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Science Fiction and Erotica Reviewer |
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A voracious reader since first grade, Gail enjoys all genres,
especially paranormal romance and science-fiction. She is a life long
resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has worked for the Philly
Water Department for twenty-five years, as a surveyor and now CAD
Manager. She shares her life with four energetic grandchildren, three
extraordinary children, two talkative Tonkinese cats and one patient
husband, who rarely sees her without a book in hand.
MEET THE RT REVIEWER GAIL PRUSZKOWSKI
(Article published in Romantic Times BOOKreviews Issue #293, July 2008)
We're launching a new column this month to introduce readers to our
ever-growing cadre of reviewers, one by one. RT magazine started out
modestly in 1981 with just two reviewers, Kathe Robin and Melinda Helfer. A
short time later, Jill M. Smith came aboard. The increased ranks grew
steadily, and our reviewers now number close to 50 avid readers.
You'll get a chance to "meet" Kathe and Jill and Jill Brager soon, but this
month we're celebrating a newer reviewer, Gail Pruszkowski, whose short
story, "The Power of the Purr," is included in A CUP OF COMFORT FOR CAT
LOVERS , to be released this month by Adams Media.
Cats Buffy and Spike inspired reviewer Gail Pruszkowski's story.
"I was always a bookworm," Gail says. "If I didn't have something to read I
made up my own stories." Though her love for books continued, her writing
got sidetracked for 40 years. "My own cats were the inspiration for 'The
Power of the Purr,'" she adds.
After "a nasty divorce" Gail raised her three children solo, trying various
jobs until she was hired by the Philadelphia water department as an
engineering aide on a survey crew. "I was one of the first women in the
unit, and I'm sure they thought I wouldn't last a week. Here it is, 26
years later, and most of the men I started with are retired and I'm still
here and supervising the drafting room."
Gail's "constant" has been her children -- Heather, Matthew and Jonathan
(who died in 2004 from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs at 27).
"Most people don't understand that the death of a child is something you
never get over," she says. "There are good days and bad days. One day you
discover you can smile again, the next a reminder -- a birthday, a song, a
favorite food -- brings the nightmare back full force." She made it through
with the help of an e-mail support group at griefnet.org and by immersing
herself in reading.
Gail answered an ad for reviewers in RT in February 2006 and quickly signed
on. "Sharing something you love multiplies the enjoyment tenfold," she
says, adding that writing reviews gave her incentive to write and submit
her first story -- and there's more to come. She contributed stories to the
October Adams Media anthology A CUP OF COMFORT FOR LOVED ONES OF PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMER'S and December's A CUP OF COMFORT FOR DIVORCED WOMEN.
"Writing has been a healing experience for me. Someday I'd like to write
about Jonathan, to honor his memory and tell my grandchildren about their
uncle. And if I can help someone else suffering from addiction that would
be wonderful."
We asked Gail a few questions:
Where do you live? Born and raised in the City of Brotherly Love,
Philadelphia.
Married/kids? Husband, John; children, Heather, Matthew and Jonathan;
grandchildren, Jacob Jonathan, Joshua, Jessica, Samantha and Cali
Pets: Two Tonkinese cats, Buffy and Spike
Age: 60. I don't know what 60 is supposed to feel like, but I still feel
like I'm 30, only this time around I can do whatever I want.
Astrological sign: Libra, sign of the scales
Dream job: Staying home and reading, writing, reviewing. That's not a job.
It's a labor of love.
Favorite genre: I've always loved horror and science fiction, not to
mention psychological thrillers and mysteries. And anything with vampires
and shapeshifters. I definitely lean to the dark side, but laced with
romance, of course.
Some favorite authors: Stephen King, Jonathan and Faye Kellerman, Susan
Squires, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Bertrice Small, Jeffery Deaver, Keith Ablow.
Favorite fictional hero: I adore the alpha males, strong and powerful, yet
putty in the hands of the right woman. Complex characters with hidden
secrets and past tragedies, like Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme.
Favorite real-life hero: My father. He was someone who would always listen
and always gave good advice.
Favorite fictional heroine: Rina in Faye Kellerman's Decker and Lazarus
series.
Favorite real-life heroine: Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. She was forced to
give up her dream of becoming a doctor, but she went on to paint
extraordinary portraits.
Favorite TV shows: I'm totally hooked on Dexter, the lovable sociopathic
killer; Battlestar Galactica; BBC America's Dr. Who and Torchwood. I'm also
a reality TV junkie.
Lifelong ambition: To get my bachelor's degree. I have about 30 credits,
most dealing with construction technology, but I'd love to take some
writing classes.
Where's the farthest you've traveled: England -- London and the
countryside. The Cotswolds have to be one of the most beautiful places in
the world.
Your best feature or talent: I think I'm a good listener. My kids have
always told me everything -- sometimes more than I wanted to know. And
friends confide in me because they know I can keep a secret. Of course all
that may change now that my stories are being published.
Catchphrase or motto: Life is short, live each day as if it were your last.
Webspace: http://mysite.verizon.net/bookworm.gp
-- Compiled by Liz French |
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