Tuesday, January 1, 2013

It's 2013! Join the Blog Hop!


Happy 2013! January 1st will see me eating my black-eyed peas in hopes of a prosperous year (we do this in the South, I'm not sure about the rest of the US), but I want to share three New Year's traditions that I'd never heard of before.

3.) Germany and Austria- Pouring molten lead into a bowl filled with water then reading the shapes created like tea leaves. (I've never actually handled molten lead, but doesn't this seem a wee bit dangerous?)

2.) Denmark- Throwing breakable dishes at your neighbor's door. The bigger the pile, the more friends you have. They also like to leap off of chairs at the stroke of midnight.  (Take heed, neighbors--if you throw something and break it on my doorstep, you'd better clean it up!)

1.) Peru- Men, women, and children gather in a bullring to have bare-knuckled fights with people they have grievances with, then hug it out to start the New Year with a clean slate. (Just wow.)

I think I'll just stick with my kiss at midnight, thank you very much.

Regardless of how our New Year's traditions may differ, we can all start 2013 off right with an awesome blog hop! There are lots of cool romance writers, reviewers, and bloggers involved and tons of FABULOUS prizes waiting to be won. I'm offering three $5 Amazon gift cards, and all you have to do to register is leave a comment below with your name and email address. You will automatically be entered into the Grand Prize drawing. Almost all of the sites on the hop are giving away prizes as well, so you can be entered hundreds of times.


Click above or go to http://carrieannbloghops.blogspot.com/ for the full list of participating blogs.




Looking for something to read that can help you stay warm on a cold winter night? Check out  Just Add Heat at  only 99 cents at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, the iBookstore, and  All Romance Ebooks



I'll be drawing my winners on January 7th.

Do you follow any traditions to celebrate a new year? 

Don't forget to leave your email address in the comments!






81 comments:

  1. Your book sounds spicy! Thanks for the giveaway. Happy New Year!
    hthurmeier @ gmail . com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for participating in the blog hop! Happy New Year!

    susanaellisauthor@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the great hop!! Happy New Year!!

    ehaney578 at aol dot com

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  4. Thanks for the chance at the great prize. Thanks for joining the hop and Happy New Year.

    miztik_rose@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy New Year!!

    aprilnu2003(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  6. Happy New Year... We do not take our tree down till after the new year :) and no doing laundry on New Years..

    Happy New Years!! It will be a wonderful 2013

    JamieToddMiller(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Those international new year's traditions are really cool, thanks for sharing :)

    aircdrewood(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy New Year!

    anasmithblue@gmail.com

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  9. Neat traditions! We just eat the blackeyed peas with roast, cabbage and potatoes. Thanks for the giveaway and Happy New Year!!!!!

    readingdiva@ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. thank you for sharing and the chance!

    Kassandra
    sionedkla@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Happy New Year!

    chellesy.clay at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for the giveaway! And Happy New Year!

    parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Happy New Year! I spend New Years with family every year.
    susanmplatt AT hotmail DOT com

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  14. Spend it with family.
    Happy New Year!
    t.abule (a) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  15. No, I don't follow any traditions.
    Thanks for the giveaway! And Happy New Year!
    by.evie at yahoo dot com dot br

    ReplyDelete
  16. rubyswanJanuary 1, 2013 6:14 AM

    WOOOHOOOOOOOOOO:D! I LOVE A GROOVY BLOG HOP!
    HAPPY NEW YEAR:D!!! GOD BLESS EVERY ONE!
    redz041@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Always the best tradition: kissing who you love at midnight :)
    thanks for the ho
    movie1997 at live dot it

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  18. Happy New Year!

    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I don't really haav any New Year's traditions. I like to just stay in bed and sleep.

    Thanks for the contest.

    kvmatlock(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. We eat pork and cabbage on New Years Day...Thanks for the contest..
    adgaliatymaildotcom

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  21. Spend a quiet night with hubby and a bottle of bubbly!

    diane dot sadler at gmail dot com

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  22. Wow...sure glad none of those are our traditions. Was fun reading them though. I do think everyone should forgive people at the end of the year and start with an open heart and mind. I try to. Thanks for being part of this.
    peach_hugs@yahoo.com

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  23. A hedonistic lazy day with champagne, croissants, lobster and snacks... this year a West Wing Marathon

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thank you for sharing those new year traditions! Very interesting!

