Saturday, April 20, 2013

R is for Rachel


This is another snippet from my book, The Newstead Project, because you see, R stands for Rachel.


     It turned out I was wrong about not seeing any girls.

     She was behind the counter, the pretty waitress, trying to ignore all the overgrown guys gawking at her. Her dark brown hair with soft curls was pulled back into a loose ponytail that was stuck through a stained, well-worn baseball cap. Pizza sauce and cheese splattered the front of her apron as the pizza she was carrying almost slid to the floor. From the looks of her, that wasn’t her first near miss. She raced past us to a waiting table that thankfully hadn’t noticed that their food had almost tested the five second rule.

     I was too busy watching her to realize that Seth was watching me. I know he thought he was being helpful when he reached out and grabbed her arm just as she was walking by. I know that, but it didn’t change the way I wanted to rip his arm off when he did it. She looked like she felt the same way.

     “Can you get my friend a refill?” he asked, still holding onto her arm. Her face was beet red. I don’t think she was scared, I think she was angry. She reached over and grabbed my cup. She never looked at Seth; no, her scowl was only for me.

     My breath held until Seth let her go.   


For those of you who don’t know, my debut novel, The Newstead Project, is being released on May 1, 2013. If any of you would like to review it for your blog, please email me at Melanie@melanieschulz.com

41 comments:

  1. Poor guy!

    Congrats on your book release!

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  2. Congrats on your book release and good luck.

    Yvonne.

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  3. Congratulation Melanie. May it be a success. So far it sounds like a wonderful read.

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  4. Congrats! This is a great excerpt. I love the last line.

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    1. Thank you! I had a hard time picking which one to use, but I thought Joel first meeting Rachel would be fitting for when I introduce her to all of you.

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  5. As a girl who spent many years waitressing, I've so been there. The worst is when people try to be helpful by taking glasses off your tray. One guy learned a lesson about balance when he did that and got soaked in the process. Luckily he accepted the full blame - I bet he never did it again. You wan tot be helpful? Make room on the table and sit back out of the way!

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  6. Hey Melanie! Are you doing a blog tour? If so, I'd love to participate. And I'd love to do a review, too:)

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    1. I'm doing an official tour through I'm a Reader, not a Writer. But I wanted to do an informal review type one with people who follow me. Thank you so much for your help! I'll email you more information so you can pick a date and let me know what format you would like. Thanks again. I can't wait to hear what you think!

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  7. Congrats on the book release! Great excerpt.

    Sania at Embracing Dawn

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  8. I could feel that scowl. I'd be happy to help you get the word out on your new book, Melanie. Send me the info. :)

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    1. Thank you, I'll send you an email with more information.

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  9. Congrats on your book release.

    I could see why the narrator would be annoyed at Seth.

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  10. I feel kind of bad for that guy. I hope Seth didn't ruin things between the waitress and him.

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  11. Congrats on your book release! I look forward to reading it.

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    1. And I look forward to hearing what you think of it.

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  12. Loved this snippet, and congrats on your book release!!

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  13. That's great news about your book, Melanie. I'm trying to get a little caught up on other A to Z bloggers and especially enjoyed your "Q" post.

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    1. Thanks. I'm getting caught up, too. Isn't that was Sundays are for? Catching up on our A to Z visits? LOL

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  14. I HAD to read this one because, you know, that's my name!
    I was looking around your blog yesterday and discovered The Newstead Project. I'd love to review it, though I've got a lot going on at the moment ... I'll send you an email :-)

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    1. Thank you. Yes, you have a lovely name, I've been typing it and retyping it for the last 2.5 years. Thank you for your shout out and possibly reviewing it in the future.

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  15. Congrats on the book release! The snippet has piqued my curiosity...

    Writer In Transit

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  16. Congratulations on the release, I love what I've seen of your writing so far so I'll probably read it at some point :)

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    1. Thank you, I'd love to hear what you think of it.

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  17. Great writing here. Congrats on your book release. I'm interested in reading more, but not sure I could have a review very quick as I have a TON to read at the moment. I'd love to host part of a blog tour for your release date, though.

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    1. Thank you. I'd really appreciate that. I'll email you and set something up.

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  18. How exciting for you! A-Z survivor status followed by your first book launch! Hoo-raw!

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    1. It felt like a good idea at the time, but now I have to admit, it's rather exhausting.

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  19. That's awesome! Congrats on the release! :)

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  20. I wonder why she's so mad. You have piqued my curiosity.

    Congratulations on the book!

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    1. Thank you. There is a bit of back story that I couldn't fit in the 150 word limit, but let's just say she's a little tired of the clientel who frequent that establishment.

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  21. Seth sounds like barrels of fun! :-) haha

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