Secrets buried in the Delta. Freedom paid for in blood. In the 1850s Deep South, Amana is born into bondage. Torn from her family and sold to a ruthless Louisiana plantation master, she must fight for dignity, survival, and the faint hope of freedom. As alliances form and betrayals spread, Amana’s every choice carries deadly consequences—not just for herself, but for those she dares to love. Antebellum Struggles launches a sweeping three-part saga of love, loss, and resistance. From the sugarcane fields to the riverbanks of New Orleans, slaves and masters alike are caught in a world driven by ambition, vengeance, and the unbearable cost of freedom. “Vivid, unflinching, and deeply moving… a story of courage against impossible odds.” — Amazon review It can be read as a standalone. Perfect for fans of Toni Morrison and Colson Whitehead. Begin the journey today. THE HUFFINGTON POST : "Readers'Favorite has been an industry leader for nearly a decade and is one of the most popular book review and book reward sites on the internet." FIVE STARS! READERS' FAVORITE REVIEW by Gisela Dixon:Keeper of Slaves: Book Two by Dickie Erman is a historical fiction tale set in the pre-Civil War days of America in the South. I found Keeper of Slaves to be an engrossing story and the characters are well developed, real and relatable. The characters have been portrayed with depth and detail and the writing itself is top-notch . I also appreciated that the book does not shy away from depicting the stark reality of slavery where possible. Overall, this is an extremely well-written book that I would recommend reading .______________________________ MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW / D. Donovan, Senior ReviewerReaders of historical novels about the period won't be disappointed with this blend of romance and history, and will find the characters captivating right down to the finish line . From nervous breakdowns to revenge, illicit affairs, the threatened uprising of nearly a hundred plantation slaves, and near-tragic events that result in unexpected new connections, Keeper of Slaves more closely considers the relationship between slave and owner than competing novels . It also provides an atmospheric read about healing on many levels, considering political entanglements and snafus, breached trust, the back-and-forth movements of businessmen and politicians vying for control and power in an increasingly unstable world, and more. The result is an excellent book that doesn't require prior familiarity with the setting and circumstances of its predecessor; but which offers readers a fine opportunity to understanding changing relationships and even the romance which blossoms in these mercurial times.______________________________ LITERARY TITAN I highly recommend Keeper of Slaves , Antebellum Struggles Book 2 to those who are particularly attracted to Civil War stories with generous amounts of character interaction and authentic dialogue. Erman skillfully crafts a cast of characters who are deeply involved in making the Underground Railroad successful . The author appeals successfully to readers' emotions and describes incredibly intense scenes of fearful and anxious moments of planning. I am beyond intrigued ... Fans of historical fiction who desire a bit of romance in their plots will enjoy Erman's work. I highly recommend Keeper of Slaves, Antebellum Struggles Book 2 to those who are particularly attracted to Civil War stories with generous amounts of character interaction and authentic dialogue. The latest in the further adventures of Antebellum Struggles shows Mr. Erman's storytelling talents to a high degree. With an uncanny talent for drawing the reader into the minds of his intriguing Civil War characters (both sympathetic & scalawag) ....this is an amazing story!!! A fast, fun page turner! -- Review by Verified Purchaser Furthering the storyline from Antebellum Struggles, Keeper of Slaves kept me captive as the story deepens. This is a great series - I hope there are more coming! Highly recommended! -- Amazon Reviewer