Episode Details

What happens when the place you’re supposed to call home becomes the place that challenges everything you believe about belonging?

On this episode of The CJ Moneyway Show, CJ sits down with award-winning author, speaker, and editor Edwina Perkins, whose novel The Colors of Home explores grief, race, faith, and the courage required to rebuild a family after loss.

After the death of her husband from leukemia, the novel’s protagonist Ebony McMullen returns with her three children to a small town filled with tension, history, and unspoken truths. As the family navigates prejudice, personal loss, and community challenges, they must decide whether home is something you inherit — or something you fight to create.

The story touches on powerful themes including:

• Grief and rebuilding after loss

• Race and identity in small communities

• Faith, resilience, and family unity

• Belonging and redemption

Beyond her work as a novelist, Perkins serves as Co-Director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, where she mentors and advocates for diverse voices in Christian storytelling.

In this conversation, CJ and Edwina explore how honest storytelling can bridge divides and create meaningful dialogue around faith, culture, and belonging.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• The inspiration behind The Colors of Home

• Why stories about grief and redemption resonate with readers

• How faith and storytelling intersect in Christian fiction

• The importance of diverse voices in publishing

• How writers approach difficult social themes through narrative

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 – Introduction to Edwina Perkins

02:30 – The Story Behind The Colors of Home

07:40 – Writing About Grief and Family Healing

13:10 – Race, Identity, and Small-Town Dynamics

19:30 – Destiny’s Character and Representation

25:00 – Faith and Redemption Themes in Christian Fiction

30:40 – Mentoring Writers Through Blue Ridge Conference

36:00 – Why Honest Storytelling Matters

41:00 – Final Thoughts on Belonging and Home

GUEST RESOURCES

Edwina Perkins — Official Website

https://edwinaperkins.com

Amazon — The Colors of Home

https://www.amazon.com/Colors-Home-Contemporary-Novel-ebook/dp/

Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference

https://blueridgeconference.com

Word Weavers International

https://wordweaversinternational.com

Evangelical Christian Publishing Association

https://ecpa.org

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