In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Jo Segura, the creative force behind Temple of Swoon, a thrilling adventure set in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. With her unique blend of humor, romance, and high-stakes exploration, Segura introduces readers to Dr. Miriam Jacobs, an archaeologist determined to prove herself, and Rafael Monfils, a journalist with a hidden agenda. As the two navigate a dangerous expedition in search of the fabled Lost City of the Moon, their growing attraction threatens to complicate their already perilous journey. In this conversation, Segura discusses the inspiration behind her captivating characters, the balance of adventure and romance, and how she crafted a story that delves into both the wilds of nature and the complexities of the human heart.
What inspired the title Temple of Swoon, and how does it relate to the themes of the book?
It’s no secret that I’m a huge Indiana Jones fan, so when we started talking about my next book being another adventure romcom in the same world as Raiders, the title Temple of Swoon immediately popped in my head as a nod to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. This book takes place on an archaeological expedition in the Amazon Rainforest with a team searching for a lost city with temples and riches. Given all the pining and swooning along the way between the main characters, the title was perfect.
How does Temple of Swoon relate to your last romance novel Raiders of the Lost Heart?
At the end of Raiders of the Lost Heart, the main characters, Corrie and Ford, are presented with an opportunity to lead an expedition to the Lost City of the Moon in the Amazon Rainforest, and Temple of Swoon picks up at the start of that expedition. But after a mishap keeps Corrie and Ford at home, her mentee, Dr. Miriam Jacobs, is assigned to lead the expedition instead.
Are there any appearances of other characters from Raiders of the Lost Heart?
Yes! Corrie and Ford make an appearance. There are also some other familiar names, though you’ll have to read it to find out who.
Can you tell us about the process of creating the setting in the Amazon? What unique elements did you want to highlight?
I set the story in the Amazon because it seemed like a place where an ancient city might actually be able to remain lost for hundreds of years. To paint a vivid picture for the reader, I tried to incorporate descriptions of the lush flora and fauna throughout the book. In particular, I wanted to highlight the variety of species in the Amazon. As Miri tells Rafa when they first meet, the Amazon is home to over 2.5 million inspect species and that’s just wild!
Can you share any interesting research or experiences that influenced the archaeological elements in the book?
After I’d turned in the first draft of Temple of Swoon, I came across a book about real-life expedition for a lost city in Honduras, The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston (fascinating read, by the way). The team on that expedition used LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology to help locate the ruins, and I learned that the use of LiDAR is becoming more common in archaeology, albeit expensive. So I ended up incorporating LiDAR into the book since it seemed likely that someone would try to use it to locate a lost city, especially wealthy bad guys like the ones in Temple.
How did you develop the main character, and what do you think makes her stand out in the world of romance?
I introduced Miri in the first and last chapters of Raiders of the Lost Heart as Corrie’s mentee. I loved writing Corrie as this badass, Lara Croft-like heroine, and Miri tries her best to emulate Corrie, but she struggles with insecurity, inexperience, and feelings of not being enough. One thing I love about Miri, however, is that despite those feelings, she’s unapologetically herself. She always says the wrong thing and makes ridiculous, corny jokes, but she can’t stop herself. She knows she’s terrible at feats of athleticism, but she keeps trying anyway. She wears a fanny pack full of snacks even though others tease her about it, because she knows who’ll be the one laughing when they get hungry. Even when she tries to channel her inner Corrie, she ends up just doing things her own way anyway. But her quirkiness and originality are what makes her so charming and loveable. Just ask Rafa.
How did you explore the theme of cultural heritage within these characters?
In all my archaeology adventure romcoms, I ensure at least one character has a cultural connection to the expedition. Here, journalist Rafa has been sent by his employer, Global Geography, to document the search for the lost city, but secretly he’s a descendant of the people who lived there and he’s intent on sabotaging the archaeological team instead. Both Rafa and Miri explore what it would mean to uncover the city and how such a discovery could actually be harmful, leading to damage and theft once the human element is reintroduced to a place that had been abandoned for hundreds of years. But Miri comes at it from the perspective of preservation through education, which helps Rafa understand that not all explorers are out to make a quick find and an even quicker buck.
The dynamic between Dr. Jacobs and Rafa is central to the story. How did you approach developing their relationship throughout the expedition?
Miri and Rafa’s relationship is almost doomed from the start—she’s there to find the lost city; he’s there to stop her. So you know at some point their objectives are going to conflict. But despite knowing that pursuing a romance between them would sidetrack their individual goals, they can’t deny their chemistry, and they can’t seem to help but root for each other, especially the longer the expedition drags on. Because of that initial conflict between their purposes, however, you know at some point Rafa is going to have to answer for his actions. Redemption is a common theme in my stories, partly because I believe that humans are flawed but what matters is how we react when we make mistakes. I love seeing how redemption plays out in romance novels. It’s not necessarily about making amends or being worthy of love. It’s about showing your love through your actions, and that can be a beautiful thing.
What challenges did you encounter while blending adventure, romance, and humor in Temple of Swoon?
You definitely have to strike a balance when writing this genre. Temple of Swoon is primarily a romance, so the relationship between the characters is going to prevail over the adventure. You can’t have so much adventure that you lose the romance, but you also need enough adventure to keep things moving.
Was there a specific scene in Temple of Swoon that you found particularly challenging or rewarding to write?
The final push at the end of the book was the most challenging part to write, mostly because I needed to make sure that all of the clues and locations made sense. I spent lots of time reading maps and plotting routes (finally, my Geography degree came in handy!). Most importantly, however, and back to the prior question, I didn’t want to lose the romance in all the action. Miri and Rafa’s relationship was still the most important piece.
How do you incorporate humor into tense situations, especially in a story with such high stakes?
Miri’s personality lends itself well to comic relief. Just when things start to get tense, she says something ridiculous or makes a bad joke. But what I love even more than her quirks is everyone else’s reaction to them. Whether it’s Rafa, Miri’s friend, Anissa, or one of the other team members, Miri has a way of making everyone laugh even in the most stressful situations.
What do you think sets Temple of Swoon apart from other adventure romances in the genre?
Specifically with respect to adventure movies, Temple of Swoon doesn’t rely on the hero saving the day. Instead, the heroine is the star. She’s the one piecing the puzzle together. You won’t find a damsel in distress in my books. And you will find more kissing in my books than in those movies.
What are some of the messages or questions you hope readers ponder after finishing the book?
Loving oneself and discovering what it means to be “enough” are central themes in Temple of Swoon. What does it mean to succeed? What does it take to be enough? To be proud of who you are? To be happy? Those are the things I hope people think about after reading my book—and come away loving themselves just as they are.
What do you hope readers will feel or experience while reading Temple of Swoon?
Honestly, I hope readers swoon, laugh, cry, and walk away with a hankering for some Pringles.
Looking ahead, are there any other themes or genres you’re excited to explore in your future writing projects?
I’m excited to explore contemporary romance that incorporates adventure in other ways (possibly a good old fashioned treasure hunt or a race around the world), and to continue exploring my own heritage through my books.