Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
36th out of 194 books
—
61 voters
Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White
Two Hearts, One God.
Should Anything Else Matter?
Zora Nella Hampton Johnson knows exactly where she comes from—and her daddy won't let her forget. Of course for that privilege he keeps her in Prada and Kate Spade, Coach and YSL. He chooses her boyfriend, her car, her address, and ignores her love of painting, art, and the old ways of her grandaddy's soulful AME church—wher...more
Should Anything Else Matter?
Zora Nella Hampton Johnson knows exactly where she comes from—and her daddy won't let her forget. Of course for that privilege he keeps her in Prada and Kate Spade, Coach and YSL. He chooses her boyfriend, her car, her address, and ignores her love of painting, art, and the old ways of her grandaddy's soulful AME church—wher...more
Paperback, 389 pages
Published
April 1st 2008
by David C. Cook
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
652)
The story was so simple and realistic. Every one of the characters could have been someone that I knew. They were flawed and genuine people. Confused about themselves, the people they loved, and their relationship with God. The story manages to deal with all these issues very well.
However, the main reason I gave this one 5 stars was that poem "Beautiful Mosaic." This is so cheesy, but I actually cried. It just spoke to me.
However, the main reason I gave this one 5 stars was that poem "Beautiful Mosaic." This is so cheesy, but I actually cried. It just spoke to me.
The novel revolves around the relationship between Nicky, a young white college graduate surviving on minimal means, and Zora, a self-described ‘Black American Princess’ who drives a Lexus and enjoys her designer labels. They meet at a bible study, and though the relationship gets off to a rocky start, their love grows despite incredible opposition from friends and families. Burney unflinchingly takes on the issues of race and religion, challenging the reader to examine one's own subtle prejudic...more
This is the most amazing Christian romance story I've read! It is real, edgy, raw and authentic. It takes real issues (sex, lust, faith, racism, parents, relationships) that real single Christians deal with while dating. Nothing is glossed over. The reader lives the struggles with the characters. The writing is beautiful. The characters are honest, flawed, broken and searching for Christ.
I loved that it was written for the Christ-following readers. I doubt non-believers will 'get it.' The autho...more
I loved that it was written for the Christ-following readers. I doubt non-believers will 'get it.' The autho...more
2 likes
·
like
· see review
WOW
So....I've been trying to read romances for awhile, right? And kind of hating it because I keep getting slapped in the face with horrible writing. And I've also tried to read contemporary Christian books for awhile too, and hating the bad writing and getting slapped in the face with the love of Jesus. Last but not least, I've been trying to read interacial romances, and besides carrying over the bad writing from the romance genre, I've been getting slapped in the face with all levels of black...more
So....I've been trying to read romances for awhile, right? And kind of hating it because I keep getting slapped in the face with horrible writing. And I've also tried to read contemporary Christian books for awhile too, and hating the bad writing and getting slapped in the face with the love of Jesus. Last but not least, I've been trying to read interacial romances, and besides carrying over the bad writing from the romance genre, I've been getting slapped in the face with all levels of black...more
Zora Hampton is very aware of her African heritage. How can you not be when your father is breathing it down your neck 24/7? But her father treats her with the utmost respect and gives her anything she wants. He makes sure she has the perfect car, apartment, and even boyfriend. Her father doesn't seem to take in her considerations though because he has ignored Zora's love of painting. Zora's not sure if she's happy with her current lifestyle and even though her dad's the preacher of one of the b...more
All I can say is WOW!!!! Amazing!!! I had no idea that this was a Christian novel. What a wonderfully written and beautiful love story. There are actually two concurring story lines, the first is the obvious interacial couple. However, most importantly, the second underlying story line has to do with finding one's niche with Christ and what it means to be a Christian. Although one can grow up in the church, how does one actually set out and establish their own personal relationship with God? How...more
The only thing I didn't like about this book is that it ended. It's a truly beautiful, if "beautiful" is the right word for something difficult but important, exploration of the (often subconscious) racism which exists in all of us, as well as portrait of what genuine faith looks like in spite of our predjudices. Burney has managed to present that rarest of rare things in contemporary Christian fiction: a book without oversimplifications and religious platitudes masquerading as good storytelling...more
I loved this quick read! It is your typical love story of two lovers who shouldn't be together because of some ridiculous reason, which in this particular story is race. The author Claudia Burney, does a great job of boldly talking about the age old stereotypes that have fully integrated into American society. There is no original thought given to the historical arguments of race and race mixing, but it gives an interesting perspective of the church acceptance or lack of acceptance on matters of...more
One of the weirdest (in a good way) books I've ever read. I'm reading about these two very different PKs who are each struggling with their faith and how they are separate from, but still from, their families, and thinking to myself, "These people ought to find the Orthodox Church."
And then they do. Turns out the author is an Orthodox Christian! She has a writing style all her own, and her characters are somewhat foreign to me, but so utterly themselves... This book may not be for everyone, but...more
And then they do. Turns out the author is an Orthodox Christian! She has a writing style all her own, and her characters are somewhat foreign to me, but so utterly themselves... This book may not be for everyone, but...more
I have to love Christian fiction that is prefaced with a note from the publisher that apologizes for the book not being 'typical', and hoping that the readers will like it anyway. Hallelujah for its not being typical.
Burney says that she wanted to tackle race and religion, and boy did she, through the lens of an interracial couple of preachers' kids. They both have crummy relationships with their fathers, are wildly attracted to each other, struggling with their stereotypes, and trying to find...more
Burney says that she wanted to tackle race and religion, and boy did she, through the lens of an interracial couple of preachers' kids. They both have crummy relationships with their fathers, are wildly attracted to each other, struggling with their stereotypes, and trying to find...more
I had no idea what to expect when I picked Zora and Nicky off of the shelf at the library. This novel turned out to be a good story. It definitely ranks as one of the best books that I have read on the subject of interracial relationships.
I found myself going through a lot of different emotions as the relationship between Zora and Nicky developed. Their common bond is the fact that both of them are PK's (pastor's kids). How they meet and develop their relationship is worth taking the time to re...more
I found myself going through a lot of different emotions as the relationship between Zora and Nicky developed. Their common bond is the fact that both of them are PK's (pastor's kids). How they meet and develop their relationship is worth taking the time to re...more
4 stars.
I really loved this book. It was easy to read, and I never once found myself actually wanting to put the book down because I got to a boring part. The only time I put the book down was when I HAD to go somewhere.
I'll admit that romance isn't one of my favorite things (though I still often read it), but I loved the way it was written in this book. I liked the character interactions, and seeing how they craved the same closeness to God.
A contemporary setting is usually one of my least fav...more
I really loved this book. It was easy to read, and I never once found myself actually wanting to put the book down because I got to a boring part. The only time I put the book down was when I HAD to go somewhere.
I'll admit that romance isn't one of my favorite things (though I still often read it), but I loved the way it was written in this book. I liked the character interactions, and seeing how they craved the same closeness to God.
A contemporary setting is usually one of my least fav...more
Having been raised in a mainline Protestant church but not being a Christian or having read a Christian romance novel, I feel at a bit of a loss about how to discuss the book. I appreciate what the author attempts to do: confront race in the romance of two pastor's kids who are seeking a closer connection with God.
The book opens on a Sunday in Zora's voice. Readers got to hear her yearning for God, her frustration with her life, and her annoyance with what passes for religion in her father's meg...more
The book opens on a Sunday in Zora's voice. Readers got to hear her yearning for God, her frustration with her life, and her annoyance with what passes for religion in her father's meg...more
Jun 15, 2011
Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Readers who want a deep, moving romance
Shelves:
christian-fiction,
interracial-romance,
owned-copy,
favorites,
desert-island-keepers,
spiritual-food,
tortured-hero,
bad-boy-rake-or-rogue,
abused,
angsty-read,
a-to-z-book-challenge-z,
modern-virgin-heroine,
addiction,
tormented-heroine,
character-is-a-writer,
artistic-hero-or-heroine,
hero-i-loved,
heroine-i-loved,
characters-of-faith,
poor-little-rich-girl,
2011-reading,
irr-challenge-1-2011
What do you do when you feel like a stranger in your own land?
That’s the question that Zora and Nicky face. They both grew up in the church, children of ministers. Their whole lives were about living and walking in the footsteps of Jesus. But when did it become a matter of trying to please their fathers more than Jesus? When did this require the sacrifice of their entire identities?
Both Zora and Nicky are adrift. Nicky is the prodigal son, returned to the fold to try to rebuild his troubled rela...more
That’s the question that Zora and Nicky face. They both grew up in the church, children of ministers. Their whole lives were about living and walking in the footsteps of Jesus. But when did it become a matter of trying to please their fathers more than Jesus? When did this require the sacrifice of their entire identities?
