5 Minutes for Books — Switchcraft

by Jennifer Donovan

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.switchcraft.jpg

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.



Email Author    |    Website About Jennifer Donovan

Jennifer Donovan has been a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom team since 2007. She writes product reviews, covers events, and manages the 5 Minutes for Books weekly column and website. She lives in Houston and blogs at Snapshot about life with her family.

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{ 134 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Lissete November 5, 2007 at 12:31 am

This books sounds like something that I would enjoy reading. Count me in please.

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2 Taowyn November 5, 2007 at 1:07 am

I am finishing up a book and can use another one to read.

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3 thebluestbutterfly November 5, 2007 at 2:07 am

I usually find it interesting to read about what the lives of other women might be like. Please enter me. :-)

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4 Karen (Mommy of Three) November 5, 2007 at 3:23 am

This sounds fabulous, please count me in:-)

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5 Dawn November 5, 2007 at 3:37 am

It sounds like a very interesting book.

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6 Marcia November 5, 2007 at 4:47 am

Would love to win!

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7 Courtney November 5, 2007 at 7:21 am

I would love to win a copy of this book. It sounds interesting.

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8 Sheila W. November 5, 2007 at 9:21 am

Oh, I love chick lit, please count me in !!

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9 Laura November 5, 2007 at 9:31 am

Count me in please. I love to read.

And thanks for drawing my name! I am looking forward to reading that book!

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10 mama k November 5, 2007 at 9:44 am

It sounds like I could really relate to that book. Count me in!

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11 jenna November 5, 2007 at 9:45 am

You always find the best books! Enter me for this one!

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12 stephanie November 5, 2007 at 9:47 am

Enter me please!

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13 Beth November 5, 2007 at 9:51 am

count me in! Sounds interesting!

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14 Laura H. November 5, 2007 at 10:08 am

Would love a new book!!

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15 Mama Zen November 5, 2007 at 10:16 am

Would love to win!

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16 Angela C November 5, 2007 at 10:20 am

A new book sounds awesome! I’m in!

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17 Lisa O November 5, 2007 at 10:20 am

I love Amazon!!!

Thanks,
Lisa

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18 Liz November 5, 2007 at 10:39 am

I could use a new book to read on the many flights I’ll be taking at Thanksgiving!

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19 Magi November 5, 2007 at 11:04 am

This book sounds like a fun read!

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20 Amy November 5, 2007 at 11:17 am

It is getting to be the season for snuggling on the couch with a good book and a blanket. I have not read Mary Castillo, but she sounds wonderful!

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21 Christinajoy November 5, 2007 at 11:39 am

Sounds good!

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22 Lori - Queen of Dirty Laundry November 5, 2007 at 11:40 am

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for another great giveaway!

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23 Linda SS November 5, 2007 at 12:01 pm

This book sounds like a lot of fun! Thanks so much for the chance to win.

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24 Michelle November 5, 2007 at 12:08 pm

I love to read and this book sounds like a really good book about friendship!

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25 amanda November 5, 2007 at 12:29 pm

please enter me thanks

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26 Pattie November 5, 2007 at 2:28 pm

Please enter me in the contest! Thanks! I’m all for books. Always!

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27 Lorie November 5, 2007 at 2:32 pm

Please enter me!

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28 Linda November 5, 2007 at 2:36 pm

I’m a big reader and would love to read this book!

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29 Linda November 5, 2007 at 2:37 pm

I’m a big reader and would love to read this book after putting my kids to bed!

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30 Jodi November 5, 2007 at 2:40 pm

Sounds like an interesting book, enter me in please.

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31 Mary B. November 5, 2007 at 3:13 pm

Looks like a great book to curl up with during a snow day this winter!

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32 Christy H. November 5, 2007 at 3:19 pm

Please enter me ~ this looks lilke a great read.

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33 bee November 5, 2007 at 4:05 pm

That book sounds great! Sign me up!

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34 Ruth :) November 5, 2007 at 5:11 pm

Sounds like fun! Count me in!

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35 monica November 5, 2007 at 6:42 pm

I’m always looking for something good to read- count me in!

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36 Divrchk November 5, 2007 at 7:10 pm

I’d love to win this!

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37 Anne November 5, 2007 at 7:36 pm

I’d really love to read this one!

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38 Cindi Hoppes November 5, 2007 at 7:43 pm

Hi, Please enter me in your contest. I appreciate it! Thanks, Cindi

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39 Dawn November 5, 2007 at 7:45 pm

Sounds good! :D

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40 Jill November 5, 2007 at 9:23 pm

I love a good book!

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41 Courtney November 5, 2007 at 9:24 pm

Sounds like a great book! Definitely count me in!

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42 Katie November 5, 2007 at 9:43 pm

I would love to win!

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43 kathy z November 5, 2007 at 9:57 pm

Great prize..count me in!!

