The book “Beneath the Swamp’s Shadow” was completed today as Lynn and I sat under the Shibumi Shade, listened to the ocean’s breakers, and felt the soothing ocean breeze at Holden Beach.

It short the historic novel is a well researched story of the long established Indigenous tribes of Robeson County, North Carolina.

The author with three additional books to his credit, Kelvin Ray Oxendine, remembered stories shared by a large number of the Lumbee/Tuscarora people from our part of southeastern North Carolina. His information largely and expertly wove “The Battle of Hayes Pond” from which was in January, 1958 when the Ku Klux Klan was driven from our area and the legendary saga of Henry Berry Lowery from the mid 1800’s to 1872 - when he vanished.

“Beneath the Swamp’s Shadow” interweaves magically between the build up to Hayes Mill Pond, just southeast of Maxton to the struggles of Henry Berry Lowery in overcoming the discrimination that his native people faced as perceived inferior humans for centuries.

He was their “Robin Hood!”

“Beneath the Swamp’s Shadow” is an easy, educational read with heart-felt twists and words that capture the readers imagination and attention.

In one personally memorable example - I haven’t heard or even thought of a word that was the most profane exclamation my mother ever used when she was living, or over 50 years ago.

“I swanny!” brought back memories of her most extreme “profanity.”

If you love or want to learn more about the Lumbees who found their way to our part of southeastern North Carolina, I highly recommend this great read!

This book is a page turner! The depth and the storytelling which is based on true events kept me interested from the beginning. Author Kelvin Oxendine is more than a story teller he’s true to himself, a veteran, and great friend and mentor to so many people and you’d be doing yourself a disservice not picking up the book for yourself. And make sure you grab his children’s Christmas book too!

“You can not bury spirit”
The truths woven into this story are evident in the care and respect Kelvin took to not only entertain but enlighten. Beautifully written. Well done, sir.

I am so proud of my husband for publishing his fourth book, Beneath the Swamp’s Shadow. Though it's a work of fiction, he poured countless hours into research—listening to elders, diving into genealogical records, and chasing down historical details to make sure every element rang true.

His storytelling weaves fact with fiction in a powerful way, shedding light on what the Lumbee people endured on that fateful night. The twist he adds to the events is not only compelling but deeply respectful of the history it touches.

This is a story that both entertains and educates. You’ll be drawn in by the suspense and come away with a deeper appreciation for the resilience of a people whose story deserves to be heard. This is one book you won’t want to put down.

I’m so proud of my brother, Kelvin Ray Oxendine, and his newest novel, Beneath the Swamp’s Shadow.

This story is powerful and important. It shines a light on the 1958 Battle of Hayes Pond—a moment when the Lumbee and Tuscarora people stood strong against hate. Kelvin has written more than a novel; he’s created a tribute to our ancestors and their strength, unity, and courage.

The characters are vivid, the story is heartfelt, and it stays with you. It’s a reminder of a history that deserves to be known and remembered.

Beneath the Swamp’s Shadow is a meaningful read for anyone who values truth, justice, and community. Highly recommended. Well done, Kelvin—you’ve written something truly special.

A great historical fiction that taught me about Lumbee culture while leading me through a real life event with twists and turns that wouldn’t allow me to put the book down.

A little girl experience her 1st racist moment , an how the Lumbees fought the KKK and much more goodies

Kevin Oxendine brings this hidden chapter of history to life through Cecil Lowery, a young Lumbee man torn between fear and duty. The way he weaves ancestral memory, cultural pride, and community resilience into every page is masterful. The characters feel real, the tension is thick, and the emotional payoff hits hard—especially knowing it’s inspired by truth.

If you love historical fiction that challenges the record, highlights Indigenous voices, and refuses to let the past be buried, do yourself a favor and read this book.

Beneath the Swamp’s Shadow tackles an incredibly important and underrepresented moment in American history—the 1958 standoff between the Lumbee/Tuscarora and the Ku Klux Klan in North Carolina. The subject matter is powerful, and the author clearly brings deep personal knowledge and passion to the story.

Beneath the Swamp’s Shadow is more than a retelling of one night’s bravery—it is a testament to generational endurance and the unbreakable bonds of community. Readers who cherish truth-based fiction, social-justice narratives, or Indigenous histories will find this novel both enlightening and deeply moving. Five powerful stars.

I don't know what I was expecting when I read this, I just wanted to learn more about lumbee history because of where I live. This is an amazing read and I will warn you, you will not be able to walk away from it. It is fast paced accurate and provides a historical view not many people are privileged to know about

Beneath the Swamp’s Shadow is a powerful and moving story. The writing is heartfelt, the characters feel real, and the message stays with you long after you finish. A beautiful tribute to courage, community, and truth.

