Welcome to Tyndale Fiction’sRoad Trip Scavenger Hunt! We’re so happy you are here. To participate, collect the key words through all 13 stops in order, so you can enter to win our grand prize giveaway!
Some details:
- The adventure begins on Wednesday, August 1. You’ll have two weeks to make your way through all the stops (giveaways will close on Tuesday, August 14).
- While you do not have to start at Stop #1, keep in mind that the grand prize giveaway phrase will begin with the word you collect at that first stop.
- To complete your submission for the grand prize giveaway, be sure to collect the key word within each author’s blog post, submitting the final, completed phrase in the form hosted on this page.
- Also, be sure to enter the giveaways these authors are hosting on their blogs!
Enjoy the journey—we hope you’ll discover new books along the way as you hear from Tyndale Fiction authors about road trips, the settings of their novels, and more!
Happy road tripping!
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I am so pleased to welcome my friend and fellow Tyndale author Melanie Dobson to my blog today. Melanie’s July release is a WWII time-slip story called Hidden Among the Stars, about hidden treasure, a castle, and ordinary people who resisted evil in their own extraordinary way. Publishers Weekly gave it high remarks, calling it “an exciting tale” that“will please fans of time-jump inspirational fiction.” Melanie’s capacity for research, eye for detail, and skill with imagery will convince you that she’s visited every place she writes about—and many she has, including the Austrian castle in this story! Welcome, Melanie!
Author Melanie Dobson
Hallstatt’s Hiding Places
By Melanie Dobson
Melanie & Jon Backpacking
Backpacking across Europe—that’s how my husband, Jon, and I decided to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary. We savored the old-world culture and charm as we hiked along Italy’s coast, toured medieval castles in Germany, and cruised the canals in Belgium, but we both left a bit of our hearts in an ancient Austrian town called Hallstatt.
Near the end of our monthlong trip, a ferryboat met Jon and me and our oversized packs at a train station along Hallstättersee (Lake Hallstatt), delivering us to the village on the opposite shore. Hallstatt’s wooden boathouses and storybook homes seemed to be clinging to the side of an Austrian Alp, and the moment we stepped off the ferry, we crossed through a portal of sorts, traveling back a few centuries as we walked along a cobblestone lane to the town square. The rugged, snow-capped mountains and alpine lake, the quaint village with its church steeples and waterfall that spilled into town—all of it captivated us.
Austria
Along the shore, hidden partially by trees, we could see spires of an abandoned castle, and I wanted to know its story. No one in Hallstatt could tell us who’d lived in the castle—at least, not in English—so my husband agreed to a new adventure. With a swan as our escort, we glided across the lake in an electric boat so I could study the rusty turrets, boarded windows, and old boathouse resting in the water like a felled log.
Instead of quelling my curiosity, the visit ignited the match of inspiration in my mind. Who had lived in this castle and what happened there? I began writing in my journal that night, trying to capture my rogue thoughts on paper, hoping that one day a novel would emerge from the ashes of this castle’s story.
Austria
When we returned home, I began researching more of Hallstatt’s history and discovered that this region, in all of its beauty and mystique, had been infiltrated by an enemy in 1938. This town and the surrounding Salzkammergut became a mountain retreat for Nazi officials who built mansions on the shores of its many lakes and tested submarines in the deep water. They also used salt mines in the mountains to hide “ownerless treasure,” the gold bullion and artwork they’d stolen from the Jewish people.
The Nazis intended to build a Fourth Reich in this alpine fortress, but the Allies had other plans. Near the end of the war, these lakes became a dustbin of sorts, collecting whatever the enemy dumped into their waters—weapons, counterfeit banknotes, concentration camp lists—as they fled south from the Allied troops. The Devil’s Dustbin, locals call it.
Lake Hallstatt plunges more than four hundred feet between the mountains. Because of its depth and the many hiding places in the underwater forests, caves, and shifting sands, divers continue finding World War II artifacts, almost eighty years after the war. Some still believe there’s a treasure trove buried on the bottom, but no one has reported finding any gold.
