High-powered executive Steven Kerner is living the dream in southern California. But when his bottled pain ignites in anger one night, his wife kicks him out. Then an eccentric mystery man named Andy Monroe befriends Steven and begins unravelling his tightly wound world. Andy leads Steven through a series of frustrating and revealing encounters to repair his life through genuine friendship and the grace and love of a God who has been waiting for him to accept it. A story to challenge and encourage, BO'S CAFE is a model for all who struggle with unresolved problems and a performance-based life. Those who desire a fuller, more authentic way of living will find this journey of healing a restorative exploration of God's unbridled grace.
Bo's Cafe: A Novel
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle.
Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Bruce McNicol is president of Leadership Catalyst, Inc. and an international speaker and consultant. He holds a master's in theology and a doctorate in organizational and leadership development. Previously he served for ten years as president of the international church planting organization Interest Associates.
Bill Thrall serves as vice-chair of Leadership Catalyst, mentor, and coauthor of the bestselling TrueFaced resources (www.truefaced.com), The Ascent of a Leader, and Beyond Your Best.
John Lynch is a national conference speaker and writer for LCI, holds a master's of theoology from Talbot Seminary, and has twenty years' experience as a teaching pastor of Open Door Fellowship. He's also cofounder and playwright of a theater troupe inPhoenix
Bill Thrall serves as vice-chair of Leadership Catalyst, mentor, and coauthor of the bestselling TrueFaced resources (www.truefaced.com), The Ascent of a Leader, and Beyond Your Best.
John Lynch is a national conference speaker and writer for LCI, holds a master's of theoology from Talbot Seminary, and has twenty years' experience as a teaching pastor of Open Door Fellowship. He's also cofounder and playwright of a theater troupe in
From AudioFile
Roger Mueller's textured characterizations of Steven Kerner and Andy Monroe are riveting in this spiritual novel, which is reminiscent of THE SHACK. Steven is faced with the pressures of his high-powered executive position and his disintegrating homelife. Mueller delivers a compelling portrayal of Steven's feelings of worthlessness and explosions of rage toward his wife. Then he meets Andy Monroe, a mysterious aging hippie who claims to know his father, as well as personal things about Steven that his wife doesn't even know. As the story reveals the human need for honesty and a willingness to be vulnerable in relationships, Mueller depicts Steven's search for "a safe place," where he will be accepted without judgment. This is a story that lingers, and changes the listeners who let it. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
--This text refers to the
Audio CD
edition.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Authors
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
51 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Windblown Media is the publishing company established by a couple of guys for the purpose of getting their friend's book, `The Shack', into print. The first copies traveled from person to person as friends passed around the surprising story that found its way into their hearts. Millions of copies and readers later, `The Shack' is both a publishing phenomenon and a discussion starter everywhere.
How exactly do you follow up on the success of `The Shack'? Do the publishers pursue money, marketing share or message? I've been waiting to see what they would print next, knowing that their office is overwhelmed by submissions from eager writers wanting to capitalize on the Windblown brand. After reading, Bo's Café, I am not surprised that the publishers chose to go with `message.'
Bo's Café is a novel written by three close friends. They have previously written a book together called, `TrueFaced,' which describes the difference of trying to live a life of pleasing God or living a life of learning how to trust God. Along the way they discuss authenticity, grace, love, repentance and forgiveness. Bo's Café is similar in theme but is presented in a novel form. As such, it may be more accessible and available to readers.
The book is not flashy in its presentation or prose--it will not win the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished writing. That being said, this novel was not written for entertainment purposes. The characters, background and events are meant to pull the reader into a greater story- the reader's own. If this book is passed around like `The Shack' it will also be because the readers found that it makes a difference.
The main character, Steven Kerner, is at a difficult place in life where all his hard fought success is crumbling around him. But where `The Shack' took its character Mackenzie to the woods to meet with God, Steven has his profound revelations at Bo's Café while meeting with regular patrons. In the mix of giving and receiving real and raw feedback, Stephen experiences profound grace. More could be said about the storyline, but it is better experienced in the paperback itself.
This book is ultimately about moving from control to trust, from protection to vulnerability, and from blame to forgiveness. All of this happens in the context of relationships. It left me in a great place of self-reflection and led me to have some significant conversations with others around me. Bo's Café has whetted my appetite for more.
Read this book with an open heart and you won't be disappointed. You may see grace in a whole new light!
How exactly do you follow up on the success of `The Shack'? Do the publishers pursue money, marketing share or message? I've been waiting to see what they would print next, knowing that their office is overwhelmed by submissions from eager writers wanting to capitalize on the Windblown brand. After reading, Bo's Café, I am not surprised that the publishers chose to go with `message.'
Bo's Café is a novel written by three close friends. They have previously written a book together called, `TrueFaced,' which describes the difference of trying to live a life of pleasing God or living a life of learning how to trust God. Along the way they discuss authenticity, grace, love, repentance and forgiveness. Bo's Café is similar in theme but is presented in a novel form. As such, it may be more accessible and available to readers.
The book is not flashy in its presentation or prose--it will not win the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished writing. That being said, this novel was not written for entertainment purposes. The characters, background and events are meant to pull the reader into a greater story- the reader's own. If this book is passed around like `The Shack' it will also be because the readers found that it makes a difference.
The main character, Steven Kerner, is at a difficult place in life where all his hard fought success is crumbling around him. But where `The Shack' took its character Mackenzie to the woods to meet with God, Steven has his profound revelations at Bo's Café while meeting with regular patrons. In the mix of giving and receiving real and raw feedback, Stephen experiences profound grace. More could be said about the storyline, but it is better experienced in the paperback itself.
This book is ultimately about moving from control to trust, from protection to vulnerability, and from blame to forgiveness. All of this happens in the context of relationships. It left me in a great place of self-reflection and led me to have some significant conversations with others around me. Bo's Café has whetted my appetite for more.
Read this book with an open heart and you won't be disappointed. You may see grace in a whole new light!
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I truly enjoyed this ride. You will too. Trust me. Real life. Real people. Rugged honesty. Wrenching reality.
A mosaic of granting permission to take ourselves less seriously, to confront the challenge of facing ourselves through the eyes of others, the courage to seek or stumble into relationships where the grace of God can work the miracle of transforming us into what we might be --- it's all here in Bo's Café - Will Grace Finally Win?
Jesus really never told people what to think. For the most part, he attracted people to see life with new eyes. Sure, He reasoned with some folks. Yet, he truly appealed to their imagination versus their reason (or lack thereof) --- Sunglasses after sunset (p.29) is a profound embodiment of the ongoing new era of storytelling that gives new life and relevance to the reality of Jesus presence and unrealized impact in our lives. Come as you are to this book. Bring all your stuff along. Reach for grace. What's grace? Listen to the authors (John Lynch, Bill Thrall and BruceMcNicol):
"Grace is a gift only the nonreligious can accept. They're the only ones who can get it. Religious folks see grace as soft. So they keep trying to manage their junk with their own willpower and tenacity. Nothing defines religion quite as well as a bunch of people trying to do impossible tasks with limited power while bluffing to themselves that it's working." (p.89).
It's very important to note that this novel is not written for religious types (although those who consider themselves as such would definitely enjoy it). I am not going to spoil the plot, the characters, or the many poignant truths that will innocently harness your heart in this review. It would be a crying shame to do that. Speaking of shame, take note of the following excerpt:
"You know what shame does? It takes a particular violation or several violations from your past, something that really got to you, and convinces you felt like in that violation is who you'll always be, for the rest of your life. Sad,huh? --- We don't want others to see us for the person the lie has told us we are. We almost unconsciously create a lie to protect us from the lie. Bad combination." (pp.146-147).
You can't write those words without having lived it, and experienced the freedom that lies on the other side of this deception.
Ride with these guys. There should be warning label on the jacket of this book: Read with Sunglasses On. You'll need them to peer into the timeless truths this story reveals in a new, creative, relevant light.
A mosaic of granting permission to take ourselves less seriously, to confront the challenge of facing ourselves through the eyes of others, the courage to seek or stumble into relationships where the grace of God can work the miracle of transforming us into what we might be --- it's all here in Bo's Café - Will Grace Finally Win?
Jesus really never told people what to think. For the most part, he attracted people to see life with new eyes. Sure, He reasoned with some folks. Yet, he truly appealed to their imagination versus their reason (or lack thereof) --- Sunglasses after sunset (p.29) is a profound embodiment of the ongoing new era of storytelling that gives new life and relevance to the reality of Jesus presence and unrealized impact in our lives. Come as you are to this book. Bring all your stuff along. Reach for grace. What's grace? Listen to the authors (John Lynch, Bill Thrall and BruceMcNicol):
"Grace is a gift only the nonreligious can accept. They're the only ones who can get it. Religious folks see grace as soft. So they keep trying to manage their junk with their own willpower and tenacity. Nothing defines religion quite as well as a bunch of people trying to do impossible tasks with limited power while bluffing to themselves that it's working." (p.89).
It's very important to note that this novel is not written for religious types (although those who consider themselves as such would definitely enjoy it). I am not going to spoil the plot, the characters, or the many poignant truths that will innocently harness your heart in this review. It would be a crying shame to do that. Speaking of shame, take note of the following excerpt:
"You know what shame does? It takes a particular violation or several violations from your past, something that really got to you, and convinces you felt like in that violation is who you'll always be, for the rest of your life. Sad,huh? --- We don't want others to see us for the person the lie has told us we are. We almost unconsciously create a lie to protect us from the lie. Bad combination." (pp.146-147).
You can't write those words without having lived it, and experienced the freedom that lies on the other side of this deception.
Ride with these guys. There should be warning label on the jacket of this book: Read with Sunglasses On. You'll need them to peer into the timeless truths this story reveals in a new, creative, relevant light.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Bo's Café is a different kind of place. More than a good read, this novel is like a secret passage, a hidden portal to a place where the reader's heart sighs and says "I'm home."
Have you ever finished a well-written, spiritually rejuvenating book, only to realize shortly afterwards that you simply don't have what it takes to stay connected to your newfound joy and excitement? You lose momentum, you trip up on old habits, and the excitement quickly fades. You wonder, why. What is it about me?
As a Christian seeking to love God and learn His ways - do you yourself ever have an overwhelming desire to be known; to be understood deep down inside; to be fully accepted for who you are? What would it be like to experience a place where you were completely exposed for who you are - ALL of you, the good and the dark? And through that process, find the secret to a meaningful and rewarding life - a life of enjoying God, enjoying others, and enjoying yourself, consistently . . .
I have come to realize in my own Christian experience, that I hide and judge others to protect myself. This helps ensure my "rightness" and better-than-ness. It also ensures that I lose out on enjoying God and others, and am left craving acceptance from others and from myself. "Oh what a wretched soul am I." There must be a way out, for Jesus "came to give us life, and life to the full". Where can I see, where can I experience a REAL example of life without my shame?
I visited Bo's Café. Got to know some of the regulars. I joined Steven for a while in his fight to hold on to his rightness and superior position, trying to keep an image of himself that he thought would bring acceptance. Then I experienced, in the story of Steven, his strange friend Andy, and his wife Lindsay, the secret to enjoying a fulfilled life. A place where you already have everything it takes to learn this secret. I encourage you to make your way to Bo's . . .
Have you ever finished a well-written, spiritually rejuvenating book, only to realize shortly afterwards that you simply don't have what it takes to stay connected to your newfound joy and excitement? You lose momentum, you trip up on old habits, and the excitement quickly fades. You wonder, why. What is it about me?
As a Christian seeking to love God and learn His ways - do you yourself ever have an overwhelming desire to be known; to be understood deep down inside; to be fully accepted for who you are? What would it be like to experience a place where you were completely exposed for who you are - ALL of you, the good and the dark? And through that process, find the secret to a meaningful and rewarding life - a life of enjoying God, enjoying others, and enjoying yourself, consistently . . .
I have come to realize in my own Christian experience, that I hide and judge others to protect myself. This helps ensure my "rightness" and better-than-ness. It also ensures that I lose out on enjoying God and others, and am left craving acceptance from others and from myself. "Oh what a wretched soul am I." There must be a way out, for Jesus "came to give us life, and life to the full". Where can I see, where can I experience a REAL example of life without my shame?
I visited Bo's Café. Got to know some of the regulars. I joined Steven for a while in his fight to hold on to his rightness and superior position, trying to keep an image of himself that he thought would bring acceptance. Then I experienced, in the story of Steven, his strange friend Andy, and his wife Lindsay, the secret to enjoying a fulfilled life. A place where you already have everything it takes to learn this secret. I encourage you to make your way to Bo's . . .
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great read, get yourself a copy.
When the book implied that millions of people are living this way, I get that. We're all living with these "symptoms" (of life) which worsens because most of us simply ignore it. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Dawn Carlo
Irritating
I was looking forward to reading this book, but found that character Andy was irritating and really didn't listen to Stephen's issues. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Library Lady
Relationship changing and life changing!
The story is about a highly successful corporate type and it all starts the week his wife kicks him out. He runs into someone who subliminally leads him in the right direction. Read more
Published 13 months ago by E. troche
Awesome Story Of The Gift of Mentoring
A story of unconditional love and acceptance of one man for another as the mentor guides the other in removing his "mask" and allowing his True Face to show up.
Published 15 months ago by Tom Ellis
Bo's Cafe
The book was shipped in record time and I started reading it right away. I had read another book by the same publisher and saw Bo's Cafe inside the back cover. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Robin N. Pack
Who has your back?
Bo's Café is a book written in a growing genre of reality fiction that seeks to illustrate and demonstrate what in the past has often been presented as doctrinal teaching. Read more
Published 20 months ago by B. Breen
Amazing Grace!
"Bo's Cafe" is an excellent book, defining the process by which God works His grace in our lives through relationhips and accountability. Don't let the title fool you. Read more
Published 20 months ago by PastorJR
Genuine Community in a Safe Place
A great book and an easy read. So many of us wear masks because we don't want others to see the real us, yet how can we know genuine community until we are free to be real and... Read more
Published 20 months ago by June E. Melanson
A community of grace
For those who have longed to see a picture of a community of grace within the context of a realistic story, I encourage you to journey with the characters of Bo's Cafe through the... Read more
Published 21 months ago by D. Herr
Borrrrrrrring!!!
Did I read a different book than everyone else??? I really tried to get into this book because it got such good reviews. I kept sitting here, thinking, it will get better. Read more
Published 22 months ago by M CLASS
Inside This Book
(learn more)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
