”Andrea Downing’s Loveland is a historical western set in 1880′s Colorado during the heyday of the Wild West. The author pays meticulous attention to detail and historical accuracy and manages to recreate the ethos and atmosphere of the era without burdening the story with excessive information. Loveland has a mood rather like “Little House on the Prairie” or maybe “Bonanza”, immersing the reader entirely in a time and a place. Additionally, the story moves back and forth between the culture of the old west and Victorian England, creating startling contrasts between the two societies, which serves to reinforce the distinctness of each. My hat is off to the author for her mastery of world building and historical recreation….Secondary characters are especially well developed and distinct. Love scenes are sensual. Loveland appears to be Downing’s first published novel, which makes it an even more remarkable achievement. This is one of those rare occasions when I’d go higher than five stars and the author truly deserves it.”
Melissa Snark, Snarkology http://melissasnark.blogspot.com/?zx=831c794d3978bdc8
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““Loveland” is a fantastical frontier epic! The author does such an incredible job of immersing the reader in the old west, that they can nearly feel the grit of the dust on their face. The characters come alive and the conflict calls for page-turning impatience. Downing also creates a strong female character that doesnʼt make the mistake of overshadowing her man. Instead, the lovers are cheered and adored at every turn. Why I reckon this unʼs a keeper!”
Sandy Ponton, InD’Tale Magazine
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~ “Think of all the lies you might be telling…instead, of course, of the ones you’re tellin’ now.” ~
This excerpt from page 112 sets the tone of this novel for me. It’s fun, feisty, and completelyenjoyable. It’s also serious, emotional, and historically fascinating. Author Andrea Downing spins a romantic tale of separation and reunion, of cultural differences and emotional discovery. Her characters play their parts so well, it’s easy to slip into their world and believe in their reality. Great storytelling! Even though the happy ending is a given, the journey was much more satisfying because of the snappy dialogue, the pivotal plotting, and the realistic progression of Alex and Jesse’s emotional connection. I’m happy to give this book Five Stars!
Lynda Coker, Between the Pages
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Loveland is a story that moves at a good pace and did not let this reader down. 
The dread and sorrow that Alex endured, with her father, could be shared by this reader. The love Jesse and Alex share shines throughout the story. They are genuine, convincing characters in a tale of romance and heartfelt moments, especially with the many conflicts they faced. Andrea Downing pens a family drama that allows the reader to almost reach out and relate with the players. She fashions some wonderful visualizations which are hard to forget.”
Cherokee, Coffee Time Romance
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“A lovely read to see two people from two different places come together and make things happen. … Watching Alex and Jessie is maddening at times and loving the next.
The author does a great job with the characters and descriptions though out the story. Makes you want to fall in love with a real cowboy. I would love to read more by this author.”
Babs, Romancing the Book
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“I absolutely loved this book. I am so very thankful that I was given the chance to read it. Ms Andrea Downing did an amazing job. I felt like I was back in the 1800′s living Alex’s life. Alex and Jesse’s love is about as true and true love can get. If a love was ever doomed from the start it was this one between a Duchess and cowpoke, but this love story will touch your heart and make you mile through the tears. Alex is a head strong, determined, beautiful young woman and her story is one I will revisit many times. This book is worth every penny go get it now!!!”
Randi, Always a Book Lover
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In addition, the following authors have written these kind words:
My first impression of Andrea Downing’s premiere novel, Loveland, was that it was a classic western tale with all the goodies one expects from the genre – a willful and beautiful heroine, a quiet but strong hero, family intrigues set against a broad western landscape, and a cast of stock characters worthy of a John Ford movie. But in a relatively small number of pages, Ms. Downing packs more drama, romance and heartache than most books twice the size. … It’s great to see that this classic genres can still be told with heart.
–LaDene Morton, author of What Lies West
Loveland by Andrea Downing takes its name from the area near Loveland, Colorado, the story’s setting. Alex, the heroine of the story is a young woman raised in affluence and entitlement, on the fringes of royalty in England. …. When Alex was eight she was sent to live at her father’s ranch under the guardianship of her father’s brother. A couple, who live on the ranch, provided her with the stability of a home life. The hired hands adored the little girl and Alex loved them all, but one, Jesse, was special in her young eyes. She loves ranch life and would have happily lived there forever, but at twelve-years-old she is pulled out of that life and sent back to England to live with her father, a cold, distant man, and her loving, older brother, David. Five years later she comes back to the ranch determined to live in this place she has always loved.
Loveland is the story of a love between the headstrong Alex and the patient Jesse. Theirs is a love complicated by her need to establish a self-identity and the misfortunes the ranch suffers. The winter of 1886, fierce blizzards rage across the country wiping out the majority of the herd. In frustration and anger, and some greed, Alex’s uncle, the ranch manager, embezzles large sums until the ranch is on the brink of bankruptcy. A talented painter Alex sets out to use her paintings and inheritance to save the ranch. Knowing she has clout and instant recognition in the higher circles of society in England, and because she has learned that her father is dying there, Alex leaves the ranch and Jesse, vowing one day to return. But life is a complicated process and doesn’t always follow the plans we set for ourselves.
I always enjoy stories of the old West, and who doesn’t love a good romance? In my estimation Downing’s Loveland rates a two thumbs up.
—Eunice Boeve, award-winning author of To Ride A Shadowed Trail
…. Downing includes so many intricate pieces of history that she places the reader squarely into the story. Her depiction of the terrible “ice age” that hit that country in 1886-87 will put a chill in your bones you won’t soon forget. The characters are richly developed, the descriptions are slipped in with the action deftly as she weaves this story through the time period to its satisfying conclusion
—-Velda Brotherton, award-winning author, http://www.veldabrotherton.com
