A Trip to French Lick, Indiana

 

This week, my friend and fellow author, E.M. (Elaine) Munsch and I traveled to south central Indiana to visit the little town of French Lick. Best known for being the home of former NBA Boston Celtic, Larry Bird, it's also home to the French Lick Resort and Casino and it's sister hotel, the West Baden Springs Hotel in West Baden, Indiana.

 

While Elaine and I didn't venture into the casino (maybe next time), we did visit a couple other businesses in town. First, we stopped for lunch at 33 Brick Street, a wonderful sports bar and one of my favorite places to eat in town. Autographed sports jerseys and trophies lined the walls and glass display cases. The food was wonderful and so was the service.

 

Next, we went to a quaint little bookstore, Enchanted Haven. We browsed the shelves and talked to one of the owners about books and that we were authors. At this time, they aren't doing any author signings, but when they're ready, we will be, too. We're looking forward to it. Elaine said I was in full author mode while we were there. 😊 

 

Our last stop was at the French Lick Winery & Distillery. The winery/distiller is sort of hidden off of Highway 56, but if you visit, just look behind the McDonald's in West Baden. You can't miss it. I do like both of their French Lick Red and French Lick White wines. On this trip, I purchased a bottle of their French Lick White to take home. Elaine bought two different bottles of their bourbon for someone's bourbon tasting party. It should be a popular item to take.

 

 

Before leaving town, we drove around the grounds of the West Baden Hotel. The notable feature of that hotel is the dome over their atrium. We didn't go in, but I've been there before and it's beautiful inside. The grounds of the West Baden Springs Hotel were gorgeous with all of the flowers in bloom. 

We had such a fun trip to French Lick, we plan to go back again.

Carol 

 

The Star Chamber Show podcast - August 13, 2025

 

I appeared on The Star Chamber Show podcast on PodBean August 13, 2025, where I talked about my books, my screenwritiing, and my latest book, Exposure. I even gave a little glimpse into the next two books in the series. It was a wonderful evening and so much fun. You can find links below where you can listen to the podcast.

 

Podbean 

YouTube

Apple

Spotify

 

Thanks for listening.

Carol 

 

Exposure - A Review

 

I received a wonderful review from author, Marian V. Gosling today. Thank you, Marian for being one of my readers. Book 2, and 3, are in the works.

As book #3 in 3 days of my stack....Read and enjoyed Carol Preflatish's newest work, Exposure, A Coyote Canyon Mystery. I immediately liked hero, Sheriff Sam Winslow. He's not extraordinary in looks, education or physical prowess...just a hometown good guy. I am very impressed with Carol's attention to the details, delays and discovery tactics of small town law enforcement. The plot thickens throughout and I applaud the intricacies and tangents. My only regret was the very abrupt ending. Frustrating, so I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel about Sam, Millie and the Sheriff's office. 

 Among 40+ authors, this book sold out at last week's very busy LaGrange Book Fair. Get yours and become a Carol Preflatish fan...I am."

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If you're interested in reading Exposure, you can find it on Amazon. 

Carol 

  

 

Back to Work

 

Early last week, I sent Avalanche, the second book of the Coyote Canyon Mysteries, to the publisher. I took the rest of the week off from writing, and this week, I'm back at it. On Monday, I started Iced, book 3 in the series. I'm very excited about this new book and the words are flowing smoothly so far.

Another murder has happened in Sheridan County. This time, it's a young woman found in a frozen lake. She's been stabbed and it's up to Sam and his deputies to find the killer. In addition to the murder investigation, Sam is contemplating his run for re-election for sheriff. Complicating things is on again-off again girlfriend, Millie Parker, who loves him and wants him to be safe, but doesn't want him to continue as sheriff.

If you haven't yet read the first book, Exposure, you can find it on Amazon in both paperback and e-book.

Carol 

 

Sheriff Sam Winslow - Exposure, a Coyote Canyon Mystery

 

Sam Winslow, the main character of my new novel, Exposure, a Coyote Canyon Mystery. At age 27, he’s the youngest sheriff ever elected in Colorado. Sam decided on a career in law enforcement by following in his father's footsteps. George Winslow retired from the Colorado State Patrol and now lives in Arizona with Sam’s mother, Ellen.

