Book Title: RAIDERS OF THE LOST HEART
Character Name: Dr. Socorro “Corrie” Mejía
How would you describe your family or your childhood?
Aside from my brother making fun of my laugh (he thinks it’s hilarious to call me “Corrito Burrito”), my family is the best. Familia is the most important thing in my life, which is why I didn’t hesitate to move closer to home when my mom got sick and why ever since my grandfather traced our lineage to the Aztec warrior, Chimalli, I’ve been determined to be the one to discover his remains. Finding him will settle the debate on my family’s ancestry and silence the haters and non-believers. And it will show all the girls who taunted me in high school that they didn’t break me.
What was your greatest talent?
I’m a damn good archaeologist. The people who came before us left pieces of themselves on this earth. If you listen closely, you can hear them. If you stop to touch the dirt, you can feel their spirits. When I’m on an expedition, I’m not there just to dig up some artifacts and call it a day. I’m there to learn about those people and to honor their memory. And let’s be honest—I look good doing it.
Significant other?
Who has time for significant others when you’re busy traveling the world? I don’t need anyone holding me back. Not when there are ancient worlds and people to be discovered. Besides, I’m not really the “wake up in bed next to someone” type. It’s hard for me to picture how a relationship would even work for me. Last time I let myself imagine a life like that, reality handed me a real slap in the face and now, I… you know what? Let’s not talk about it.
Biggest challenge in relationships?
LOL! See previous response.
Where do you live?
Berkeley, CA, although for the next few months I’m taking up residency in the Lacandon Jungle in Mexico.
Do you have any enemies?
Dr. Ford Matthews. A man who’s never had to prove his worth. The guy who stole that Yale fellowship opportunity from me fresh out of grad school. The jerk who’s now somehow finagled his way to lead my dream dig and expects me to call him “boss”, like that will EVER happen. The only person who can get under my skin simply by flashing that annoyingly sexy smile of his. Seriously. Why is he so goddamn attractive (physically speaking ONLY, that is)? I can’t stand it. I can’t stand HIM. Ever since that ni—never mind. I don’t want to talk about it.
How do you feel about the place where you are now?
Is there something you are particularly attached to, or particularly repelled by, in this place? I was meant to be here—in the Lacandon Jungle in Mexico searching for Chimalli’s remains. I can feel him in this place. Imagine him living in this very jungle after he fled from his life in Tenochtitlan to the outskirts of Mayan territory before the Spanish invaded the Aztec capital. Others doubt his final resting place, but I know he’s here. And once I find him, I’ll finally be able to wipe that smug look off Ford’s face.
Do you have children, pets, both, or neither?
Wow… I get it. I’m single. I live alone. I can’t even keep plants alive. Are you satisfied? Next question.
What do you do for a living? Professor of Archaeology at UC Berkeley and badass archaeologist!
Greatest disappointment?
Losing out on that Yale fellowship to Ford. I had it in the bag until he snatched the bag out from under me using intel I gave him. If he thinks I’ll EVER trust him again, he’s got another think coming.
Greatest source of joy?
Helping other young female archaeologists traverse the patriarchal field of archaeology. And earning cred for all my adventures. I’m a badass. What can I say?
What do you do to entertain yourself or have fun?
Throwing darts at pictures of Ford Mathews’ disgustingly handsome, smarmingly smug face. Just kidding (I only do that mentally).
What is your greatest personal failing, in your view?
Failing to get the funding for a Chimalli expedition. Side-kicking for Ford is just not the same.
What keeps you awake at night?
The fear that I’ll never find Chimalli.
What is the most pressing problem you have at the moment?
Finding Chimalli before someone else does.
Is there something that you need or want that you don’t have?
For yourself or for someone important to you? Aside from finding Chimalli’s remains? Well… I… I guess it would be nice to have someone to share my life with. Someone to celebrate my achievements. To hold me when I’m down. To love—and to love me—like my parents loved each other. Someone who’s not only my equal, but who can also balance me out. Damn… I guess all those relationship questions got to me. I’m being ridiculous. But… wait. Am I… am I crying? Oh my God, stop it. Tough chicas don’t cry. Are we almost done yet?
Why don’t you have it? What is in the way?
Sigh… well, I didn’t realize I wanted it until now. What’s in the way? Probably my stubbornness. And the fact that I haven’t met a worthy partner. I mean, back in grad school, I thought I had, but… well, we see how that turned out.
An Indie Next and LibraryReads Pick!
Rival archaeologists must team up on a secret Aztec expedition, or it could leave their careers—and hearts—in ruins.
Archaeologist Dr. Socorro “Corrie” Mejía has a bone to pick. Literally.
It’s been Corrie’s life goal to lead an expedition deep into the Mexican jungle in search of the long-lost remains of her ancestor, Chimalli, an ancient warrior of the Aztec empire. But when she is invited to join an all-expenses-paid dig to do just that, Corrie is sure it’s too good to be true...and she’s right.
As the world-renowned expert on Chimalli, by rights Corrie should be leading the expedition, not sharing the glory with her disgustingly handsome nemesis. But Dr. Ford Matthews has been finding new ways to best her since they were in grad school. Ford certainly isn’t thrilled either—with his life in shambles, the last thing he needs is a reminder of their rocky past.
But as the dig begins, it becomes clear they’ll need to work together when they realize a thief is lurking around their campsite, forcing the pair to keep their discoveries—and lingering attraction—under wraps. With money-hungry artifact smugglers, the Mexican authorities, and the lies between them closing in, there’s only one way this all ends—explosively.
Action | Fiction Adventure [Berkley, On Sale: December 5, 2023, Trade Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780593547465 / eISBN: 9780593547472]
Jo Segura lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and doggo, who vies for her attention with his sweet puppy dog eyes whenever she's trying to write (her dog, that is... though sometimes her husband, too). Her stories feature strong, passionate heroines and draw upon aspects of her life, such as her love of good food, her Mexican heritage, and her fascination with archaeology. When she's not writing you can find her practicing law, shaking up a mean cocktail, or sitting out on the patio doing Buzzfeed quizzes (though she doesn't care what the chicken nugget quiz said—her favorite fruit is not banana).
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