    Thank you also for the great giveaway!

    Happy New Year!

    - Tin (khriscc at yahoo dot com)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks for the chance and Happy New Year!
    sqwalker2@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Happy New Year! Thank you for sharing your heart and your soul with us through your books for another year!

    angelheart618@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks for being part of the blog hop and hope you have a great 2013

    j.m.platt83@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

  28. Thanks so much for the chance to win. It's a great way to start the year. No major resolutions beyond reading a lot (let's go 50 books!) and staying active (jog, jog!), but I hope you have a great year :)

    Thanks again!

    hisboywonder(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wow, Peru sounds like my ex-in-laws!! lol I always spent New Years with my kids, snacks, game playing and movies, now I do it with my grandkid's and it's the best way to start a new year.

    proudarmymom32(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  30. no traditions

    Happy new year!

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  31. played games
    happy new year! Thanks
    mrsbrinius at comcast dot net
    going to try to lose weight this year

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thank you very much for the giveaway!
    Wish you the best for 2013!

    celine.guissart@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. super kewl giveaway, thanks for participating! We stayed at home with the boys, ringing in the UK new year, watched a movie, and put the boys to bed by 9 :) STILL waiting for hubby to take down Christmas decorations.
    jennirv4967 at gmail dot com

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  34. your blog makes my head spin... but in a good way :) love the flowers!!! sstogner1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Happy New Year,thanks for the chance to win.

    dragonkeep62(at)gmail(dot)com

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  36. I read somewhere that in one country they wear different colored underwear. Red for love, Yellow for money and white for peace.
    gatormaryd(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  37. Well, we celebrate by TRYING to stay up at midnight to watch the fireworks on TV, hear the pots and pans banging and neighbors' fireworks - my son was born on New Year's Eve morning in 1983 - so that, too, is our celebration!

    Felicia in PA
    mrschopchop(at)verizon(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  38. We watch Dick Clark's New Year Eve Ball drop!
    Thanks for the hop!
    Happy 2013!
    deethomas291 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I hadn't heard of those traditions either, we eat Pork and Sauerkraut for good luck and fortune. I love Black Eyed peas but no one else does in my family.

    Dawna N.

    vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

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  40. Watching the ball drop.
    bituin76 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
    cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Just a clean house and a big family meal. Happy New Year and thanks for the giveaway!
    ~Krista
    pinkbonanza{ AT }gmail{ DOT }com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Happy New year!

    realityfun2@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Buon anno!
    thebestsunrise@yahoo.it
    fb minuto aurora

    ReplyDelete
  45. Just popped in for the hop.
    Thanks for the fun and Happy 2013!
    zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  46. Thank you very much for the great giveaway and fun blog hop!
    I wish you a very Happy New Year!
    Latisha D
    tishajean@ charter.net

    ReplyDelete
  47. We just have a nice dinner.
    mce1011 AT aol DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Nice quiet, relaxing, and safe evening.

    Happy New Year

    mrsqueentutt@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Thanks for being part of this massive blog hop. Happy New Year!!

    rmwyer at shaw dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  50. Happy New Year!

    My resolution is to spend more time on myself. I spread myself to thin. Maybe getting a cloning machine up and running would help!

    ~*Drea*~
    dreabecraft(@)aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. Thank you for participating in the New Year Blog Hop!
    Best Wishes in 2013
    uilani25 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  52. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE! I'm going to lose 25 # and read 52 + books this year.

    Judy
    strawberryrose@earthlink.net

    ReplyDelete
  53. Happy New Year!!