Austria
As the years passed after our trip—and access to online material grew—I was able to find out more about Schloss Grub, the medieval castle on Lake Hallstatt’s shore. One of its first owners was an eccentric salt administrator named Count Christoph Eyssel von Eysselsberg who stated in his will that his casket must journey across the lake every fifty years, from Hallstatt’s village church to his former home. During World War II, I discovered, this estate was used as a Hitler Youth camp, but my imagination had to fill in many gaps about what happened there after Austria was annexed into Nazi Germany.
Much has been written about World War II treasure since Jon and I visited Hallstatt, but a story about this castle and what happened to the heirlooms of the Austrian Jewish people continued to burn inside me until I finally put it on paper. So I built Schloss Schwansee—Castle of Swan Lake—in my mind, inspired by Eysselsberg’s story, and created a cast of historical and contemporary characters who are searching for lost treasure.
Hidden Among the Starsis a time-slip novel about an Austrian castle and treasure and fairy tales, but most of all, it’s a story about God using ordinary people across Austria to resist evil in their own extraordinary way.
Melanie in Austria
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Here’s the Stop #9 Important Information:
- You can purchase Melanie’s book, Hidden Among the Stars, here. (link: https://www.tyndale.com/search?q=hidden+among+the+stars&f= }
- Clue to write down: and
- Link to Stop #10, the next stop in the scavenger hunt, on Melanie’s Site!{link:http://melaniedobson.com/road-trippin-with-tyndale-and-courtney-walsh-stop10}
—————
Cathy Gohlke’s Giveaway from Until We Find Home — a book from England, depicting the lovely and story inspiring home of Beatrix Potter, a tea towel with a beloved quote from C. S. Lewis, and a signed copy of Until We Find Home. To Enter the Drawing, leave a comment that includes the answer to this question from Melanie’s post above: What was the object that the eccentric Count Christoph Eyssel von Eysselsberg stated in his will must journey across the lake every fifty years, from Hallstatt’s village church to his former home?
Link: http://www.sandrabyrd.com/road-trippin-with-tyndale-and-cathy-gohlke-stop-8/
Comments 186
Eyssel von Eysselsberg’s casket must travel across the lake every fifty years from Hallstatt’s village church to his former home.
Oh my goodness! What beautiful pictures. These roadtrip posts are certainly opening my eyes to the beauty of God’s creation even more. Thanks for sharing, Melanie. (Not an entry).
Thank you, Renee! I’m so glad you enjoyed the pictures. It was such a magical plac.
I haven’t read any of melanie dobson’s books yet but now I am definitely going to start. The count christophs casket was supposed to travel across the lake every fifty years.
You will love Melanie’s books, Lisa!
Beautiful scenery! The will stated his casket must journey across the lake every fifty years.
The Count’s casket must journey across the lake every 50 years – thanks!
Beautiful pictures. The answer is his casket. I’m looking forward to reading your book!
Thanks, Kailey! I really hope you enjoy the story.
His casket! These photos are absolutely stunning! I hope to visit someplace like this one day. 🙂
Thank you, Angel! I hope you able to visit a place just like this one day.
His casket!
The count’s casket must journey across the lake every fifty years (ewww). I can’t wait to read this story you wrote based on his Castle! Beautiful pictures!
Thanks so much, Brenda! I thoroughly enjoyed writing it. 🙂
I’m sure if you enjoyed writing it, it will be evident while reading it. I love history! Even fictional history, lol.
His casket!
This post made me so homesick!! We lived in Vienna for a year and a half, and took a weekend trip to Hallstatt. It was such a magical trip and it was during that weekend I really fell in love with Austria.
He stated that his casket must cross the lake. 🙂
Thank you for the giveaway!
Count Christoph Eyssel von Eysselsberg who stated in his will that his casket must journey across the lake every fifty years, from Hallstatt’s village church to his former home
His casket. What an interesting way to celebrate your anniversary. Congratulations!
His casket. Beautiful pictures!! Wow!
