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Slicing Clouds: A poignant and engrossing story of family, love, hardship, and remembrance.
He was just a quiet boy from Birmingham… but war would change everything. Edward Bolton dreamed of flying while the world around him pushed him toward factory work and hardship. Then came 1939. Love, loss, war, and memories too painful to carry alone. Decades later, a chance meeting in a hospital uncovers the hidden life of an unsung hero. If you love emotional historical fiction with romance and family drama, Slicing Clouds belongs on your shelf.
Edward Bolton moves through life with remarkable ease from a young age, seemingly untouched by adversity. Born in Birmingham, England in 1920 and faced with various hardships, he manages to find happiness in his environment. He spends much of his time daydreaming, often about flying, which frustrates his teachers.
Having to start work at the age of ten, Edward becomes a skilled metalworker, yet his social awkwardness and background hold him back. His story intertwines his working family, romance and sports until the outbreak of war in 1939, when he joins the RAF, seeing it as an opportunity to finally take to the skies. The impact of war shatters his world, exposing him to hardships he had never before encountered.
Following a series of tragic events, Edward approaches the end of his life filled with bitterness and resentment.
During this turbulent period, while Edward is confined to a hospital bed, he crosses paths with Skye Ferguson, whose husband occupies the bed beside him. As unexpected events unfold, Skye becomes increasingly drawn to Edward’s past, and her curiosity pushes her to uncover the milestones he reached and the hardships that shaped his life.
Drawn deeply into his quiet sorrow and silent strength, she finds herself wanting to capture his life in writing - not out of duty, but out of a tender need to understand him. A book that would become a gentle voice to trace the shadows of his later years and honour the weight of his struggles and the quiet dignity of his achievements, giving him the recognition he was never granted in life.
Edward Bolton moves through life with remarkable ease from a young age, seemingly untouched by adversity. Born in Birmingham, England in 1920 and faced with various hardships, he manages to find happiness in his environment. He spends much of his time daydreaming, often about flying, which frustrates his teachers.
Having to start work at the age of ten, Edward becomes a skilled metalworker, yet his social awkwardness and background hold him back. His story intertwines his working family, romance and sports until the outbreak of war in 1939, when he joins the RAF, seeing it as an opportunity to finally take to the skies. The impact of war shatters his world, exposing him to hardships he had never before encountered.
Following a series of tragic events, Edward approaches the end of his life filled with bitterness and resentment.
During this turbulent period, while Edward is confined to a hospital bed, he crosses paths with Skye Ferguson, whose husband occupies the bed beside him. As unexpected events unfold, Skye becomes increasingly drawn to Edward’s past, and her curiosity pushes her to uncover the milestones he reached and the hardships that shaped his life.
Drawn deeply into his quiet sorrow and silent strength, she finds herself wanting to capture his life in writing - not out of duty, but out of a tender need to understand him. A book that would become a gentle voice to trace the shadows of his later years and honour the weight of his struggles and the quiet dignity of his achievements, giving him the recognition he was never granted in life.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2026
About the author
Richard D. Ross
8 books51 followersRichard is a British‑Canadian author of family sagas, mystery crime thrillers and international suspense novels that blend cinematic tension with meticulous real‑world detail.
Born in Birmingham, England he has also lived in the Middle East and now lives in Canada, drawing on decades of firsthand experience in the global transportation and logistics industry to craft stories rooted in authenticity, high‑stakes intrigue, and richly textured settings.
For his stories to be convincing, he spends much of his time researching history and current affairs and then fuses it with his own business, travel experience and creativity. Interestingly, his wife thinks he has a criminal mind!
You can connect with him on:
https://www.richarddross.com
Favorite pastime: Camping in the Canadian wilderness, campfire and a scotch.
Other pastimes: Writing, golf (can be embarrassing!)
Favorite song: 'You belong to the city' by Glenn Frey
Favorite Movie: Shirley Valentine
Other Interests: Future technology
Born in Birmingham, England he has also lived in the Middle East and now lives in Canada, drawing on decades of firsthand experience in the global transportation and logistics industry to craft stories rooted in authenticity, high‑stakes intrigue, and richly textured settings.
For his stories to be convincing, he spends much of his time researching history and current affairs and then fuses it with his own business, travel experience and creativity. Interestingly, his wife thinks he has a criminal mind!
You can connect with him on:
https://www.richarddross.com
Favorite pastime: Camping in the Canadian wilderness, campfire and a scotch.
Other pastimes: Writing, golf (can be embarrassing!)
Favorite song: 'You belong to the city' by Glenn Frey
Favorite Movie: Shirley Valentine
Other Interests: Future technology
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 12, 2026
This book rewards readers that value character and plot development, it's definitely a slow burn. If you're looking for non-stop action from the get go, like the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan, then this book may not be for you, but if you like stories that have a definite starting point and gradually unfold and evolve, building the storyline, then you will be highly rewarded! I absolutely loved this story about the hard working Edward making his way from a helping hand in his father's forge, and learning the trade, to applying his knowledge as a bomber mechanic and gunman during WWII. All the while he is supported and motivated by the love of his life, Ginny. Great from start to finish this book has it all, historical accuracy, war drama, interesting scientific facts about metallurgy and its application to flight, and of course an epic story of love, survival and redemption. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 of 1 review