Tags
Anton Schellenbauer Alternberg, Austria, Castle Altenburg, Castle of the Thousand Passions, Catherine Cavendish, Cleopatra, Horror, Kensington Press, New book, Schloss Altenburg
Castle of the Thousand Passions by Catherine Cavendish.
Castle of the Thousand Passions by Catherine Cavendish.
‘I have set a large part of Waking the Ancients in Vienna, Austria where many ghosts and restless spirits walk among the verdant parks and lavish palaces. But Austrian ghosts do not confine themselves to their nation’s imperial capital. They can be found in towns, cities, villages and the depths of the countryside all over this beautiful land.
Also known as Schloss Altenburg, Schloss Tausendlust (Castle of the Thousand Passions) was built in the second half of the 16th century by Alexander Rüdt von Khollenburg, although it is first mentioned as a farm in the earlier part of that century. It is likely there was an earlier medieval castle on the site but this has not been excavated and today the house is a private residence. It changed hands a number of times over the centuries, belonging to Adam Gabelkhofer in 1605 and passing to his daughter, who sold the estate in 1650 to Christof Rudolf Freiherr von Eibiswald. He gave it back a year later, unable to make a living from the small income supplied by winemaking.
The Haydegg family acquired it and sold it in 1740 and there were more changes of ownership until, in 1790, Anton Schellenbauer Alternberg acquired it. He hailed from Lower Austria and had acquired extreme wealth and a noble title. He also had a reputation for appalling cruelty to his farmers and labourers.
Official history states that he was caught in 1817, arrested and charged with fraud, and was stripped of his nobility, dying in detention in 1829.
But legends go further.
It is said that, one night, his abused workers decided enough was enough. They stormed the house and Schellenbauer hid in the closet. His valet told them where he could be found and they hauled him out. He had hidden from them for years, now they would have their revenge. Using four oxen, they set about tearing him limb from limb.
It is his ghost who, to this day, haunts the small castle. He is most frequently seen near that same closet, which contains a secret passageway or in the castle grounds. Especially on stormy nights.
Following the demise of Schellenbauer, the castle’s fortunes declined sharply. Lightning had destroyed the tower in 1825 and by 1878, most of the castle had fallen into ruin and it was used solely as a winery. It was eventually purchased by the Nyary family in 1903 and an inscription of 1911 above the family coat of arms, shows that major rebuilding began then, and included the construction of a bell tower, under which a chapel was built.
Today, following yet more extensive renovation under its current owners, its beautiful grounds are particularly noted for the magnificent magnolia trees, which bloom in spring. The castle lies on the hill between the villages of Hitzendorf and Berndorf and provides a delightful sight for passers-by.
As for the ghost, the current owners are keeping quiet.
The same cannot be said for Dr. Emeryk Quintillus…
Waking the Ancients
Legacy In Death
Egypt, 1908
University student Lizzie Charters accompanies her mentor, Dr. Emeryk Quintillus, on the archeological dig to uncover Cleopatra’s tomb. Her presence is required for a ceremony conducted by the renowned professor to resurrect Cleopatra’s spirit—inside Lizzie’s body. Quintillus’s success is short-lived, as the Queen of the Nile dies soon after inhabiting her host, leaving Lizzie’s soul adrift . . .
Vienna, 2018
Paula Bancroft’s husband just leased Villa Dürnstein, an estate once owned by Dr. Quintillus. Within the mansion are several paintings and numerous volumes dedicated to Cleopatra. But the archeologist’s interest in the Egyptian empress deviated from scholarly into supernatural, infusing the very foundations of his home with his dark fanaticism. And as inexplicable manifestations rattle Paula’s senses, threatening her very sanity, she uncovers the link between the villa, Quintillus, and a woman named Lizzie Charters.
And a ritual of dark magic that will consume her soul . . .
You can find Waking the Ancients here:
‘I have read all of Catherine Cavendish’s books. In addition to writing the kind of horror I love, she has a real knack for blending past and present. And this first part of this new series does not disappoint, opening and closing with the kind of spine-tingling bang where you just know that for her characters horror is everywhere and there’s no escaping it no matter how hard you run.
