Jones

GCLS Goldie Awards
Jones — Finalist, Romantic Blend.

CHAPTER ONE

“Remember that time we stole your dad’s Suburban and drove it all the way to Galveston to meet up with Ricky and the guys?”

Laughter filled the room and glasses clanked together in celebration. This was the third tequila shot, if she was counting correctly. “How could I forget? I got grounded for two months,” Nina said before knocking back the shot.

Amy laughed nearly hysterically. “And you were the only one who didn’t like boys and you were scared to tell us!”

“Like we didn’t already know,” Jones teased. “Your infatuation with Misty Greller gave it away.”

They were sitting on the floor in her hotel room. Some were leaning against the bed, others against the lone sofa. Smiles lit every face and Nina looked at each of them, these lifelong friends of hers.

They’d all grown up in Sugar Land, back before it had been swallowed up by Houston. They’d gone through grade school, middle school, and high school—all still fast friends. They’d made a pact when they’d graduated and before they went their separate ways for college. They’d get together for a long weekend each summer, just the girls. In the last fifteen years, they hadn’t missed a single summer. Through marriages and childbirth, they still managed to find a weekend where they could all get together.

At first, they would make the rounds. Amy lived in Dallas, so they gathered there one summer. Jones used to live in Austin, and they’d gone there a couple of times. Now, though, since Jones had moved to the Corpus area too, Nina—the only one single and childless—made the plans and reservations and booked them at a beach hotel here on the island each summer.

“If we have any more tequila, I won’t be able to stumble down for dinner,” Beth warned.

“Me too. I promised Jeff I wouldn’t drink too much this year. God, last year I was hung over for a week,” Tammy complained.

“Don’t be such lightweights,” Jones said as she leaned over to pour more tequila into Beth’s glass. “You should hang out with my friend Ingrid. She can knock back tequila like nobody’s business.”

“Who is Ingrid?” Tammy asked.

“Ingrid Cloudcroft.” Jones smiled in a coy, yet silly grin. “She’s very naughty. And very fun.”

“Naughty?”

She laughed. “She does things even I wouldn’t dare do.”

“Wow! That’s saying a lot,” Beth teased her. She handed her shot glass back to Jones. “I can’t drink this. Seriously, I’ll fall down.”

Nina watched in amazement as Jones knocked it back, then held her glass up in the air triumphantly. “To Ingrid! May I have as much fun as you tonight!”

Nina smiled back at her as did the others. Yeah, Jones appeared to be having fun. And whoever Ingrid Cloudcroft was, she apparently was the life of the party.

“Let’s walk down the beach to Pelican’s Bar and Grill,” Amy suggested. “Do they still have that massive seafood platter like last year?”

Nina nodded. “I think so.” She got to her feet, then helped Beth to hers. “Didn’t we say last year that we weren’t going to do tequila shots anymore?”

Jones held up the bottle and laughed. “I did not agree to that. This is my elixir, as you know.”

Nina waited patiently as the other women all primped and reapplied lipstick until they deemed themselves presentable for dinner. Tequila giggles followed them into the elevator and, as usual, she felt like the mother hen as she tried to quiet them down when they hit the lobby.

Sheri, who now lived in Scottsdale, linked arms with her as they crossed the dunes on the boardwalk. “Why haven’t you ever married? You’re the best looking one out of all of us.”

Nina rolled her eyes. No, Sheri was the best looking one and she knew it. “Just lucky I guess.”

“What about that woman you’d been dating? Allison or something?”

Nina sighed. “That didn’t work out. We broke up right after our girls’ trip last year.”

Jones came up beside her and took her other arm. “I think we need to set you up with someone. Someone wild and fun, like my Ingrid. Why don’t we go to a bar after dinner?”

“Yes! Let’s do!” Amy chimed in. “I haven’t been dancing in ages.”

“Last night didn’t count?”

“Did we dance?” Amy asked and they all laughed.

Nina shook her head. Maybe she was getting too old for this. While she did enjoy seeing them each year, she didn’t necessarily enjoy the wild partying that the others insisted on. Of course, they were all married with kids. This was their only time to shirk their responsibilities and let their hair down. It wasn’t their fault that she seemed to be the only one who had outgrown these long weekends.

“Let’s go to that disco place again,” Tammy suggested. “That was fun last night.”

“Okay. I’m game,” Sheri said.

“Me, too,” Amy and Jones said together.

Nina looked over at Beth. “Okay with you?”

“Sure. Even though you all know I have no rhythm and can’t dance worth a damn!”

Nina kept the sigh that was threatening inside. She would rather be at her own house watching TV. Good god, when had she gotten to be so boring?

Women Using Words
This gripping romantic thriller is another stand out for Hill. Her compelling characters and well-scripted plot offer readers an immersive reading experience, one filled with tension, emotion, and unexpected twists. This is a must-read for anyone who loves romantic thrillers threaded with captivating mystery. It’s sure to linger long after the last page.

NetGalley
Shimere A. - In Jones by Gerri Hill, a weekend getaway among childhood friends takes a dark turn when one of them tragically dies, unraveling a web of secrets and testing their bonds in unexpected ways. The mystery surrounding the death keeps readers on edge, while the evolving relationship between Nina and Detective Quinn adds an engaging layer of trust and vulnerability amidst the chaos. Set against the stunning backdrop of Port Aransas, Hill masterfully contrasts beauty with underlying danger, delivering a gripping romantic thriller packed with tension, emotional depth, and unexpected twists. This page-turner is a must-read for fans of captivating mysteries intertwined with complex relationships.

NetGalley
Danielle K. - I'm not entirely sure exactly how a murder mystery (and this was definitely a murder mystery) can feel so comforting and be such a happy feeling book (when I'm reading it). But, I guess that's Gerri Hill for ya.

NetGalley
Henrietta B. - Hill’s writing was as always superb. Bonus points for main characters in their 30s who have done a lot of introspection and don’t rush into a relationship.

NetGalley
A. Braddock - Jones by Gerri Hill is an excellent book. It has the right balance of murder mystery and a blossoming love story. Hill, known for their mystery and intrigue novels, does not disappoint with this new addition.

NetGalley
Denise J. - Just when you think you have her latest mystery figured out, you don't! It is a wonderfully told web of love, deceit and well...mystery! There is so much going on in the novel and I definitely do not want to give any spoilers. If you are a fan of Ms. Hill, you will love it. If you aren't, please give this one a read. I think you will become a fan. Great writing, great characters, great story line, keeps you guessing, and of course a little romance. What more do I need to say?

NetGalley
Sophie - Hill certainly does write wonderful stories, with complex characters that make you care about them.

NetGalley
Bonnie K. - Jones is yet another addition to Gerri Hill’s collection of must read well written stories. I enjoyed it tremendously and loved the characters. I was invested from the start to finish.

NetGalley
Sue M. - Jones is an intriguing, well-crafted mystery novel with its clues methodically revealed right up to a satisfying ending.