Life Before Death


Fiction - Paranormal
324 Pages
Reviewed on 09/26/2020
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

Many of the events in Life Before Death are based on true-life experiences that occurred in Australia in the late twentieth century. The things that most non-conforming members of society endure simply because they don’t think or look like everybody else - being branded as criminals, or subjected to racism and social alienation.
Life Before Death intends to capture the character of the outback, and the resolute spirit of its culture. Foremost, however, it is intended to bring to light the high-spirited courage and levity of those people who dwell on the periphery of normal society. The rebels and free-thinkers who wish for little more than to live their lives without the oppression of unjust laws and the resulting intrusions upon their liberty.
Matthew W. Frend has lived in Australia, USA and now Scotland. He lives by the Benjamin Franklin credo of "Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing". A diverse background includes time spent in the Australian Army, racing stables and two decades as a computer programmer.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

Life Before Death by Matthew William Frend is a paranormal fiction novel with a fresh take on the genre. It begins with a road trip across Australia, where characters are determined to live life to the fullest and make their dreams come true. It isn't often that people feel free enough or confident enough to live the life they really want. Society has too many constraints. But what if those constraints were bypassed? What if you went rogue and did exactly what your heart desired? This is basically an odyssey about these sorts of realized dreams and goals. It's for the adventurer inside most of us that yearns to be free but isn't quite sure how to go about it, or if we even should. For souls that are daring enough, read on.

The travels and experience had by the characters are met by unexpected events, and you, like they, are left with questions that beg to be answered. These characters throw caution to the wind and challenge authority by pursuing a business venture, much like the youth of the Sixties. As you read, you will meet an eclectic, fascinating collection of people along the way. You will be educated, charmed, and enlightened. The author's style is light but serious, and he knows how to create flesh and bone characters that stay with you. You feel for them as they encounter one thing after another--homelessness, freedom, the elements, and more. You may find yourself vicariously experiencing new sensations, right along with the characters, and this is the talent of the author shining through. The glossary at the beginning of the book is especially informative. If you like stories about independence, survival, philosophies, and the fringes of society, Life Before Death by Matthew William Frend is a perfect choice.