In February 2024, author Jo Segura responded to a set of discussion questions included in our Valentine's Day Book Club Kit to discuss Raiders of the Lost Heart. Her responses are available here for those who were not able to receive this box. Enjoy!

What inspired you to write this book?

Jo Segura (JS): A few months before the start of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), someone tweeted, “What kind of jobs do you wish you saw more of in #romcom books for both the hero and the heroine?” As a lover of the adventure genre and sexy romcoms, I responded with, “Archaeologists. Plenty of ‘bones’ to examine.” But later it got me thinking—what if I actually wrote that? What if Indiana Jones and Lara Croft went on a dig together? I picture these two as constantly butting heads, always wanting to be the leader. But would they have the hots for each other? Most definitely! So, I decided to give it a go during NaNoWriMo, and Raiders of the Lost Heart came together from page one.

We really loved reading about all the adventures Corrie and Ford had! What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

JS: When I was in my early 20s, I volunteered on an archaeological dig searching for Mayan artifacts in Belize. We spent all day digging around in the dirt, unearthing pottery and even a human skull with jade inlays in the teeth. It definitely served as inspiration for Raiders, minus the romance.

Are you more like Corrie—adventurous and good at everything—or more like Ford—more likely to play it safe and not inherently good at everything?

JS: I wish I was like Corrie, but I’m definitely more of a Ford. I’m a rule-follower at heart and not much of a risk-taker. I’m good at the things I’m good at, but inherently good at everything? Most certainly not (ask my husband about the time he tried to teach me how to play tennis).

What was your favorite part of writing this novel? What did you find the most difficult?

JS: I loved writing the banter between Corrie and Ford. We’ve all known someone who we hate so much, yet there is something about them that we still find attractive, and it irritates us that we have any attraction to them whatsoever. That’s Corrie and Ford. These two love-hate each other, and it was so fun watching their romance blossom on the page. As for most difficult, I wanted to make sure the reader could visualize themselves on this jungle adventure. But admittedly, I’ve never been to the Lacandon jungle, the location where most of the events in ROTLH take place. So I had to do lots of research on the flora, fauna, terrain, and landmarks to give the reader a realistic experience, with a little bit of imagination along the way.

Are you able to share anything about Corrie and Ford’s next adventure with us?

JS: My next adventure is set in the same world, involves another ancient mystery, and Corrie and Ford may just so happen to make an appearance (*wink wink). Keep your eyes out for more updates!