Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Plethora of Phantoms (Spirited Encounters Book 2) by Penny Hampson





A Plethora of Phantoms 
(Spirited Encounters Book 2)
By Penny Hampson


Publication Date: 3rd February 2026
Publisher: PP&M Publishing
Print Length: 259 Pages
Genre:  Paranormal Ghost Romance / Gay Romance


Whose footsteps in the dark?

He is heir to the earldom of Batheaston and lives in an elegant, stately home, but handsome twenty-something Freddie Lanyon is not a happy man. Not only is he gay and dreading coming out to his family, but he’s also troubled by ghosts that nobody else can see.

When Freddie’s impulsive purchase of an antique dressing case triggers even more ghostly happenings with potentially catastrophic consequences, he has to take action.

Freddie contacts charismatic psychic Marcus Spender for help and feels an immediate attraction to this handsome antique dealer –– a feeling that is mutual. But the pair’s investigations unearth shocking, long-buried secrets, which prove a major challenge to their task of laying unhappy spirits to rest and to their blossoming relationship.

Being brave isn’t one of Freddie’s standout qualities, but he’ll need all the courage he can muster to rid himself of wayward phantoms and get his life on track.

A Plethora of Phantoms is an uplifting ghostly tale about love, friendship, and acceptance.


Book Review

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Freddie comes back to Lanyon Park knowing what’s expected of him, but not entirely sure how he fits into it anymore. 

The first signs of something being wrong are subtle, but also oddly specific. Freddie starts noticing that things are being moved and tidied away, often in ways that don’t quite make sense. At first, it’s easy to brush off or explain—something misplaced, something forgotten—but it happens often enough to become difficult to ignore. 

Freddie himself is a really grounded character to follow through all of this. He doesn’t jump to conclusions, and he doesn’t immediately assume the worst. Instead, he questions what he’s experiencing, tries to rationalise it, and holds back from reacting too quickly. 

Marcus brings a different energy into the story when he appears. He’s more direct, more willing to engage with what’s happening, even when it doesn’t fully make sense. That contrast between them works well, especially as things begin to escalate. Where Freddie hesitates, Marcus tends to step forward, and that difference helps move things along without forcing it.

Their relationship develops naturally out of everything that’s going on. It isn’t separate from the story—it is part of it. Shared time, conversations, and the gradual realisation that neither of them is dealing with this alone all play a part. It never feels rushed or overly dramatic, which makes it more convincing.

The dressing case adds another layer to the mystery. It’s not just an object that appears and is explained—it leads somewhere. It connects different parts of the story and draws attention to things that might otherwise have been missed. Through it, the narrative starts to move beyond the house, opening out into something a bit more complex. At a certain point, it also becomes clear that what is being uncovered is not without consequence, and that the risks are no longer limited to what can be explained by the house alone.

As more is uncovered, the focus shifts naturally. It becomes less about what is happening and more about why it hasn’t been resolved. The past doesn’t feel distant—it lingers in a way that continues to affect the present, not through intention, but through what has been left unfinished.

By the end, there’s a real sense of things being put to rest. The truth behind the haunting is uncovered, and it brings a quiet kind of resolution that feels earned rather than forced. It doesn’t overstate it, but you’re left with the sense that something has finally been understood, and that both the past and the present are a little more settled because of it.


Praise

“Plethora of Phantoms” by Penny Hampson is a richly atmospheric novel that blends paranormal suspense with emotional introspection, grounding its supernatural intrigue in the intimate realities of family, identity and belonging.

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Buy this Book
Universal Buy Link
Read with #KindleUnlimited


Penny Hampson


Penny Hampson writes mysteries, and because she has a passion for history, you’ll find her stories also reflect that. A Gentleman’s Promise, a traditional Regency romance, was Penny’s debut novel and the first of her Gentlemen Series. There are now four novels in the series, with the latest, An Adventurer’s Contract, released in November 2024. Penny also enjoys writing contemporary mysteries with a hint of the paranormal, because where do ghosts come from but the past? The Unquiet Spirit, a spooky mystery/romance set in Cornwall, is the first in the Spirited Encounters Series. Look out for A Plethora of Phantoms coming soon.

