Today, I have a self help book in our book blitz feature spot! Learn about A Fragile Utopia: Escaping the Elaborate Facade of Alcoholic Bliss and author Nick Hanson! 

Escaping the Elaborate Facade of Alcoholic Bliss

Self-Help

A Fragile Utopia is a turbulent and honest journey into the depths of alcoholism and the path to finding hope and purpose in recovery. The good news is, when we look inward, there is light. If we own our flaws, there can be redemption. 

 

This memoir is a playbook for navigating early sobriety: how it will feel, obstacles encountered, how loved ones will react, insight into treatment, how AA and other fellowship recovery programs work, and examples of how most people fail in early attempts at sobriety. 

 

buy the book

Amazon

 

about the author

 

 Nick Hanson is a passionate recovery enthusiast and advocate for people who are suffering from substance abuse and addiction. He lives in Minnesota with his wife and three children. He enjoys the outdoors, pop culture, reading, music, sports, fitness, cooking and is always up for learning something new.

 

connect with the author

Website

Set against the final unraveling of the Soviet Empire, Circus Bim Bom blends historical tension, danger, and heart in a story where performance and survival are tightly intertwined. With a traveling circus at its center, this novel brings together Cold War uncertainty, found-family dynamics, and the kind of personal connections that challenge political divides.

 

With romance, conspiracy, and a vivid sense of time and place, this is the kind of historical fiction that promises both emotional stakes and larger questions about freedom, loyalty, and human connection.

 

A Cold War Adventure

Historical Fiction/Cold War Fiction w/romance subplots

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.

 

 read an excerpt

Evil Angel lounged against a Hershey’s Kisses lamppost, smirking. “Relax, Maria. He’ll get his sugar fix soon enough.”

They arrived at the carousel, where lights from hundreds of hand-blown bulbs reflected off brass poles and mirrored panels, piercing the evening mist. Evil Angel released a long, low whistle, his eyebrows raised in grudging admiration. 

CJ gestured to the carousel, his voice swelling with pride. “This beauty is a moving piece of our nation’s history. Thousands of hours went into hand carving and painting these horses. Five hundred hand-milled pieces run this masterpiece, and hand-painted Miss Liberties and gilded American Eagles commemorate our victory in WWI.” 

The carousel’s wooden platform creaked beneath their feet as CJ touched a carved horse’s mane. “Listen,” he whispered. “Every sound tells a story—the craftsmen who carved these horses, the families who’ve ridden them. Even the squeaks have history.” 

As Raisa circled the platform, she ran her fingers over the glazed black mane of a galloping circus jumper. The stallion’s muscles gleamed under the carousel lights, its tail streaming behind like a banner—a frozen moment of equine grace. Its circus-themed saddle blanket was fringed in bright yellow and adorned with stars and stripes. Its mouth gaped, as if gasping for air. 

CJ pointed out the hand-painted murals by post-war European artisans: Rotterdam’s bustling port and Bavaria’s idyllic landscapes—snapshots of a world forever changed. His voice carried the pride of twenty years of stewardship.

Evil Angel rolled his eyes. “Here comes another history lesson.” “The artists painted scenes inspired by their homelands: a mother and child, a man with his ladylove, a Bavarian family, and a matador in a bullfight. With twenty mirrored panels and a thousand hand-blown light bulbs, the designer spared no expense.” 

CJ shook his head. “Today’s merry-go-rounds are made of aluminum and plastic. Beauty nourishes the soul; expediency breeds indifference. For most visitors, it’s just another ride.” 

Raisa and Stallion studied each panel, pointing out the historical details as if they were in a living museum. 

As they approached a Wurlitzer organ, CJ’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “This handcrafted, self-playing machine is one of only a few military band organs powered by a hidden steam engine.” 

“It’s a Wurlitzer with a hundred and sixty-four pipes, fifty-four keys, sixteen bells, a trombone, trumpet, violin, and cello, plus a glockenspiel and wooden flute—rich, like an orchestra. You can’t replicate its sound with a synthesizer.” 

The Wurlitzer’s brass pipes gleamed like a miniature cathedral organ under the carnival lights. “They stopped making these in the ’50s—modern rides play CDs.” 

Stallion lifted Raisa onto her circus horse, his hands lingering on her waist as he stood beside her.

As steam hissed from the pipes, the first notes of a Parisian-themed waltz, “Ekaterina,” floated out—first violin, then piano, and finally the whole orchestra. The mechanical heart of the carousel ticked beneath their feet, counting down to magic. (14) 

Raisa’s circus-trained balance found its rhythm as the carousel stirred to life—the jumper rising and falling in perfect tempo. With her red heels resting in the stirrups, Raisa recalled a creaky old metal carousel horse in Leningrad. Nothing was as extravagant as this. She hummed along with the melancholy tune, Stallion feeding off her smile. 

After several turns, the Wurlitzer picked up the tempo with Shostakovich’s Second Waltz, and Raisa’s horse cranked up and down in a faster gallop. She remembered dancing this Russian waltz in circus school. 

