged man who redeems himself and makes us swoon. But this guy? He’s not an anti-hero. He’s not dark, mysterious, tortured, or even a proper villain. He’s just a walking red flag made of pure stupidity.
And the way he treats the heroine? It’s not part of a carefully crafted storyline where she gets mistreated and then gets the grand apology and redemption arc we all cry for. No. He humiliates her simply because he’s a clueless idiot who has zero emotional intelligence and even less common sense.
I’ve read over 300 books. I’ve loved villains, killers, liars, and monsters in fiction—but this one? I wouldn’t give him the time of day even if we were the last two beings left on Mars. He’s the kind of character who makes you want to reach into the book and slap the author.
This book isn’t just a waste of time—it’s an insult to fiction.
PURE. UNFILTERED. TRASH.
November 6, 2023
This is about what I'd want from an old-time bodice ripper--alongside the pitfalls I would come to expect from the genre and its age. So I both enjoyed it and naturally take issue with a few different aspects.
Note: my rating is adjusted as a result of the age of the work and the genre; the bar can be very low, so ratings are more so a reflection of them against other vintage romances.
Also, after reading Lavender Lies, this story and it are basically inverses of each other and share a lot of the same theming, so if you ultimately like Velvet Chains, you'll like Lavender Lies/if you liked Lavender Lies, you'll like Velvet Chains. You can check out my review for that one here.
The prose is everything I'd want from an old paperback romance, dramatic and flowered, always keeping the emotions turned up. It makes for a reading experience I quite enjoy. I found Ms. O'Banyon's writing to be splendid in terms of applying history and crafting a romance that was rife with many tropes one might hope to find in a soap opera. I wasn't quite anticipating how squarely in the American Revolution it would be though; like, it's very much a major facet throughout the book for nearly the whole page count (which is in the 500s if I remember correctly).
I will say, however, that I found their first sexual encounter to be way much too dubious consent for my liking, as the Raven had Season captive, went to her to vent his frustrations and anger, and then proceeds with coaxing her into succumbing to sex despite her clear reluctance (although it was cited as being her lying/denying despite desiring him back, you know, the typical "your mouth says no but your heart/body says yes" kind of trope rearing its head).
Plus, he kept saying "if I knew you were a virgin I wouldn't have taken your maidenhead/I had thought you a loose woman" and it's like... even if she wasn't a virgin, that's still assault if she didn't consent to sex...? Like, a woman doesn't have sex for the first time and suddenly become incapable of being a victim of sexual assault, so that was weird.
Ultimately, Season insists she was consenting, even citing that although she was hurt emotionally by how he regarded her she "couldn't claim rape."
Throughout the book, there are a few instances of Season holding the encounter against the male lead and a few of him blaming himself for it, insisting he had seduced her into wanting him carnally and taken advantage of her inexperience. There's a back and forth on where the book stands in regards to the whole thing, because the narrative does say "it's fine, she did consent technically" but also, it's got some bad vibes, so be warned on that front.
Another big facet that would probably infuriate a lot of readers is that this is a very complicated example of "a plot conflict that would have been resolved instantly if they talked and the male lead had been upfront/honest."
The major romantic crux is that Season is in love with two men who are actually the same person: The Raven, the pirate working for the Americans during the Revolutionary War, and Lucas Carrington, his real identity as a plantation owner in Virgina.
The male lead steals Season away as a pirate, The Raven, and they become involved while he's under that guise. Eventually he has to take her ashore because he can't hold her on the ship any longer and he stages a ruse to give her to another man, Lucas Carrington--fooling Season into thinking he's another man in the hopes that he can properly woo her make her forget about The Raven and her feelings for him.
The motivation is believing that if he can't seduce her away from his secret spy identity and make her forget about her feelings for him, she will discover his identity, thus ruining their relationship and jeopardizing his mission because she's a British citizen who may turn him over to his enemy.
The turmoil caused by the deception of Lucas' real identity and his desire to both keep Season and not risk his mission causes a good portion of the books conflict despite how easily it is ultimately resolved. Despite how long the characters mire in the conflict, it's resolved by, you guessed it, talking about it and revealing the truth, dispelling all deceit.