Penny lives with her family in Oxfordshire, and when she is not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, swimming, and the odd gin and tonic (not all at the same time).

If you’ve enjoyed any of Penny’s books please leave a review on Amazon, Bookbub, or Goodreads, and let other readers know!


Tour Schedule







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Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Scald Crow (Beyond the Faerie Rath Book 1) by Hanna Park



The Scald Crow
(Beyond the Faerie Rath Book 1) 
By Hanna Park


Publication Date: 26th May 2025
Publisher: Baisong Press
Print Length: 260 Pages
Genre: Fantasy / Romance

Calla left her life behind, haunted by a curse she cannot control. She seeks refuge in the land of a thousand hellos, Ireland, for a fresh start—a place where no one knows who or what she is.

Colm fled from Clonmara seven long years ago, but now it’s his father’s birthday, and the clan has gathered to celebrate the ould one. Each day brings back the memories that ruined him.

Saoirse dwells in the shadows of a lost love, unwilling to move on and unable to forget. The crystals say one thing, but the cold, hard truth tells another.

Ciarán walked away from the woman he loved for the fun, for the craic. He didn’t realize that one rash decision would impact the lives of so many, least of all his own.

Four broken hearts, brought together by the thread of love.


Universal Buy Link: 
https://books2read.com/u/mBkyKy


Book Review

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The Scald Crow begins in a place that feels familiar—grief, family, and the pull of returning home—but it doesn’t stay contained for long. What unfolds is a story that gradually widens in scope, moving from something grounded and recognisable into a world shaped by folklore, instinct, and forces that are never fully explained but always felt.

At the centre of the novel is Calla, whose arrival in Ireland is driven as much by escape as it is by circumstance. Inheriting a property gives her a reason to leave behind a life that has never quite worked for her. Her abilities—visions of the past, glimpses of the future, and moments she cannot fully control—have made it impossible for her to settle anywhere or form lasting connections. Rather than being presented as a gift, these abilities feel isolating, placing her slightly out of step with the world around her. This sense of disconnection shapes much of her character, making her both observant and guarded.

Colm’s story runs alongside hers, rooted more firmly in place and memory. His return home brings with it the weight of family expectations, loss, and the unresolved disappearance of his brother, Ciarán. Where Calla arrives as an outsider, Colm is tied to the land and its history, even when he would rather distance himself from it. His perspective adds a different kind of tension to the story, one grounded in what has been left behind rather than what lies ahead.

The relationship between Calla and Colm develops within this shared space, but it does not follow a predictable path. It is shaped as much by instinct as by interaction, unfolding through moments that exist both in waking life and in something less easily defined. Their connection feels immediate, but not simple. It carries a sense of inevitability, as though it belongs to a pattern that has already begun to take shape.

Running beneath their story is the lingering presence of the fae, which the novel handles with restraint. Rather than presenting them directly, the narrative allows their influence to emerge gradually through atmosphere, language, and suggestion. Conversations hint at a structure that exists beyond human understanding, where certain names are not spoken lightly and certain events are accepted rather than questioned. This approach gives the world a sense of depth without fully revealing its boundaries.

Ciarán’s storyline adds another dimension to the narrative. His disappearance is not treated as a single event, but as something that continues to affect those around him. When his situation is explored more closely, it becomes clear that his survival is neither simple nor entirely explained. What stands out is the way his experience is grounded through familiar customs and traditions, suggesting that even in unfamiliar circumstances, there are ways of holding onto identity.

The plot itself unfolds steadily, focusing less on dramatic turns and more on gradual discovery. Information is revealed in fragments—through conversation, memory, and small shifts in understanding—rather than through direct exposition. This allows the story to build tension over time, encouraging the reader to piece together what is happening rather than being told outright.

The setting plays a significant role in shaping this experience. Rural Ireland is not simply a backdrop, but an active presence within the story. The land feels lived-in and layered, carrying both history and suggestion. It provides a sense of continuity, even as the narrative begins to move into less certain territory.

What emerges from all of this is a story that feels both grounded and expansive. It begins with personal circumstances—loss, escape, return—but gradually opens into something wider, where individual experiences are connected to a larger, more complex world. By the end, the narrative feels less like a complete arc and more like the beginning of something still unfolding, leaving space for what is to come next.


