Prairie Devil

Wives of the Flint Hills #1

by Tessa Layne

He’s the Devil she shouldn’t want...
Colton Kincaid is a rake and a heartbreaker. Thrown out of the house when he was seventeen by his brother, Travis, he scraped his way to the top of the rodeo circuit riding broncs and never looked back... Until a chance encounter with hometown good girl Lydia Grace leaves him questioning everything and wanting a shot at redemption.

She’s the Angel he can never have...
All Lydia Grace needs is one break. After having her concepts stolen by a famous shoe designer, she returns home to Prairie to start a boot company on her own. But when her break comes in the all too sexy form of Colton Kincaid, she wonders if she’s gotten more than she’s bargained for.

To get her boot company off the ground, Lydia makes Colton an offer too good to refuse, but he ups the ante. Will the bargain she strikes bring her everything she’s dreamed of and more, or did she just make a deal with the devil?

A delicious fake engagement between the reformed bad boy and the woman who keeps him awake at night.

Genres: Romance, Western Romance, Amazon, Westerns, Contemporary

267 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Tessa Layne is a five-time USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance across many genres. Known for her high heat "emotionally searing and uplifting" story lines, Tessa’s books take you on an adventure of the heart from the rugged and remote Kansas Flint Hills to the big-city boardroom. Additional pen names include TS Layne (billionaires) and coming in 2024, Tessa Snow (dark fantasy romance). Tessa lives in the heart of the Rocky Mountains with her husband, daughters, and two unruly cats. When she’s not writing, you can find her outside chatting up the bees in her garden, hunting for berries in the woods, or playing in the snow.

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBook today (2/24/2021)!🎁

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5✨

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another enjoyable read in the series. In this one we have Colton and Lydia. Colton is home for a visit and while at a wedding he runs into Lydia. Needless to say he couldn't get her out of his mind. Thankfully in the end they get their HEA.

[dbbooknerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colton never realized how much he needed a second chance until Lydia reminded him that everyone can change. Her sweetness and his bad boy charms were entertaining and together they were a steamy match made in heaven, better known as a small town named Prairie.

[Lisa Hemming · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can always go home again, but what will it be like when you get there? That is what went thought Colton Kincaid’s mind when he decided to return to Prairie, Kansas for his brothers wedding. Travis had thrown him out of the house 10 years ago, and he hadn’t been back since. He was a very successful rodeo star and was sought after to be the spokesman for many companies. Women loved him and he was never alone, but he was always lonely. He was thrilled when Travis had called to invite him to the wedding, because he always wanted his brother to be happy and the love of a good woman is what he deserved. Colton hoped that they could discuss what happened all those years ago and put it behind them once and for all. He is not sure what the rest of Prairie will think about him being back, but there is one special person he would love to spend time with. Lydia Grace. He left her in tears ten years ago and he never forgot her.

Lydia Grace loves weddings and she was happy for Travis and Elaine, but she wasn’t sure she would ever find the right guy The appropriate one’s were boring and the bad boys were just that; bad and untrustworthy, and she had more important things to worry about. Here she was, back home in Prairie living with her girlfriends, with no money and no job. She needed to devote all of her time and energy into a plan for her future, because she still wants to design boots and she can do that from anywhere. She didn’t need any distractions especially the bad boy cowboy who showed up at the wedding. Colton is still rugged, sexy and breathtakingly handsome, and his piercing gaze fixed on her the minute he walked in the door. She was in trouble now because Colton would be hard to resist, but it would certainly be fun.

Can Colton convince Lydia that he is truly sorry for how he left things all those years ago and will she give him a second chance?

Will Lydia resurrect her boot company in Prairie and will she succumb to Colton’s charms and trust him with her heart?

I love Tessa’s Cowboys of Flint Hill series and I am so glad she finally wrote Colton and Lydia’s story. The love and importance of family is the foundation of all of her books, and it is what brought both of them back to Prairie and to each other. “Prairie Devil” is a wonderful story of love, trust and forgiveness and once again, Tessa has given us a winner.

[Jami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colton Kincaid is the picture perfect bad boy cowboy. He has a checked past that continues to haunt him to this day. He grew up in an environment that did not show him what real love looks like, with a mother he had issues and a father who didn’t show his love, Colton believes love makes you weak and must be avoided at all costs. He comes home for the first time in ten years to Prairie, Kansas to attend his brothers wedding. Travis and Colt have not spoken to each other in those ten long years and this trip has Colt very uncomfortable. He is sure that everyone will take one look at him and think he is worthless, just like they did ten years ago when he was forced out of town. He is a very torchbearer soul that decides he must man up to prove to his brother and home town that he has become a better man.

