The Curse of Nefertiti – Blog

Just for the record, I was unsure exactly what to expect when I started reading “The Vaulted Sky” by R. P. Moffa. Yes, I did request this book. Yes, I do love airplanes. Yes, I also love historical fiction but in looking the book over before I cracked it open I briefly wondered what I had gotten myself into. Not to worry though, I was immediately swept into Moffa’s well written story and the pages had a way of almost turning themselves for me.

My journey through time began in nineteen twenty-four where I met a younger Patrick Montalto, the book’s main character. I was present for his initial encounter with a biplane which sparked the love affair he had with airplanes from that day forward. After this we fast forward to his teenage years, his first ride in a nineteen twenty-eight Waco and we follow along as he juggles his schooling, his responsibilities to his family and learning to fly. The years progress and he is not unaware of the turmoil erupting in the world outside the borders of the United States. In following his inner sense of what is right he finds himself in Canada training to become a fighter pilot in order to defend a country not his own.

Moffa effortlessly takes us through one of the more horrendous periods of world history, World War II, and more often than not I was amazed by the accuracy of his portrayal both prior to and during the war. His tale came across as a believable accounting and even though “The Vaulted Sky” is a work of fiction it seemed as if the author had lived and experienced it firsthand.

Moffa paints a realistic picture of what it was like to live as a fighter pilot; where every day could be one’s last. He shows us the daily struggles, the pain, the loss, and yet he also shows us honor, integrity and pride. He recreates a different time; which encompassed a different set of values; when even your “downed” enemy was generally treated with respect. His words remind us that the only thing which really separates friend from foe is merely where one is born and that insight still rings true today.

I have given “The Vaulted Sky” a five star rating. I highly recommend it as a “must read” and I look forward to the continuation of Montalto’s story in the upcoming sequel “The Sky Suspended.”

Find this book on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Vaulted-Sky-R-P-Moffa/dp/1440152519/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268891426&sr=8-3

So I’m checking my email this afternoon. Generally I just quickly skim the subject lines to ascertain which ones I need to keep and which ones I can trash without opening. Suddenly I read: “Your Bra Has Met Its Match!”

Mm Hmm…  Really…

My brain immediately went into overdrive trying to figure out what (or who) my bra has met its match with. I’m sure most of the women reading this are now wondering the same thing. In fact I’m sure some of you may even be giggling heartily or even snorting vinaigrette dressing through your nose (Kathy) as you can probably guess some of the thoughts I had!

I was also trying to figure out WHY my bra is apparently in some type of competition but more importantly I was also wondering WHEN this “match” was actually happening?!? Does this occur when they are innocently hanging up to dry or does this covertly happen at night when they are in their drawer and I am sleeping??

All this runs through my mind right before my eyes come to rest on the sender’s name. Victoria’s Secret. Ahh… That definitely explains the subject line and I have to give credit to their marketing department. Of course now that my interest has been piqued and my work flow has been disrupted I figured I might as well read the email and see what all the fuss was about.

To sum up: “There’s a panty for every body.”

Sorry ladies, I know that was rather anti-climactic. I too was disappointed…

The story told to us on the pages of “Aksandar” by Judith Montgomery is truly an amazing and captivating tale. As stated on the back cover, Ms. Montgomery has traveled extensively throughout Afghanistan. Her obvious love of that country and its people definitely comes across in her writing.

As I read through her book, Montgomery’s words showed me a candid and often eye-opening view of a country being torn apart from the inside out due to political corruption and religious extremists. Two separate warring parties terrorize Afghanistan. Death is an almost daily occurrence for both citizens and foreigners alike whose only “crime” is being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yet even as I write this I know it is not that simple for there is much more at work behind the scenes. Aziz Rashani, the main character in this tangled web of deceit and lies, is a man of principle, honor and integrity. He is a devoted countryman who loves Afghanistan. As such, his idealistic path revolves around seeing her become an independent country rather than remaining stuck in the grasp of the leadership she currently suffers under.

Montgomery takes us on a journey into a land battered beyond belief, where each and every day is a fight for survival by the proud people who call Afghanistan home. She gives us an almost firsthand view of a life that many live on a regular basis. Yet her descriptions, while honest, are not so graphic as to make it uncomfortable for her readers to stomach.

Judith Montgomery’s book “Aksandar” reminds us how lucky we are to live in a country that values its citizen’s freedoms. However, it is nice to contemplate that even in a war torn environment there are some out there who truly value humanity over bloodshed.

From the moment I picked this book up I was hooked. Never mind the fact that I was in bed fighting off the worst cold of my life or that I could barely keep my eyes open due to sheer exhaustion. As each chapter ended I found Montgomery’s gripping tale impossible to put down and I hurried to start the next one while guiltily telling myself as soon as I finished THAT chapter I would get the sleep I desperately needed! In summary, a powerful story which I highly recommend as a “must read!”

Find this book on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Aksandar-Judith-Montgomery/dp/1449012086/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267473541&sr=8-1