Hanna Park

 `I began my writing career in the pre-dawn of a winter morning while my husband snored like a train. We could call my husband the catalyst. If it weren’t for him, I would never have gone to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee, feed the cat, and sit on the loveseat in front of the fire. It was there, in those moments of wondrous quiet, that I did something I had never thought possible. I opened my laptop, and while the coffee went cold, I wrote a story. My husband had no idea that these sojourns to the loveseat in front of the fire would become a daily occurrence, that writing would become an obsession, but the cat knew. She knows everything.

I write stories that make you laugh, make you cry, and make you love. Thank you, friends, for reading!

In the beginning, there was an empty page.

I am a writer who lives in Muskoka, Canada, with a husband who snores, a hungry cat, and an almost perfect canine––he’s an adorable little shit.

Social Media Links:

 

 


 

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Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven (The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven trilogy) by Jennifer Ivy Walker

 


The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven
(The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven trilogy)
By Jennifer Ivy Walker


Publication Date: 1st May 2025
Publisher: Green Mermaid Publications
Print Length: 522 Pages
Genre: Arthurian Fantasy / Historical Romance Fantasy / Paranormal

In this paranormal fantasy adaptation of the medieval legend of Tristan and Isolde, the rightful heir to the Irish crown must flee the wicked queen, finding shelter with a fairy witch who teaches her the verdant magic of the forest. Fate leads Issylte to the otherworldly realm of the Lady of the Lake and the Elves of Avalon, where she must choose between her life as a Celtic healer or fight to save her ravaged kingdom from the ruthless Black Widow Queen.

Tristan of Lyonesse is a Knight of King Arthur's Round Table who must overcome the horrors of his traumatic past and defend his kingdom of Cornwall against a Viking invasion from Ireland. When he becomes a warrior of the Tribe of Dana, a gift of Druidic magic might hold the key he seeks.

Two parallel lives, interwoven by fate. Haunted and hunted by the same Black Widow Queen.

Can their passion and power prevail?

#KindleUnlimited

Book Review
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The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven unfolds as a richly layered and immersive story, one that begins within the intimate confines of royal life and gradually expands into a world shaped by legend, ambition and destiny. What starts as a personal, character-driven narrative steadily grows into something much broader, where individual journeys feel connected to a larger, unfolding design.

What stands out most throughout the book is the balance between its dual perspectives. Issylte’s story is rooted in emotion and quiet observation, shaped by loss, resilience and a deep longing for freedom beyond the expectations placed upon her. Her journey unfolds through small but meaningful moments, allowing her strength to emerge gradually as her world becomes more uncertain. In contrast, Tristan’s path is defined by movement and purpose — forged through training, competition and the pursuit of honor. His story brings a sense of momentum and scale, connecting the narrative to the wider world of Arthurian legend. Together, these perspectives complement each other, creating a story that feels both grounded and expansive.

Romance is woven gently but powerfully into the narrative. Rather than dominating the story from the outset, it develops over time, shaped by distance, circumstance and the constraints of duty. There is a strong sense of longing surrounding these relationships, as emotional connections begin to form within a world governed by political alliances and expectation. Love here is not simple or immediate — it carries weight, sacrifice and consequence, which makes it all the more compelling as it grows.

The world itself continues to widen as the story progresses. Elements of Arthurian myth are introduced with a light, atmospheric touch, adding depth without overwhelming the narrative. Avalon, in particular, is presented with a quiet, almost dreamlike quality — a place that exists just beyond the visible world, hinting at deeper magic and knowledge. Its presence reinforces the sense that the characters are moving within a story that stretches far beyond what they can yet fully understand.

At the same time, the political dimension of the novel adds tension and complexity. What begins as a royal marriage develops into a web of ambition, control and hidden intent, with Queen Morag standing at the centre of this shifting power. Her presence introduces a subtle but persistent unease, reminding the reader that beneath the beauty of court life lies something far more dangerous.