His casket (he really is eccentric!). Glorious photos and a trip of a lifetime. Thanks for sharing.
Count Christoph Eyssel von Eysselsberg casket
Oh, that is such a beautiful area! I love that places in Europe have such a complex, rich history! And crazy Count Eysselsberg seriously thought that people should be moving his casket every fifty years? That’s just bizarre! Haha
His casket must cross the lake every 50 years!
His casket!
The pictures are beautiful. You are a new author for me and looking forward to reading your books. I’ve heard your name as a wonderful author but “Until We Find Home” is calling my name to read. I love WWII historical romance. My father served in WWII infantry under General Patton.
I so hope you enjoy my books, Pat. WWII and its many stories calls my name, too. : )
His Casket!
His casket. That’s a really interesting request. Looking forward to reading your book!
What a beautiful place, definitely adding it to my “to visit” list. The Vount’s casket was to make the journey every 50 years.
His casket
The answer is his casket.
His casket.
he Count’s casket must journey across the lake every 50 years. Thank you for the opportunity to enter!
PS – I’m looking forward to adding your books to my TBR list Cathy!
Thank you, Mandy! I hope you enjoy them!
The Count wanted his casket to travel across the lake every 50 years.
His casket. Thanks for the opportunity!
What a lovely group of pictures and info!
The answer is his casket must travel across the lake!
His casket
his casket
this post, your trip, all of it, is so intriguing to me! I’d love to do a trip of this sort sometime
Oh my goodness what beautiful pictures!! I especially love the one with the swan in the lake, those houses on the cliff look like ones I’d love to explore…wow! Thanks for sharing your backpacking adventure with us 🙂
The Counts casket must travel across the lake every fifty years. Can you imagine that? 🙂 Thanks for the extra giveaway and super fun post!
His casket had to make the trip, how interesting.
His casket needed to be taken across the lake every 50 years??! Bizarre. But let’s talk about Austria – wow, what an amazing country. We spent one day in Salzburg on our way to Mauthausen concentration camp and left our hearts there. What was supposed to be just a stop in a larger 18 day tour across Europe ended up being our favourite city and country. We all want to go back!
His casket
That his casket must journey across the lake every fifty years, from Hallstatt’s village church to his former home.
The count’s casket must journey across the lake every 50 years. That is certainly eccentric!
His Casket.
Thanks!
The count’s casket was to travel every 50 years! I wonder if they do this? I was born and raised in Austria, and I surely don’t know! I hope to read Melanie’s book soon! I would love to read your book too, Cathy, as it sounds delightful. Thanks for the chance to win!
I hope you can enjoy both books soon, Kirsten. Since you were born and raised in Austria, I know you’ll especially enjoy Melanie’s book!
His casket
His casket – so creepy! And weird. Those pictures and the history behind this story, though, are enchanting! I absolutely must read this book!
His casket. What an interesting stipulation in his will!
Such beautiful Photos! The casket. I need to read this book.
His casket. Beautiful pictures!
His Casket. Wow, these are the most beautiful photos!
The count’s casket must travel every 50 across the lake. I wonder what his reasoning was for that stipulation?
*50 years
His casket.
His casket – what an odd request!!
His casket!!! 😲
What a hidden gem of stories!!! (Another book is added to my TRL!!! 😁)
I LOVE hearing how this book came to be!
His casket! So strange!
The Count’s Casket must journey across the lake.
It was his casket that must journey across the lake every 50 years.
I loooove these pictures of Austria, its a long term goal of mine to visit there someday.
The casket must embark on the journey…..how morbid! But a very interesting story, nonetheless. I always enjoy Cathy’s books and particularly appreciate those with the WWII theme…as my parents were a young married couple then, with many stories to later tell me.
Thank you, Cathy, I’m so glad you enjoy my stories. I’m working on the edits now for another WWII story–this one set mostly in Poland but ending in England. It will release next June. You’d love Melanie’s novels–they’re wonderful!
His casket must journey across the lake every fifty years.
That his casket must journey across the lake every fifty years, from Hallstatt’s village church to his former home
His casket.