Both Zora and Nicky are adrift. Nicky is the prodigal son, returned to the fold to try to rebuild his troubled rela...more
5 likes
·
like
· see review
love to read, but lately all I've been doing is reviewing and editing books. These tasks somehow drain my love for reading until this month. My friend, Claudia Mair Burney, who write the hot pants off me sent me three of her latest novels, all divine, but this one--Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White--it did something I rarely get, something that justifies my reasoning for writing inspired fiction...illumination.
Zora & Nicky in short is an interracial/interdenominational love story....more
Zora & Nicky in short is an interracial/interdenominational love story....more
Whatever the religion, it’s tough to be a “PK.” Zora’s father, bishop of the “Light of Life Christian Center,” expects that his only child will go to the right schools, work at the right jobs and marry the right person. As an incentive to follow his plan, Zora lives the life of a Black American Princess – Prada clothes, Kate Spade handbags and a brand-new Lexus to drive. Amid the opulence of her life and her father’s church, Zora misses her grandfather’s country church filled with the old hymns;...more
I love this book, it moved me in ways I didn't know a book could. I laughed and I cried and I mean like a baby. It was beautiful love story between two people who are lost and God finds and makes whole again by bringing them to one another. I loved all the characters in this book and it is not be missed, you will be changed in a wonderful way by it.
This is the first book in a long time as well as in Christian fiction books that has made me laugh and kept me on my toes and wanting to turn the pages one after the other. The attraction that is described between Nicky and Zora and the way they act and talk to each other and just everything is the same as my husband and I and just reminds me of us. It also got me thinking about my own life, my faith, and my relationship with my Heavenly Father..Just awesome it made me smile, laugh cry, think an...more
This book was not the typical Christian fiction! It dealt with race, religion, bigotry, racism, sex, being a preachers kid, Christian celebrity and community. Even had a character mocked after Brennan Manning! Although it was a romance, and you knew the two main characters would be together, it still had many surprises.
Ok so this book had lots of great moments but I was not into the whole religious moments. There were a lot and for me took a little a way from the story but i also understand why they were part of the story so... I dont really have a concrete feeling about this book but i was able to finish it.
I really enjoyed this book. It's an "outside of the box" Christian novel. Though it's the typical beautiful woman meets handsome man and they fall instantly in love, the Black/White issue makes it different. I personally know couples in this situation and it's difficult for both sides, even as Christians.
A number of bloggers have written out about the lack of diversity in Christian fiction. The vast majority of protagonists in CBA novels are white, and even books that have more diversity don’t address racism with the boldness that Mair Burney does in Zora and Nicky.
As far as edgy Christian fiction goes, Zora and Nicky is definitely on the outside edge. There’s a lot of implicit sexual content throughout the story and Burney writes plainly about sexual temptation, which is refreshing. There are...more
As far as edgy Christian fiction goes, Zora and Nicky is definitely on the outside edge. There’s a lot of implicit sexual content throughout the story and Burney writes plainly about sexual temptation, which is refreshing. There are...more
An interesting novel about a black girl and a white boy who are both preacher's kids. They meet and fall in love, fight it, decide that they are both too racist to make it work, then decide to get married. And to hell with their families.
I loved this book! Memorable scenes bringing on fits of laughter and dismay over reactions of loved ones. The spiritual thread throughout made this book even more special. This one goes at the top of my favorites list.
Loved it! I found it to be a well-written, thought-provoking novel. I enjoyed the interracial love story, and the book raised a lot of interesting issues about church and finding God, among other things.
I loved this story! I couldn't put it down. The story moved me in so many ways. I loved how you could see Jesus in these imperfect people that are trying to overcome their fears and failures.
I thought this book was very different. I have never read a book like this before. It is written from the perspective of the two main characters and a lot of their thoughts are conveyed in the narrative. This book also brings up a lot of issues which would make for a great discussion.
good book. Enjoyed the story line. Zora and Nicky's romance was comedic and inspiring. They came from some families that took their religion to extremes. Look forward to reading another one of her books
One of the best novels I've read in a long while. Real, shocking at times, and very romantic. Can't wait to read more from Claudia Mair Burney!
This book was great! I hope that Zora & Nicky's story will continue & that we will see it on the Big Screen! Claudia Mair Burney is truly gifted...
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Unworthy servant, loved by God, amazed by grace. Wife. Mother. Godmother. Friend of sinners. Novelist.
More about Claudia Mair Burney...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
Apr 12, 2009 12:53pm