G-I-V-E-A-W-A-Y T-I-M-E-!

I've always been a reader. When I was little I used to get in trouble for reading too much--for reading instead of going to bed, for reading instead of getting ready for bed, for reading instead of doing my chores.

And then, many years later, I became a middle school reading teacher. And now I teach kids how to read and try to find them books that will help them fall in love with reading as much as I did at their age.

And recently, I have found another series of books have have made me fall in love with reading all over again. Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series. Oh. My Gosh. The writing is wonderful, the story is AWESOME and it makes me want to know God more and live more fully for him. The fictional characters in the book inspire me and make me think and give insight into what life was life for Christians around the time Jesus was on Earth. I am just in love with it all around.

In fact, I am SO In love with it that I want yuo to have a copy too. Maybe it could be for you. Maybe a gift for a friend. Maybe for your husband or wife or sister or brother. I don't know. But I do know that you will LOVE this series.

So, I am giving away a brand new, still in the plastic, gift box set of the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers.

It's new and shiny and pretty. And it has a nice little box that you can keep the books in after you've read them. But the best part is the books themselves--and the fact that you can read all three in a row, instead of having to wait for the next one to come in the mail, like I did.

And, just because I feel like it, I'm also throwing in a copy of Angie Smith's new book, I Will Carry You, just because it's awesome.

It's the story of their baby, Audrey, who went to be with the Lord only a few hours after she was born. She's a wondeful writer and her story is beautiful. It made me laugh and cry and think and think about God and our relationships and interactions with him in new ways. Maybe you would want to read it, or maybe you know someone who's been through or is going through her same situation. Amazing book.

And all you have to do to enter is leave me a message telling me what your favorite book(s) is/are. I love new book recommendations!

Or, if you don't really read currently, you could tell me what your favorite book as a kid was.

Or really, you could just leave any old comment if you really don't read at all. Jsut say hi. And then if you win, next time you might be able to say that one in this series is your favorite book! :)

And, you can get entered to win one additonal time by linking to the giveaway on your blog and/or one additional time by linking to the giveaway on your facebook status.

Happy commenting! And for all those of you out there who have never commented or who I don't even know--now is your chance! I'd love to "meet" you! :)

Giveaway ends Wednesday night at midnight. Winners will be chosen at random and announced sometime Thursday morning.