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44 Cocoa November 5, 2007 at 10:00 pm

Interesting plot for a book!

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45 heather November 5, 2007 at 10:08 pm

Thank you for the chance to win!

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46 Julie Robinson November 5, 2007 at 10:25 pm

I share many of these same feelings – I would really like to check this out!

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47 Ginny November 5, 2007 at 10:33 pm

Please enter me

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48 bebemiqui November 5, 2007 at 10:34 pm

I’m interested, count me in.

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49 Megan November 5, 2007 at 10:37 pm

Please enter me. this sounds great.

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50 Christi November 5, 2007 at 11:20 pm

sounds like a great read! Enter me, please!

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51 Renae November 5, 2007 at 11:39 pm

Sounds like a good read. Count me in!

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52 Shannon November 5, 2007 at 11:56 pm

Hey this would be a great book me and my best friend could read together. Thanks

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53 Deb - Mom of 3 Girls November 6, 2007 at 12:05 am

Oh it definitely sounds like an interesting book! :)

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54 Heather November 6, 2007 at 12:07 am

Sounds like a good read!

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55 lace November 6, 2007 at 12:16 am

This would be a great gift for family members.

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56 Gina M November 6, 2007 at 12:44 am

I would love a new book. Enter me also please.

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57 Jenny M November 6, 2007 at 1:12 am

Wow- thanks for the book idea- I love to hear about new authors with fresh voices and this fits the bill.

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58 Sylvia November 6, 2007 at 1:38 am

Yay books! Sounds like a great read. Now, if I can just find time to read, what with my 5 and a half month old baby… :)

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59 Jenn in AZ November 6, 2007 at 2:25 am

This sounds interesting! I LOVE books! Any and all–and I am always looking for new authors!

Thanks!
Jenn

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60 Kailani November 6, 2007 at 4:17 am

I could always use a new book! Count me in!

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61 Kim Smiley November 6, 2007 at 7:51 am

I love reading and I love buying books off Amazon. Thanks for the contest.

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62 Kerry November 6, 2007 at 8:47 am

Sounds like a great book! Always looking for something new.

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63 laura November 6, 2007 at 9:50 am

excellent! can’t wait to read..

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64 jessie November 6, 2007 at 10:42 am

please enter me!!!

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65 amber November 6, 2007 at 10:54 am

I’m always reading, and this book looks like a good one! Plus, I’m an Amazonaholic, so sign me up, sistah!!

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66 Alexia November 6, 2007 at 11:22 am

I would love to be entered to win! I’m constantly reading and any way to get more books is great!

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67 Tina November 6, 2007 at 12:15 pm

A good review. Sounds like a good book!

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68 Laura November 6, 2007 at 12:27 pm

Looks like a good book.

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69 CPA Mom and Soccer Mom Angela November 6, 2007 at 1:14 pm

Enter me please – that books sounds like fun!

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70 Amber November 6, 2007 at 1:20 pm

I’d love to win this!

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71 Michele November 6, 2007 at 1:44 pm

Please enter me!

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72 Julie Mead November 6, 2007 at 2:20 pm

Ooh going to put it on my amazon wishlist now. Maybe Santa will pull thru!

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73 Jenna November 6, 2007 at 2:27 pm

Please, enter me in your contest! I use Amazon almost every month and am always looking for new books.

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74 Tiffaney Forney November 6, 2007 at 2:38 pm

I would love to win. It sounds like a great book
thanks

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75 Maggie Smith November 6, 2007 at 2:58 pm

I love Amazon and I love books! Please enter me, I would love to win!

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76 ELLIE November 6, 2007 at 3:47 pm

sounds like a great book……count me in!!!

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77 Cynthia November 6, 2007 at 3:55 pm

This sounds interesting! I’m so excited to find out more!

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78 aBookworm November 6, 2007 at 5:29 pm

I’d heard of Ms.Castillo before, but now I’ve got to put her on my wish-list… er, her books I mean! Needless to count me in – I’m a bookworm after all, lol.

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79 aBookworm November 6, 2007 at 5:30 pm

That’s what typing in a hurry will do, lol. I meant, do count me in! I’m a bookworm after all.

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80 Tanya November 6, 2007 at 5:36 pm

Sounds like a good read. Over the last few years my best friend and I have struggled to keep our grade school friendship going since our lives are now so different. She’s single and has no children and I’m now married with two so its like night and day. Count me in!

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81 Mary Jo November 6, 2007 at 9:24 pm

This sounds like a really good book. I’d definitely like to read it and would use my amazon gift certificate for it!

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82 Stacy November 6, 2007 at 9:47 pm

Sounds good, I’d love to be entered! :)

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83 Lisa November 6, 2007 at 10:18 pm

These sound like really good books! I would love to win and buy them!

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84 Amelia Loomis November 6, 2007 at 10:40 pm

The books sound great. And I just love Amazon.com!