In spite of that, however, I thought the author actually executed it all in such a way that it wasn't infuriatingly stupid. I can understand the motivations and found the turmoil engaging because it demonstrated a lot of Season's character.
The overall manipulative undercurrent to the male lead was not great, but, it was entertaining at least and the overall relationship was pretty tame in comparison to a lot of other bodice rippers. The two of them ultimately end up doing so much professing of love and crying and making grand promises of fidelity and love and kiss and beg forgiveness from one another that it makes the contrast between the icky parts of the narrative seem almost worth it.
As a general warning the story contains things like some dubious consent, captivity, deceptiveness/manipulation by a partner, tumultuous relationship, that weird "no means yes actually" kinda faux resistance trope, a non-graphic murder, a miscarriage... oh, and they own slaves and it's just kinda there. Season goes "I want to set about freeing them" but like, it's not a plot point or topic that's explored. It's just a detail pointed out a couple times.
Overall, it was a fun read and I enjoyed myself despite the issues I had about its treatment of consent and such. Stayed up all night to finish it. It was a good read in spite of its flaws.
Note: my rating is adjusted as a result of the age of the work and the genre; the bar can be very low, so ratings are more so a reflection of them against other vintage romances.
Also, after reading Lavender Lies, this story and it are basically inverses of each other and share a lot of the same theming, so if you ultimately like Velvet Chains, you'll like Lavender Lies/if you liked Lavender Lies, you'll like Velvet Chains. You can check out my review for that one here.
The prose is everything I'd want from an old paperback romance, dramatic and flowered, always keeping the emotions turned up. It makes for a reading experience I quite enjoy. I found Ms. O'Banyon's writing to be splendid in terms of applying history and crafting a romance that was rife with many tropes one might hope to find in a soap opera. I wasn't quite anticipating how squarely in the American Revolution it would be though; like, it's very much a major facet throughout the book for nearly the whole page count (which is in the 500s if I remember correctly).
I will say, however, that I found their first sexual encounter to be way much too dubious consent for my liking, as the Raven had Season captive, went to her to vent his frustrations and anger, and then proceeds with coaxing her into succumbing to sex despite her clear reluctance (although it was cited as being her lying/denying despite desiring him back, you know, the typical "your mouth says no but your heart/body says yes" kind of trope rearing its head).
Plus, he kept saying "if I knew you were a virgin I wouldn't have taken your maidenhead/I had thought you a loose woman" and it's like... even if she wasn't a virgin, that's still assault if she didn't consent to sex...? Like, a woman doesn't have sex for the first time and suddenly become incapable of being a victim of sexual assault, so that was weird.
Ultimately, Season insists she was consenting, even citing that although she was hurt emotionally by how he regarded her she "couldn't claim rape."
Throughout the book, there are a few instances of Season holding the encounter against the male lead and a few of him blaming himself for it, insisting he had seduced her into wanting him carnally and taken advantage of her inexperience. There's a back and forth on where the book stands in regards to the whole thing, because the narrative does say "it's fine, she did consent technically" but also, it's got some bad vibes, so be warned on that front.
Another big facet that would probably infuriate a lot of readers is that this is a very complicated example of "a plot conflict that would have been resolved instantly if they talked and the male lead had been upfront/honest."
The major romantic crux is that Season is in love with two men who are actually the same person: The Raven, the pirate working for the Americans during the Revolutionary War, and Lucas Carrington, his real identity as a plantation owner in Virgina.
The male lead steals Season away as a pirate, The Raven, and they become involved while he's under that guise. Eventually he has to take her ashore because he can't hold her on the ship any longer and he stages a ruse to give her to another man, Lucas Carrington--fooling Season into thinking he's another man in the hopes that he can properly woo her make her forget about The Raven and her feelings for him.
The motivation is believing that if he can't seduce her away from his secret spy identity and make her forget about her feelings for him, she will discover his identity, thus ruining their relationship and jeopardizing his mission because she's a British citizen who may turn him over to his enemy.