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

    ReplyDelete
  54. Spending it with family and attending the masquerade ball! :)
    Thanks!

    dita(dot)skarste(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Our tradition is eating Cabbage on New Years Day. I make Cabbage Roll Soup every year. Eating Cabbage is suppose to bring luck with money, so you always have it the coming year :D
    Thanks for the giveaway & Happy New Year
    Missie Jones
    missie25524 (at) netzero (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  56. don't do anything for new years anymore, thanks for the giveaway! - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

    ReplyDelete
  57. My goal for 2013 is to be more active. I didn't follow through on my 2012's.

    Jennifer Rote
    wildnmild4u at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Happy New Year! My New Years traditions are easy, I spend time with my family and friends. I can’t think of a better way to ring in the new year. My resolutions this year is as always to loose a few pounds and spend a little more time with my family.

    Ifightforlove36@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. Me and my Bff always spend new years together. Thx for the hop stop.

    blinkysthebest at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. i'll stick to the kiss too :) happy new year
    gamistress66-at-aol-dot-com

    ReplyDelete
  61. watch the ball drop and a midnight kiss.
    r.d1@myfairpoint.net

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  62. We start with waffles for breakfast, play games, eat more food, and watch football. Just an all around lazabout day.
    Mel
    bournmelissa at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I am with you I much prefer the midnight kiss...although it might be fun to throw dishes at my neighbors door!
    Thanks for doing the hop!!

    grapeapril75(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  64. not really we just hang out and if we happen to be paying attention to the clock we turn the tv on to watch the ball drop but we usually forget so thats a tradition of sorts
    kaholgate at ymail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  65. A kiss at midnight. Usually, but not always, we have our black-eyed peas, too!
    jmcgaugh (at) semo (dot) edu

    ReplyDelete
  66. I spend it at home with my family.
    Thanks for the chance to win!
    natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  67. Hi! Happy New Years! I spent the day with my family. We watched movies, put together a puzzle and toaster in the new year. Thanks for the awesome hop and all the giveaways! This is so fun! I love these hops! I always meet new authors, reconnect with old ones and my TBR list grows by leaps and bounds! Thank you!! Have a great day! Best wishes and many blessings to you!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  68. Hoppin John
    Entering for Grand Prizes.
    Thanks for the contest.

    slehan at juno dot com

    ReplyDelete
  69. My traditions tend to be fairly boring. My mom and I have our "midnight meal" consisting of appetizers and snack foods, while we wait for the ball to drop. We sip on sparkling pear juice instead of wine. Then, on New Year's Day, we watch the Rose Parade, and splurge and have lamb for dinner.
    tp DOT quixotic AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  70. Happy New Year
    staceyprice(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  71. Happy New Year!
    bones_mcp(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  72. Have a Happy new years!!!
    red_tigergirl2(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  73. I like to stay home and relax on New Years. Thanks! katieamanda1(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  74. Happy new year Thanks for giveaway angel0319@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. we drink pina coladas as i did as a child happy new years thank you. angel0319@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  76. Just drinking champagne and eating dinner with friends!

    kacidesigns AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  77. Blackberry margaritas. Happy New Year.

    Sue
    sue_holston@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  78. Nope, no traditions per se. Just stay inside mostly, snack on food, watch movies, play music/games, then head to bed. :)

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    readsalot81(@)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  79. I resolve to meet the goal of finishing the polishing of my first book in the Existence series and to submit it to agents/publishers.

    j.lennidorner@facebook.com

    Happy New Year from What-Are-They.com ! I hope you have a great one. Thanks for taking part in the hop.

    I don't really have a New Year tradition. I like to do something different each year. Go with the flow and see where the tide takes me kind of attitude.

    What book am I looking forward to coming out this year? My own... ;) Hey- I can hope!
    I also hear that "The Burn Palace" by Stephen Dobyns is supposed to be good. That comes out in Feb.

    I know a guy who went SCUBA diving under the water where New Year's fireworks were being set off this year. He got some neat shots of "how the fish see the celebration." That sounds like a fun place to ring in the new year!

    ReplyDelete
  80. Thanks for the giveaway! No real new years traditions--just a quiet night at home

    amnell(dot)khalan(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete