Episode Details

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where magic is born from rage and resilience, power is written in blood and choice, and stories dare you to feel everything at once.  

This week, host Bethany Amanda sits down with rising romantasy author Jaclyn Rodriguez to celebrate her breakout debut, A Vow in Vengeance, which delivers deadly bargains, tarot magic, forced proximity, and one of the most addictive enemies-to-lovers dynamics we’ve read this year. 

Jaclyn brings the perfect blend of warmth, humor, and honesty to this conversation as she shares her journey from relentless querying and 100+ rejections to landing her debut in a whirlwind auction. She opens up about the delusion, determination, and deep love of story that carried her through the hardest parts of publishing, and why perseverance is the single most important trait an author can have.

We dive deep into the world of A Vow in Vengeance: a brutal selection process that sends mortals into an immortal realm, a heroine fueled by grief and fury, and a prince who is just as dangerous as he is compelling. Jaclyn unpacks the tarot-based magic system, the layered power hierarchies, and the central thematic tension between vengeance and justice that defines Rune’s emotional arc.

Along the way, we explore the kind of main character we don’t see enough of—a furious, unyielding FMC who is willing to burn everything down to get what she deserves—and the MMC who meets her fire with strategy, sarcasm, and just enough vulnerability to make it hurt.

🔥 What does it mean to want vengeance instead of justice?
🗡️ How do power, trauma, and rage shape the choices we make?
🃏 And what happens when two people bound by necessity become each other’s greatest weapon—and greatest risk?

This is a must-listen for romantasy readers, aspiring authors navigating the querying trenches, and anyone who loves morally complex characters, magical systems with bite, and stories that refuse to play it safe.

🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…

✨ Jaclyn’s path to publication, including writing 10 books and facing 100+ rejections before her debut. 
✨ How perseverance, “delusion,” and support systems helped her push through imposter syndrome.
✨ he premise of A Vow in Vengeance: a deadly selection, an immortal realm, and a heroine who will burn the world down for her family. 
✨ The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Rue and Prince Draven—and why forced proximity makes it even more explosive. 
✨ The tarot-based magic system, power hierarchies, and symbolism behind “The World” card. 
✨ The thematic core of vengeance vs. justice and how Rune’s perspective evolves across the story. 
✨ Writing an unapologetically angry female main character—and why spite queens are unforgettable. 
✨ How Draven unexpectedly took over the book and reshaped the story during drafting.
✨ Why Jaclyn wants her books to be readers’ comfort worlds—even when they’re dark, violent, and emotionally intense. 
✨ What we can expect from Book 2, including higher stakes, bigger twists, and a completed duology arc. 

CONNECT WITH US

🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic
👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland
👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill
📚 Jaclyn Rodriguez – @JaclynRodriguezAuthor

✨ If this episode inspired you, please rate and review — it helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.