Lydia Grace has a dream and she is living it, being a premier shoe designer in New York. She is a good girl that always follows the rules. The one time she didn’t, the bad boy Colton rejected her, so she has vowed to live her life by the rules and be the good, successful girl everyone expects her to be. But Lydia finds out that even when you play be the rules, life doesn’t and she finds herself back in Prairie with her dreams ruined and trying to figure out what her next step in life should be. She sees Colton at Travis’ wedding and decides she is not just a good girl. She wants Colton and she is going to rope him up and take him for a ride.

The fireworks between Colt and Lyds is explosive but Colt doesn’t believe in love and Lyds can’t stomach the thought of failing again. They dance around each other, each trying to figure out how to negotiate the waters of their unconventional relationship without getting hurt. The path to happiness is riddled with their own insecurities, other peoples missions, and everyone’s lack of faith in the man that Colton has become. Will they navigate the path and find their way to their HEA or will Coltons past and Lydias insecurities keep them from finding their way.

One click to find out if true love wins. I know I did!

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

MUST READ BOOK & SERIES. INCREDIBLE AUTHOR WITH AMAZING CHARACTERS.

AMAZING. This book is another incredible story about family, love, forgiveness, trust, and friendship. Ten years ago, Colton was forced to leave his families ranch. He became a huge rodeo star. Now, he's been invited home for his brothers wedding. He's hoping to be given answers to what happened all those years ago.

Lydia always dreamed about designing boots. When her designs are stolen by a famous shoe designer, Lydia leaves New York and comes home.

Can Colton and Lydia help each other get what they've always wanted? Will they finally get what everyone else in Flint Hills has?

Tessa does such a incredible job of pulling other characters from this series together. She does so in such a way that even if you haven't read the other books, you'd still feel like you know everyone. Tessa's books are standalone's so you don't need to read them all (BUT, you're gonna want to).

I received this as an advanced readers copy for my honest, free, personal review. I can say with certainty that I will always be a fan of Tessa Layne's. Thank you Tessa for choosing to write these stories.
Prairie Devil: Cowboys of the Flint HillsPrairie Devil: Cowboys of the Flint Hills

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prairie Devil is the first book in the Graces series, which is set within the Cowboys of Flint Hills series. Colton has stayed away from home for the past ten years, due to his brother, his bad boy reputation, and his rising stardom in the rodeo circuit. Coming home for his brother’s wedding, he runs into Lydia, the one person who has always fought for him. With desire on their side, they strike up a business agreement where he’ll wear her boots and she’ll be his fiancée. But when his reputation comes in between some really real emotions, can Colton and Lydia find their forever?

Oh, I really loved this book! There was such a dance between Colton and Lydia, with them fighting their desire, fighting what they truly feel for the other, and then all of the drama they had to wade through. Colton’s reputation was really used against him again and again, but I loved that Lydia wanted to see the best from him, even while trying to guard her heart. Lydia was pegged as a good girl her whole life, but she was loyal and sweet and kind, and really smoothed out Colton’s rough edges. Together, they made an amazing team, both with their business and in their personal lives. I actually really loved that this book was not quite a slow burn, but it didn’t take place over one weekend. They had a past together that built their shaky foundation at first, but they were able to make a long distance relationship work, and the more time they spent together, even talking on the phone, the more the emotions slowly got involved, too! I loved the ending and how everything fell together! This has been an amazing series, this was an excellent addition and book, and I loved reading it!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 6th book that I've read in the Cowboys of the Flint Hills and I enjoyed it as much as the first five. There is a nice blend of characters dealing with their own personal demons while fighting their attractions for someone from their past. This story brings us Colton Kincaid and Lydia Grace. He blames himself for his mother leaving when he was a young child, then his father's death and plenty of reckless behavior that drove a wedge between him and his brother, Travis. Lydia has returned to Flint Hills for Travis' wedding, without a job and angry at the theft of her designs for boots where she worked for a big designer in NYC. Lydia and Colton were friends in their teens. Lydia put herself out there and Colton rejected her. Now he's a rodeo star and has changed his ways, despite a reputation as a womanizer. Their chemistry is off the charts, but she is afraid to be rejected again and he's afraid to give his heart. There is plenty of drama in this story as the two work through their issues and find themselves in an unusual situation. I also like how this story pulls together characters from previous stories as well as from the Flint Hills Military Heroes series. Plenty of Alpha males in this series and the women who change their lives, bringing out a softer side. Looking forward to seeing what comes next in each of these series.

