Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him—and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more. @goodreads

MY REVIEW:

5 STARS





Who would have thunk you could be at your homecoming and end up taking someone out with the heel spike of your pink shoe..among other things.

All Harper wanted was to get her crown and have a good time with her friends and boyfriend Ryan. But..that wasn't going to happen. Here is a tip, if you forget your lipstick, don't borrow from anyone else and run off to the bathroom to apply... there are weird things that happen in bathrooms. Unless of course you really want to become a Paladin and have to protect the boy you loathe the most :)


When Harper finally figures out she has become a Paladin and has to protect David Stark, she is not happy. Nope. Nope and Nope. But it's not like you can give it back so onward she goes.

At the moment, I really hated that my superpowers prevented me from shaking the crap out of him. I settled for balling my fist up in front of his shirt and pulling him down to meet my eyes. "David, look around you. This? This is crazy-sauce. And if you know anything that could help me figure out why I'm suddenly Wonder Woman, I need to know it right. Effing. Now."

I can't tell you what they find out that David is.. you will have to read the book. He is something or other and some crazy stuff goes down with all kinds of the kids and some adults in the book.

I enjoyed the story line and I loved Harper's southern charm..er.. snark!

I look forward to reading the next book, I didn't even know I would like this book so much, but that's how it goes right?

They do mention a Hummingbird Cake in the book so I'm going to give you the recipe like a good belle :) Enjoy!

HUMMINGBIRD CAKE



Total Time:

2 hr 5 min

Prep:
50 min

Inactive:
20 min

Cook:
55 min

Yield:
10 to 12 servings

Ingredients:

Unsalted butter, for greasing
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 cup pecan pieces
3 ripe bananas, chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh pineapple
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil

For the Frosting:

2 packages cream cheese (8 ounces each), at room temperature
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed, at room temperature
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Make the cake:

 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper. Butter the parchment and dust with flour.

Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and bake until fragrant and toasted, about 8 minutes. Let cool slightly, then roughly chop. Toss with the bananas, pineapple and 1/2 cup flour in a small bowl.

Whisk the remaining 2 1/4 cups flour, the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Beat the eggs and granulated sugar in a separate bowl with a mixer on high speed until thick and light, 5 minutes. Gradually beat in the vegetable oil.

Sprinkle the flour mixture over the egg mixture, then gently fold to make a thick batter. Fold in the pecan-fruit mixture, then transfer the batter to the prepared pans. Bake until the cakes are firm and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. Cool in the pans on a rack, 25 minutes, then invert the cakes onto the rack to cool completely. 


Make the frosting:

 Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl with a mixer until fluffy, then gradually beat in the butter until combined. Sift the confectioners' sugar over the cream cheese mixture and beat until smooth. Add the lemon zest and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy.

Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread about half of the frosting on top, then cover with the other cake layer. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake. 

 GOODREADS REVIEW:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1420965594

AMAZON LINK TO THE BOOK:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0147514355?redirect=true&ref_=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_0