Jo Segura, a proud Toledo native whose rising literary career is making a splash in the romance sphere. Jo has built a passionate following with her smart, witty, and heartfelt adventure rom-coms that celebrate Latina joy, women in STEM, and the beauty of modern love. Her breakout novel Raiders of the Lost Heart (2023) earned rave reviews for its humor and emotional depth—cementing her as one of the most exciting new voices in contemporary romance.
Now she is back with her third novel, The Lust Crusade, which will go on sale January 13, 2026. The Lust Crusade features a quirky librarian, a missing archaeologist, and one priceless gemstone lost amongst the beautiful country of Greece.
Jo is helping kick off Toledo-Lucas County Public Library’s Romance Con, a new author talk series. Mark your calendars for Wednesday Feb. 11, 2026 where she will be promoting her new book. Tickets for this free event will be available in early 2026 at www.toledolibrary.org/romance-con.
About The Lust Crusade
Daniela Guiterrez has been in love with her brother’s best friend for as long as she can remember—until he went missing a year ago during an archaeological expedition. But on a solo trip to Greece, the intrepid librarian discovers that Theo is very much alive, although judging by the criminals holding him hostage, he is not doing well.
An expert in Ancient Greek archaeology, Dr. Theo Galanis has been abducted by artifact smugglers in search of a priceless gemstone—the Eye of the Minotaur. This ridiculous assignment was supposed to get Dani out of his system, not keep her tied up next to him. But when a little white lie spirals into his captors believing Theo and Dani are engaged, they must utilize her research skills and his expertise to solve the centuries’ old Minoan mystery, all while feigning a romance to keep each other alive.
Now with less than six days to find the jewel, underground societies, mythological beings, and pesky abductors are only half the battle. Because among the ancient ruins and temples they explore is an even bigger danger: falling in love for real.