The settings throughout the novel enhance this atmosphere. Castles, forests, coastlines and training grounds are all vividly realised, creating a world that feels both lived-in and unpredictable. Moments of celebration and beauty are often tinged with tension, giving the story a sense of depth that extends beyond its immediate events.

As the narrative unfolds, the separate threads begin to move closer together, creating a growing sense of anticipation. By the end, the story feels less like a complete journey and more like the beginning of something much larger. It leaves the impression that the true scope of the world — and the roles these characters will play within it — is only just starting to take shape.

The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven is a beautifully crafted blend of romance, history and myth, offering a story that is both emotionally engaging and rich in atmosphere. It captures the feeling of stepping into a world that is at once familiar and full of mystery — and leaves you eager to see where the journey leads next.

Jennifer Ivy Walker


Jennifer Ivy Walker is an award-winning author of medieval Celtic, Nordic, and paranormal romance, as well as contemporary romance, historical fantasy, and WWII romantic suspense.

A former high school teacher and college professor of French with an MA in French literature, her novels encompass a love for French language, literature, history, and culture, including Celtic myths and legends, Norse mythology, Viking sagas, and Nordic lore.

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Monday, March 9, 2026

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Quetzalcoatl: Time Stones Book II by Ian Hunter

 


Quetzalcoatl: Time Stones Book II 
By Ian Hunter


Publication Date: 22nd April 2021
Publisher: MVB Marketing- und Verlagsservice des Buchhandels GmbH
Print Length: 277 Pages
Genre: Historical Fantasy

Jessie Mason lives with her nose in the pages of history. But she is discovering that the past is a dangerous place where she doesn't belong, and knowledge alone is not going to save her.

Jessie’s life has become a series of terrible challenges. Now she must lead her friends in the hopeless task Grandfather set them: hunt down and destroy the Time Stones. But her leadership has already failed. Tip has left them and Abe has simply disappeared, while she and Kes are trapped in the heart of an ancient empire in turmoil.

Thrust into a fractured, threatened Mexica nobility, Jessie is immersed in a way of life, fascinating and disturbing in equal measure, yet powerless before the approaching Conquistadors and the impending clash of cultures.

Even as the fabulous city of Tenochtitlan descends into savage violence, Jessie’s determination to succeed is undiminished. But with world history taking a new, bloody direction before her, she is finally forced to decide which is more important: continuing the task or simply surviving.

Publication Date: 22nd April 2021
Publisher: MVB Marketing- und Verlagsservice des Buchhandels GmbH
Print Length: 277 Pages
Genre: Historical Fantasy

Read with #KindleUnlimited


Book Review
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Quetzalcoatl: Time Stones Book II opens the story outward, moving beyond the more contained journey of the first book and placing the characters in a world that feels larger, older and far more unpredictable. What stands out most in this instalment is the sense of exploration — not only across landscapes, but across cultures, histories and ways of understanding the world.

The historical backdrop becomes much more prominent here. Through the letters of the merchant and the experiences of his son travelling with early Spanish expeditions, the story introduces a layer of real historical movement beneath the fictional narrative. These passages offer glimpses of ships crossing unknown oceans, settlements forming along unfamiliar coasts, and the ambitions of people who believe they are stepping into a completely new world. Rather than feeling separate from the rest of the story, these moments gradually weave themselves into the wider narrative, creating a sense that different lives and journeys are slowly moving towards the same point.

The book also touches on the complex political world the Spanish are entering. References to powerful local rulers, tribute collectors and the authority of Moctezuma hint at the structure of the Mexica empire and its noble class. These elements give a sense that the lands being explored are already part of an organised and sophisticated civilisation, adding depth to the historical setting and raising the stakes for the encounters that lie ahead.

At the same time, the younger characters are navigating their own unfamiliar surroundings. Much of the story unfolds through small moments of discovery — learning how to move carefully through strange places, noticing the behaviour of people around them, and trying to understand what kind of world they have arrived in. These quieter observations give the book a strong sense of atmosphere. Instead of rushing from event to event, the story allows readers to feel the uncertainty and curiosity that come with stepping into unknown territory.

The landscapes themselves play an important role in shaping that experience. Beaches, settlements, forests and distant cities are described with enough detail to make them feel real without overwhelming the story. They create a feeling that the characters are moving through places that existed long before they arrived and will continue long after they leave.