Raisa looked down at Stallion’s dark, wavy hair and up at his broad chest as her steed pumped up and down. Their eyes locked. Swaying with one hand on the saddle and the other on the horse’s neck, Stallion enjoyed the Russian waltz, though he preferred the Viennese. (15)

The Wurlitzer shifted from Shostakovich to Strauss, its steam-powered valves opening like mechanical lungs. The “Voices of Spring” filled the night air. (16)

14 Listen to “Carousel (a French Waltz)”, from composer and artist Ekaterina. Scan or visit: https://bimbombookclub.com/Ekaterina-Carousel-French-Waltz 

 


15 Listen to the “Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2” by Dmitri Shostakovich Scan or visit: https://bimbombookclub.com/dmitri-shostakovich-waltz-no-2

 

As the tempo quickened, Raisa’s horse pumped faster, and her fingers tightened around the brass shaft as her horse rose and fell. Stallion recognized the “Voices of Spring” and could no longer remain idle. His hands found Raisa’s waist, and he swung her side-saddle and lifted her from the horse to the carousel’s edge.

Muscle memory took over: his right hand grasped her left, their fingers intertwined, her hand curling over his shoulder. With his free hand on her back, he led her into a waltz. Raisa’s spine straightened, each instrument joining the symphony like another dancer entering their spinning world. The Viennese tempo spun them outward as the carousel sped up.

They swung gracefully in swift circles against the carousel’s rotation, defying physics with every spin. The platform’s momentum battled their steps, threatening to hurl them outward as they twirled inward. Laughing breathlessly, their hearts pounded as they resisted the carousel’s centrifugal force. Their synchronized steps kept them balanced on the edge of a spinning world, aware that any movement could fling them off the ride.

Each turn showcased years of dance training: her flawless arabesque, his confident lead, their shared rhythm. Their bodies remembered steps learned in different worlds—his in UCLA’s dance studio, hers in Moscow’s circus school.

Evil Angel conducted an invisible orchestra while Good Angel desperately clung to the brass pole, her apron fluttering, muttering Italian prayers. Beneath the platform, hand-milled gears meshed, their precision concealed by carved panels. Each revolution sent the dancers gliding past mirrors, their reflections multiplying into infinity. The hand-blown bulbs illuminated their dance in amber and gold, while starlight glimmered in the horse’s glass eyes.

As the gears clicked faster, their waltz matched the acceleration—one two-three, one-two-three—until the painted horses and chariots blurred into streaks of gold and crimson, galloping at Cupid’s hand.

Keeping pace, Stallion and Raisa moved with a precision that only trained bodies could achieve. 

 

16 Listen to “Voices of Spring Waltz” composed by Johann Straus. Scan or visit:https://bimbombookclub.com/voices-of-spring-johann-strauss

       

The world contracted to essential points—her hand in his, shared breath, perfect timing. Their finesse showed in every effortless turn. Everything else faded, disappearing into their locked gazes.

Memories flickered through Raisa’s mind—rigorous training, the thrill of dancing to forbidden Western records. But this was a magic she had never known: raw and free, unfettered by state-approved choreography.

Evil Angel marveled at how one would be flung off the ride if the other let go. He clipped his cigar: “An unusual predicament for a budding relationship— let alone a first date.” Nothing he said could distress Good Angel—she was enchanted, dabbing the corner of her apron against her teary eyes.

Steam rose from the Wurlitzer as the last notes of Strauss lingered. The carousel’s spin slowed like a music box winding down. Evil Angel straightened his tie; Good Angel blew into her hanky, while dust motes danced in the soft light.

Still immersed in the waltz’s rhythm, Raisa’s red heels found solid ground as Stallion’s hands steadied her waist.

As they caught their breath, CJ led them on, his voice softening. “Back then, the waltz shocked society—it was the first dance where men and women held hands. They called it The Forbidden Dance. Churches condemned it as sinful. Religious zealots threatened composers and instructors with death.”

“The Times of London wrote, ‘The waltz involves the voluptuous inter twining of limbs and close compression of bodies, in ungodly violation of ladies’ decency and morals.’ Fathers were warned against exposing their daughters to such a contagion. In the end, though, the teenagers won the day.”

Evil Angel tugged on Good Angel’s apron. “Wasn’t that what happened to Elvis?” 

CJ shook his head in admiration. “Wow! I think you both deserve some chocolate. Follow me to Hershey heaven.” 

Night settled deeper over the park. The string lights cast warm pools of light, while shadows thickened between them as they headed to the Chocolate Emporium. A breeze carried the sweetness of chocolate and candy floss from nearby confectionery tents. 

CJ led them beneath a massive neon sign that flashed: ‘Hershey’s Chocolate Emporium.’ 

The emporium rose before them like a temple of chocolate. Raisa’s eyes widened as she took in the lavish displays, a stark contrast to the bare shelves and endless queues of Moscow’s government-run stores. 

Floor-to-ceiling candy chutes dispensed bite-sized samples—Kit Kats,

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.

