All the King’s Horses

Sometimes we have to break in order for God to shape us into what He always meant us to be.

1867 - Lost beneath the dark surfaces of her mind, Eloise Riley longs for nothing more than the freedom only death can bring. But after a failed attempt at ending her own life, the pain she longed to end is only worsened. With a father who can't look at her, a mother caught in the middle, and her parents now crumbling marriage, Eloise feels herself slipping further beneath the waves—until a stranger steps into her life, bearing an unexpected understanding and the promise of a second chance.

Brooks Harper thought he knew where God was leading him when he left home: in search of land and the fulfillment of a dream. That is until he feels the pull to the hostile, mud-ridden town of Huxley. Rather than land, he finds a broken family and a new dream intertwining with the old when he invites them back to his hometown of Rose Haven.

But second chances mean laying down the pain of yesterday. Can Eloise let go of the past and learn to trust?

“All the King’s Horses is a stunning debut novel. While diving deep into hard topics like mental health struggles, Mathewson also delves deep into powerful truths. Even just a few pages into the story, I knew All the King’s Horses would be one of those rare novels that sticks with you for a long time to come—and I was absolutely right. With beautiful themes of struggles, perseverance, faith, and the unfolding of a sweet romance, All the King’s Horses is a must-read.”

—Caitlin Miller, author of The Memories We Painted and Our Yellow Tape Letters

Note from the Author

The story isn’t a light read. It deals very heavily with mental health struggles. There are descriptions of anxiety and depression. Mentions of suicide and suicide ideation. Though not graphic in any way I recognize that this can be difficult for some to read—So if you currently struggle with suicidal thoughts or struggle to read stories that deal heavily with mental health, I would caution you from reading it.

But I also want to make it known that it’s not a hopeless book. Hope and light are weaved through this story.

My intent with All the King’s has always been to shine a light on certain stigmas surrounding mental health and to bring hope to those who struggle. Not to set people back in their progress.

So I would encourage you to pray over it if you are uncertain before taking the time to read it.

“There are some books you read, enjoy, and move on from. But then there are others that reach out and capture your very heart - for me, this book was one of them…There’s an unfortunate stigma around Christians and mental health that shouldn’t by there. Page after page, this story tackles the questions, the hurt, and the hope. It was a whisper of “You are not alone.”

—Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht, author of The Lies We Live

“Man, I needed this book. My struggles aren't the same as Eloise's, but I do know what it feels like to be drowning in your thoughts. All the King's Horses is a beautiful illustration of faith through mental illness and clinging to Jesus as you swim with the waves. I love how this book shows that there is hope in every struggle, even when you feel alone. Such a beautiful story that I absolutely loved.”

—Kaelin Scott, author of Free at Last and Game Set Love