Another interesting aspect of this book is how it allows the mystery of the wider story to deepen rather than immediately answering questions. The origins and purpose of the Time Stones remain only partly understood, and the characters are left to piece together what they can from experience rather than explanation. That approach keeps the sense of wonder alive and encourages the reader to think about the larger patterns that may be forming behind the scenes.

What emerges from all of this is a story that feels both expansive and carefully grounded. The world grows wider, the historical context becomes richer, and the sense of discovery remains constant. By the end, the journey feels less like a simple adventure and more like the beginning of a much larger story gradually unfolding.

Ian Hunter


Books have been an important part of my life as long as I can remember, and at 54 years old, that’s a lot of books. My earliest memories of reading are CS Lewis’, “The Horse and His Boy” – by far the best of the Narnia books, the Adventures series by Willard Price, and “Goalkeepers are Different” by sports journalist Brian Glanville. An eclectic mix. My first English teacher was surprised to hear that I was reading, Le Carré, Ken Follett, Nevil Shute and “All the Presidents’ Men” by Woodward and Bernstein at the age of 12. I was simply picking up the books my father had finished.

School syllabus threw up the usual suspects – Shakespeare, Chaucer, Dickens, Hardy, “To Kill a Mockingbird” – which I have reread often, and others I don’t immediately recall. By “A” level study, my then English teachers were pulling their hair out at my “perverse waste of talent” – I still have the report card! But I did manage a pass.

During a 35 year career, briefly in Banking and then in IT, I managed to find time, with unfailing family support, to study another lifelong passion, graduating with an Open University Bachelors’ degree in History in 2002. This fascination with all things historical inspired me to begin the Time Stones series. There is so much to our human past, and so many differing views on what is the greatest, and often the saddest, most tragic story. I decided I wanted to write about it; to shine a small light on those, sometimes pivotal stories, which are less frequently mentioned.

In 1995, my wife, Michelle, and I moved from England to southern Germany, where we still live, with our two children, one cat, and, when she pays us a visit, one chocolate labrador. I have been fortunate that I could satisfy another wish, to travel as widely as possible and see as much of our world as I can. Destinations usually include places of historic and archaeological interest, mixed with a large helping of sun, sea and sand for my wife’s peace of mind.

Social Media Links:








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Thursday, March 5, 2026

Welcome to the blog tour for Love Lost In Time by Cathie Dunn


Love Lost In Time
By Cathie Dunn


A reluctant daughter. A dutiful wife. A mystery of the ages.

Languedoc, France, 2018

Historian Madeleine Winters would rather research her next project than rehash the strained relationship she had with her late mother. However, to claim her inheritance, she reluctantly agrees to stay the one year required in her late mother’s French home and begins renovations. But when she’s haunted by a female voice inside the house and tremors emanating from beneath her kitchen floorboards, she’s shocked to discover ancient human bones.

The Mediterranean coast, AD 777

Seventeen-year-old Nanthild is wise enough to know her place. Hiding her Pagan wisdom and dutifully accepting her political marriage, she’s surprised when she falls for her Christian husband, the Count of Carcassonne. But she struggles to keep her forbidden religious beliefs and her healing skills secret while her spouse goes off to fight in a terrible, bloody war.

As Maddie settles into her rustic village life, she becomes obsessed with unraveling the mysterious history buried in her new home. And when Nanthild is caught in the snare of an envious man, she’s terrified she’ll never embrace her beloved again.

Can two women torn apart by centuries help each other finally find peace?

Love Lost in Time is a vivid standalone historical fiction novel for fans of epoch-spanning enigmas. If you like dark mysteries, romantic connections, and hints of the paranormal, then you’ll adore Cathie Dunn’s tale of redemption and self-discovery. 

Publication Date: 28th November 2018 (ebook)
Publisher: Ocelot Press
Print Length: 274 Pages
Genre: Duel Time-Line / Historical Mystery / Romance
Available on #KindleUnlimited


Book Review

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From the first few chapters, Love Lost in Time lets you know it’s not here to rush or reassure you. It takes its time, lays things out gently, and trusts you to stay with it — which makes the emotional moments hit even harder when they arrive.