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smokin' hot rodeo cowboy meets his match!

When Colton is invited back home for his brother's wedding, he's determined to show he's put his bad-boy teen years behind him. Lydia had no patience for the irresponsible boy who left ten years ago, but the man that returned is setting all her lady bits on fire even though she can't be sure he's grown up at all.

Lydia is starting her own custom boot-making business, and needs a spokesman for her brand. Colton needs a fake fiance to keep the grasping daughter of his biggest sponsor out of his hair. This seems like the perfect business arrangement, but their highly-combustible chemistry keeps rewriting all the rules.

Colton has absolutely no intention of ever settling down, but he also has no intention of ever letting Lydia go. His dilemma along with Lydia's reluctance to put her future in the hands of a man with his well-earned reputation make this an edge-of-your-seat love story that will keep you hot-and-bothered and glued to your kindle. It's a fast-paced look inside the world of rodeo as well as a nostalgic trip back to Prairie, Kansas where we get updated on all the familiar faces from the previous Flint Hills stories. I couldn't put this book down, and I loved every bit of it. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[CarolKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Travis had kicked his brother out years ago for not being able to follow the rules, calling it tough love. Colton hit the rodeo trail and has become successful and Travis now wants to reconnect. His lovely bride, Elaine, and his aspirations for the ranch a big part of the why.

Even before we get into the nitty-gritty of this book, I'm in tears. It's Travis' wedding, when Colton shows up.

Okay so I always cry at weddings, but it's here that Lydia and Colton run into each other. Lydia has always been known as the good girl and she so want's to break that mold and the only one she wants is Colton. Only he rejects her, because, in his words, he's an idiot, but he's also a gentleman and Lydia was drinking heavily.

Lydia lost her job in NY now she's contemplating her own boot business. When Colton shows up to see how she's doing after the wedding, he also wants boots.

After a threat from Colton's Sponsors, Lydia agrees to be his fake fiancé and he agrees to invest in her business. Of course this is a dangerous path for both of them since their attraction is off the charts.

Lots happens in this book, it kept me turning the pages and also surprised me a few times.

Love, laughter, family, deception and plenty of

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for honest review with no compensation. 4.5 stars

Prairie Devil is book 6 in the Cowboys of Flint Hills series and as always a well written story about a second chance to make things right. This is about Colton Kincaid, brother of Travis Kincaid from A Hero's Honor: Resolution Ranch who threw him off the ranch when he was 17. Now he has come home for Travis's wedding and to hopefully make amends for his past mistakes and to show he has made something of himself in the rodeo and has become a better man then they remember...and try to reconnect with Lydia Grace.

Lydia Grace has moved back to Prairie after another boot designer stole her designs, so with no job and having to come up with more designs she decides to start her own boot company and makes a proposition with Colton to wear her custom made boots and to invest in her startup company.

Filled with determination, struggles both together and individually, sparks fly, lack of faith in each other...can these two find a way to let the past go and open their hearts to each other and build a life and a boot company empire together or will Colton be the womanizer he has always been and break Lydia's heart??

[Emabubby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colton Kincaid is trying hard to out live his teenage bad boy reputation now that he is a responsible adult. Yet his adult persona of a heart breaker and a rake still persists. At age seventeen Colt was sent away by Travis, his own brother for substance abuse and other wild activities. Force to survive on his own Colt cleaned up his act and became a world famous rodeo star. Ten years later Colt has come home for Travis wedding with the hope of mending some fences with his brother and the girl he left behind. Lydia Grace was one of the few people who had faith in Colt that is until he showed her how bad he really could be. Now she no longer trusts his protests that he is a changed man. Can Colt prove to Lydia he is worth her time? You will have to read this intriguing romantic novel and see for yourself. Ms. Layne as always has written a book well worth reading.

I received this as an advanced reader copy from the author and I am voluntarily posing this fair and balanced review.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh, so sweet. Love will prevail. Love will heal. Love will get you through.
Poor Colton, the child who saw way too much hurt and heartbreak as a child, the teen who rebelled, and the almost man that was sent away by his older brother and the town he grew up in. He grew up and made a name for himself, away from his hometown, only to realize that his “carefree” ways were a hinderance to his reputation and his sponsors.
Throw in Lydia. Half a set of twins, 1/4 of the Grace sisters. Raised by a woman who is respected (and a little feared) by everyone in town. She was raised to be strong and set out to make a name for herself in the world of designer cowboy/cowgirl boots, starting off by making special boots for her friends at home for their wedding day.
Lydia is betrayed at work in New York and goes home with her tail between her legs. Colton comes home after 10 years of no contact for his brother’s wedding. A stolen kiss in the barn between Lydia and Colton ignites a fire neither of them were prepared for.