While earning a degree in law enforcement, Sam first worked for a short time as a hospital security guard, then for the college police department before being hired as a supervisor at the Eagle Mountain Ski Resort in Coyote Canyon. From there, he ran for sheriff and was elected. He is well respected by his deputies and staff.

Sam lives in his childhood home on a mountain overlooking Coyote Canyon.

 

Excerpt from Exposure:

“Do you know Richard Lucero?” Sam asked. He got a whiff of Sheehan’s foul body odor and took a step back.

Sheehan lit a cigarette. “He was a prick and a jerk. Always sticking his nose in where it didn’t belong. He’s dead, right?”

“He is.”

“We worked together here in town and back in Placerville. What about him?” He blew some out.

“I understand he got you the job at Outfitters. Is that right?”

Sheehan took another drag from the cigarette, then turned his head to blow the smoke out. “Yeah.”

“I also understand you two had an argument before his accident. What was that about?” Sam asked.

“Oh, it was nothing. Just something about a guided trip. He thought I’d scalped a customer from him, but the guy had asked for me. We worked it out.” Sheehan took another draw from this cigarette.

“That’s not the way I heard it,” Sam said.

Sheehan stood straighter. “Just who the hell said different?”

“You’ve been in enough trouble to know that I can’t tell you that.”

“You’ve checked me out? You think I had something to do with Rick’s murder, don’t you? We’re done talking.” He turned toward the door.

“Who said it was murder?” Sam asked.

Sheehan stopped and turned back. “Everyone in town is saying he was murdered, but I didn’t do it. I had nothing to do with it.”

“Where were you that night?”

“When did it happen?” Sheehan flicked his half-smoked cigarette out into the yard.

Sam looked at where the cigarette landed, then turned back. “Saturday night, April 7.”

After thinking for several seconds, Sheehan said, “I was at a bar in Cooke.”

Sam took a small notebook out and jotted down a note. “Where do you work?”

“I’m a night janitor at Eagle Mountain Resort.” Sheehan took a step to the edge of the porch to spit.

“Do you know anyone who would want to do harm to Lucero?”

“Nope.” He walked back in front of his door.

“I may have more questions for you later. Thanks for talking with me.”

“Whatever,” Sheehan said, going back into the house.

Sam walked back to his SUV. But first, he stopped in the yard to step on the smoldering cigarette that Sheehan had discarded. 

 

Buy Exposure at Amazon 

Carol 

 

Forest Service Ranger Drew Collins - Exposure, a Coyote Canyon Mystery

 

Today, I’d like to introduce you to Forest Service Ranger, Drew Collins from my Coyote Canyon Mystery Series. Drew appears in the first book, Exposure, and will also be in subsequent books in the series.

Drew is thirty years old, has brown hair, brown eyes, and in the cooler months sports a neatly trimmed beard. He's single, but is interested in dating Jan, one of the baristas at the Java Bar Coffee Shop. His job requires him to be in good physical condition, so he’s slender, but muscular in build. He enjoys hiking and rock climbing in the mountains where he works. After graduating from college with a degree in environmental studies, he started working for the Forest Service and has been a ranger for eight years. He’s been assigned to the San Juan Mountains district, which includes Coyote Canyon, for two years.

 

Excerpt from Exposure:

“Come on. I’ll show you where the body was found,” Sam told Drew.

After they locked the gate to the mine, Drew smoothed the dirt underneath it. “If we come back up here and the dirt is disturbed, we’ll know someone else has been here. I’m also going to see about getting a more secure gate up here, too.”

The two men walked only a few yards before Sam stopped, peering over the edge of the cliff. “Down there is where the body was found,” Sam said.

Drew looked over the cliff also, then started to take a rope and harness out of his pack.

“Are you going down there?” Sam asked.

“Yes. It’s the best way to document the location.”

“I have photos of the body laying down there. I can have Emma send them to your phone.” Sam took his cell phone out and started typing.

A few minutes later, Drew’s phone dinged. He looked at the screen. “That’ll help. Are you going to join me?”

“I don’t know how to rappel or climb,” Sam said.

"I'd be glad to teach you sometime," Drew said, as he went over the edge of the cliff. 

 

Buy Exposure now on Amazon

Carol