Welcome to the official Mira James Battle Lake Book Club, an exclusive reading group + book subscription + virtual event club for new and tried-and-true Mira James and Jess Lourey fans, hosted by Lionseed Bookstore & Learning Commons in Battle Lake, Minnesota!

This unique book club is dedicated to all things Battle Lake and Mira James, the fun-loving female lead of the Murder by Month Mystery series by beloved Minnesota author, Jess Lourey. Set in the real-life, rural community of Battle Lake (where Lourey wrote the books), you'll fall in love with these hilarious, romantic, cozy mysteries as Mira (part-time librarian/on-call reporter) unearths the town's storied history and murderous secrets.

OUR FIRST MEET-UP IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:

BOOK CLUB LAUNCH: A Live Visit with Jess Lourey*
2 p.m., Sunday, May 5 (CST)

* Special book club kit prizes (see below) will be awarded to the first 44 attendees!

There are four ways to join in the year-long club fun!

Chat Level
Meeting Level
Book Box Level
Special Event Level

BONUS! BOOK CLUB GIFT (OFFER ENDS MAY 6) for the first 44 fans to sign up for AND attend the May 5 event and for the first 100 to subscribe to a paid club membership level. (Valued at $15 and includes a signed bookplate by Jess. While supplies last. Available to US residents only. Limit one per person.)

Read on for all the details!

CHAT GROUP LEVEL

FREE!

Exclusive Facebook book discussion group

MEET-UP GROUP LEVEL

$10/month*
(*Fee waived with qualifying purchase)

Exclusive Facebook book discussion group

Touchpoints with author JESS LOUREY and special guests

Monthly interactive online meet-up event (w/ some also offered in-person)

BOOK BOX LEVEL

$59/month

Exclusive Facebook book discussion group

Touchpoints with author JESS LOUREY and special guests

Monthly interactive online meet-up event (w/ some also offered in-person)

Monthly Murder by Month Mystery paperback with momentos that bring the books to life.

SPECIAL EVENT LEVEL

$79/month

Monthly interactive online event (w/ some also offered in-person)

Exclusive Facebook book discussion group

Touchpoints with author JESS LOUREY and special guests

Monthly Murder by Month Mystery paperback with momentos that bring the books to life.

6 Special Bonus Events!

Exclusive Facebook Group for impromptu conversations with other Mira James fans and weekly fun facts posted for your enjoyment. Don't be surprised if Jess and other authors pop in to chat from time to time!

Membership:

FREE!

Format: Book clubs are great excuses to get together, make new friends and have some fun with mutual book lovers. Meet-Up members will enjoy group opportunities such as author talks, game nights, book exchanges and team challenges (think bake-offs, talent shows, karaoke night).

What to expect:

Monthly interactive online event (w/ some offered in-person also)
Exclusive Facebook Group for impromptu conversations with other Mira James fans and weekly fun facts posted for your enjoyment!
Touchpoints with author JESS LOUREY and special guests

Membership:

$10/month*

*Fee waived with a qualifying purchase in support of our local, independent bookstore. Qualifying purchases include the Murder of the Month mystery from our Bookshop.org site, a Book Box Level membership or a Special Event Level membership.

Looking for an extra special way to experience these books? Consider a Book Box Subscription for yourself or a friend!

Each box includes the current month's Murder by Month Mystery paperback and several small gifts that bring to life these hilarious romantic cozy mysteries set in beautiful Battle Lake, Minn. These momentos are labeled with page numbers and are unwrapped as you read and unravel the latest crime. You also receive complimentary access to Meet-Up Group Level activities with each book box purchased!

Note: Book Box subscriptions available to U.S. locations only at this time.

Membership:

$59/month (includes shipping)

Lionseed Bookstore & Learning Commons (a.k.a. Mira James' "Battle Lake Library") is all about community! We are proud to bring you beyond the pages and into our beautiful town. We'll host several virtual and in-person special events, May 2024-April 2025, that will bring to life the real-life people and places of Battle Lake, Minnesota. With your Special Event Level membership, you also receive the Book Box Subscription and access to all Book Box Level opportunities.

Note: Book Box subscriptions available to U.S. locations only at this time.

Membership:

$79/month

Special Events Schedule:

Paint & Sip 2 p.m., Saturday, June TBD

Murder Mystery Event 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 26 during Wenonga Days, with Jess Lourey at Lionseed Bookstore OR 2 p.m., Sunday, July 28 live online.

Woodstack Concert 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 - Annual Woodstack benefit concert, featuring live music, food and drinks. Hippie attire encouraged! (In person on the lawn of Prospect House Civil War Museum or live online)

Civil War Museum Talk & Tour TBD, January 2025 (in person at Prospect House or live online)

Writing Workshop with Jess Lourey 12-2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 - "After the Idea: How to Write that Short Story, Novel, or Memoir" (live online only)

Spring Gardening Workshop TBD, April 2025 - Hosted by local Battle Lake greenthumb professionals (in person or live online)

QUESTIONS?

We'd love to talk with you! Contact Lionseed Bookstore & Learning Commons with any questions.

Chat Group Level Membership