His casket. Austria is beautiful.
His casket had to be taken across the lake. Yikes! The pictures of Hallstatt are gorgeous! It’s one of my favorite places, too. I was able to visit there a few years ago. This post brings back such great memories.
Beautiful pictures! I admire the fact that you backpacker across Europe!
Ah yes, the County’s casket. Fasinating!
His casket
His Casket was to be taken across the lake.
Thanks for the opportunity!
Eysselsberg stated that his casket must journey across the lake every fifty years.
His casket must journey across the lake every 50 yrs
The count’s will stated that his casket must travel across the lake every fifty years. Way to get oneself remembered by posterity.
His casket had to cross the lake every 50 years.
The object is his casket.
hahahaha wow! They have to transport his casket! Isn’t that something?! Those images were so stunning! I’m sure Melanie and her husband had an incredible time!
His casket
His casket. I don’t usually enjoy time slip novels but I’m intrigued with this story!
his casket
His casket
Thanks for the giveaway! He wanted his casket to cross the lake. !!!
His casket.
His casket. And what an amazingly enchanting place–with such an interesting history!
His casket! What an interesting blog post, thanks for sharing this!
Beautiful photos & an excellent, enchanting presentation! I had the opportunity to go to Austria during Christmas Break of my Jr year of College. Such a gorgeous place! I’ve been reading other promo material about Hidden Among the Stars & I can’t wait to read it! The will stated his casket must travel back & forth across the lake each year.
The Count’s casket must journey across the lake every 50 years.
The Count’s casket
His casket must journey across the lake.
The count’s casket must journey across the lake. What an odd stipulation. I guess that’s why he was eccentric!
His casket!! Thanks for the opportunity <3
Eysselsberg stated that his casket must journey across the lake every fifty years. Beautiful images by the way!
His casket!
His Casket
His casket
Count Christoph Eyssel von Eysselsberg stated in his will that his casket must journey across the lake every fifty years, from Hallstatt’s village church to his former home.
That is so cool about the count’s casket having to travel across the lake every 50 yrs. You can’t make this stuff up. wow I love history
The answer is his casket!
What beautiful pictures, I would love to be able to go on a trip like that.
His Casket The pictures are beautiful!
I love London!! The answer to the question is: his casket.
How interesting, his casket has to travel across every 50 years! I find history and traditions of the past interesting and odd, too! I am sure found this research interesting when writing this book!
His casket.
His casket. All of these books on the hunt have sounded so good. My TBR list is growing.😀
His casket. I enjoy your books Cathy. Thanks for this giveaway.
His casket. Your books sound so good.
A tisket a “casket” ….an eccentric salt administrator named Count Christoph Eyssel von Eysselsberg who stated in his will that his casket must journey across the lake every fifty years, from Hallstatt’s village church to his former home. Who’s responsible I wonder every half a century and what type of vessel. . .hmmmm.
His casket 😱
Mountains overlooking lakes are God’s way of allowing us to view a little glimpse of heaven on earth. Gorgeous! The Count’s casket must journey across the lake every 50 years.
He wanted his casket taken across the lake. Thanks for the giveaway!
The count declared that his casket must journey across the lake every 50 years. I wonder why?
This was so interesting and intriguing.
His casket. Thanks for the chance.
His casket. Thank you for the chance. Great photos.
Count’s casket
His casket.
The will stated his casket must travel.
His casket.
Sounds like a splendid story!
His casket.
Lovely photos!
His casket
I loved the beautiful pictures!
His casket. Crazy!!! Thanks for the great giveaway!
You are so welcome, Heidi!
Count Christoph Eyssel von Eysselsberg stated that his casket must journey across the lake every 50 years
His casket. Thanks for the great giveaway. My women’s book club recently read Secrets She Kept as one of our selections. We had a great discussion and everyone loved the book.
Debbie, I’m delighted that you and your book club recently read Secrets She Kept and enjoyed it. I loved writing that story and felt so connected to the characters and their stories. God bless!
