A ship at sea. A heart held captive. Can one man really change his fate?

Young Walter Crofter is desperate to escape his working-class family and its bleak future. After sneaking off and joining the Merchant Marines, Walter sets sail for a new adventure -- and a new destiny. He faces challenges both at sea and on land. There are pirates to fend off, trade routes to establish, and lives to change.

When he meets Maria, a girl being held captive on a defeated pirate ship, he brings her aboard in an act of good will. But Walter soon discovers there may be more to his new relationship than he’d ever guessed. Can he prove himself worthy of the captive girl who holds his heart hostage?

I, Walter is the first installment of the Eternity Series, a seafaring saga appropriate for teens and adults. If you like rich historical fiction, breath-taking adventure, and clean romance that makes you yearn for a happy ending, then you’ll love Mike Hartner’s standalone series starter.

Review

"I, Walter is a grand tale of adventure that reminds me of the Patrick O'Brien's Aubrey/Maturin adventure series but with a noble innocence and, a most refreshing, charming slant. Romance, adventure, mystery, rescues, deception, and vivid descriptions make I, Walter a most enjoyable and inspirational read of chivalry. This CBR reviewer looks forward to reading more of the Crofter saga from Mike Hartner." - Chanticleer Book Reviews

"This book truly is New York Best-seller material!" - Charity Langley, Author of Wicked Intentions

"This book would certainly be a big budget Hollywood movie, one day, if any producer has an imagination as rife as the writer of this book. Worth a read!" - Namta Gupta, Bookpleasures.com

"Excellent book. It evokes the era perfectly. It was a delight to read and I was sorry to finish it as it felt as if I was leaving a friend behind." - HB Pearse Wheatley, NetGalley reviewer

From the Author

I, Walter is the first in a series of books in a saga which will span continents and time to arrive in present day North America. Each in the series will be connected, though that connection may not be obvious for several more books. It's almost like looking at a menorah (sic). Many lines, seemingly individual, connect to center at different points. 

Book Readers Review

I, Walter is a story about a young boy, Walter Crofter, born in Elizabethan England.  Walter is the youngest son of a poor family who learns early in life that his future is bleak.  He runs away from home and ends up joining the Merchant Marines.  The story is historical fiction, adventure, and romance written as a memoir.  It is a standalone story that is the first installment of the Eternity Series by author Mike Hartner.

The Author has successful written a story full of action and love. Storms, pirate attacks, treasures, and intrigue do not detract from the endearing love story.  Hartner creates scenes so real that all your senses are awakened.  The details are just enough providing the reader with an accurate picture of Walter’s journey in life.  I like the author imagery when introducing each character that crosses Walter’s path in life.  Mike provides the reader with wonderful descriptive narrative.  This novel is a page turner you will not put down until the end.  Intriguing, heartwarming, and at times heartbreaking are a few of the words I would use to describe the book. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.  I look forward to more in the series.  My recommendation is five stars and definitely appropriate for all ages.

Biography

Mike Hartner was born in Miami in 1965. He's traveled much of the continental United States. He has several years post secondary education, and experience teaching and tutoring young adults. Hartner has owned and run a computer firm for more than twenty-five years. He now lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with his wife and child. They share the neighborhood and their son with his maternal grandparents. 

Website: http://mikehartner.com/

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