Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Windblown Media (September 25, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 193517004X
ISBN-13: 978-1935170044
Click here to find out where you can Purchase!
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.
From the outside, it looks as if character Steven Kerner has it all. You guessed right..from the inside his life is a frustrating mess. The harder he tries to control his world, the faster it seems to crumble apart. Divorce looks imminent for both him and his wife.
Steven meets Andy Munroe, who reminds me a lot of the character, Jones in “The Noticer”. Andy is an old family friend who now works in a marina after being an affluent financial executive. Through Andy’s friendship Steven is introduced to an assorted cast of characters who meet for lunch at Bo’s Café. These “regulars” along with Andy offer Steven true friendship and teach him how to accept God’s grace.
This is a powerful book in it’s own right! Everyone will take something from this Novel that they can use by putting it into perspective and applying it to their own lives. Grab a cup of coffee and meet us over at Bo’s Café!
Check out Bo’s Café New Site! I, personally think it’s really Cool
Welcome. You’ve walked into “Bo’s Café”. Pull up a chair and stay as long as you like (or until Bo asks you to up and leave). Every now and then we stumble upon a place that feels different. You might find it on a trip out of town or sometimes it might be a place you discover right in your own neighborhood. The place kind of sneaks up on you. Maybe it’s the music, or the upstairs deck, or the smell of good food. Something about it feels…safe, real, fun, alive…authentic, unrehearsed, true. You stumble into conversations and in very little time feel like you’re becoming known. Or you can sit off in the corner with a nice drink and just be there, talking to no one until you’re ready. The place is almost always comfortably full, but rarely crowded. And there’s laughter. Not that obnoxious drunken laughter of lonely bravado, but the laughter of friends enjoying each other. You eventually get a sense that no matter what you tell these friends, they are going to care for you more, not less. But hey, we’re getting our socks on over our boots here, aren’t we? You’ll figure out that out over time at Bo’s. Nobody needs to tell you.
There are some regulars here. They’re right over there, in the middle of the deck crowd. Carlos, Cynthia, Hank, Andy. Sometimes Steven and Lindsey show up. Scattered around the deck you got your doctors and lawyers. There’s a sheet metal guy, a city council member, a couple of plumbers. Tech nerds chillin’ with hospital workers. Shop owners, students from all over town.
And there’s Bo himself, the owner of this restaurant No matter what you order he’ll tell you he’s giving you 5-day old carp. It’s his own running joke. Don’t let his insults, intimidating size and booming Cajun voice scare you off. He’s one of the most real and kind people you’ll ever meet.
Well, wander around the site, until you’ve found what you’re looking for. There are conversations going on in several rooms. On the deck itself they don’t even mind if you enter in. Soon you’ll be a regular. You’ll see.
Meet the Authors by clicking on their individual photos..
John also serves as teaching pastor at Open Door Fellowship in Phoenix, Arizona, a position that he has held since 1985. The authenticity, longevity, and playfulness of these two flawed communities, Open Door and the Truefaced group, brings real-world reality and potency to this Truefaced message of Bo’s Cafe.
John used his love for writing and performing as the co-founder and playwright for Sharkey Productions, a theater troupe focused on Gospel-anchored theater productions for those still seeking Jesus. John and his wife Stacey are passionate parents to their three children Caleb, Amy and Carly.
Prior to joining the TrueFaced group, Bill founded and pastored the influential church, Open Door Fellowship, for over 20 years. While there, he developed an effective character development training program, which has influenced thousands.
In his spare time, Bill can be found fishing, golfing, crafting furniture for his family in his wood shop or cultivating fruits, vegetables and herbs in his beautiful backyard garden. Bill and his wife, Grace have three grown children Wende, Bill, and Joy and nine grandchildren.
As co-founder and president of Truefaced team, Bruce’s passion is to see tens of thousands of safe places like Bo’s Café growing around the world, whether they be families, businesses, schools, hospitals, churches, organizations, sports teams, military or governments.
Bruce enjoys the beach, sports, and observing cultures through history-makers, emerging leaders, mass media, and comedians. His constant interest is his wife Janet, who is a homemaker, nurse and mentor. Together, they absolutely enjoy their three children, Nicole, Chad and Ryan.
Miriam over at
has generously offered 5 Lucky Frugal Plus Readers a chance to Win a Copy of this Personal Journal Novel!
To Enter:
Valid for Residents of the U.S. and Canada, age 18 and older. Please no PO Boxes.
Mandatory Entries:
** You must be a Subscriber of Frugal Plus. You are welcome to sign up on the right-hand sidebar of our blog. Your subscription must be active, so be sure to check your email and activate it.
** Please leave a question or two for the Authors to answer tomorrow for the Q & A Blog Tour! 
This Giveaway will end Friday, October 9, 2009.
The Winner(s) will be chosen by Random.org. I will post the Winner(s) here on Frugal Plus, as well as, email directly. You will then have 48 hours to claim your Prize.
Images Courtesy of © 2009 Hachette Book Group, © 2009 Bos Cafe












































#1 by Laura on September 28, 2009 - 6:39 PM
Cool, thanks!
