Book Tour & Book Review: Circus Bim Bom by Cliff Lovette #bookreview #historical #fiction #giveaway #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours

A Cold War Adventure

Historical Fiction/Cold War Fiction w/romance subplots

Date Published: 03-01-2026

Publisher: Bim Bom Books

There are no accidents in life, only opportunities wearing different clothes."

When the first privately owned Soviet circus arrived in 1990 America as the Soviet Empire unraveled, its elite performers expected to build cultural bridges through spectacular shows. Instead, this prestigious troupe faced a perilous journey through Cold War America.

Circus director Yuri had to navigate treacherous waters where American mobsters, Soviet agents, and political forces circled like predators. Young aerialist Anton dreamed of becoming a clown against his family's wishes, while forbidden romances and unexpected connections bloomed between Soviet performers and Americans who saw past the ideological divide. As high-stakes conspiracies threatened to tear the circus family apart, they had to choose between the authoritarian chains of home and the uncertain promise of freedom.

As The Ringmaster reminds us, "The best Soviet stories are like vodka—they burn with suffering, intoxicate with conflict, keep you stewing in reflection, and yearning for your heart's desire." This genre-bending tale explores whether human connection can transcend ideology—and whether storytelling can bridge the divides that separate us.

Review

I found this to be a striking and imaginative take on historical fiction, set during the final days of the Cold War as a Soviet circus tours the United States.

The premise alone is compelling, but what makes the book stand out is how it blends political tension, personal ambition, and the spectacle of circus life highlighting the characters and people at the heart of the story above all.

The characters drive the story. Around them, relationships form quickly and often under strain. I really enjoyed following each character while seeing their interactions together. They face a strong contrast between the freedom they glimpse and the reality they live in.

One thing that was so different was that the author creates a way for the story to become interactive, pulling readers in through the use of the extra links and QR codes that compliment what is happening in the story. It adds a sensory layer that I truly enjoyed.

It's dynamic with so many historical elements that will appeal to historical lovers while also appealing to those who enjoy deeper thought provoking reads. I was left with much more than I expected going into it.

About the Author

Cliff Lovette is a father, storyteller, and dog lover living in Sandy Springs, Georgia. For over 40 years, he practiced entertainment law, serving as Senior Vice President at LaFace Records and representing artists including Usher and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. His passion for bridging historical divides led him to co-produce a groundbreaking reconciliation event between descendants of Buffalo Soldiers and Lakota Native Americans. In 1990, when Bobby Liberman—road manager for the first privately owned Soviet circus touring America—became his client, Cliff discovered the true story that inspired this debut duology.

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TikTok: @ringmaster606

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Purchase Links

Author's Edition

books.by/bim-bom-books

The Author's Edition comes with:

• Signed bookplate

• Digital circus poster