His Casket thank you for the awesome giveaway1
The casket must Journey every 50 years. Must have been a fun trip for you! My Hubbie and I want to go to Austria some day!
Eyssel von Eysselsberg’s casket must travel across the lake every fifty years from Hallstatt’s village church to his former home.
Melanie, Thank you for sharing your adventure. These photos are beautiful!
His casket. Your book sounds so interesting!
His casket. Your pictures are stunning! Thank you for sharing with us.
“Count Christoph Eyssel von Eysselsberg who stated in his will that his casket must journey across the lake every fifty years, from Hallstatt’s village church to his former home.”
All these places look so amazing!! That is why I love reading books…it’s like you are actually there without having to pay the expense of going when you can’t afford to go.
His casket! What a beautiful setting!
Count Christoph’s casket was to journey across the lake every 50 years.
The pictures are gorgeous – certainly a place worth visiting and a lovely setting for a story 🙂
The count’s casket!
His casket must journey across the lake every fifty years.
Thanks for the chance to win your fabulous giveaway package, Cathy! 🙂
You are so welcome, Alison!
His casket was to journey across the lake from the church to his home.Which begs the question, how did it get back to the church?
The answer is casket. What a beautiful scenery, thank you for sharing!
What a beautiful and amazing place! The answer is casket!
The count’s casket. How neat that there is a book set in Austria, where my family is from.
The counts casket must travel across the lake every 50 years.
The count’s casket must journey across the lake every 50 years.
The photos are so beautiful!
The count’s casket!
The object, my dears, is his casket! Weird!!
His will stated that his casket must journey across the lake every fifty years, from Hallstatt’s village church to his former home.
Weird…and interesting!
His casket!
His casket. Thanks for the bonus giveaway!
Love your beautiful pictures. The count’s casket must travel across the lake every fifty years. Am very interested in reading your book.
His casket! Did it ever get done? He does sound eccentric but, I wonder what his thoughts were behind this. Beautiful pictures, I’m glad you had this experience with your husband!
Thanks, Jessica! The casket did get sent back over the years, but I don’t think they are planning to send it back again. 🙂
Wow, that is amazing! Thanks for replying!
His casket, which is totally weird
His casket.
What beautiful pictures…now I really feel the need to read the story you have written about this castle and the lovely area you visited. It was the count’s casket that must travel across the Lake.
He stipulated that his casket must make the trip. Thanks for the chance to win.
His casket! So unusual!
The casket
Count Christoph Eyssel von Eysselsberg casket
I can’t wait to read your story about the castle. In your pictures, it seems like such a magical place. Maybe someday I will get to visit there–maybe on one of the 50th years when Count Christoph Eyssel von Eysselsberg’s casket journeys across the lake from Hallstatt’s village church to his former home. Thank you for participating in the scavenger hunt. I do enjoy them.
His casket.
His casket
Casket
His casket! What an idea!
The counts casket must travel across the lake .
His casket must journey across the lake every 50 years. What beautiful pictures!
His casket.
Austria is a beautiful place, one I hope to be able to visit one day.
His casket must journey across the lake.
I absolutely love the pictures. The answer is his casket must journey every 50 years across the lake. Thank you for the chance <3
Such a beautiful place! Hope to be able to visit it someday, thank you for sharing about it! And it is his casket that must journey across the lake. 🙂
His casket. Do they really still do that??
The Count’s casket!
The counts casket!
Thank You for the chance
His Casket
His Casket. Because that’s not creepy at all! 🙂
His casket
His casket must travel every 50 years from the church to his home. I wonder if they honor his wishes. 😀
Count Cristoph Eyssel von Eysseleberg’s casket… slightly creepy! I love the pictures in this post.
The Count’s casket must travel across the lake every 50 years.
The photos of Austria are really pretty.
I have visited Lucerne and Salzberg and they are pretty as well.
His casket must journey across the lake every fifty years, from Hallstatt’s village church to his former home. He truly was eccentric.
His casket.
Wow! His casket!
Photos, story, beauty & intriguing! Thank you both!
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