Website

Facebook

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TikTok: @ringmaster606

YouTube: @TheRingmaster-n7y

buy the book

Author's Edition 

books.by/bim-bom-books 

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

Amazon

There's a certain magic to a farmer's market. It's the vibrant chaos of colors—the deep purple of an eggplant, the sunny burst of a lemon, the earthy brown of a potato still dusted with soil. It's the smell of fresh basil mingling with sweet kettle corn. It's the hum of community, of chatting with the person who grew your food.

When you bring that canvas tote bag of seasonal treasures home, the next chapter begins in the kitchen. For many of us, cooking is more than just following steps; it's an act of storytelling. We're connecting with the land, with the season, and with the people we're about to feed.

If you believe the story behind the food is just as nourishing as the meal itself, this reading list is for you. We're going beyond the standard cookbook to explore the memoirs, novels, and guides that capture the true spirit of farmer's market cooking.

 

The Cookbooks (That Read Like Stories)

 

These aren't your average recipe-a-page collections. These are beautifully written seasonal cookbooks that teach the why behind the what, empowering you to look at a pile of fresh vegetables and see endless possibilities.

For the Authentic Farm-to-Table Experience:  

Dishing up the Dirt: Simple Recipes for Cooking Through the Seasons by Andrea Bemis

If you've ever wondered what it's really like to run a farm and cook with its bounty, this book is your answer. Andrea Bemis isn't just a chef; she's a farmer at Tumbleweed Farm in Oregon. This cookbook is a genuine reflection of her life, filled with personal stories, stunning photography, and 100 recipes organized by season. Her food is rustic, accessible, and completely inspired by what’s being pulled from the ground. It’s the perfect bridge from the market stall to your kitchen.

Available on Amazon  

 

For the Intuitive Cook: 

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat

 

If the farmer's market is your palette, Samin Nosrat's masterpiece is the art class you need. This book is less about rigid recipes and more about teaching you the fundamental principles of flavor. By understanding how salt enhances, fat carries flavor, acid balances, and heat transforms, you'll be able to approach your market haul with confidence and creativity. It's a book that reads like a conversation with a brilliant, encouraging friend, and its lessons will stick with you forever.

Available on Amazon 

 

For the Seasonal Devotee:  

Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables by Joshua McFadden

This is the ultimate farmer's market companion. McFadden, a chef with a background in farm management, divides the year into six seasons—not four—to better capture the nuances of what's truly fresh. He'll change the way you look at a simple carrot or a humble cabbage. The recipes are rustic, restaurant-quality, and designed to make vegetables the star of the plate. This book is an ode to seasonal eating in its purest form.

Available on Amazon 

 

The Memoirs (When the Kitchen is the Main Character)

 

Sometimes, the most memorable meals are seasoned with memory and emotion. These are the best food memoirs for readers who understand that a kitchen holds more than just ingredients—it holds a life.

 

For the Unflinching Foodie:  

Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton

 

Hamilton's memoir is a raw, honest, and beautifully written account of a life forged in kitchens—from her own rural childhood to her celebrated New York restaurant, Prune. She writes about food with a visceral passion that connects every dish to a place, a person, or a pivotal moment. It's a look at the grit and glory behind the farm-to-table ideal, perfect for anyone who appreciates the hard work that goes into a simple, perfect plate of food.

Available on Amazon 

 

For the Cozy Home Cook:  

Home Cooking: A Writer in the Kitchen by Laurie Colwin

 

This is the literary equivalent of a warm hug. Colwin's essays celebrate the simple, unpretentious joy of cooking for people you love. She writes about kitchen disasters, simple weeknight dinners, and the comfort of a perfectly roasted chicken. Her voice is witty, charming, and deeply relatable. It's the perfect book to read when you want to be reminded that cooking doesn't have to be complicated to be meaningful.

 Available on Amazon

The Fiction (Where Recipes Drive the Plot)

Looking for novels for foodies? These food-centric novels use dishes and ingredients to reveal character, drive the plot, and immerse you in a world where food is a language all its own.

For Lovers of Character and Local Flavor: 

Kitchens of the Great Midwest J. Ryan Stradal

 

 

Each chapter in this masterful novel is told from the perspective of a different character and centers on a specific dish, like lutefish or chocolate habaneros. Stradal traces the ingredients back to their Midwestern roots, creating a rich tapestry of flavors, people, and places. It’s a story that truly explores the connection of food with community and identity.

Available on Amazon 

 

For a Touch of Magic: 

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

 

A classic of culinary fiction, this novel explores how emotion can be physically infused into food. The protagonist, Tita, can only express her powerful feelings through her cooking, with magical and dramatic results for those who eat her food. It’s a beautiful, imaginative story that perfectly illustrates how cooking can be the ultimate act of emotional expression.

Available on Amazon 

The next time you visit the farmer’s market, let these stories linger in your mind. Cooking and reading are both acts of connection—to the earth, to our history, and to each other.

Now, I’d love to hear from you! What are your favorite food-centric books that go beyond the cookbook? Share your recommendations in the comments below!