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 encourager
Edwina Adams
Edwina "The Encourager" Adams is a brand and narrative strategist, keynote speaker, and business consultant who helps ambitious experts overcome their fear of visibility and transform their personal stories into authentic authority.
A military veteran and retired paramedic with nearly two decades of entrepreneurial experience, Edwina has founded and sold multiple businesses, including one of America's first automated trash can cleaning services. Her journey took an unexpected turn when her first marriage to someone she didn't know was a con man unraveled while he went to prison. Years later, after surviving a near-death health crisis in 2020, Edwina decided it was time to stop hiding and start making NOISE—her signature acronym for a Narrative Of Inspiration, Strength & Encouragement.
Today, Edwina is the founder of Authentic Authority Academy, author of "Dare to Dream Big," and host of the "Let's Make Some Noise" podcast and Founder of the Authentic Authority Academy where she teaches experts how to confidently own their expertise and build what she calls "eye-to-eye influence" in a world increasingly dominated by AI and manufactured personas.
When she's not coaching, speaking, or consulting, you'll find this loyal friend, loving wife, and mom painting and rocking her collection of cool shoes.
"NOISE is my acronym for a Narrative Of Inspiration, Strength & Encouragement."- Edwina Adams
"Build beyond adversity and craft a life of impact and purpose."- Edwina Adams
"Hustle stole my health, alignment gave it back." - Edwina Adams
"Success without alignment is just sophisticated suffering." - Edwina Adams
Edwina is an author in this anthology:
Dare To Dream Big:
Scaling, Innovation & Success in Entrepreneurship
Dare To Dream Big Q & A
Dare To Dream Big is an Anthology. What does that mean?
An anthology is a collection of literary pieces by various different authors. I am honored to be a part of this anthology that includes six other extraordinary women. Our stories are complimentary and I love that we are each echoing hope and encouragement to all who will read 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 specifically wrote about "Becoming a NOISE-maker" because NOISE is my acronym for a Narrative Of Inspiration, Strength and Encouragement. This message was already on my heart due to a near death experience and other adversity I wrote about, but just prior to being invited into this Anthology I had been hospitalized with heart failure for a second time. I asked God, "how can I share this message when I'm sick again?" and I felt like He told me "Your message will be even stronger". I literally lived out being a NOISE-maker again while writing this book and my message IS stronger. NOISE is not just a word to me, it's a movement and I want others to know how they too can become a NOISE-maker! I wrote this book while my heart was only functioning at 18% and while having to wear a defibrillator LifeVest™️. I continued to dare to dream big and I continued to make NOISE. (picture is of me and my two children, December 22, 2023 when hospitalized with heart failure)
How do you hope your readers will be transformed or impacted after reading your book?
My hope is that readers will have just that - Hope. Adversity is bound to happen in life and I believe adversity is our greatest asset. If adversity is going to happen, no matter what, then let's know how to turn it into positive NOISE. I want the readers to know how not to lie down in defeat when it gets too hard and I don't want them to use toxic positivity. There is a better way. A way that works and it's real. If my vulnerability helps them understand this, then I feel like my adversity was worth it.
