Synopses & Reviews
In this unforgettable novel of love, hope, and second chances, a grieving man's personal plan for redemption is suddenly and unexpectedly turned upside down . . . .
If Wishes Were Horses
Wyatt Blaine desperately seeks a reason to continue. Devastated by the senseless deaths of his wife and son at the hands of a drunk driver, he remains unable to forgive, and to love again. Searching for a sense of peace, he decides to revive his late wife's equine therapy program for troubled teens at the Blaine family ranch. By honoring her memory in this way, he hopes to find the sense of closure that has long eluded him.
But then Wyatt's pastor asks for the impossiblefor Wyatt to meet with Gabby Powers, the widow of the man responsible for Wyatt's unbearable sorrow. Wyatt knows Gabby is not to blame for the tragedy, so when she begs him to accept her troubled teenage son, Trevor, into the program, he reluctantly agrees. With some help and guidance from Ram, Wyatt's irascible but lovable father, Wyatt does his best to accept Gabby and Trevor's unsettling presence at the ranch. Even so, Wyatt still feels that he is somehow betraying his late wife's memory rather than honoring it.
But to his great surprise, Wyatt also finds himself drawn to Gabby's warmth, tenderness, and surprising ability to soothe his troubled soul. Day after day, their mutual attraction becomes more intense, more impossible to ignore. But to heal completely, Wyatt and Gabby must first overcome the common tragedy that separates them and learn the true nature of forgiveness. And only by conquering these seeming impossibilities might their hearts become free to love each other . . . .
Review
“I loved it. A great read myself and staff enjoyed very much, with wonderful characters and writing.” Earlene Scott, Scotts Bookstore Newnan, GA
Review
“A powerful story...Youll rejoice in the triumphs experienced at a horse-therapy program for troubled teens and observe how results can best be achieved through actions.” PBG Lifestyle Magazine
Review
“IF WISHES WERE HORSES is chock full of wonderful characters. The novel is a moving one, at turns poignant, sad, dramatic, amusing, and hopeful.” Romance Reviews Today
Review
[If Wishes Were Horses] will satisfy fans of sweet romances and tender family sagas… Mr. Barclay weaves a quiet tale about people with hearts of gold, each barely coping with inner demons or tragic circumstances, who learn that they need one another in order to find redemption. NY Journal of Books
Synopsis
In this unforgettable novel of love, hope andsecond chances, a grieving mans personal planfor redemption is suddenly and unexpectedlyturned upside down . . .
If Wishes Were Horses
Wyatt Blaines life has been touched by unbearable sorrow, and he realizes the only way out is to reach out. So he revives his late wifes horse therapy program by opening the gates of the Blaine family ranch to troubled kids, never imagining hed come face to face with the woman he irrationally blames for everything—Gabby Powers, widow of the man responsible for Wyatts pain. Still, when she tearfully asks him to help her troubled son, he surprises himself by saying yes.
Hes even more surprised by the attraction he feels for this determined, but gentle, woman. He tries to tell himself shes part of a painful past he wants only to forget. But love has a way of making its own plans, and little by little, Wyatt allows himself to see what his heart already knows—that his greatest wish will be to spend the rest of his life with Gabby.
Synopsis
In the spirit of Nicholas Sparks comes If Wishes Were Horses. Author Robert Barclay has crafted a deeply moving story of love, hope, and forgiveness, as two damaged souls torn apart by a common tragedy slowly find a way to heal. Destined to be a much-beloved classic on a par with Robert James Waller's The Bridges of Madison County, Barclay's If Wishes Were Horses is a story rich in emotion that will touch the heart of every reader who fervently believes in second chances at love.
About the Author
After graduating from Colgate University with a B.A. in economics and a minor in art history, Robert Barclay enjoyed a successful career in business, also serving as chairman of his industry-related consulting group. After selling his business and moving to Florida from upstate New York (and with some prodding by his wife), he was finally able to devote his full attention to something he had always wanted to dowriting a book.
When he isn't writing, he enjoys weightlifting, practicing Shotokan karate, and going to the beach to do absolutely nothing.