Dr. Corrie Mejia is stunned when she's offered a chance to work on a secret archeological dig in Mexico. She's barely given any information, except that it’s a chance to locate Aztec warrior Chimalli. Corrie believes that she is very distantly related to the warrior. Even without knowing many details, she jumps at the chance.
She should have known that the lead archeologist is her nemesis, Dr. Ford Matthews. They attended the same graduate school and almost kissed one night in the library. A few days later, he was kissing someone else and the internship that should have gone to Corrie went to him instead. They’ve been rivals ever since.
Corrie isn’t surprised that they haven’t found anything of significant archeological value. They’ve been digging in the wrong place for a month. Ford isn’t thrilled to have her there either, but he’s desperate. He needs this dig to be successful.
The more the two of them argue, the more they want to rip each other’s clothes off. But their relationship in the tent doesn’t translate in the field. Plus, Ford is holding on to a dangerous secret that once it comes to light, Corrie won’t want anything to do with him anymore.
RAIDERS OF THE LOST HEART by Jo Segura is an Indiana Jones read-alike (minus the Nazis) set in the modern day. The archeological moments were fascinating. Romance tropes include forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, and second-chance romance. Dr. Mejia took control over her narrative, especially when others tried to write it for her, making her an inspiring feminist character. This adventure romance sets up a potential sequel or companion novel perfectly.
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.