Pity poor sensible, not easily frightened, Adeline Ogilvie who not only has the misfortune to be a descendant of Cleopatra, but comes to realise there’s something nasty in the basement and that something might be the very person she’s related to. Then there’s Cleopatra’s one true love and it’s not the men history shows her to have been involved with either. Dr. Emeryk Quintillus will stop at nothing to resurrect his queen. And nothing will stop him.
That’s as many spoilers as I’m giving but I will add that not only does Catherine Cavendish effortlessly blend past and present, giving us all kinds of insights into ancient Egypt, her stomping ground for this book is early twentieth century Vienna, the coffee houses, the streets, the historical figures who graced them.
Bring on part two.’
About the Author:
Following a varied career in sales, advertising and career guidance, Catherine Cavendish is now the full-time author of a number of paranormal, ghostly and Gothic horror novels, novellas and short stories. Cat’s novels include the Nemesis of the Gods trilogy – Wrath of the Ancients, Waking the Ancients and Damned by the Ancients, plus The Devil’s Serenade, The Pendle Curse and Saving Grace Devine. She lives with her long-suffering husband, and a black cat who has never forgotten that her species used to be worshipped in ancient Egypt. She sees no reason why that practice should not continue. Cat and her family divide their time between Liverpool and a 260-year-old haunted apartment in North Wales.
You can connect with Cat here:
Who needs a shredder when your pets eat manuscripts? Best wishes for your book Catherine.
Who needs a anything when they eat it all anyway xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Was that comment an extract from The Locust Diaries?
The Hamstah ones. x
That is so true, Mike. I’ll send my early drafts to Shey. That’ll keep the little critters fed for a bit. Thank you for your kind wishes 🙂
Sounds as fascinating as the first one, Cat. I love Gothic excesses and wish you fantastic success with it. Great post, Shey. (Whisper in BB’s cute little ear under all that gorgeous green woolliness that I will be in the castle woodshed!)
Mah dear Katey
Ah is on mah them there way fast as may furry paws kin get me there.
Love
Bobby B x
Cat’s books are always splendidly Gothic. Lovely to see you Kate . (The money is in the post.) Seriously xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you so much, Kate. Now what’s all this about you and Bobby Bub? Tut! Tut!
Ssssshh, Cat!
Oh Kate is the love of his life after the green hat and the gingerbread house of course. They have Paris you know! x
Ah yes. They will always have Paris…
Move over Bobey and Bergman for Laville and Kate. Oh yeah. xxxxxxxx
Me and B.B. in Paris ….. Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world he walks into mine!
Ha ha. Love it x
Now Katey, yah well knows yah walked inta mine wantin tah see mah green hat an what was undah it..
Love
Bobby B.
https://t.co/Y7N27Y647z Mr Militant xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx for the reblog
Many thanks from me too!
https://t.co/eCCem85qCb Michael thank you for the reblog of the reblog x
Thank you very much! 🙂
Good job, dudes!
Thank you! 🙂
Good luck with the book, Cat!
Thank you Dolly. x
My pleasure, dear Shey! Always fun to see what the dudes are up to.
Sounds fun!
Thank you 🙂
Leslie, Cat is excellent gothic fare x
A great post Shey and a great Introduction to Cat. Here latest work sounds so intriguing and I liked learning about the basis of it in the Castle of a Thousand Passions
Paul, thank you. Cat, like you, is very dear for many reasons. Now, I think her real ‘passion’ here is Cleopatra. Maybe not. But I love the fact they are still saying ‘Has Cleo’s tomb been found? And this trilogy is based not so much on a life long search by thenot so good doctor, as an obsession beyond that actual tomb. So yes, intriguing x
That is the heart of all obsession isn’t it Shey. The object of obsession that becomes so all devouring in and of itself it is not the thing that drives the obsessed. The true source of obsession lies deep in the psyche in so many fractured parts scattered through the personality it takes a novel or even a series of novels to draw them out and expose them in all their seediness and agony. This series sounds cool!
