First Book
Second Book
Third Book
"In a likeable, self-deprecating way, home remodeling expert Heavens shares many of his personal home renovation experiences, mostly to illustrate what not to do."
-- Robert Bruss
"With complaints about remodeling contractors topping the American Homeowners Foundation's member gripe list (and the Better Business Bureau's as well!), don't get started on a substantial home renovation or remodeling project until you have read this book."
-- The American Homeowners Association
After the book was published in 2005, I appeared on:
CNN Open House, with Gerri Wilkes
10! Live WCAU-TV, Channel 10, Philadelphia
Real Estate Today with Tom Kelly, Business Talk Radio
CN8's Your Money, Comcast Network
The Money Pit Radio Show with Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete
All About Real Estate, with Jay Lamont, WPEN Sports Talk 950, Philadelphia
Art the Builder Home Improvement Radio, WWDB, Philadelphia
The Wilson Group Real Estate Show, with Hal Wilson, WLAC-AM, Nashville
Radio Times, with Marty Moss-Coane, WHYY91FM, Philadelphia
HGTV Radio, with Nancy Glass, XM Radio
The Building Coach's Corner with Sara Lamia, KRFC, Fort Collins, Colo.
Ilyce Glink Show, WBS Newsradio, Atlanta
"This guidebook takes an extensive look at the 15 most common home-improvement projects _ from bathrooms to basements, to replacing windows and adding decks."
-- Chicago Tribune
"Here, in an enjoyable, quick read, the consumer will be educated and left with choices to make. Heavens walks the reader through 15 projects - including bathroom and kitchen renovations, smart wiring, and energy efficient and "green" solutions - which through his research should add value to any house."
"These new designs are what many buyers and homeowners crave. So if it's time to remodel, it's important to stay within your budget while keeping an eye toward enhancing the value of your home. This book can aid in that task."
"Chapters are labeled with catchy titles such as "No Place Like the Home Office." Each begins with a relatable quote and includes pictures and gray boxes offering tips and fast facts. It's not surprising that Heavens provides information from various sources and shares stories from homeowners."
-- Lisa Doll Bruno, Newsday
A history written by Cordelia Frances Biddle, Elizabeth S. Browne and Alan J. Heavens and edited by Charles P. Peitz, St. Peter's Church: Faith in Action for 250 Years, was published in 2011 as part of the Temple University Urban History Series.
"This is the most beautifully presented church history I have ever seen.
The author team skilfully weaves together many strands of a venerable Philadelphia church:
The architectural history of St. Peter's; the troubled times that divided the church during the American Revolution and the Civil War;
the outreach mission efforts, mostly by female parishioners,
when the church was surrounded by the struggling poor in the 19th century;
and the stirring rebirth of the church in recent decades after it almost closed its doors.
Utterly frank in discussing the church's low points as well as its high points, it is a fascinating exploration of one of Philadelphia's treasures."
-- Gary B. Nash, professor of history emeritus and director, National Center for History in the Schools, UCLA
St. Peter's Church: Faith in Action for 250 Years, published in 2011 to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of St. Peter's Church, will receive the first Laurence Fish award for "an outstanding parish history" from the National Association of Historians and Archivists of the Episcopal Church.
"Your well-written and attractively presented history is a delight to read as well as providing a colorful history of your historic parish," said the Rev. Philip Ayers, vice president, speaking for the three other reviewers.