If Wishes Were Horses

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More About This Book

Overview

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’s life has been touched by unbearable sorrow, and he realizes the only way out is to reach out. So he revives his late wife’s horse therapy program by opening the gates of the Blaine family ranch to troubled kids, never imagining he’d come face to face with the woman he irrationally blames for everything—Gabby Powers, widow of the man responsible for Wyatt’s pain. Still, when she tearfully asks him to help her troubled son, he surprises himself by saying yes.

He’s even more surprised by the attraction he feels for this determined, but gentle, woman. He tries to tell himself she’s 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.

Editorial Reviews

NY Journal of Books
[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.
Romance Reviews Today
“IF WISHES WERE HORSES is chock full of wonderful characters. The novel is a moving one, at turns poignant, sad, dramatic, amusing, and hopeful.”
More Reviews (3) Fewer Reviews
Publishers Weekly
Barclay takes the Nicholas Sparks formula out for a limping spin in his melodramatic debut weepy. Wyatt Blaine's happy world crumbles on his 35th birthday when his wife and his son are killed by a drunk driver. Five years later, Wyatt still hasn't recovered from their deaths, and Trevor MacPherson--the 14-year-old son of the man who killed Wyatt's family--is having problems at school and is offered one last chance: participate in the New Beginnings horse therapy program on the Blaine ranch. Blaine is shocked and furious when he finds out who Trevor is, but he allows him into the program. A bigger surprise comes in the form of Trevor's mother, Gabby, who is the most attractive and interesting woman Blaine has met since his wife's death. Barclay clearly knows a great deal about horsemanship, though the contrived romance angle is tough to get past, especially considering how central it is. Wyatt's irascible father provides some relief, but the clunky writing and maudlin aesthetic make this a nonstarter. (Feb.)
PBG Lifestyle Magazine
“A powerful story...You’ll rejoice in the triumphs experienced at a horse-therapy program for troubled teens and observe how results can best be achieved through actions.”
Kirkus Reviews

A horse-therapy program helps mitigate the tragic consequences of a drunk-driving accident, in businessman Barclay's debut.

The author's concept is solid. In a Boca Ratan auto crash, a drunk driver and the occupants of the vehicle he hit are killed. Five years later, Wyatt Blaine, whose wife Krista and son Danny died in the accident, and Gabrielle"Gabby" Powers, widow of the drunk driver, meet. Their minister has persuaded Wyatt to admit Gabby's troubled son, Trevor, to an equine-therapy program at the Blaine family's Flying B Ranch. Wyatt and Gabby are understandably wary of one another, and Trevor thinks Krista caused the accident. With such material, why is this earnest first novel about as riveting as a five-hour PowerPoint presentation? Perhaps it's the sluggish narration and excessive attention to preliminaries. The equine therapy doesn't even start until some 100 pages in. The program's impact on Gabby's son Trevor, whose combativeness in school, not helped by his retro–James Dean get-up, has him on the verge of expulsion, is never really shown—one minute he's slouching and not making eye contact, the next minute he's respectful to adults, having exchanged his greaser persona for a Stetson and cowboy boots. The attraction between Gabby and Wyatt is as rote as the appeal of Barbie for Ken, a pair they also resemble physically. Two minor characters threaten to run away with the story. Ramsey (Ram) Blaine, founder and patriarch of the Flying B, is desperately trying to stave off Alzheimer's and hold on to the reins as benevolent dictator and champion of underdogs like Trevor and Gabby. Then there is Mercy, a ranch hand who cleans up as well as any filly but can out-wrangle any guy, whether at horsemanship, poker or drinking. Her only weakness is her unrequited passion forWyatt. Several interesting conflicts are introduced but not developed—the preposterously catastrophic close hardly makes up the drama deficit.

A promising premise is scuttled by mawkish writing, dithering dialogue and a meandering plot.

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780062046680
  • Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
  • Publication date: 9/27/2011
  • Format: Mass Market Paperback
  • Edition description: Reprint
  • Pages: 416
  • Sales rank: 115,169
  • Product dimensions: 4.10 (w) x 6.70 (h) x 1.00 (d)

Meet the Author

Robert Barclay, author of If Wishes Were Horses, sold his successful consulting business and moved from upstate New York to south Florida, where he could devote his full attention to what he always wanted to do—write. He also enjoys weightlifting, Shotokan karate, and going to the beach to do absolutely nothing.

Interviews & Essays

Missed Opportunities By Robert Barclay

When I sat down to write my book, If Wishes Were Horses, the first thing that crossed my mind was that perhaps more than anything else, a good novel is about relationships. I am not saying that all of the interactions that an author creates between his characters must be happy ones. By necessity, some of the associations between the characters in a novel will be poor, strained, or just downright bad. In any case, the characters must interact with one another in ways both expected, and unexpected.

To that end, a novelist must never miss an opportunity to meet other people, if no other reason than he or she might come across someone who possesses a trait or quality that might be an interesting one for a new character. Ernest Hemingway often said that he liked taking an interesting trait from one man or woman, and then combining it with others taken from different people, so as to create a new person altogether. To that end, the writer should never purposely ignore chances to meet new people. I for one have never met anyone, no matter what sort of first impression he or she made upon me, who was not able to teach me something.

Sadly, I missed two such opportunities last week. The first one tore my heart out. I am fortunate to live near Boca Raton, which is a prosperous community. Even so, Boca has its share of beggars, especially given today’s bad economy. As I was driving into Boca last week, I saw a woman standing on the edge of the highway, holding a sign. At once, I realized that she was asking for money. But as I neared her, I became unsure. Her clothes were clean, she did not look undernourished, and she moved easily. Then she held up her sign, and my heart fell. Her sign read: I’ve Lost Everything But My Faith! I tried to get near her so that I might give her some money, but then the light turned green and I was unable to do so. Although I was not to blame, it was an opportunity lost, just the same.

Another such instance happened later the same week. I was going up in an elevator to see my doctor for a routine exam. Because I had just come from another appointment, I was well dressed. Dress slacks, dress shirt, blazer, and dress shoes. Just then, the elevator door opened and a young man got in with me. His attire was far different. He wore big, unlaced sneakers, baggy shorts that looked like they were about to fall off, a Che Guevara t-shirt, and a dirty ball cap perched backwards on his head. He looked at me, I looked at him, and not a word was said for the entire ride. I am quite sure that he didn’t think much of my navy blazer, or my highly polished Bostonians. On the other hand, I must admit that I didn’t think much of his nose ring, either. Another opportunity lost, I later realized.

It was very wrong of us to say nothing to the other, simply because of appearances. Novelists need to become familiar with people from all walks of life, not just those with whom they feel comfortable. In order to write good novel, the author must be willing to leave his or her comfort zone, and bring believable characters along with him.

In closing, what I’m trying to say is that now and then, we should all try to behave a bit more like good novelists. Don’t be afraid to extend a hand or to speak to someone you might not know, just because you feel awkward about it. I for one am going to try and do better, because who knows? That sloppy kid in the elevator whom I ignored might one day grow up to win the Pulitzer Prize for Literature…

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 50 )

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 50 Customer Reviews

  • Posted November 8, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    readers will enjoy Robert Barclay's engaging tale.

    In Boca Raton Wyatt Blaine asks his wife Krista to buy ice cream for his thirty fifth birthday party celebrated at the ranch of his septuagenarian widow father Ramsey. Soon afterward his brother Morgan informs Wyatt his wife and their son Danny died in a car crash caused by the other driver Jason Powers drunk driving who died leaving behind a widow Gabrielle and a seven years old son Trevor.

    Five years later, Gabby and Trevor attend the St. Andrews Episcopal Church, which Wyatt goes to also. To honor Krista, he informs Reverend James Jacobson that he plans to bring back her successful horse therapy New Beginnings Program. James is extremely happy about the program and Wyatt is showing some signs of moving on, but is worried about his reaction when he learns Gabby has signed up troubled Trevor who has failed to move on since his beloved dad died. He blames Krista for his father's death in spite of his mom's efforts to get him to accept the truth. James introduces Gabby to Wyatt, who is irate with the joke. Gabby pleads with him that Trevor needs help that she cannot afford and James reminded him Krista never said no. Wyatt angrily agrees. Gabby realizes that her son and Wyatt are similar. Trevor blames Krista and Wyatt blames Gabby. At the ranch, it is obvious to everyone especially Ramsey that the adults are attracted to one another and her son troubled though happy with the horses, but the deadly car crash keeps them divided.

    The lead couple is a dynamic pairing of star-crossed lovers who share the same tragedy while the support cast is strong enhancing the understanding of the lead couple. Although the psychological horse therapy aspects are not developed very deeply, readers will enjoy Robert Barclay's engaging tale.

    Harriet Klausner

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 30, 2011

    Ugg...One of the most predictable and uninteresting books I have read!

    I read the reviews and thought- sounds like a good book. Thank God I got it from the library. To have bought it would have been a complete waste. The story was predictable from beginning to end and lacked substance. The writing was juvenile and I found that I could jump paragraphs and not miss a thing because I knew what was coming. Would not recommend but if you do read it - GET IT FROM THE LIBRARY. That way you won't feel financially invested if you get started and don't want to finish.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted June 25, 2011

    Great book!!

    I picked this book up over the weekend because the cover and story seemed intriguing and it was a Nicholas Sparks type novel. I read this story in two days and loved it!

    Wyatt and Gabby are bound by tragedy when Gabby's husband drives drunk and kills Wyatt's wife and son. Five years after the accident, Wyatt decides to revive his late wife's program "New Beginnings" which helps troubled teens by combining therapy and horses. Gabby's rebellious fourteen year old son Trevor is accepted into the program causing Gabby, Wyatt and Trevor to deal with the tragedy that intertwines their lives.