OMG, I love this book!! A defiant, heartfelt tribute to the Lumbee people—this is historical fiction at its most powerful.

Beneath the Swamp’s Shadow is an immersive tale that explores the tenacity of Lowery, a man divided between fear and fidelity to his community. Kelvin Ray Oxendine's storytelling powerfully incorporates history into fiction, illuminating the trials faced by his community on that unforgettable night, during the Battle of Hayes Pond. He does an incredible job of weaving vivid characters, historical details, cultural appreciation, and the Lumbee/Tuscarora community spirit into every chapter. The characters feel authentic, and their emotions run deep. The consideration Oxendine puts into creating this insightful tale is directly proportional to the profound truths woven into it. The twists added to the storyline are captivating and demonstrate a high regard for the historical events they represent. This novel is a must-have for supporters of truth and social justice. I highly recommend it.

Beneath the Swamp’s Shadow is more than just historical fiction—it’s a deeply rooted act of remembrance. Mr. Oxendine brings to life one of the most powerful acts of Indigenous resistance in modern U.S. history: the Battle of Hayes Pond, when Lumbee and Tuscarora people drove the Ku Klux Klan out of Robeson County in 1958.

What struck me most was the authenticity in the storytelling. The characters feel real, the cultural voice is strong, and the emotional impact lingers long after the last page. As someone who knows how often parts of our communities are left out of the record, I was especially appreciative that the Tuscarora were not overlooked. Their presence and role in the story were acknowledged with respect and pride.

This book reminds us that history doesn’t always make headlines—but it lives in our families, our stories, and our blood. Highly recommend for anyone who values truth-telling through fiction.

As a Black woman, I found myself deeply moved by the story of these Native Americans standing up to the Ku Klux Klan in 1958. It’s a chapter of American history most people don’t know—but absolutely should. This novel doesn’t just tell that story—it honors it.

Kelvin Ray Oxendine brings real emotional depth to these characters. They aren’t legends—they’re real people: mothers, fathers, grandmothers, young men torn between fear and responsibility. And in that, the story becomes universal. I saw pieces of my own family in their struggle and strength.

This book reminded me that our histories—Black and Native—are more connected than we often realize. We’ve both stood up to oppression, leaned on community, and passed down our courage generation to generation.

First of all, very unfair not to have a warning about how intense this book is! It is thought provoking, really pointed out the massive voids in my own knowledge of American history! It was the very best kind of book, the kind that makes you mad when you finish it! I hope you've another book in you!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review:
Kelvin Ray Oxendine’s Beneath the Swamp Shadows offers a stirring narrative that bridges past and present, chronicling the heroic legacy of Henry Berry Lowry and his descendant Cecil Lowery. The story deeply explores how the legacy of Henry Berry and his wife Rhoda Strong empowered future generations to resist racism, culminating in the 1958 confrontation at Hayes Pond, where Lumbee people stood firm against the Ku Klux Klan.

Oxendine’s writing skillfully combines historical storytelling with personal heritage, giving voice to a chapter of American history that is often overlooked. The emotional weight of the narrative, along with its cultural significance, makes it both educational and moving. Through these stories, readers come to understand not only the courage of one man, but the enduring strength of an entire people.

Beneath the Swamp’s Shadow is a gripping and emotional tribute to a powerful moment in Indigenous history. Kelvin Ray Oxendine skillfully blends historical truth with storytelling, honoring the strength of the Lumbee people in the face of hate. A must-read for those who value courage, culture, and community.

Beneath the Swamp’s Shadow is a gripping work of historical fiction rooted in real events that many Americans have never been taught. Set in 1950s North Carolina, this powerful novel centers on the Indigenous resistance at the Battle of Hayes Pond, where Native Americans drove the Ku Klux Klan out of their community.

What makes this story so compelling is its emotional depth and cultural authenticity. Inspired by the legacy of Henry Berry Lowrie, the famed Indian Robin Hood of the Civil War era, Oxendine threads the past and present together through the character of Cecil Lowery—a man torn between fear and duty, heritage and survival.

The writing is cinematic, the characters are unforgettable, and the message is clear: resistance runs deep in the blood of those who’ve been silenced too long.

This is a must-read for fans of:

Indigenous historical fiction
Civil rights-era novels
American Indian resistance stories
Southern U.S. history
Books like There There, The Night Watchman, and Killers of the Flower Moon.

Whether you're new to Lumbee history or a lifelong student of Native storytelling, this novel will move you, inform you, and leave you thinking long after the final page.