The historical storyline is especially strong. It feels lived-in rather than idealised, shaped by obligation, belief, and the realities of the time. Relationships develop slowly and carefully, and because of that, the tenderness carries real weight. You’re always aware of how easily things could unravel.

The modern timeline starts off feeling familiar and almost ordinary, which makes the moments when the past begins to surface far more unsettling. Small discoveries suddenly feel heavy, and it becomes clear that history isn’t something that stays neatly behind you. The way the two timelines begin to echo each other is handled with a lot of restraint, which I appreciated.

What really got to me was how close the emotions sit to the surface. Nothing is overplayed, but everything feels personal. Grief, longing, and love are allowed to exist without being explained away or tied up neatly, and that makes the story feel honest.

By the end, I wasn’t looking for answers — I was just sitting with the feelings the book had left behind. Love Lost in Time is thoughtful, quietly devastating in places, and the kind of story that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.


Cathie Dunn



Cathie is an Amazon-bestselling author of historical fiction, dual-timeline, mystery, and romance. She loves to infuse her stories with a strong sense of place and time, combined with a dark secret or mystery – and a touch of romance. Often, you can find her deep down the rabbit hole of historical research…

In addition, she is also a historical fiction book promoter with The Coffee Pot Book Club, a novel-writing tutor, and a keen reviewer on her blog, Ruins & Reading.

After having lived in Scotland for almost two decades, Cathie is now enjoying the sunshine in the south of France with her husband, and her rescued pets, Ellie Dog & Charlie Cat. 

She is a member of the Historical Novel Society, the Richard III Society, the Alliance of Independent Authors, and the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

Social Media Links:

Website: https://www.cathiedunn.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathiedunnwrites

Twitter / X: https://x.com/cathiedunn

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathie.dunn1

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cathiedunn.bsky.social

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cathie-dunn

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Cathie-Dunn/author/B005IHAXH0

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5066224.Cathie_Dunn

Tour Schedule







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Saturday, February 28, 2026

Oh Look, Another Book! - audiobook club read for February was Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

 Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton



An astonishing technique for recovering and cloning dinosaur DNA has been discovered. Now humankind’s most thrilling fantasies have come true. Creatures extinct for eons roam Jurassic Park with their awesome presence and profound mystery, a
nd all the world can visit them - for a price.

Until something goes wrong...

In Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton taps all his mesmerizing talent and scientific brilliance to create his most electrifying technothriller.


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From its opening pages, Jurassic Park makes it clear that this isn’t simply about dinosaurs breaking loose. It’s about belief — in science, in progress, in the idea that if something can be built, it should be. The early chapters take their time laying out that vision, and for a while, you almost share in the excitement of it.

The park feels convincing because the confidence behind it feels real. Meetings are calm. Systems are explained. Risks are acknowledged and then minimised. Nothing feels careless — which makes the eventual collapse more unsettling. You’re watching something impressive strain under the weight of its own ambition.

What gives the story its weight is how human the reactions are. Alan Grant adapts because he has to, relying on instinct and observation rather than heroics. Ian Malcolm questions the foundations from the outset, not to be contrary, but because he understands how fragile complex systems really are.

And then there is John Hammond. He never truly lets go of his dream. Even as the evidence mounts and danger becomes undeniable, he clings to the belief that the park can still succeed, that the idea itself was sound. It’s conviction, not cruelty — but it blinds him. And in the end, he pays for it. The novel doesn’t romanticise that outcome or soften its edges.

There is no neat, comforting resolution here. No peaceful coexistence. No sense that the dinosaurs are left quietly roaming in harmony. The ending — though not lingered on in graphic detail — is brutal in its implications. It strips away illusion and leaves only consequence. Survival feels narrow and costly rather than triumphant.

By the final pages, what lingers isn’t just tension, but a stark clarity. Jurassic Park doesn’t offer a fairy-tale ending. It offers reckoning. Ambition without humility collapses. Dreams pursued without restraint demand a price. And sometimes, there is no happily ever after — only the aftermath.


