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Mrs. O'Learys Boarding House: Aliens Only
A whimsical collection of stories of down on their luck aliens who live at Mrs. O’Leary boarding house in 1867 Chicago. Mrs. O'Leary only takes in special boarders. Aliens. This is a collection of five short stories including Mrs. O'Leary tries to deal with a cockroach who is behind in his rent. Then a handsome human-looking guest arrives who is just a little fuzzy around the edges and to many accidents keep happening. Mrs. O’Leary is thrilled when a Cat comes to stay. Cats are highly sought as guests in most of the universe. They are graceful, witty and elegant. This Cat also knows more ways to kill than most people can count. She is looking for something in the back alleys of Chicago. If she can't find it, there will be interstellar war. A most beautiful aliens visits and Mrs. O’Leary ponders when beauty becomes an obsession, what is the cost? A deposed emperor lives in her house, one that looks like an octopus, and maybe a few aliens think it best he dies. Mrs. O’Leary disagrees.
136 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2014
35 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 25, 2020
Book One Victorian Sci Fi
This is most amusing and quite fun. Chicago in the 1870's has a Boarding House run by the extremely sensible Mrs. O'Leary. Somehow she has been renting rooms out to various Alien Species visiting Earth. It's delightful how the author incorporates the thoughts and beliefs of the period into Mrs. O'Leary's actions as she takes care of her boarders as is proper for a Victorian Lady. The Aliens are most inventive. Although not addressed, I am concerned that one Alien resembles a Cow, it's Chicago, and we are dealing with a Mrs. O'Leary. This bodes trouble in a future book.
This is most amusing and quite fun. Chicago in the 1870's has a Boarding House run by the extremely sensible Mrs. O'Leary. Somehow she has been renting rooms out to various Alien Species visiting Earth. It's delightful how the author incorporates the thoughts and beliefs of the period into Mrs. O'Leary's actions as she takes care of her boarders as is proper for a Victorian Lady. The Aliens are most inventive. Although not addressed, I am concerned that one Alien resembles a Cow, it's Chicago, and we are dealing with a Mrs. O'Leary. This bodes trouble in a future book.
March 4, 2021
These were just funny, short, Sci-Fi, boardinghouse matron-alien romps set at the turn of the century in Chicago. I mean that sentence is enough, really.
This was an unexpected and delightful little find, and the aliens all have quirky personalities ... as they should ... as does Mrs. O’Leary.
A few small editing issues, nothing worth whining about.
Loved the creativity, fun storytelling ... somehow always left wanting a little more. I look forward to seeing progress in the next two books of the series.
3.8 rating.
Worth the read.
This was an unexpected and delightful little find, and the aliens all have quirky personalities ... as they should ... as does Mrs. O’Leary.
A few small editing issues, nothing worth whining about.
Loved the creativity, fun storytelling ... somehow always left wanting a little more. I look forward to seeing progress in the next two books of the series.
3.8 rating.
Worth the read.
June 2, 2020
Aliens are the most interesting boarders
Mrs. O'Leary finds aliens make better boarders. They are quiet, and pay well, and their needs are few. Well, there are those pesky slugs she has to cook for the octopus-like creature in the second bathroom, but all and all, they are easy to handle. There are times, though, when she has to take a hand to rescue a lost heir or prevent an murder. What else should a respectable landlady do?
Mrs. O'Leary finds aliens make better boarders. They are quiet, and pay well, and their needs are few. Well, there are those pesky slugs she has to cook for the octopus-like creature in the second bathroom, but all and all, they are easy to handle. There are times, though, when she has to take a hand to rescue a lost heir or prevent an murder. What else should a respectable landlady do?
February 27, 2018
A comfortable read
For the days you are tired of the graphic violence and sex. Great characters with distinctive and delightful details. I hope this author continues in a second book. There are many things that could be expanded on or developed into further storylines. My thanks to the author for sharing, please continue.
For the days you are tired of the graphic violence and sex. Great characters with distinctive and delightful details. I hope this author continues in a second book. There are many things that could be expanded on or developed into further storylines. My thanks to the author for sharing, please continue.
May 16, 2018
What an interesting story,!
This is well written and the plot is unique! To have a person so intimately involved with aliens in such a different way -I really enjoyed the way the story was crafted. I hated to see the book end, and would like to read another book with !more of the same story line!!
This is well written and the plot is unique! To have a person so intimately involved with aliens in such a different way -I really enjoyed the way the story was crafted. I hated to see the book end, and would like to read another book with !more of the same story line!!
July 24, 2018
Great read
Slyly humorous and inventive collection of short stories that revolve around Mrs. O’Leary’s somewhat unusual, but always (almost always) respectable tenants. Looking forward to reading more, although I am a bit concerned about the not-really-a-cow cow in the barn. Just have a feeling that could end badly for Chicago.
Slyly humorous and inventive collection of short stories that revolve around Mrs. O’Leary’s somewhat unusual, but always (almost always) respectable tenants. Looking forward to reading more, although I am a bit concerned about the not-really-a-cow cow in the barn. Just have a feeling that could end badly for Chicago.
August 5, 2019
A Wonderful, Well-Crafted Set of Tales
Katie O’Leary is a credit to our human species, and a delightful example of the best human traits. Read this book which reminds me of The Widget, the Wadget and the Boff by Theodore Strugeon. If you enjoy science fiction with a sense of humor, I strongly recommend this book to you.
Katie O’Leary is a credit to our human species, and a delightful example of the best human traits. Read this book which reminds me of The Widget, the Wadget and the Boff by Theodore Strugeon. If you enjoy science fiction with a sense of humor, I strongly recommend this book to you.