#2 by GAhome2mom on September 28, 2009 - 7:23 PM
Cool. I am a follower. Hey, I tweeted this for you too.
#3 by Patti Bright on September 28, 2009 - 7:23 PM
I definately am a subscriber!
plb8156@aol.com
#4 by jkeller on September 28, 2009 - 7:29 PM
What was the inspiration for this novel?
#5 by Bruce on September 28, 2009 - 8:18 PM
My co-author John Lynch’s severe dyfunctions always inspire me to find better answers to life’s questions, ha! Actually, all 3 of us have been living in an environment of grace (Bo’s Cafe) for many years and we have each needed the authenticity and healing and fun and freedom that comes with such a community. We know millions more long for this experience too. That’s our inspiration! Bruce
#6 by Patti Bright on September 28, 2009 - 7:30 PM
Question one
Was it difficult to write a book together? Did one person want to take the lead? Did you share roles? Any disagreements or did you approach with a Christian perspective & let God lead you?
#7 by Bruce on September 28, 2009 - 8:23 PM
Difficult? You bet. It was exasperating and exhilarating all at once! We wouldn’t have it any other way! Yes, we had disagreements, kind of like in a marriage. Whenever, two or more people come together for a long period of time, there will be disagreements. Conflict can be so healthy (and creative in the case of a book) when you’re committed to each other, Bruce
#8 by Patti Bright on September 28, 2009 - 7:32 PM
Question two
Who is your target audience? Are you writing for fellow believers or hoping to show nonbelievers a true way of living or is it targeted to both audiences?
plb8156@aol.com
#9 by Bruce on September 28, 2009 - 8:31 PM
Patty, are you sure you get more than one question! Our target audience is people everywhere searching for authenticity, for real life, for freedom! People on the deck at Bo’s Cafe come from all different backgrounds, and walks of life. Some are more “different” than others, like Hank! Some at Bo’s Cafe have met Jesus and other regulars are still looking for Jesus. Everyone needs grace to win in their life, Bruce
#10 by Patti Bright on September 28, 2009 - 7:35 PM
Question three
Is the story strictly fiction or is it based on personal experiences that any of you may have had or anyone you have met?
plb8156@aol.com
#11 by Bruce on September 28, 2009 - 8:33 PM
Bring it on, Patti. (See this time I spelled your name right) Bo’s Cafe is based on real people. Some of the characters in Bo’s Cafe are composites of several people, Bruce
#12 by GAhome2mom on September 28, 2009 - 7:41 PM
What was it like to work with more than one person on this book?
#13 by Bruce on September 28, 2009 - 8:40 PM
It is slower, mess-ier, and better than any one of us could’ve ever produced on our own. The secret sauce is in the combined life experiences, the diverse creative gifts, and the wisdom God personally shines through our individual journeys. We’ve written together before (TrueFaced, Beyond Your Best, Ascent) and those experiences told us it couldn not only work, but work better than if we were on our own. Perhaps, most important, our writing community reflects the very message of Bo’s Cafe, as we keep learning how to submit to each others strengths and protect each other weaknesses, have a great evening, Bruce (you might also see my reply to a similar question from Patti above)
#14 by Patti Bright on September 28, 2009 - 7:43 PM
One last question

Based on your religious backgrounds & the content of the book, I was wondering are there direct quotes from the Bible or are any of the characters based on any Bibilical figures?
Thanks for answering questions for the readers! I will be tweeting about this
plb8156@aol.com
#15 by Erin on September 28, 2009 - 7:45 PM
Would you consider writing another book together?
#16 by Bruce on September 28, 2009 - 8:41 PM
Absolutely! We plan to, Erin, thank you for asking, Bruce
#17 by Beth on September 28, 2009 - 7:50 PM
I subscribe – please enter me. Thanks.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
#18 by Beth on September 28, 2009 - 7:51 PM
How did the three of you decide to write a book together?
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
#19 by Bruce on September 28, 2009 - 8:47 PM
Beth, the books flow out of the friendship that we enjoy together. We live in community with each other and our families and friends. Bo’s Cafe is about authentic friendship in a world where too many people feel lonely, sad, and isolated from those who could love them. We want to express these truths of life as co-authors, so our lives get a chance to confirm that the friendship in the story of Bo’s Cafe is real. It’s possible. It will not evaporate like a mirage. Beth, I hope you enjoy this friendship too. (You might also take a look at the two answers to similar questions above), Bruce
#20 by Janet F on September 28, 2009 - 8:11 PM
To any or all of the authors,
How have your personal experiences affected your writing?
What book fiction or non-fiction has made an impact on your life?
Is a sequel or series being considered?
#21 by Bruce on September 28, 2009 - 8:58 PM
Yes, Janet, our writing has been totally affected by our experiences.
You know, we’re going to listen for awhile to learn how Bo’s Cafe helps readers before we decide on direction for our next book.(In real life, however, there’s some amazing things going on with these characters) Meanwhile, the regulars at Bo’s Cafe stop by each week, and you can read their conversations at http://www.boscafe.com.