Thank you, Paul. Much appreciated
My pleasure cat. Best Paul
Ooooo, sounds like my kind of distraction! 👻😳😝
Sistah… I think it might be. I have it on order xxx
I hope so, pjlazos 🙂
Got my copy ……. x
Woohoo!
Oooooooooooooo, creepy crawly histories–love them! I bet the hamstah dudes would behave themselves if they were told they had to live in THAT castle… 😉
They’d probably just eat it stone by stone. Cat always has such fabulous histories. Cat, you should put out a non fiction of them all
Oooo, that would be neat!
I don’t know if you’ve visited her blog Jean but there’s a ton of great hauntings on it. And when Cat has a new book , a ton of guest blogs like this one xx
I think the hammies would frighten the ghosts away. They wouldn;t dare mess with Bobby Bub when he’s got his dander up!
Yeah he gets tough. Then there’s Silv….. She brings out the baseball bat xx
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
Vielen Dank!
Ich danke fürs posten. LG Michael
I know you reblogged it on Die Erste too Michael xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tolle! Vielen Dank, Michael!
Shey, I wasn’t sure the Dudes were going to let you do the interview with all their turmoil! 😀 Glad they did! I loved learning about the Schloss/Castle, its history and haunted background. Despite the sunny day outside, I’m sure my room darkened suddenly and I shivered! A terrific backdrop for a novel and I wish Cat best of luck with her latest book! Now … when do we get to see the Dudes doing their cossack dance?! 😀
Oh there’s some pics of the General dancing I must bring out. it looked bloody painful frankly. Cat always has such amazing tales to tell, she never disappoints. But the dudes alas are not the best of friends with poor Cat. Noelle Clark either. xxxxx
Oh no, not Noelle either! I think you interviewed Noelle a while ago and on the back of that I bought her book. I read ‘Stone of Heaven and Earth’ over Easter and was totally enthralled, reading it in 24-hours, transported to China and the era. Fabulous.
That’s great Annika. yes they fell out with Noelle after she invited them to her blog and asked them not to interrupt or whine.
Thank you so much, Annika 🙂
How nice to learn more about Catherine! I do think those hamstahs need a bit of quiet time… I’m a little scared myself… 😉
Dearest Christy, we are the most gentle, kind little hamster, anyone could wish for. We do not know how anyone could think otherwise of us.
Love
The kindly dudes
They was well told xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you, Christy. I think i got off quite lightly with the dudes this time around 🙂
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
It is a while since I featured The Dudes.. and for that I am truly sorry (I have sent them a care package of nuts and chocolate) however today they are celebrating the latest release of Catherine Cavendish Wrath of the Ancients in their usual style (vodka and Cossack dancing). Shehanne Moore is the ringmaster.. one word from her and they do exactly what they like….#recommended
Sally, thank you so very much. Greatly appreciated xxxxxxx
Pleasure Shey… hugs xxx
Thank you very much, Sally. i really appreciate this
Lovely to see a post from the Dudes, Shey, and learn about Catherine and her books. Those little fella’s are certainly full of helpful advice.
Well… I dunno re that. They sure are full of something. Seriously, sure they will get back to putting more posts out again soon as. Catherine’s a great author pal. Has been since the start. x
Thank you. They certainly are full of…advice 😉
Looks a fascinating read. Congrat to Cat on her new release. And dudes . . . you gotta lay off the vodka for awhile. LOLLLLLLLLLL 🙂 xoxoxoxo Hugs!
We never touch a drop.
Love
the sober dues hic
x
Lollllllllllllllllllllllll 🙂 xxxxxxxxxxx
Sortah anyways x
Thank you Debs, I do love Cat’s books. Just don’t tell the dudes. x
My lips are sealed! 🙂 xxxx
Silence is golden x
Thank you, Debs. As for vodka, I think Bobby Bub is brewing up a batch in his tin bath…
Dearest Cat
While we don’t wish to tell tales, we feel duty bound to. It’s not in his bath it’s beneath his green hat.
