A New Dawn

by Trina Spillman

A catastrophic explosion rocks Washington, D.C., leaving chaos in its wake. Attorney Ian McCullough rushes to find his partner, a presidential nominee caught in the blast, and instead uncovers evidence pointing to a conspiracy at the nation’s highest level. Each step closer to the truth puts Ian in greater danger, as powerful forces move to silence him.

At the center of the plot is the ruthless vice president, whose false-flag operation could plunge the country into panic and secure his rise to power. With enemies closing in and only a few unlikely allies to trust, Ian must risk everything to expose the truth before democracy itself becomes collateral damage.

195 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 9, 2026

About the author

Trina Spillman, who also writes under the pen name Selene Greenleaf, crafts both practical witchcraft guides and immersive works of fiction that span romance, magical realism, and contemporary thrillers. Splitting her creative life between Colorado’s mountain landscapes and a growing library of story ideas, she blends current events, folklore, plant magic, and real-world rituals to invite readers into transformative experiences. Under Selene Greenleaf, she’s the author of Witchcraft Essentials: A Modern-Day Guide to Spells, Herbs, and Crystals; Cupid's Craft: Love Spells for Valentine's Day; and her forthcoming Plant Magic Encyclopedia: Rituals & Remedies, resources designed to help modern practitioners weave intention and botanical wisdom into everyday life. Writing as Trina Spillman, she’s best known for her engaging novellas, which she is currently expanding into full-length novels. Upcoming projects include:
• Fablecastle After Dark—a satirical, scandal-tinged reimagining of her beloved fairy-tale novellas
• The Witches of Fablecastle—a sweeping magical-realism saga in the tradition of Like Water for Chocolate, where family secrets and herbal lore intertwine
• A New Dawn—a gripping political thriller of power, ethics, and love, to be released by The Wild Rose Press
Whether she’s exploring the ethics of power in a thriller or sharing herbal recipes for daily rituals, Trina/Selene’s work reflects her unwavering belief in the healing and transformative power of words.

Reviews

[Eileen Murphy-Schmehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

James Sinclair is a prominent senator speaking from a stage in New Orleans as his partner , Ian watches in awe. There is a terrible event, and their lives are thrown in chaos.

Can Ian uncover the truth and save his family and the world from the network that wants to destroy it?

There are a lot of moving parts in this political thriller, and while some characters seem just dropped in for good measure, there is a good and hopeful story within.

I received an advance copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Martin Pingree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This high-octane action-adventure plunges readers into the heart of a sophisticated White House conspiracy. When an unlikely group is thrust together to thwart an unprecedented political takeover, they must uncover the true depth of the corruption. Driven by a compelling cast and a meticulously crafted plot, this relentless thriller delivers constant tension and unexpected revelations that command the reader’s attention from the first page to the last. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kat Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a long time, fanatic reader of political fiction, we glommed onto A New Dawn and liked it for its fresh voice and relevancy to today’s political climate. We found the ‘lead’ characters, Ian and James, to be well drawn and compelling in their motivation, conflicts and devotion to each other. As the “stars” of this show, both filled the bill nicely.
A few of the secondary characters however [such as the commandant of the naval base] took up needed space which should have been devoted to more the important and necessary antagonistic characters who deserved additional time—and clear identification to name and role.
Overall, the story ends too abruptly, leaving several loose threads. A bit more attention to the “powerful forces” behind the underlying plot was just not there, thus leaving us wanting.
Based on a scale of 1-5. A New Dawn merits a 4.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Authors

[Alicia Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gripping political thriller launches readers straight into the chaos of a devastating explosion in Washington, D.C., and rarely lets the tension ease from there. As attorney Ian McCullough searches for his missing partner, the story quickly expands into a high-stakes conspiracy that reaches the very top levels of government. The pacing is brisk and suspenseful, with each new revelation raising the stakes and deepening the sense that no one in power can be trusted.

The novel shines in its depiction of political intrigue and the moral dilemmas faced by Ian as he risks his career—and his life—to uncover the truth. The villainous vice president is particularly chilling, embodying the kind of ambition that makes the conspiracy feel frighteningly plausible. While some plot turns stretch believability, the tension, urgency, and timely themes about power and democracy make this an engaging and entertaining read for fans of fast-paced political thrillers.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC through "Booksirens" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story begins with the Presidential Convention in New Orleans where an explosion happens before James Sinclair can receive the nomination. Ian, James' partner, discovers James pinned and with help from first responders, they are able to free him and James is then taken to the hospital. The next day Ian discovers someone has given him a thumb drive which he later learns from James contains evidence of a conspiracy. Ian is also told of additional evidence that is located at the safe in James, a Senator, office.

Learn of the actions that Ian winds up taking with support from Alexandria (Alex), an individual sent to help Ian, Ian's father and niece as they try to stop the plan that the individuals leading the conspiracy plan on doing. Learn where the evidence leads and what happens to them in the end.

This is a story that is worth reading, don't miss out!

[Roni Denholtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A NEW DAWN is a political thriller that is taut and filled with tension as the main characters race to save the nation. You will be on the edge of your seat reading how Ian and James, and their friends, navigate a difficult path to save each other's lives and to prevent disaster in the USA. Ms. Spillman has created sympathetic characters whom we will quickly start rooting for. If you like tension and high stakes, you will enjoy this suspenseful novel!