Author Antonio John Soave has announced the paperback release of his novel, Ice Time: Frozen Rinks. Buried Wounds. Hardened Hearts. An Italian American Family Saga., now available for purchase on Amazon. The book, which was previously available in other formats, is set against the backdrop of Detroit's working-class Italian-American neighborhoods and the city's deeply rooted hockey culture.
While hockey is woven throughout the narrative, Soave emphasizes that the most important conflicts in the story take place far beyond the rink. At the heart of the novel is Tony Perino, a young man whose love of hockey offers an escape from a troubled childhood. Growing up in a traditional Italian-American household, Tony struggles with the emotional consequences of his difficult relationship with his father, Giovanni. Those early experiences leave wounds that follow him into adulthood, affecting his relationships, his choices, and his understanding of what it means to be a father himself.
As the story unfolds, Tony must confront the past while navigating marriage, family responsibilities, and the complexities of forgiveness. Through Tony's journey, Soave explores a universal question: Can we move beyond the pain of our past without allowing it to define our future? "Our past may help explain who we are, but it doesn't have to determine who we become," Soave says. "That's really the message behind Ice Time. Hockey provides the backdrop, but the most important battles in the book take place within the human heart."
The novel also captures the traditions of Detroit's Italian-American community, including the importance of family, neighborhood friendships, cultural identity, and Catholic faith. These elements provide an authentic setting for a story that speaks to readers across generations and backgrounds. While Ice Time will appeal to hockey enthusiasts, its broader themes of resilience, reconciliation, and second chances make it relevant to anyone who has experienced family conflict or struggled to overcome the emotional wounds of childhood.
With the paperback edition now available, Soave hopes to connect with readers through interviews, book reviews, author appearances, and community discussions. He is also exploring opportunities with Italian-American, Italian-Canadian, Catholic, and hockey organizations, particularly in Detroit, Windsor, Toronto, and Montreal. The paperback edition of Ice Time can be purchased on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HP6M5J93.
The release of Ice Time in paperback is significant because it makes the novel more accessible to a wider audience, including book clubs and community groups interested in stories about family dynamics, cultural heritage, and personal healing. Soave's exploration of father-son relationships and the impact of childhood experiences resonates with many readers, and the book's setting in Detroit's Italian-American community and hockey culture offers a unique lens through which to examine universal themes. By making the paperback available, Soave also opens up opportunities for broader engagement with organizations that share an interest in Italian-American culture, Catholic faith, and hockey, potentially fostering discussions about resilience and forgiveness in communities across the United States and Canada.
