Do you like chick lit? Maybe a little Latina chick lit? Stories that deal with women’s friendships, specifically the complications that arise when one is married with a new baby and the other is single? Perhaps a plot involving a meddling mother-in-law? or a friendship on the verge of romance? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I can heartily recommend Switchcraft by Mary Castillo.

Aggie and Nely are best friends. Since the birth of Nely’s child and the onset of financial trouble in Nely’s business, things have been a little strained between them. They decide to take a weekend away together, and while they are there, something strange happens–they switch bodies. Before they can switch back, they have to learn to accept and appreciate their differences and unique strengths.

Mary wrote this novel while she was pregnant with her first child and revised it after he was born. The conflicting feelings that Nely feels of loss of the old self, complete love for a new baby, confusion at the new realm of responsibility, and navigating a completely different social network come through loud and clear. She’s also been a single woman, and Aggie’s focus on her personal appearance, uncertainty about her future and finding “the one,” and simultaneous jealousy and judgment at her new friend’s life also ring true.

This novel has some strong language and one explicit scene of romance.

The author has donated two $15 gift certificates to amazon.com. If you are interested in this book, you can show your support by using it to buy the book (or click over now to buy Switchcraft or any of Mary Castillo’s novels and use the gift certificate later for Christmas gifts!). Leave a comment if you’d like to win. We’ll announce the winners in next week’s column.

The winner of Any Day with Hair is a Good Hair Day is #14, Jennifer .

The five winners of ScreamFree Parenting are

#39 Shannon–Gabi’s Mom
#241 Judy Aschenbrenner
#99 Shama Lama Mama
#102 Jess
# 23 Laura Williams

If you didn’t win, click on the links to order your own copies.