Heaven Above, Earth Below - Softcover

An inspirational coming-of-age story dealing with family, faith, sacrifice and honor, Heaven Above, Earth Below weaves the lives of three men is a modern-day metamorphosis that will warm the patriotic heart. Eldest son in the Mann family, Navy lieutenant Jason Mann has flown over fifty successful missions in Iraq. Finally returning to the States, he reunites with his family, continues to work as a Naval flight instructor, and looks forward to life after the military. Younger son John is on a quest to prove himself as a man. After legal troubles force him to spend community service hours at a local retirement home, he meets an old man, a survivor from the USS Indianapolis, who helps John balance his life and priorities. With his adventures at the retirement home and living at home with his mother and little sister, John is set on an adventure that provides him the answers he seeks. Plagued with nightmares of a tragedy that happened almost sixty years ago, the old man attempts to confront the demons of his past while continuing to live within the invisible prison bars of guilt. Only with John’s help is he able to finally break free. A portion of all proceeds will go to the Jason Manse Memorial Fund that will support a scholarship at Canton Central Catholic High School for a deserving senior who is about to enter the military. More information can be found at the book’s website: heavenaboveearthbelow.com

Mark was born on Thanksgiving Day in 1967 and raised in a very loving family. His mother taught grade school and father worked as a school psychologist. As he and his sister grew up, they quickly became used to summer vacations in Nags Head, N.C. Ironically, it was much later in life that a vacation to the same Outer Banks would serve as the final inspiration needed to write Heaven Above, Earth Below. After attending St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Louisville, Ohio, Mark earned his B.A. in Communications, Journalism, English and his certification as a teacher from John Carroll and Walsh Universities. He dabbled in television broadcasting, but would eventually enter the world of education. His first job came at Canton Central Catholic High School where he worked as a Theology teacher. He taught at Central for three years and coached football, track and speech. While at Central, he would meet the real-life Jason who would become the driving force behind his story. In 1994 he would marry and be blessed over the next few years with three children. After three years at Central Catholic, he taught at Canton McKinley High School for seven years, teaching mostly British Literature and Journalism. Canton South High School provides his current workplace where he currently teaches American Literature and Journalism, and is finishing his 24th year of teaching. Mark’s debut novella, Heaven Above, Earth Below is a heart-warming tale that twists together the lives of three men. It magically celebrates family, faith, honor, and sacrifice.