The turmoil caused by the deception of Lucas' real identity and his desire to both keep Season and not risk his mission causes a good portion of the books conflict despite how easily it is ultimately resolved. Despite how long the characters mire in the conflict, it's resolved by, you guessed it, talking about it and revealing the truth, dispelling all deceit.
In spite of that, however, I thought the author actually executed it all in such a way that it wasn't infuriatingly stupid. I can understand the motivations and found the turmoil engaging because it demonstrated a lot of Season's character.
The overall manipulative undercurrent to the male lead was not great, but, it was entertaining at least and the overall relationship was pretty tame in comparison to a lot of other bodice rippers. The two of them ultimately end up doing so much professing of love and crying and making grand promises of fidelity and love and kiss and beg forgiveness from one another that it makes the contrast between the icky parts of the narrative seem almost worth it.
As a general warning the story contains things like some dubious consent, captivity, deceptiveness/manipulation by a partner, tumultuous relationship, that weird "no means yes actually" kinda faux resistance trope, a non-graphic murder, a miscarriage... oh, and they own slaves and it's just kinda there. Season goes "I want to set about freeing them" but like, it's not a plot point or topic that's explored. It's just a detail pointed out a couple times.
Overall, it was a fun read and I enjoyed myself despite the issues I had about its treatment of consent and such. Stayed up all night to finish it. It was a good read in spite of its flaws.
December 4, 2023
I got to 30% and I just feel so icky. My stomach is churning.
The Raven/Lucas essentially rapes her and doesn’t give a damn about it. There was a “omg I didn’t know you were a virgin moment!” But then he goes “oh well, what’s done is done, I’ll just continue..” with little to no remorse on the fact that he hurt her. I’m just— I REALLY did like him and I’m so disappointed that it turned into THAT. I know how 80’s bodice rippers are, heroine being raped and then falling in love with her rapist… I just, can’t get around it. I tried.
And yeah, there’s no point in me being angry since this book came out in 1985 and Constance O’Bayon is 84 and can’t edit it, but I’m really just so disappointed in what I thought was a good character— but, I can’t excuse rape. I just can’t.
ALSO?!?— the way the characters internal monologue switched back and forth between paragraphs— confusing af
The Raven/Lucas essentially rapes her and doesn’t give a damn about it. There was a “omg I didn’t know you were a virgin moment!” But then he goes “oh well, what’s done is done, I’ll just continue..” with little to no remorse on the fact that he hurt her. I’m just— I REALLY did like him and I’m so disappointed that it turned into THAT. I know how 80’s bodice rippers are, heroine being raped and then falling in love with her rapist… I just, can’t get around it. I tried.
And yeah, there’s no point in me being angry since this book came out in 1985 and Constance O’Bayon is 84 and can’t edit it, but I’m really just so disappointed in what I thought was a good character— but, I can’t excuse rape. I just can’t.
ALSO?!?— the way the characters internal monologue switched back and forth between paragraphs— confusing af
July 12, 2023
Set during the Revolutionary War, Velvet Chains by Constance O’Banyon, is a romance with a twist at the end. The heroine, a British girl named Season is captured by the Raven who’s a U.S. spy and privateer. While being held in exchange for a prisoner she falls in love with the masked man who takes her innocence. An interesting read, full of high seas adventure… tho the plot at times was a bit unbelievable until they get their happily ever after. Recommend!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2020
It started out really good, but then it got so so frustrating! Just dint enjoy it, and wanted to DNF .. skipped ahed here and there and made it through. It was a pirate book and I love Pirate romances !!
October 11, 2021
LOVE this book!
I’ve read this book several times and I even choose Season for my daughter’s middle name after the main character. If you want to read an amazing romance with a twist, this is your book!
I’ve read this book several times and I even choose Season for my daughter’s middle name after the main character. If you want to read an amazing romance with a twist, this is your book!
May 7, 2020
Spellbound!
I first read this book when I was a teenager. Reading it again still sent goosebumps all over me.
Such a captivating story!
I first read this book when I was a teenager. Reading it again still sent goosebumps all over me.
Such a captivating story!
December 23, 2021
O'banyon could've done something really great with this plot. INstead, she decided to drag it on until the last 3 pages. 2.75 stars at most.
