This review is also published at http://thebookaholiccat.com

Lady Isabel Milton has been betrothed four times and her four betrotheds have died from various causes before their wedding day. Lady Isabel has used these events to create a cursing tale widely known as The Curse of the Three Graces. This curse says Lady Isabel and her sisters are cursed and any man who would want to join them in a loveless marriage will die victim of the curse.
The last thing Isabel wants is to marry. She saw how her mother’s spirit was decimated thanks to the abused received by her stepfather, culminating in her mother’s dead. Fortunately her stepfather died just months after her mother’s demised, leaving them under the (hard) care of their stepbrother Lord Graydon.
After Henry VII ascent to the throne Isabel and her sister are place under the King’s guardianship.
Rand Braesford is the bastard son of an earl with no title but under the favor of the king for services rendered to him during his exile and in the fight for the ascension to the throne. For his help and loyalty to Henry VII he has been given the lands that used to belong to his father and the hand in marriage of Lady Isabel Milton.
Lady Isabel is appalled she is to marry a man beneath her station but she doesn’t see any way out, what the king decrees is law and Rand doesn’t seem to care or believe about the curse.
Just before the wedding is to be performed emissaries of the King interrupted the dinner banquet. Rand has been accused of murdering a child and his and his bride’s presence is required before the king.
At their arrival to the palace Lady Isabel thinks she is going to be free from this engagement too, just to realized the king has plans for them to wed next day and to reside in the palace while investigating the allegations against Rand.
What Lady Isabel has seen of men has made her afraid of marriage and especially of the wedding night. But Rand despite his warrior body is sweet, tender and caring with her, disconcerting her and maybe changing a little bit her impressions, at least in regards to her new husband.
Days later things change suddenly when Rand is apprehended and taken to The Tower to await for his conviction.
Lady Isabel has two options, to do nothing and wait for his husband execution or to help find out the truth about the accusations against him.

I really enjoy By His Majesty’s Grace. I think Mrs. Blake did a great job intertwining real historical events with those of fiction.

It took me some time to warm up to Lady Isabel, but after learning more of her background and where she was coming from is easier to understand her abhorrence towards marriage and men in general.
I cannot imagine living in a time where women were almost a commodity, given in exchange of favors or where young girls were married to very decrepit old men just because it was a beneficial marriage.
At the end I liked Isabel very much, she is smart and strong willed. She cares deeply for her love ones and is willing to recognize when she has been wrong.

I love Rand since the first moment I met him. He is a teddy bear in a polar bear package. This means he can be caring and loving or a killer and protector is the need arises.

Rand and Isabel’s relationship was a believable one. Even though there was an attraction their affection towards each other was not an instant one, but one that grew through the pages thanks to their interactions.

From the secondary characters I really like Rand’s squire, David. I think (hope) there is a story behind him and I really would like to learn more about him.

This is my first historical set during the reign of Henry VII. And as I said before I love the historical setting thanks to the accuracy of events in Mrs. Blake writing. By His Majesty’s Grace is one of those books that after you finish it you will have the need to do some research about this era and the characters depicted in it.

By His Majesty’s Grace was my first book by Jennifer Blake and I can guarantee you I won’t be my last. By His Majesty’s Grace is the first book in The Three Graces series; the following two books would be about Isabel’s sisters, Cate and Marguerite. I’m planning to read them when they become available. ( )

I thought the author did a great job of capturing the large role that court life was beginning to play and how it would or could affect a love story. I agree with other reviewers that this was more of a novel of historical fiction with swashbuckling sword fights than it was a romance, but it still had a lot of energy. Some elements were a little implausible, but overall I really enjoyed this. ( )

BY HIS MAJESTY'S GRACE by Jennifer Blake is an exciting historical romance set in 15th century England.This is a fast paced story full of action,intrigue,court intrigue,secrets,betrayal,senual tension,sensuality,treachery,traitors,romance,love,clandestine cicanery and life in King Henry VII's court. Sir Randall Braesford(Rand) and Isabel Milton,their love,and the treachery of court. A must read for any romance,historical,15th century England,readers who enjoy a fast paced story full of action,love and mystery. Received for review from Net Galley and the publisher. Details can be found at Mira,an imprint of HQN and My Book Addiction Reviews. ( )

Those who court any of the 3 Grace sisters also court Death, so goes the rumored family curse. Lady Isabel thought herself safe from unwanted suitors until King Henry VII gives her away to Earl Rand Braesford as a reward for his loyalty. Blessings seem to be raining upon Rand it seems – the king’s high favor, a well-dowried marriage, and a most beautiful wife. As the couple start to warm up to each other, they are torn apart again as Rand gets arrested for murder and thrown into the Tower. Will Isabel and Rand’s love manage to conquer the curse – or will Death win this round?

By His Majesty's Grace spent more time on historical than romance, or so it seemed to me, like a historical fiction with sexy times sprinkled throughout – instead of the other way around. I had glimpsed at the connection between Isabel and Rand when they first meet each other, but lost sight of their passion and personality as the story became immersed in court intrigue. I am used to reading Regency romance, so I was curious to see how things heated up during the Tudor era. A little awkward at times when it came to passion (a few creative "strutted" descriptions that I had to pause and wonder about). I did find it rather cute to learn how the color of clothing can be used to indicate one’s affection. ( )

Requested on NetGalley by me
Overall Rating 4.25
Character Rating 4.00
Historical Rating 4.50
Story Rating 4.25
Excellent Historical Romance!

Note: By His Majesty's Grace is the first in a new trilogy from Jennifer Blake. I really enjoyed the amount of historical "tidbits" that Jennifer threw in while telling the story. They made the story feel authentic. Please take time to read the author's note at the end and you can see how much time/effort she put into researching the Tudor time period!

What I Loved: Number 1 thing I loved about this book is that it was set in the time frame of the Tudors but pre-Henry VIII. The feel of the period through the historical tidbits, clothing, environment, and speech were well done. Rand and Isabel were lovely leads. This was a rare case where you could tell Rand was in love with Isabel, so you were rooting for her to finally "get it"! I adored how loyal, caring, and strong Rand was through out the story. Plus, *swoon*, he gave one of those (and I wished I wrote it down) I would live for you but I would die for you speeches. My heart was a flutter!

What I Liked: The introduction of the sisters and how close they were to each other. I think that means we will see all of them in each others stories, which I adore. Also the intrigue surrounding the baby was really well done with a few misdirections to keep you on your toes.

Complaints: None

Why I gave it a 4.25: This was a really well done historical that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys the Tudor years! ( )