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85 Jean November 6, 2007 at 11:21 pm

Count me in for Amazon!

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86 Chief Family Officer November 6, 2007 at 11:32 pm

The description certainly reminds me of becoming a mom!

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87 Christina E November 7, 2007 at 12:07 am

I’d love to win!

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88 Cindy November 7, 2007 at 1:27 am

Would love a great read. Thanks for entering me.

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89 BT November 7, 2007 at 5:00 am

Count me in! Thanks!

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90 MLong November 7, 2007 at 8:56 am

I love a good book!

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91 Lisa W November 7, 2007 at 9:09 am

I’d love to win!!

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92 Tammy in MN November 7, 2007 at 9:30 am

I love chick lit. I’d would love to win this book!

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93 Daniel Hatt November 7, 2007 at 9:50 am

that sounds like a nice book

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94 Ellen Christian November 7, 2007 at 10:06 am

Thanks for the contest!

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95 Shaun Wallner November 7, 2007 at 12:33 pm

Looks like a very interesting book.

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96 Jo November 7, 2007 at 2:56 pm

I honestly would try to use the gift certificate to check out this book. Looks great.

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97 Jessica November 7, 2007 at 3:26 pm

mama hopes to have time to read someday.

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98 jessica November 7, 2007 at 5:56 pm

can’t get enough books!

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99 Elizabeth November 7, 2007 at 8:13 pm

This sounds like a fun story, I’d love to buy it with the Amazon gift certificate!

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100 Jen November 8, 2007 at 11:24 am

Sounds like a great read! enter me please! :-)

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101 Deemy November 8, 2007 at 5:02 pm

Perfect timing with Christmas.

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102 Caryn Bailey November 8, 2007 at 7:39 pm

Sounds like a good book! Count me in please!

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103 Kristin November 8, 2007 at 10:09 pm

A great giveaway! Thanks!

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104 Tricia November 8, 2007 at 11:01 pm

Count me in please!

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105 Katie November 9, 2007 at 3:54 am

Please enter me! Thanks!

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106 Pamela White November 9, 2007 at 10:30 am

I’d buy Switchcraft with my card

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107 Kathy S. November 9, 2007 at 12:12 pm

Looking for an escape… :) one where I wouldn’t have to leave my house…

Thanks!

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108 rachel November 9, 2007 at 12:56 pm

sounds like a fascinating book – I’ll have to add it to my reading list!

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109 Kathy Conley November 9, 2007 at 5:21 pm

I would love to win!

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110 Amy Parsons November 9, 2007 at 9:20 pm

I would love to win

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111 Jennifer T. November 9, 2007 at 9:30 pm

Sounds great. Count me in.

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112 Monique November 9, 2007 at 11:20 pm

Please enter me! Thanks!

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113 KellyE November 10, 2007 at 1:00 am

Gift card for a new book would be great.

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114 kris williams November 10, 2007 at 9:41 am

just in time for the holidays, a gift card would be great! thanks! k

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115 Ron Miller November 10, 2007 at 9:59 am

Great contest, thanks again & again!

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116 Gloria Dornin November 10, 2007 at 11:58 am

I would love this book

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117 Jennifer W. November 10, 2007 at 12:38 pm

This book would be great to read!! Thanks for the opportunity!

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118 Qtpies7 November 10, 2007 at 3:59 pm

I’d like to win the gift card.

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119 Christy November 10, 2007 at 9:17 pm

sign me up please!

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120 Jennifer Barr November 10, 2007 at 10:36 pm

would love to win :)

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121 Nina Cunningham November 10, 2007 at 11:00 pm

I’d love to win this! Thanks!

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122 Amanda November 11, 2007 at 12:45 pm

Fabulous! Enter me as well. Thanks!

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123 kathy pease November 11, 2007 at 1:02 pm

good luck 2 all :)

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124 ashley November 11, 2007 at 1:02 pm

I would love to ein this! Sounds like a really intersting book!

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125 Laurie B November 11, 2007 at 3:23 pm

Looks great! Count me in :)

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126 Callista November 11, 2007 at 3:29 pm

Enter me please! Sounds interesting!

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127 Cecilia November 11, 2007 at 4:49 pm

Awesome! Please enter me!

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128 rachel November 11, 2007 at 6:19 pm

me me me…please!

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129 Erin Maurer November 13, 2007 at 4:15 pm

I would like this

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130 TNChick November 15, 2007 at 1:32 am

I’d like to enter myself to win. Thank You.

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131 Amy Parsons November 18, 2007 at 8:32 pm

I can use help dealing with my teenager.

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132 Ginny November 21, 2007 at 8:12 pm

Hope I win :-)

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133 Breeze January 31, 2008 at 11:41 pm

Love to win!

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134 Breeze February 6, 2008 at 1:20 am

Count me in!

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