Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White

The plot and romance happened a little quickly for me it still a great read!

First off, I want to congratulate Claudia Mair Burney on a very well written book. A book about two people searching for answers from God and in the process found each other. The flow of this story just came together so easily; it was quite easy to follow along. You could not help but love Nick and Zora and wanted things to work out for them. While reading this book, I came to identify with a lot of what was happening in the story. People's perception of others can be biased at times, until you really get to know them and spend time with them to see what they are all about. Nicky and Zora was a journey of two people from different background and color who came together because of their love of Christ and in that found their love for each other. I thought it was so funny the first time Nicky laid eyes on Zora, he knew she was the woman he was going to marry and spend the rest of his life with but his father who happens to be a minister and a racist certainly did not want that, that man really needed to be slapped most of the time, to think he could beat the love of Zora out of Nicky. Zora's father was not better and for a pastor he certainly lost God along the way. I loved this book and definitely recommend it. Zora and Nicky, a journey of faith and love was just excellent.

Every once in a while, on that rare occasion, you come across an author like Claudia Mair Burney. Her style is like a gust of fresh wind, blowing in, spinning through your mind, uncovering secrets and polishing old truths to a new gleam. She makes you laugh out loud, gasp, and even cry. The strange thing is that such gusto comes in the form of a love story--not my usual genre--between pastors' kids from opposite ends of the spectrum: beautiful and black, Zora, with her prosperity-minded parents; and white Nicky, a creative guy stifled by his family's uptight expectations. When Zora and Nicky jointly, yet in separate locations, flee their fathers' church services one Sunday morning, they are intent on finding something more meaningful than shallow religious games and societal pressures. They meet for the first time at a home Bible study a few nights later, and the spark between them bursts into a raging flame. Burney does a great job taking us into the minds of these conflicted souls, as they work through issues of race, belief, unclean thoughts, and family conflicts. Each has a cross to bear that the other knows little about. And yet, through their constant seesawing of emotion and feelings, they hold strong to the best they see in one another. They're both exasperating at times, even stubborn--and that's what makes them so believable. How can you not love these characters? In the end, Burney pulls these numerous, varied-colored threads of society, romance, history, and theology into one beautiful tapestry. She gives Zora a chance at reconciliation. She allows Nicky to make a surprising gesture of solidarity and servanthood. And, in so doing, she reminds me again why I can't wait for each of her books.

i wish i could give this book more than five stars because it deserves them. mz burney has created a pair of characters who are unapologetic about who they are, where they come from and what they want out of life even though they don't always seem to know what that is. zora's character is very well defined but it takes a little longer to get a handle on nicky. if you've ever been to the south you'll recognize both of the main characters in people you probably already know but mz burney puts an energetic fresh spin on them. the sex scenes are really good considering this falls into the christian fiction category.

This is my first time reading a book by Ms. Burney, but it certainly will not be the last. Her writing style is fresh, intelligent, introspective... Weaving in scriptures and songs were unique, interesting, compelling....the poetry and writing were wonderful, touching, heartfelt. The story is an interracial romance, but so much more as two people try and find their place in love, life and Christ. The interplay of family, race, "church life", stereotypes, friendship was thought-provoking. Most any reader will see themselves or someone they know in this book. What a wonderful love story on more than just a romantic level. I highly recommend this book and was sad to see it come to an end.

This book is a work beyond anything I've read in awhile and I read alot. It was statement of love, humility, and sacrifice. It was one of acceptance of yourself and of others, it is an awesome testament to what a relationship with God can be about within a love relationship between two people. It puts some hard issues out and for those not ready to question themselves or the church this may not be for you. But, in those questions it never gave any answers, it prodding you to reach for Jesus for those questions to be answered , those that the "religious people" think are improper. My thoughts of Jesus have always been that of a rebel and a savior, someone who questioned a lot of things and so did these two characters. Caught in others expectations of them Zora and Nicky find each other and at the same time find themselves and God finds them both. The secondary characters of Linda, Billie, Richard and the main characters parents deepen the storyline without detracting from it. This is not a romance novel, it's a love story so don't expect any sex there isn't really any but it moved me in ways no romance novel ever could. At two points in the book, I broke down and cried like a baby, it was so overwhelming I had to put the book down and release. It was rush of relief in this book. But, don't worry because you'll laugh alot, too it's not with its lighter moments. It's freeing to know like these two characters that God loves us even in our mess and that I can be Jesus for those I come in contact with, what a powerful book and a powerful statement of love. Ms. Burney I am waiting with baited breath for the next book you pen, this was truly a work given to you by the holy spirit.