JASMINE MAS is a #1 Amazon bestselling author of fantasy romance. She has a degree in ancient Greco-Roman classical studies from Georgetown University, and is a former lawyer who spends all her free time writing about strong women in magical worlds. She lives in Florida with her husband Evan and cat named Boo. She loves connecting with readers on TikTok and Instagram at @jasminemasbooks. jasminemasbooks.com

Welcome to the Hive, Jasmine. Let’s start with the basics: tell us about Blood of Hercules – what can our readers expect?

Thanks for having me :). Blood of Hercules is a sarcastic enemies to lovers, modern reimagining of the Hercules myth with Alexis Hert as Hercules. A gritty fantasy romance novel set in a post-apocalyptic modern world, Alexis deals with the moral themes of good and evil, and what it truly means to be a hero or a villain. The Greek Gods are also reimagined as powerful supernatural families. This is a true slow burn and perfect for someone who loves powerful morally grey men and women.

Your protagonist, Alexis Hert, has plenty of her own trials to face; can you tell us more about her?

Alexis Hert is a quiet introspective nineteen-year-old math prodigy who uses humor to cope with the intense traumas that she has faced in her life. She has heroic strength in her ability to persevere, but still struggles physically and mentally. When her blood test reveals her acceptance at the Spartan War Academy, she has to fight to claim her immortal birthright. The traumas she faces at the Academy don’t define her, but they also don’t leave her unscathed, just like her indifference and obliviousness to romantic situations, doesn’t change the fact that villainous men are interested in her. Her story is about resilience and self-discovery, yet at the same time she is a character who struggles and can be unaware. Alexis represents the duality of women.

What drew you in particular to the Hercules/Heracles myth?

Since I was little I’ve always loved stories about romance, strong heroes, and intriguing Villains. Disney’s Hercules was one of my favorite movies growing up. As an adult, my love of history continued and I majored in greco-roman classical studies at Georgetown University. I’ve always wanted to write a book with my favorite history involved, and a Hercules retelling felt like the perfect way to do it. 

Legacies and training academies have quite a strong Rick Riordan association; was he a big influence on your writing?

I remember reading Rick Riordan as a middle schooler and wishing I could be in the Ares camp. Besides the Disney movie Hercules, he was the first person who introduced me to the Greek myths. His stories laid the foundation for how I perceived Greek mythology for the rest of my life, and I’m eternally grateful that he wrote his amazing fantasy books. 

Alexis’ mentors are Achilles and Patro – who else can we expect to meet from Greek mythology? Tell us a little more about your side characters!

I can’t say too much because of spoilers (*laughs nervously*) but I’ve always been drawn to Medusa. Her story of survivorship is still hugely important for women today and I think a version of it with a happy ending deserves to be told. Helen, the talkative stylish younger girl who befriends Alexis, is a nod to Helen of Troy and she’s also going to have fun unexpected powers that I can’t wait to write about. Along that same vein, Charlie, Alexis’s younger brother is going to turn out to be an unexpected character from Greek Mythology. 

Are there any other mythological Greek Gods or Goddesses you would love to write retellings of in the future? 

I’ve always been drawn to Ares—he’s one of history’s first infamous morally gray Villains–and I think he would make a very interesting love interest. I’m not sure what that says about me, but I’ve always felt that way. 

What was the road from a self published author to a traditional published author like for you? Can you tell us a few of the highs and lows? 

It’s honestly been a very intense, very rewarding journey. I wrote my first book over my law school’s winter break. I decided to self-publish my last semester of law school, because I already had a job offer from a prestigious law firm, and I thought it could be a side job.

My lowest low would be in my second year as a lawyer when I pulled basically four all nighters in a row. I had a 600+ page manuscript that still needed a lot of editing and the deadline to submit it was in four days. Work was blowing up so I could only edit my book from 6pm-4am. Two days into sleep-deprivation, I got assigned a huge legal brief and I called my mom crying because it was all too much. She told me that I could do it (my mom reads all my drafts and she stayed up with me for all four days giving feedback). I remember sobbing while writing as fast as I could. Two days later, I was hallucinating from exhaustion, but the book draft got done and I met the deadline. 

My highest high was a couple months later when I quit my law job to be an author full time and write my next book series. I had no idea if the next series would be a hit, but I decided I was just going to go for it because I didn’t want to live with the regret of not fully chasing my dreams. Coincidentally, I self-published it and Harper Collins reached out the day it dropped to traditionally publish me. 

We always appreciate a beautiful book cover! How involved in the process were you? Was there a particular aesthetic you hoped the artist would portray?

I was very involved! I really wanted a cover that seemed gilded with gold because that’s how I envision ancient Greece in my mind. So I knew I wanted it to be white and gold. But it was also really important to me that it portrayed Hercules was a woman and that it was a romance. Maria from SteamyDesigns did an AMAZING job bringing my vision to life. 

If you could take any Greek God to a dinner party with you, which would you choose and why? (You can’t say Hercules!)

Ares! Help, I’ve always had the biggest crush on him. 

I’m definitely sensing a … I was going to say theme but I think obsession is more accurate?

Tell us about a Greek retelling you love. Any hidden gems? (Please tell us you’re watching Kaos??)

I would have to say the Disney Hercules movie! It’s so basic but I love listening to the sound track. I haven’t watched Kaos but now I’m immediately adding it to my tbr.

Can you tell us a little something about your current work(s) in progress? Have you any upcoming projects which you can share?

I’m currently working on Bonds of Hercules and I can say that she’s going to get her full Hero moment. She’s also going to fully discover how her powers work and there will be a fun twist with it :). 

Are you planning anything fun to celebrate your new release? Do you have any upcoming virtual events our readers may be interested in?

I’m doing a small book tour in the United States in early December, but I also plan on doing a UK book tour in the future and will share more information on my social media when I have it. 

Finally, what is the one thing you hope readers take away from your writing?

You’re stronger and more impressive than you even know. 

Thank you so much for joining us today!

Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas is published in hardback by HarperVoyager on 21st November. You can order your copy on Bookshop.org