[Stacy J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart broke for Colton. He couldn't seem to out run his past no matter how hard he tried. He would be the first to admit that when he was a younger he was wild and doing things he shouldn't. However, he had grown up. Colton still had lingering moments of doubt about himself when he was home because of it.

Lydia has had her eye on Colton since she was a teenager. However, being she was always the "good girl" and he was the "bad boy", nothing became of it. Years later, she sees him again and realizes that the feelings didn't go away except this time..he's looking back at her.

I really enjoyed this book as both characters had something to prove. It could be internal or external but they both wanted acceptance of others yet in different ways. Colton needed closure with his family and Lydia needed a fresh start with her business. I loved watching these two support and encourage each other when sometimes others didn't.

[Stephanie Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

And the story of Prairie continues....

Colton Kincaid was kicked out of Prairie over a decade ago. But he has come home after receiving a call from his brother inviting him to his wedding. He had a bad boy reputation in his past, he just hopes people will look past his past. He's turned his life around and become the top in the rodeo world.

Lydia has come home to after leaving her job in New York after a colleague took advantage of her designs. She's home to figure out what she's going to do next. Her family and friends have talked her into opening her own business custom designing boots.

Both Colt and Lydia make an agreement to help each other. In exchange for being a silent partner in her business she pretends to be engaged to help clear up his bad boy image.

But along the way things go from fake to real. When the past comes back, can they trust each other to stand up for the other?

The smoking hot romance make Prairie Devil one hot 🔥🔥🔥🔥read.

[Marichus Real · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colton has been away since his brother Travis kicked him out of their home. After her mother’s leaving them behind, everything changed for Colton and he became a rebel. Alcohol, drugs and women were all he knew. However, he has changed now. He had made a name for himself and he is quite famous in the rodeo world. But when he laid eyes on Lydia everything changes again for him.
Lydia is one of Dottie daughters. She designs and makes wonderful boots. She is back in Prairie for good after a workmate stole her ideas.
Two people very different but with the same needs. One complements the other and their wise bodies recognize the other before they realize it.
Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always full of romance and sweetness. I love what happens nearly to the end. It was quite unexpected.
A delightful story I highly recommend to all lovers of romance.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.

[Kathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rodeo Cowboy Rewrites His Future!!!

Colton Kincaid is a rodeo star, scrapper and hell-raiser who was kick off the family ranch 10 years ago. A wedding is an opportunity to come back, prove he is a changed man and perhaps pursue the one-who-got-away.

Lydia Grace is home from New York. Her boot designs have been stolen and she is starting over from scratch. When Colt comes home she decides to shed her good-girl image. Colt is more of a gentleman than Lydia hoped. But a business venture seems to be a win-win. But can they keep it “business only”.

This is a delightful journey for these two characters, full of struggle, sparks and determination taking them to the finish line. Love these cowboys!!

*** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book ***

[Judith Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colton is back in Prairie for the first time in over a decade and he isn't sure that he will every fit in or belong in Prairie. Lydia might just be his saving grace, but she needs some help as well. Lydia is back in Prairie to pick up her life and career after her work was stolen and she is ready to the wild girl, not Lydia the librarian goody girl that she has been labeled. Will Colton be her saving grace when he isn't planning on staying in Prairie? Lydia is ready to walk on the wild side, but she doesn't ever think that she will find the man that could stand with her forever. Will Colton and Lydia be each others saving grace and so much more? A wonderfully read that takes you into the world of Prairie and on an emotional ride that has you hoping for more.

[Pamela Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series gets better with each book and Prairie Devil is my favorite with unforgettable characters and a smartly written story that kept me glued to the book from the first page to the last. I loved the chemistry, dynamic and steamy romance between rodeo star Colton Kincaid who returns to Prairie, Kansas after ten years and Lydia Grace, talented custom boot designer. Their story has so much love and emotion, they jump right out of the book and into your heart.

Ms. Layne has given us another winner and I look forward to reading the next book from this talented author. I received an advance reader copy of this book and this is my unbiased review. I liked the book so much, I purchased a copy to read again later.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confession: I read this book because I had the opportunity to chat with the author and she was delightful. Yes I live in Kansas. No I don’t have a thing for cowboys. While I love romance novels with all kinds of heroes, Rodeo cowboys are not my catnip.

That said, I really enjoyed this book. The fact that I finished it in one afternoon despite not really being into the whole Rodeo cowboy scene says a lot about Tessa’s writing. She created characters I could root for and created a setting that made me want to revisit the Prairie community and get to know the rest of the characters in the series. 4 stars because I really enjoyed this novel. I suspect that if I was more into the setting, it would have been a 5 star book. Well worth your time.

[JigsawGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't seem to help reading this series out of order. I don't think it really matters, because with each book, it makes me just want to read the others.

I liked Colt and Lydia. They had really great chemistry. I felt bad for Colt and his continual need to feel like he had to prove himself to everyone in town, like he wasn't good enough. I also liked that Lydia was strong and independent, that she didn't hesitate to stand up for Colt.

This was also a book made even more interesting because of the information in it about Lydia's business. I learn something New with each book I read from this author.

A book full of hope, faith, loyalty, family, love, and enough steadiness to since the pages.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book received via Hidden Gems.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is steamy, entertaining and sweet. Colt is cocky, bold, insecure, sensitive, vulnerable and determined. Lydia is unforgiving, stubborn, caring and compassionate. He'd always wanted her, she'd always wanted him, but he was an out of control teen who got thrown out of his home. Now, 10 years later, he wants to prove that he's changed, and finally win her. They end up with a business arrangement, one that involves them pretending to be engaged. The more time they spent together, the more they let their guards down, and fell in love. There are some dramatic twists in the story, some good, some not so much. I really liked the characters and the storyline.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems. This is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Christina Luberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this story can be anybody that had a rough life and went wild as a kid, but tried to turn their life around. We have Colton who had a rough time as a teenager and his brother kicked him out of the family home, till he could change his life. We have Lydia who has always been a good girl and tried to be Colton's friend, she is also the daughter of Dottie. Lydia can back home because everything fell apart for her and now she don't believe in herself. I cried, laughed, and more. I could not put this book down, just had to know what was going to happen to Colton and Lydia. I received an arc for my honest review.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready or not, be prepared for this amazing story of Colton and Lydia as they find their way through the trials of friendship, contracts, heartache and most of all, telling Mom. Colton was the wild child the brothers refused to acknowledge as he found ways to destroy loyalty and family. There was always one person in his corner but he didn’t know it. His long-time friend, Lydia, had rescued him, been kind to him and selfishly cared for him. This is a true love story and it will make you laugh while you have tears in your eyes. I highly recommend this book for adults. It is extremely well written. I personally thank the author for sharing this adventure with me.

[BookSnuggle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prairie Devil (Cowboys of the Flint Hills Series) by Tessa Layne. This is Colton "Colt" Kincaid and Lydia "Lyds" Grace's story.

Another great addition to the Flint Hills series. The author grabbed my attention from beginning. I fell in love with Colt and Lydia's characters. Colt and Lydia are perfect for each other. The chemistry between them is hot! Get comfy and enjoy Colt and Lydia's hot and steamy story with some laughs too.

FYI, contains mature content. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Coffee Chat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great story from the Flint Hills series. The characters are well developed and enjoyable. Colton is a most loveable bad boy. I really like Lydia, she is so loyal and cute. They both have returned home with issues to resolve. Colton has been away for 10 years after conflicts with his brother. Lydia has returned after trouble with a coworker stilling her designs. The chemistry between them is hot. The story line had me from the start and kept me turning pages. I can recommend reading this book when you have time set aside because you wont want to put it down.

[Stephanie Corbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous exciting and heartwarming story, I love these cowboys from the Flint Hills! The characters have such depth that you are totally captivated by the story and their experiences. Colton had a tough start to life, but he is coming home at last to try and mend some fences. Lydia is also coming home, but she is ready to get a little wild. This is an explosive combination.

This story has it all and you will not be disappointed, you will just want more, more, more!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Dawn Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prairie Devil is a story based in a small town with cowboys and the women who intrigue them, it was a well written story that really captured my heart from the start. This is my first book by Tessa Layne and I was really taken by her incredible writing. I absolutely loved her characters Colton and Lydia they have such a wonderful connection and an undeniable chemistry. I will definitely be reading more of this great series and more of Tessa’s other work. I absolutely recommend this great story. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book from Hidden Gems.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colton Kincaid was thrown off the ranch by his brother Travis when he was a teen. He was all kinds of trouble. Later, all grown up and a rodeo star, Colton comes back to his brother’s wedding. He finds Lydia, the good girl in town and his former neighbor. Lydia is back home from her NY job, she is a talented shoe designer recently jobless. They both have intense chemistry but he is the bad boy and Lyds momma has warned him off her good daughter. There’s a fake engagement, lots of sexy times and two hearts of gold coming together at Prairie... sweet and romantic. I enjoyed this book.