July 9, 2023
3.5 stars.
August 25, 2023
3.25 stars. I will forever have a love-hate relationship with this nearly 40-year-old quirk of a book…. But it kept me throughly entertained for upwards of 500 pages, which definitely accounts for something.
April 29, 2012
This book had some great elements, the beautiful, intelligent, but tainted British young lady, a mysterious pirate,the young lady's father who betrothed her to an much older man, and then her cousin and a kidnapping. If you can get past all that, you will really enjoy the story, but definitely not a keeper for me.
December 1, 2010
description
ECSTASY'S TIES
The notorious pirate, "The Raven," despised anything British -- and that included ravishing Lady Season Chatsworth. The black-garbed captain had kidnapped the English beauty as ransom for an American patriot. But the longer the Redcoats stalled negotiations, the more time the Raven spent with his prisoner... and the closer he came to tumbling her to his bed! Soon all thoughts of freedom for the Colonies fled his mind and the only cause he now embraced was possessing his sumptuous captive!
LOVE'S BONDS
Emerald-eyed Season Chatsworth had defied her father's plans for her future; she certainly wasn't about to obey a stranger's commands! Escape was all the spirited young woman could think of -- until she gazed into her handsome abductor's eyes and lost her will to resist. His searing touch and devouring kiss kept her by his side with more force than manacles of steel. Then the moment came when Season no longer rebelled against the cruel fate that linked her to the Raven; now she was forever bound to him by passion's Velvet Chains.
ECSTASY'S TIES
The notorious pirate, "The Raven," despised anything British -- and that included ravishing Lady Season Chatsworth. The black-garbed captain had kidnapped the English beauty as ransom for an American patriot. But the longer the Redcoats stalled negotiations, the more time the Raven spent with his prisoner... and the closer he came to tumbling her to his bed! Soon all thoughts of freedom for the Colonies fled his mind and the only cause he now embraced was possessing his sumptuous captive!
LOVE'S BONDS
Emerald-eyed Season Chatsworth had defied her father's plans for her future; she certainly wasn't about to obey a stranger's commands! Escape was all the spirited young woman could think of -- until she gazed into her handsome abductor's eyes and lost her will to resist. His searing touch and devouring kiss kept her by his side with more force than manacles of steel. Then the moment came when Season no longer rebelled against the cruel fate that linked her to the Raven; now she was forever bound to him by passion's Velvet Chains.
January 4, 2010
I really enjoyed this book, and could not put it down. Constance O'Banyon is a great story teller, and this book was a real page turner.
The characters where very likable and had a lot of depth, which keeps you hanging on for more.
The story is about Lady Season Chatsworth who is kidnapped by "The Raven" a notorious pirate. The Raven wants to use Season as Ransom to free a fellow American patriot, but as time passes and deals fall through he does not seem to want to hand her back over to the British. Lot's of steamy love scenes.
The characters where very likable and had a lot of depth, which keeps you hanging on for more.
The story is about Lady Season Chatsworth who is kidnapped by "The Raven" a notorious pirate. The Raven wants to use Season as Ransom to free a fellow American patriot, but as time passes and deals fall through he does not seem to want to hand her back over to the British. Lot's of steamy love scenes.
April 28, 2015
One of my first Historical romance novels I read when I was 17 and I was hooked ever since...I have read this book probably 5 times throughout the years since I've owned it 24 years now. YES, I still have the same book from 24 years ago!!! I read a lot of paranormal such as Larissa Ione or Nora or her Robb but when I come across a romance novel about pirates or ships and such...I get it and devour it. ALL thanks to this book. My FAVORITE romance novel of all time!!!
February 24, 2011
No Spoilers :)
I absolutely loved this book. I've read it several times and am looking for a digital copy for my tablet.
I absolutely loved this book. I've read it several times and am looking for a digital copy for my tablet.
April 21, 2012
One of my favorite books of all time!
May 19, 2012
First Historical Romance I ever read! Near and dear to my heart . . . paved the way for my dream of becoming an author!
July 31, 2016
Ridiculous (I didn't even feel the list between them). :(
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