The Vaulted Sky
R. P. Moffa
iUniverse (2009)
ISBN 9781440152511
Reviewed by Charline Ratcliff for RebeccasReads (02/10)
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 it as a "must read" and I look
forward to the continuation of Montalto's story in the upcoming sequel "The Sky
Suspended." 
The Sky Suspended R. P. Moffa iUniverse, Inc. (2010) ISBN 97814502238-5 Reviewed by Charline Ratcliff
for RebeccasReads (12/10)
A few months ago I was asked
if I would read "The Vaulted Sky" by author R.P. Moffa. I agreed and found it
to be a fantastic book. Moffa has a phenomenal ability to pull his reader into
his story and he writes with an uncanny knowledge that seems to come from
personal experience rather than imagination of hearsay. Consequently when I was
asked if I would be interested in reviewing "The Sky Suspended", which is the
sequel to "The Vaulted Sky" I happily accepted.
"The Sky Suspended" is a
continuing look into the life of Patrick Montalto, the main character in this
historical fiction series. Montalto is a fighter pilot, now an Ace and
Lieutenant, in World War II. He's an Italian-American citizen who had to enlist
in the Canadian Air Force in order to help fight this war against a Nazi run
Germany and its Axis allies. In "The Sky Suspended" Montalto is transferred to
the 3rd Fighter Squadron of the 104th Fighter Group and
finally finds himself fighting for his country of citizenship, the United
States of America. In this sequel we follow along as Montalto starts over in a
new command group not flying the P-40 He's been using for the past eighteen
months but instead a British Spitfire, the plane he originally trained in. We
watch him make new friends, re-meet old ones and travel around the globe as he
battles for what is right.
As usual, Moffa brings his
book to life with vivid descriptions and a well-written storyline. The aerial
dogfights are riveting, the book's characters are well thought out and the
interactions between them are flawless. Since "The Sky Suspended" centers
around World War II there is, of course, sadness and heartbreak within this
tale, however, there is also love, kindness, chivalry, integrity and honor
which is heartening to read about.
"The Sky Suspended" is
definitely a "must read" book but if you haven't read "The Vaulted Sky" yet I
would suggest you start there in order to get acquainted with Montalto's
character and his life prior to joining the 104th Fighter Group.
In summary, another riveting
book by R.P. Moffa and I give it a five-star Amazon rating. Just don't expect
to finish it in one sitting...
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