Amazon






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Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Circus Bim Bom: A Cold War Adventure by Cliff Lovette


Circus Bim Bom: A Cold War Adventure 
By Cliff Lovette


Soviet circus performers arrived in America hoping to build cultural bridges. Instead, they became unwitting pawns in a Cold War game of international intrigue.

When the first privately owned Soviet circus arrived in 1990 in America as the Soviet Union disintegrated, 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.

Publication Date: 1st March 2026
Publisher: Bim Bom Books
Print Length: 478 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction / Romantic Adventure /  Political Intrigue
Animated Tour Schedule: https://bimbombookclub.com/media/


Book Review

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 What begins like a fish-out-of-water tale about a Soviet circus landing in America quickly turns into something far stranger and more layered. Rather than a tidy historical drama, the story throws you into culture shock, ego clashes, political tension and raw personal longing all at once. There’s a constant sense that everyone is improvising, on stage and off, and that instability gives the book its pulse.

The performers arrive carrying more than props and costumes. They bring fear of surveillance, pride in their craft, hunger for freedom and a lifetime of habits that suddenly don’t fit their surroundings. Relationships form in uneasy steps, shaped as much by suspicion as attraction. When trust does appear, it feels fragile, almost illicit, as if it might be taken away at any moment.

America is not presented as a simple promised land. It dazzles, confuses and corrupts in equal measure. Fast food, neon lights and open expression collide with homesickness, ideological baggage and the watchful presence of those who would rather the past stayed intact. The book thrives on that friction between temptation and control.

The circus acts themselves aren’t just spectacle; they read like coded messages. Traditional dances, death-defying stunts and animal performances carry the weight of heritage and the pressure of expectation. Each show feels like a negotiation between who these artists were trained to be and who they might become in a different world.

This is firmly adult fiction. Desire is explicit, power dynamics are uncomfortable, and the consequences of reckless choices are sometimes brutal. The novel deliberately crosses lines to show how liberation and exploitation can sit uncomfortably close together. It’s provocative by design, and that edge is impossible to ignore.

What makes the book stand apart is how it blurs reality and invention. It draws energy from real historical moments and recognisable figures, yet twists them through satire and imagination. I’m also not entirely sure what to make of the constant musical references and the scannable links to songs scattered through the story. At first they felt slightly distracting, but they also create a peculiar sense of atmosphere, as if the pages come with their own mixtape from another era.

By the final chapters, nothing is neatly tied up. Instead, the story deliberately pauses at a moment of upheaval, leaving relationships unresolved and futures uncertain. It feels like stepping out of the tent while the orchestra is still warming up, clearly setting the stage for whatever comes next. Unusual, confrontational and oddly playful, it’s a novel that refuses to behave like anything else on the shelf and leaves plenty of space for the second book to take the chaos even further.


Join the Bim Bom Book Club - https://bimbombookclub.com/

Members receive:

✨ Discounts on Gifts and Merch

✨ Exclusive glimpses into the self-publishing journey

✨ Previews of historical curiosities about Soviet circus life that didn't make it into the book

✨ Exclusive "Rabbit Hole" bonus stories and other literary surprises

✨ A front-row seat to the book's development and launch

✨ Sign up for Free


What Makes This Novel Different

Circus Bim Bom offers an innovative multimedia reading experience. The novel includes 45+ YouTube links to period music, historical speeches, and cultural moments embedded throughout—readers can listen to the actual songs characters dance to as they waltz, and watch Reagan's Brandenburg Gate speech as it's referenced in the text.

The companion website (www.bimbombookclub.com) extends the story beyond the page:
• Character Avatars: 25+ talking video introductions where characters speak directly to readers
• Re-Imagined Circus Posters
• Book Club Experience: Interactive forums, live chat, and community discussions
• Historians Room (under construction): A space for Cold War history buffs to fact-check the novel, explore primary sources, and debate historical accuracy

Cliff Lovette


Father, storyteller, and dog lover living in Sandy Springs, Georgia, with London curled at his feet. Circus Bim Bom: A Cold War Adventure is the first book in his debut duology, followed by Circus Bim Bom: The Great Escape.

Connect with Cliff Lovette:
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Amazon Author Page
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Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Plethora of Phantoms (Spirited Encounters Book 2) by Penny Hampson

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