September 12, 2019
Real MONSTERS are here in Chicago!!!
I enjoyed these short stories about the boarding house for aliens. Katie is a feisty lady who really watches out for her borders. I think this would make a good TV series (along the style of "Star Wars") 6 6 with a weekly episode about one of the clients.
I enjoyed these short stories about the boarding house for aliens. Katie is a feisty lady who really watches out for her borders. I think this would make a good TV series (along the style of "Star Wars") 6 6 with a weekly episode about one of the clients.
October 22, 2020
SF for young and properly aged.
At my age I still enjoy a well written simple story. These remind me of an old series about Space Cat and his adventures in the solar system. They will be great reading for and to the under 12 and over 60 crowd as well as those who enjoy a gentle story with both a Steam Punk and SF flavor.
At my age I still enjoy a well written simple story. These remind me of an old series about Space Cat and his adventures in the solar system. They will be great reading for and to the under 12 and over 60 crowd as well as those who enjoy a gentle story with both a Steam Punk and SF flavor.
April 14, 2021
A Clever Read
These stories of Mrs. O’Leary’s alien boarding house were surprising, satisfying and clever. W. F. Halsey has molded characters to care and wonder about- whether they be snakes, cats, octopi, the indescribable or people. The alien and human lives play out on the unlikely backdrop of a boarding house, but this house is addicting, and makes return visits- mandatory.
These stories of Mrs. O’Leary’s alien boarding house were surprising, satisfying and clever. W. F. Halsey has molded characters to care and wonder about- whether they be snakes, cats, octopi, the indescribable or people. The alien and human lives play out on the unlikely backdrop of a boarding house, but this house is addicting, and makes return visits- mandatory.
March 11, 2023
a fun read!
This group of short stories introduces Mrs. O’Leary and the alien guests she welcomes to her boarding house. The stories tie together, and I read them all at one sitting, but you could enjoy them one at a time. I’m looking forward to meeting more of her interstellar guests!
This group of short stories introduces Mrs. O’Leary and the alien guests she welcomes to her boarding house. The stories tie together, and I read them all at one sitting, but you could enjoy them one at a time. I’m looking forward to meeting more of her interstellar guests!
February 16, 2019
A fun group of stories
This story collection was very enjoyable. With this being about Mrs. O’Leary and set in Chicago, I do expect to have a story about Mrs. O’Leary’s cow and a fire No such luck. Mrs. O’Leary is a fun character, and the stories are unique.
This story collection was very enjoyable. With this being about Mrs. O’Leary and set in Chicago, I do expect to have a story about Mrs. O’Leary’s cow and a fire No such luck. Mrs. O’Leary is a fun character, and the stories are unique.
November 10, 2019
I very much enjoyed this unusual setting and the characters. Perhaps the cow-alien in the barn was my favorite, but it's hard to be sure. They were all so very different and appealing in different ways. For once, a series turned out the way I might have wanted at the end, too!
May 19, 2020
No lantern in the shed
I selected Halsey's book because I was looking for
different . I wasn't disappointed .The stories are delightful.
Humorous without being silly or juvenile .
I selected Halsey's book because I was looking for
different . I wasn't disappointed .The stories are delightful.
Humorous without being silly or juvenile .
February 12, 2021
Good start
This was an interesting book. I think the characters need to be fleshed out more and brought to life a little more but the series has promise. I'm definitely going to read the next one.
This was an interesting book. I think the characters need to be fleshed out more and brought to life a little more but the series has promise. I'm definitely going to read the next one.
February 28, 2023
Whimsical Early Urban Fantasy
What if Mrs. OLeary's cow was an alien?
Mrs. OLeary is a lighthearted read that will make you smile. I will be looking for book two, and hoping for more visits from the Imperial Cats.
What if Mrs. OLeary's cow was an alien?
Mrs. OLeary is a lighthearted read that will make you smile. I will be looking for book two, and hoping for more visits from the Imperial Cats.
February 11, 2018
A wonderful story!
I hope there will be more stories about Mrs. O'Leary's Boarding house. This was a fun story to read. I look forward to more.
I hope there will be more stories about Mrs. O'Leary's Boarding house. This was a fun story to read. I look forward to more.
August 28, 2018
Funny and kind of sweet
These short stories about Mrs. OLeary were fun to read. The trials and tribulations of keeping a clearinghouse for aliens.
These short stories about Mrs. OLeary were fun to read. The trials and tribulations of keeping a clearinghouse for aliens.
May 29, 2021
Charming novella. Collection of short stories, really. Light on events, rich in imagination. Some awful typos, though.
October 11, 2022
Delightful read!
A delightful read, well thought out storyline, enjoyable characters this book is a pleasant diversion. I shall be ordering the next in this series.
A delightful read, well thought out storyline, enjoyable characters this book is a pleasant diversion. I shall be ordering the next in this series.
May 15, 2023
Aliens under your roof!
I really liked it. Good stories of alien visitors to 1800s Chicago. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
I really liked it. Good stories of alien visitors to 1800s Chicago. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
August 21, 2014
When I think of aliens, I think little green men exiting a spaceship. Not so in Mrs. O’Leary’s Boarding House Aliens Only. Here aliens come in all forms including a cockroach, a kitten, a butterfly, and slime. A collection of five short stories set in Chicago in 1860, Mrs. O’Leary deals with alien guests with human problems. Each tenant had a different reason for being on earth and had an interesting story that ties back to the landlord. The characters were likable and described in a way that made you forget they were not human. It did not go unnoticed that one of the aliens was a cow living in Mrs. O’Leary’s barn and makes you wonder if there was something outside of our universe whose intent was to start The Great Chicago Fire.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews