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Healing From The Burns: Life After Fireman Scam
“The background to this offending shows frankly jaw dropping arrogance and cruelty in the way that you so persistently and wickedly deceived your victims, particularly Coleen Greenwood.”
- Judge James Adkins
Greg Wilson is now in prison. Finally, it is over for Coleen and Karen. They can now move on, take time and heal. But is it that easy? Or is there still much more of the story to come?
The uplifting follow-up true story to “Playing with Fire.” How after the darkest days have ended, light will always break through.
A portion from the proceeds of all book sales will be donated to Women's Aid charity
- Judge James Adkins
Greg Wilson is now in prison. Finally, it is over for Coleen and Karen. They can now move on, take time and heal. But is it that easy? Or is there still much more of the story to come?
The uplifting follow-up true story to “Playing with Fire.” How after the darkest days have ended, light will always break through.
A portion from the proceeds of all book sales will be donated to Women's Aid charity
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2024
56 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 4, 2024
Yet again another great book from Colleen Greenwood and Karen Crear, I simply couldn’t put this book down, it was a lovely happy ending to all the anguish and heartbreak they endured thanks to Gregg Wilson. Both books are equally as good however for me this finished the story off perfectly and showed them healing from all the heartbreak. A big well done to Colleen and Karen with there well deserved success, a truly inspiring and gripping story 100000/10 :)))
July 3, 2025
A Luminous Account of Healing After Trauma
In this powerful sequel to “Playing with Fire,” Coleen Greenwood and Karen Crear continue their remarkable story of resilience and recovery in the aftermath of Greg Wilson’s imprisonment. While their first memoir detailed the shocking deception perpetrated by the man they knew as James Scott, this equally compelling follow-up explores the challenging question: what happens after justice is served?
Judge James Adkins’ damning assessment of Wilson’s “jaw dropping arrogance and cruelty,” providing a sense of closure but also serving as a starting point for the book’s central exploration—how does one rebuild after such profound betrayal? The authors answer this question with unflinching honesty and surprising hope.
The strength of this memoir lies in its nuanced portrayal of healing as a non-linear process. Coleen and Karen masterfully convey the complicated emotions that persist even after their abuser was behind bars. Their account acknowledges the lingering effects of trauma while demonstrating how family bonds can provide a foundation for recovery. The dialogue throughout feels authentic and raw, capturing both moments of despair and unexpected laughter.
Particularly moving is the authors’ portrayal of Coleen’s commitment to protecting her son despite her own pain. The sections describing her journey toward trusting again reveal remarkable emotional courage and speak to the memoir’s larger themes of prioritising love over bitterness. The delicate process of rebuilding one’s capacity for intimacy after such profound deception is handled with remarkable sensitivity and depth.
The pacing feels deliberate, mirroring the gradual nature of healing itself. Rather than rushing toward a neat resolution, the narrative allows space for setbacks, doubts, and the slow process of rebuilding trust—not just in others but in oneself. This approach creates an intimate reading experience that avoids simplistic platitudes about “moving on.”
What elevates this memoir beyond many recovery narratives is its emphasis on community and collective healing. Karen and Coleen show how their experience, though deeply personal, connected them to others with similar stories. Their decision to donate proceeds to Women’s Aid demonstrates how transforming personal trauma into social action can be a powerful part of the healing journey.
This book stands as a testament to the enduring human capacity to find light after darkness. It offers both practical insights for survivors of similar betrayals and broader reflections on forgiveness, family bonds, and the possibility of joy after devastation. While “Playing with Fire” warned of the dangers of deception, this follow-up offers something equally valuable—a roadmap for reclaiming one’s life with dignity and hope.
For readers who found themselves invested in Coleen and Karen’s story, this continuation provides both satisfying closure and inspiring new beginnings. It reminds us that while we cannot control the harm others may inflict, we retain the power to write our own next chapters.
A triumph that transforms personal tragedy into universal wisdom about resilience and the healing power of love and family.
I award 5 stars.
In this powerful sequel to “Playing with Fire,” Coleen Greenwood and Karen Crear continue their remarkable story of resilience and recovery in the aftermath of Greg Wilson’s imprisonment. While their first memoir detailed the shocking deception perpetrated by the man they knew as James Scott, this equally compelling follow-up explores the challenging question: what happens after justice is served?
Judge James Adkins’ damning assessment of Wilson’s “jaw dropping arrogance and cruelty,” providing a sense of closure but also serving as a starting point for the book’s central exploration—how does one rebuild after such profound betrayal? The authors answer this question with unflinching honesty and surprising hope.
The strength of this memoir lies in its nuanced portrayal of healing as a non-linear process. Coleen and Karen masterfully convey the complicated emotions that persist even after their abuser was behind bars. Their account acknowledges the lingering effects of trauma while demonstrating how family bonds can provide a foundation for recovery. The dialogue throughout feels authentic and raw, capturing both moments of despair and unexpected laughter.
Particularly moving is the authors’ portrayal of Coleen’s commitment to protecting her son despite her own pain. The sections describing her journey toward trusting again reveal remarkable emotional courage and speak to the memoir’s larger themes of prioritising love over bitterness. The delicate process of rebuilding one’s capacity for intimacy after such profound deception is handled with remarkable sensitivity and depth.
The pacing feels deliberate, mirroring the gradual nature of healing itself. Rather than rushing toward a neat resolution, the narrative allows space for setbacks, doubts, and the slow process of rebuilding trust—not just in others but in oneself. This approach creates an intimate reading experience that avoids simplistic platitudes about “moving on.”