    This is a great story. I love the horse part of the storyline. The book is filled with vivid characters like Ram-Wyatt's father, Aunt Lou and Big John and Mercy who work on the ranch and Reverend Jacobson.

    If you love horses or Nicholas Sparks, then I think you'll definitely enjoy this book!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted May 19, 2011

    A Great Story of Love and Forgiveness

    Just finished reading Mr. Barclay's wonderful book... I do not read books written by men as a rule but I found his ability to delve into human feelings and translate them to the written page wonderfully refreshing... He made his characters vibrant and one could envision them clearly and share their grief and their pain as well as their love and joy... I thoroughly enjoyed the story which brought together two families as a result of a great tragedy and will look for future books by the author...I compliment the author on a beautifully portrayed love story without being graphic in the details... Rarely do I laugh and cry in the same book but I must confess that in addition to many smiles I shed a few tears in this wonderfully warm and very human story...

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted April 11, 2011

    awesome

    this book was great, i couldnt put it down!!!!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted February 26, 2011

    Highly Recommended

    What a GREAT book! I could not put it down!

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted December 28, 2010

    A wonderful story that grabbed me right off.

    A wonderful story that grabbed me right off. Two families dealing with senseless death of loved ones and trying to find love and forgiveness through a program of horse therapy. It shows how we allow the pain we feel to overwhelm us and keeps us unhappy and distant from the ones we love, but gives us hope that we can turn that around.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted November 14, 2010

    Excellent family saga

    I found "If Wishes Were Horses", by Robert Barclay, to be an excellent family saga. The characters were well developed and believable. The writer described equine therapy in such detail, giving the reader great insight and understanding of how children's health can be significantly improved, and conditions even cured, through this type of therapy. In this complex world, it is nice to read something so uplifting. The novel was an easy read and kept my attention throughout.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 20, 2012

    Good Read

    I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was just an all around good story and though it was fiction, I could actually see it happening. I hope Robert Barclay has more books coming out.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 8, 2012

    Great book!!

    I love this book! I really like horses so this was a good book for me. :)

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 6, 2012

    Great book

    Loved every sentence!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 5, 2012

    Omj

    Have not read it yet hope it is good

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 4, 2012

    Good pick

    Very interesting. Hard to put book down. First book by this author, won't be last.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 29, 2011

    Awesomeness

    It waz sooooooooo hart pounding!!":-)

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 28, 2011

    Am I missing something?

    I really don't see what others liked about this book because I thought it was VERY boring. Just thought it was very predictable and lacked in all areas. Disappointed I spent the money. I feel really bad but I simply can't find anything great to say about this book.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted December 17, 2010

    I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!

    I started reading this book and, literally, couldn't put it down until I had finished it! I live in south Florida and can actually visit some of the areas mentioned in the book, which made it even easier for me to visualize. I love the idea of championing horse therapy for kids (I could use a little myself at times)and how well the characters are fleshed out. I have a friend in Colorado who had a big horse ranch and we used to go out riding in the huge fields and pastures, so I pictured the Blaine ranch looking similar to this, except there were no alligators in Colorado! I hope the author will seriously think of writing a sequel and delve more deeply into the lives of the characters as the years go on.

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  • Posted November 21, 2010

    READ IT! A spiritual story of love, human challenge and redemption

    "If Wishes Were Horses" unfolds with main characters, Wyatt and Gabby, who have lived very distinct and distant lives, but who have been pulled together by tragedy, their own family members' deaths in a drunk driving accident. Gabby, her son, Trevor, and Wyatt come together in a twist of fate on Wyatt's equine therapy ranch. The Boca ranch is where Trevor came to sort out his emotions surrounding his father's death. The equine therapy program was developed by Wyatt's wife who also lost her life in the same tragic drunk driving accident.

    The characters explore hope, love, courage, transformation and redemption in this page turner. Barclay's mains characters' emotions are well developed, real, and raw while encountering human challenges. Barclay also has strong minor characters like Wyatt's stoic father who contributed significantly to the plot's twists and turns and the reader's emotional connection to the novel. As a young girl growing up with Welsh ponies and Quarter horses, I know that horse lovers will also like how Barclay used beautiful Arabian horses as a vehicle to gain deeper insights about the characters.

    I could not put down "If Wishes Were Horses" because I desired to see how relationships evolved and how the challenges would be sorted out. It was a heartfelt, spiritual and quick read, which left me with wanting to know more about Gabby and Wyatt and their future lives. The book was one of the best in my recent reads. Consider having some tissues ready....

    "Wishes" would be great a choice for a book club; I know I'll recommend it for my school's club. The story has so many layers of human emotion and drama that it will generate deep and thoughtful discussions and many will have personal connections to the universal human story.

    I'm eager to read more of Barclay's books and perhaps we all may just end up seeing "Wishes" on the big screen since there are parallels between Barclay's style and Nicholas Spark's bestsellers and movies.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 21, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted August 30, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 11, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

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