Love
The dutiful dudes
x
I think you could be right Cat! LOL 🙂
This post ended a little too soon for me. Aside from the Dudes being at the top of their game, I was really into Cat’s book and wanted more. Guess I’ll just have to buy it 🙂 Congratulations to Cat and wishing her all the best with her new book. Happy weekend and hugs to all! ❤️
AW. Cat has some great real spooky stories on her blog and she is on tour right now where she is sharing more. She really should put out a non fiction as well, given the sheer amount she does for every book and how they are not the best known. I have read all her books. Very horror ‘traditional’ which is what I like as opposed to slasher style. I have this one downloaded and will start next. Lovely to see you Tina x
Vampire stories are the ones that really grab me. I think it must have something to do with lust 🙂 ❤️
Lol, Tina, yir a bad lassie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you so much, Tina! I love to leave my readers wanting more 😉
You always do xxx
readin’
& eatin’
’em 🙂
Ooo-err! 🙂
Now…. Don’t you eat them dudes xxxx
I love ghostly gothic tales! Though sometimes they’re so scary I need a good amount of vodka and Cossack dancing to comfort me 🙂 Congrats on the new book, Catherine!
And Congrats on yours Carolee.. Been up to here but it is on my TBR pile , truly. I think vodka and Cossack dancing is no bad at all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you, Carolee!
These books sound wonderful, just the kind of horror I like too. I agree with the hamsters, they should have made vodka instead of wine. xxx
I like Cat’s books cos they are my kind of horror. The Pendle Curse is my all time fav cos she takes a known story yet has the reader flipping the pages because of what she does with it. Now off to get the hammies off the voddie xxxxxxxxx
oh no, I hope they’re not messing up the place. xxx
Dancing wildly xxxxx
Thank you, Adele. We’d better whisper though, because I fear the hammies have hangovers…
Us? Not at al. Raise your glass
The hiccupping dudes xxx
I see, ‘hair of the dog’ and all that…
The hair was delicious, so was the dog.
Love
the dudes/
That new novel of Catherine’s sounds so freaky …I’m trembling in my boots. But I fear it doesn’t have a happy ending, so I’ll have to be feeling extra strong to read it. On my reading list for when the sun is shining.
Oh, Cat’s endings are pretty scary. She ain’t the mistress of horror for nothing, Sarah, so yeah you need strong boots to contain the trembling. The quacking, as the dudes call it, getting a bit mixed up. Sun is finally shining here today but it’s still freezing xxxx
Sun here, too, Shey, but the wind is extremely nippy. Was only 3 degrees when I first got up this morning. I think the old expression, “Ne’er cast a clout ’til May is out” still holds true.
The wind is freezing here. lovely sun but with such a cold edge x
The sun is shining here, Sarah. Hope it’s soon shining where you are too 😉 🙂
Today, it is 🙂 🙂
Sounds intriguing. Nice review.
I am a big fan of Cat. The review was for her last book, the first in this trilogy. Can’t wait to see how it all ends Cath xxxxxxx
Thank you, Cath 🙂
I haven’t read any horror for a while… this sounded very engaging, shall go and follow Catherine.
Catherine is well worth following. She’s on a blog tour just now and as ever, has some amazing posts. I love her own blog. She always finds the long forgotten story. And yep, I love her books. xxx
Back for another read after seeing this one on my Twitter feed ⭐ Keep shining, sweet Shey xx
Aw, lovely to see you Christy. I does love a good scary tale xxxxxxx
Oh yes. That is quite a book. Wonderful to see the trailer Superduque xxxxx for posting it
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you, Superduque!
Wow! This book sounds awesome!!! I enjoyed the delivery as well, Shey! and super congrats to you again, Shey! And to you both! my best regards ❤ Love the title and the book lets me know why i am drawn to Vienna the last few years… so maybe I'll read this before I get there in person. I really didn't get a close look here, but what I did see really is 'wow – neat.'
I hope you do get there in person Ka. I know Cat loves Vienna and she has brought it to life for me in her first book in this series. The ancient world too. Hope you are good. nice to see you back blogging again too. Missed you xxxxxxx
❤
I am now in love with these Austrian names.😊
Amazing aren’t they ?
They really are and so is your way of writing.😊. And I feel sorry for the poor guy. Four oxen.
You will have to visit that castle x