Janet, if you ever get your hands on a copy of one of our previous books, TrueFaced, turn to page 47-48 and you’ll see why we like your butterfly icon!
Bruce
#22 by Shawntele on September 28, 2009 - 8:31 PM
What advice do you have for budding writers who hope one day to get published?
#23 by Bruce on September 28, 2009 - 9:02 PM
Shawntele, three things, 1st, keep reading, 2nd, keep writing (a little something every day), and finally, order an inexpensive writing guide called, Write Track, from Masterplanning International in Florida, you can google them. Also, two of the books that helped me are Bird by Bird by Ann Lamont and Words on Target (I forget the author right now, see everybody forgets authors!) Bruce
#24 by Jill on September 28, 2009 - 9:43 PM
It’s so nice to sit back and read all your comments for a change. I luv the added benefit of our readers getting the personalized feedback from the Authors
Plus, I get even more out of this Inspiring novel with the feedback!
We should do this more often!
I’m off for the evening, if your comment doesn’t show up right away, it will as soon as Shawn Ann or myself check the blog.
A Special Thanks to all our Readers for making this possible
I’ll talk to you all in the morning
#25 by Jeanie on September 29, 2009 - 12:58 AM
I am a happy follower!
#26 by Jeanie on September 29, 2009 - 1:04 AM
I hope that I am not too late to ask a question!
Do you have a cafe type of place at your church?
Now, I just want to add that I think it’s Awesome what you wrote about! You take a mixture of “issues” that people have and season it with grace! I think this book will appeal to both male and female. I would very much like to read it. I wish you all many blessings!
Thanks for having this contest!
#27 by Jonnie H on September 29, 2009 - 11:08 AM
I am a subscriber
dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com
#28 by Bev Ethington on September 29, 2009 - 11:09 AM
I’m a follower for sure. This is a great concept for fellowship and spreading The Word – Luv it!
#29 by Bruce on September 29, 2009 - 12:26 PM
Jeanie, you’re not too late.
Bo’s Cafe can be any place you imagine, wherever we live. (true, you can’t get Bo’s majestic Pacific just any place; we have a lot of beach in Phoenix, but were short on ocean) So, we encourage people to start their own Bo’s Cafe right where they are.
We’ve heard of these ranging from gazebo’s and coffee shops, to grassy knolls and mountain tops, to great rooms and wineries, to canals and sail boats, to bike rides and hikes, to special spots on university campuses to sections of “new” libraries where they encourage conversation. Yes, there are several “oasis” places at our church; part of our family is at an urban multi-cultural church and the whole campus feel’s kinda like a safe place to me, a Bo’s Cafe. But, it’s more about the people than even the place, isn’t it.
Thank you for your encouragement; yes it sounds like this book is appealing to both genders, for which we are grateful, because that was our intent.
Later today, the regulars will be gathering again on the deck at Bo’s, you can catch them at http://www.boscafe.com
Have a great day, Bruce
#30 by Jaime on September 29, 2009 - 2:12 PM
I am a subscriber
copperllama at yahoo dot com
#31 by Chrissy on September 29, 2009 - 3:56 PM
I’m a subscriber and my question is that I don’t fully understand the concept of the book and the web site. Could you please explain?
#32 by Nadia on September 30, 2009 - 8:17 AM
I’m a suscriber.
#33 by karen k on September 30, 2009 - 9:32 AM
What an inspirational book….please count me in. thanks.
#34 by karen k on September 30, 2009 - 9:32 AM
I’m a subscriber
#35 by Peggy Gorman on September 30, 2009 - 11:12 PM
Subscriber of Frugal Plus
matternu@aol.com
#36 by Bonnie W on October 1, 2009 - 9:37 PM
subscriber
#37 by renee on October 1, 2009 - 11:16 PM
email subscriber
#38 by Marjorie on October 3, 2009 - 6:14 PM
I am a follower and would like to win this book.
#39 by Marie R on October 4, 2009 - 1:23 PM
I am a follower and I would ask the authors did you have alot of creative differences and how did that effect writing the book.
#40 by anne on October 4, 2009 - 5:52 PM
Thanks for this great giveaway. It interests me greatly. I subscribe.
#41 by Christine W on October 6, 2009 - 1:00 AM
I am a subscriber to Frugal Plus.
Thank you,
Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
#42 by Christine W on October 6, 2009 - 1:02 AM
I do not see how the three of you have time to write a book with all of your activities. I would like to know more about Sharkey Productions. Where did you get the name? How many plays have you written? Where has the troupe performed?
Thank you,
Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
#43 by Winning Readings on October 6, 2009 - 9:12 AM
I’m a subscriber… I’ve heard lots of good things about this book! And I love books that are both interesting and motivational – that inspire change…
I’m curious as to how 3 authors work together to coauthor a book. What are the specific challenges in coauthorship? How do the authors complement each other?
(And I posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/10/bos-cafe_06.html)
#44 by Anita Yancey on October 6, 2009 - 1:01 PM
Is it hard working together?
The book sounds great. Please enter me. Thanks! I am a subscriber.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
#45 by Heather H. on October 6, 2009 - 10:40 PM
I subscribe.