4 Tips for Writing a Swoon-Worthy Adventure Romance Novel
Author Jo Segura shares her top four tips for writing a swoon-worthy adventure romance novel.
It’s no secret that I’m a huge adventure fan. Franchises like Indiana Jones, The Mummy, Lara Croft, and National Treasure are my jam. But, in my humble opinion, these movies are all missing one thing—romance!
Sure, there’s some kissing and relationship stuff in these films, but I want pining and swooning! I want the romance to take center stage, with the adventure there to enrich the setting. I want stories like The Lost City but WITH MORE KISSING! There, I said it (you were all thinking it, be honest).
Indiana Jones might have been my first crush, which explains why I’m over here writing adventure romance with not-so-subtle nods to my favorite movies. The love interest in my debut, Raiders of the Lost Heart, is named Dr. Ford Matthews, for Pete’s sake. And I couldn’t help but follow up that title with Temple of Swoon (Berkley, 2025) and The Lust Crusade (Berkley, 2026). So here are my tips for writing your own adventure story where the romance has the top billing.
1. Keep the stakes high
Whether your characters are searching for ancient artifacts, lost cities and treasure, or racing around the world, the stakes should be high and meaningful. If the characters are searching for treasure that’s been lost for hundreds of years, why is it suddenly so important that they undertake this quest at this specific point in time? What is happening in the protagonists’ personal lives that compels their journey?
Are there other people out there, such as bad guys or rivals, competing to make the same discovery? Perhaps there is a race against time, advanced by a reward for a discovery, a nefarious crook hot on the trail, or deforestation that may uncover or destroy a lost city. Or maybe your protagonist is trying to save a family business or prove themselves in their field.
But also, keep in mind how your protagonists’ individual goals drive the romance between them. Give your characters a reason to be on the adventure so it gives readers a reason to invest in their story and their relationship.
2. Do your research
You don’t have to be a world explorer, backcountry guide, or archaeologist to write an adventure romance, but you do need to do your research. I’m not an archaeologist, but I spent countless hours researching not only archaeological techniques and methods, but also ancient civilizations and the geography of the places where my stories take place.
These bits of research might not make it into the book, but it helps you to understand your story and characters better so you can paint a vivid world for the reader. Especially when you’re dealing with real life places and civilizations—you want to ensure you’re handling these topics with care and respect. These people and locations may have historical, cultural, or religious significance that you need to be aware of.
Also, make sure your characters are appropriately aged for the jobs they have. While you might enjoy writing a romance about hot, early 20-somethings, they probably aren’t going to be tenured archaeology professors with years of expedition experience à la Indiana Jones.
3. Weave in action to keep things moving and to build character
One thing I love about adventure romance is that there’s always something happening. Nothing keeps a reader as engrossed as an action-packed scene with quick motions and bustling activity. Think of Indiana Jones running through a booby-trapped temple or Rick O’Connell fighting off an army of mummies.
Action scenes are also a great way to show character development, and to show romance ripening between the protagonists. It gives you a chance to demonstrate how your main character reacts in stressful and challenging situations, and, almost more importantly in a romance novel, how the love interest handles the conflict. Is the couple working together, or do old wounds cause friction? Is one character a do-it-myself person while the other is the let-me-help-you sort? Does the love interest put themselves in harm’s way to protect your protagonist?
Actions speak louder than words, so why not use these scenes as a chance to show (not tell) the reader how much the characters care about each other? Also, tense, action-packed scenes are a perfect opportunity for your characters getting caught up in the moment… leading to a possible smooch or two.
4. But don’t lose focus on the romance
Stakes, research, and action are all important, but don’t forget—this is a romance. You don’t want to get so bogged down describing ancient treasures and fist fights with villains while your characters travel the world that the romance becomes an afterthought.
Think of the adventure as another setting for your characters. Instead of the story taking place at the workplace, a café, a friends’ wedding, or a quaint small town, your protagonists’ tale takes place on a journey. Use the adventure to build their relationship, and to enhance it. Are your characters camping in the forest? Give them only one tent (one of my personal favorites). Are they hiking through the desert looking for lost gold? Make the hiking guide the protagonist’s ex-lover and give them a second chance.
The adventure should be a prop to highlight the romance, not detract from it, otherwise, it’s only an adventure novel. Which is okay if that’s the story you’re going for, but, sir, we’re talking about an adventure romance here.
Check out Jo Segura's Temple of Swoon here:
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USA Today bestselling author Jo Segura lives in the Pacific Northwest with her doggo, who vies for her attention with his sweet puppy dog eyes whenever she’s trying to write. Her stories feature strong, passionate heroines and draw upon aspects of her life, such as 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). (Photo: © Sean Hoyt 2022)