What elevates this memoir beyond many recovery narratives is its emphasis on community and collective healing. Karen and Coleen show how their experience, though deeply personal, connected them to others with similar stories. Their decision to donate proceeds to Women’s Aid demonstrates how transforming personal trauma into social action can be a powerful part of the healing journey.
This book stands as a testament to the enduring human capacity to find light after darkness. It offers both practical insights for survivors of similar betrayals and broader reflections on forgiveness, family bonds, and the possibility of joy after devastation. While “Playing with Fire” warned of the dangers of deception, this follow-up offers something equally valuable—a roadmap for reclaiming one’s life with dignity and hope.
For readers who found themselves invested in Coleen and Karen’s story, this continuation provides both satisfying closure and inspiring new beginnings. It reminds us that while we cannot control the harm others may inflict, we retain the power to write our own next chapters.
A triumph that transforms personal tragedy into universal wisdom about resilience and the healing power of love and family.
I award 5 stars.
July 20, 2025
A "Must Read" for Every Woman
I found this book very informative and interesting. The hurt which this man caused everyone whose life he touched was absolutely horrifying. I found the book riviting at time but as the.book continued I realized that life is often cruel. I felt for Colleen's family as they went through each situation that life brought onto their path through life. Karen's battles with 2 different cancers was particularly sad. The whole family were able to leave this dreadful man who defrauded so many people behind and know that they had left him behind in the past, deliberately, where he deserved to be while they continued on into the future having not been dragged down by his criminal past. Their futures are strong and happy because they have survived 'Greg'. The only criticism I have is that the book is too long. The end makes it all worthwhile though.
I found this book very informative and interesting. The hurt which this man caused everyone whose life he touched was absolutely horrifying. I found the book riviting at time but as the.book continued I realized that life is often cruel. I felt for Colleen's family as they went through each situation that life brought onto their path through life. Karen's battles with 2 different cancers was particularly sad. The whole family were able to leave this dreadful man who defrauded so many people behind and know that they had left him behind in the past, deliberately, where he deserved to be while they continued on into the future having not been dragged down by his criminal past. Their futures are strong and happy because they have survived 'Greg'. The only criticism I have is that the book is too long. The end makes it all worthwhile though.
February 14, 2025
Good follow-up to the first book.
This book is mainly concerned with the aftermath of James Scott's web of lies.
After what had happened, you would think Coleen had been put off men for life. But would she be happy again?
Book 1 was so good, I wasn't sure if this would measure up. Would it be just repeating a lot of stuff from Playing with Fire? Certainly not! There was so much more that happened after Fireman Scam had been found out.
This is such an uplifting read, to what could have marred the rest of her life. So glad she found happiness again. Genuine happiness.
Another great read.
This book is mainly concerned with the aftermath of James Scott's web of lies.
After what had happened, you would think Coleen had been put off men for life. But would she be happy again?
Book 1 was so good, I wasn't sure if this would measure up. Would it be just repeating a lot of stuff from Playing with Fire? Certainly not! There was so much more that happened after Fireman Scam had been found out.
This is such an uplifting read, to what could have marred the rest of her life. So glad she found happiness again. Genuine happiness.
Another great read.
February 22, 2024
Brilliant
absolutely loved this book as much as the first. I am so happy you both got justice & that coleen got to find her true honest husband. I will recommend this book to my friends as it really is eye opening to what some men will do in life. Well done to all involved x
absolutely loved this book as much as the first. I am so happy you both got justice & that coleen got to find her true honest husband. I will recommend this book to my friends as it really is eye opening to what some men will do in life. Well done to all involved x
February 14, 2024
Excellent to read what happened since.
February 14, 2024
Brilliant read! “Healing from the burns” is such a great sequel to “Playing with Fire” Well worth a read.
February 15, 2024
So interesting to find out more about the crazy lengths and manipulative tactics that the family had to endure. Absolutely offit. Couldn’t put it down
February 25, 2024
A fjghter, that's for sure!
Live, love, and be happy, you deserve it. We are so proud of you, never forget that.
Any chance of another book?
Live, love, and be happy, you deserve it. We are so proud of you, never forget that.
Any chance of another book?
April 24, 2024
Very good books
Very good books read both well done sisters did yourself proud would like more books please keep up good read i ng
Very good books read both well done sisters did yourself proud would like more books please keep up good read i ng
September 9, 2024
Good easy read
Good book can't believe what happened read both books and you are both strong woman thanks for sharing with us
Good book can't believe what happened read both books and you are both strong woman thanks for sharing with us
January 12, 2025
A lot of repetition
Awful story of male manipulation & how easy it can be for some women to get sucked into the web of lies.
Awful story of male manipulation & how easy it can be for some women to get sucked into the web of lies.
January 23, 2025
What an inspiration this book is!
What an amazing family!
I'm glad I took the time to read this 2nd book. I hope to find the documentary.
What an amazing family!
I'm glad I took the time to read this 2nd book. I hope to find the documentary.
October 10, 2024
Although not as good as Playing with Fire, Coleen Greenwood & Karen Crear have written another intriguing book. I found the real-life characters very relatable as they continued to heal from the chaos and heartache created by the terrible man from Book 1. This man’s evil deeds will undoubtedly impact this family and many others in one way or another. If only he had remorse. Minor editing/proofreading could help make this almost perfect book perfect. But I loved reading Book 2 in the Playing with Fire series and hope these extraordinary ladies write a third book. May God bless them and everyone who has been hurt by whoever this man decides to call himself this week.
October 6, 2024
This sequel to Playing With Fire is not only absorbing reading but contains vital help for victims of narcissistic cruelty. I love that the author did not let this traumatic period of life define her future. This book contains help and hope for victims to become survivors.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews