A True crime memoir in the making | Human-authored
I Married a Con Man
I Married a Con Man is the story of how a practiced predator moves through the world — and how the very qualities that make someone strong is the thing used against them. It showcases how these stories are different from domestic abuse cases and how there is still misunderstanding about the devastating effects and how most victims stay silent out of shame, confusion, and fear. It is a reckoning, a warning, and ultimately a record of survival written by the woman who lived it.
Readers will learn that people who are victims of con men are not what they would expect. Seasoned Cons don’t target the weak and easily controlled. And they don’t use coercive control, like most abusers, they are smarter than that. In 2025 the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center recorded 23,159 confidence fraud and romance scam complaints. That is compared to the over 10 million people who report having been physically abused by an intimate partner every year in the US. This is because victims of cons don’t know or understand what happened to them, so they stay silent.
Edwina is currently writing the true crime memoir, I Married a Con Man, about Daniel Marshall, who was found to be the fake Ranger who conned Marcus Luttrell and his family, and conned everyone he met. Stolen Valor is serious, especially when it is done on the level that a practiced con man does. At the time of his last conviction, the full scope of Daniel's double life was unknown and still is, for most. He cons people out of money with forgery, theft, and more, and you usually don't know you were conned by him. Federal prison has not stopped him.
The front and back covers pictured above are concept art and are subject to change upon final publication, but they aim to showcase what this incredible story is about. It took Edwina 19 years after leaving Daniel to discover the depths of his cons and to write this story the way it needs to be told, spending years processing what happened, reconnecting, and interviewing others to connect the dots in this wild story.
If you are a literary agent or publisher interested in learning more, connect with Edwina on social media (links below) or join the mailing list. She has not sent off her memoir for querying yet.
Read about this story here: Off The Record Blog. or NBCDFW
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Meet Edwina, the unstoppable encourager
Edwina Adams
Edwina "The Encourager" Adams is a dynamic brand and narrative strategist, keynote speaker, and business consultant dedicated to empowering ambitious experts to overcome fear of visibility and turn their personal stories into genuine authority.
A military veteran and retired paramedic with nearly 20 years of entrepreneurial grit, Edwina has founded and successfully exited multiple companies, including one of America’s pioneering automated trash can cleaning services. Her life took a dramatic turn when her first marriage unraveled after discovering her spouse was a con man imprisoned for fraud. Surviving a near-fatal health crisis in 2020 ignited her resolve to stop hiding and start making NOISE—her signature Narrative Of Inspiration, Strength & Encouragement.
Today, she leads the Authentic Authority Academy, authored "Dare to Dream Big," and hosts the "Let's Make Some Noise" podcast, teaching experts how to embrace their expertise and build powerful "eye-to-eye influence" amid a world increasingly shaped by AI and artificial personas.
When not coaching, speaking, or consulting, you’ll find this loyal friend, devoted wife, and proud mom creating art or rocking her impressive shoe collection.
“NOISE stands for a Narrative Of Inspiration, Strength & Encouragement—my personal mission.” - Edwina Adams
“Rise above adversity to create a life filled with impact and meaning.” - Edwina Adams
“Hustle drained my health, but alignment restored my strength.” - Edwina Adams
“True success comes when your actions align with your purpose.” - Edwina Adams
Meet Edwina, featured author in this powerful anthology:
Ignite Your Vision: Dare to Dream Big
Unleashing Ambition: Scaling, Innovating, and Thriving in Entrepreneurship
Dare To Dream Big Q & A
Dare To Dream Big is an Anthology. What does that mean?
An anthology brings together powerful stories from diverse voices. I’m proud to contribute alongside six incredible women. Together, our stories create a chorus of hope and encouragement for everyone who reads Dare To Dream Big.
What inspired you to write this book, and how does it reflect your personal journey or experiences?
In Dare To Dream Big, I share my journey of "Becoming a NOISE-maker," a powerful acronym for Narrative Of Inspiration, Strength, and Encouragement. After surviving a near-death experience and facing heart failure twice, I asked God how I could share this message while still struggling. His answer was clear: "Your message will be even stronger." Writing this book with my heart working at just 18% and wearing a LifeVest™️ defibrillator, I lived my message anew — daring to dream big and make NOISE louder than ever. (Picture is of me and my two children, December 22, 2023, during hospitalization.)
How do you hope your readers will be transformed or impacted after reading your book?
I want readers to walk away with one thing: hope. Life throws adversity our way, but I believe it can be our greatest strength. Instead of surrendering or forcing toxic positivity, I offer a real, powerful path to turn hardship into empowering NOISE. If my honesty helps someone embrace that, then every challenge I faced was worth it.
