Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White
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Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White

4.22 of 5 stars 4.22  ·  rating details  ·  156 ratings  ·  37 reviews
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...more
Paperback, 389 pages
Published April 1st 2008 by David C. Cook (first published January 1st 2008)
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ptlonestar
The story was so simple and realistic. Everyone one of these 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.
Sallie
Sallie rated it 4 of 5 stars
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 prejud...more
Pygmy
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 le...more
Tasha
Tasha rated it 4 of 5 stars
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
Davina Bell
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? ...more
Kate
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...more
Ciana
Ciana rated it 5 of 5 stars
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
Joanne
Joanne rated it 4 of 5 stars
Shelves: fiction
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 ...more
Msladydeborah
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...more
Korri
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 ...more
Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress"
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 rebui...more
Dee
Dee rated it 5 of 5 stars
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...more
Melissa
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
Eugenia
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.
Jena Mcfall
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.
Andrea
Andrea rated it 5 of 5 stars
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.
Allison
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.
Anino (aka the Whisperquiet Ninja)
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...
Lisa
Lisa rated it 3 of 5 stars
Strong characters, interesting story, but it needed some editing. The author had some good things to say, but the book veered off into melodrama too often.
Dana Moore
I read this book overnight because I could not get enough. I had to know what happened next. And I didn't even get to analyze it like a writer. I was simply a reader - mesmerized by a gorgeous story.
Storm-Lover
An excellent statement about the world today and the changes that are given lip service but still have not occured.
Bethany Noel
this book taught me a lot about love ,discrimination and religion and how to be open mind
Kelly (happyklamb10)
I was fascinated by the way race, religion, ambition, and family all wove together in this story. The author tackled some heavy stuff and it was very thought-provoking. I have 2 reasons for not rating it higher: one is because of the over-dramatic nature of some parts (as noted in some previous reviews). The other is due to the strong religious flavor. That is admittedly partially my own fault (I rarely read the description of a book before diving into it) but it was hard for me to relate to...more
Lina
Lina rated it 2 of 5 stars
Shelves: contemp, 2009, romance
Well-written but a wee too religious for my tastes.
Sandy Elise-all things bright and shiny
I enjoyed this book because I had no expectations. I thought it would be a typical IR romance, however, it was sweet and refreshing. It is a Christian IR novel so you are not going to get any sex or graphic language. You get a lot of people trying to find themselves and understand their Faith in the midst of racism, forgiveness and unexpected love. You have sinners you love and some you cannot bond with, however, it's real life. This is a good story if you are looking for a sweet Christian novel...more
Victoria Bylin Bylin
This might be the edgiest Christian fiction I've read. Loved it!
Kaydian
best book
Angélique
4 1/2 Stars. This is one of the greatest Christian fiction as well as romance books, I have ever read. Mair Burney's portrayal of Nicky and Zora's romance has all the innocence of a childhood crush with all the complexities of adulthood. And her masterfully connection of their romance with the love of Jesus is inspiring. In the end, I think the best thing about this book is that it offers very important messages to readers about God, love, and prejudice.
Salinka
CA mérite deux étoiles et demie. les personnages sont encore des fanatiques de Jésus (J'étais dans une phase quand j'ai commandé ces livres). Ce qui m’intéressait c'était surtout l'histoire d'amour black/white. Ce qui m'a aussi désolée, c'est le traitement du sujet de sexe comme si c'était une honte et que l'on ne devait se sentir coupable d'en parler ou d'en faire. Toujours dans cette veine évangéliste de Jésus USA
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Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White (Kindle Edition)
Zora And Nicky: A Novel In Black And White

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Unworthy servant, loved by God, amazed by grace. Wife. Mother. Godmother. Friend of sinners. Novelist.
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