Circus Bim Bom
by Cliff Lovette
A Cold War Adventure
Date Published: 03-01-2026
Publisher: Bim Bom Books
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.
Excerpt:
A Girl and Her Dog
Chapter 18 — April 11, 1990, Wheeling, West Virginia
Note to host: This excerpt is self-contained. Natalia — “Nat” — is a ten-year-old circus performer whose parents run the Flying Dogs act. She has campaigned relentlessly for a dog of her own. The Ringmaster is the novel’s fourth-wall-breaking narrator.
The Ringmaster:
Ah, you remember our little Natalia Pavlovich from the Aeroflot flight, da? The determined girl whose parents run the Flying Dogs act? While the adults fretted over customs forms and visas, young Nat was waging her own diplomatic campaign—armed with that article from Soviet Family magazine and an arsenal of logical arguments about why every child needs a dog.
Her father, Leonid, surrendered after valiant resistance. “Feed, walk, groom, complete chores, keep grades up,” she promised, ticking each commitment off on her small fingers. Such solemn vows from such a young heart.
I suggest you keep your eye on this unlikely pair—Nat and her soon-to-be companion. In circus stories, as in life, it’s often the smallest players who make the grandest entrances when the spotlight least expects them. After all, in the vast ring of fate, destiny rarely announces itself with a drumroll.
★ ★ ★
As Natalia (aka “Nat”) and Yelena entered the Ohio County Humane Society enclosure, the musty odor of fifty or so dogs overwhelmed them. While a handful of these homeless pooches would find loving homes, the rest faced a grim fate.
The enclosure echoed with a cacophony of booming barks, high-pitched yelps, and plaintive whines. Some pressed against their cage doors, their tails a blur of motion. Several cowered in the corners, eyes wide with fear, perhaps sensing their uncertain future. A few lay listless, not bothering to lift their snouts.
Harsh fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting an unforgiving glare on the metal cages, their cold bars creating a grid of shadows across the concrete floor.
Many dogs frantically sought Nat’s attention as if aware they were vying for survival. Their pleading eyes tugged at her heart as she surveyed the cages, considering her options. She realized her decision would alter her life and determine the future of one lucky animal.
A patchwork of faded blankets and worn towels lined the cages, splashes of muted color against the sterile gray and white of the shelter walls, offering small comforts to the anxious animals within.
Nat quickly dismissed those lunging and barking incessantly at the cage doors and the listless ones showing no interest. Anticipation quickened her pulse. More than a dog, she sought a companion, a friend. She yearned for that magical moment—a tail wag, a soulful gaze—that would signal her perfect match.
Nat hesitated before a sad-looking dog; Yelena touched her daughter’s shoulder, silently communicating her empathy.
In a cage near the back, a large, shaggy figure caught Nat’s eye. A sizable Romanian shepherd mix sat patiently, its tail softly thumping against the cage floor. The pup’s light gray coat was accented by white fluff on its nose, neck, chest, and oversized paws. Droopy ears framed lively eyes and a happy-go-lucky smile. Despite its predicament, the dog seemed unfazed, focusing on Nat’s every move.
Nat approached; the dog squeezed its snout between the cage bars, offering gentle pink licks. Its tail wagged with increasing vigor. For Nat, it was love at first sight. She knelt, scratching the jubilant pup behind its ears—the sweet spot. Yelena stood close behind, her presence a quiet pillar of strength. Nat turned to her mother, eyes brimming with tears that spilled onto her cheeks.
“His name is Kratu,” Nat choked out, wiping away tears. From that moment, a girl and her dog were inseparable.
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.
TikTok: @ringmaster606
YouTube: @TheRingmaster-n7y
Author's Edition
The Author's Edition comes with:
• Signed bookplate
• Digital circus poster
• Charter Bim Bom Book Club Membership
• Exclusive access to "Rabbit Hole" chapters
eBook and Paperback
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