I’m a Conch. To people who know what Conchs are, that should tell you a lot about my character. To those that don’t, well – it means I was born and raised in the Florida Keys. I came into this world at Fisherman’s Hospital in Marathon, the first in my family not born at home.
Conchs are a tough lot by nature. I don’t mean in behavior. We consider ourselves Southern and we practice a gracious Southern lifestyle. My mother, God rest her, would come back to haunt me if I ever treated anyone unkindly. No, I mean we’re emotionally and physically tough. We have to be. We live in a place that can be isolated or destroyed by Mother Nature anytime she chooses. Both my parents lost family to hurricanes. No one they were old enough to know, but they heard about them so often, they felt like they did. We learn young to be self-sufficient, capable, and resourceful. All good life skills.
I live in a hurricane house – one built to keep its roof when the hurricanes come. I inherited it from my parents. They died in a head on car crash on the Seven Mile Bridge. Victims of a drunk driver. I miss them every day. Before they died, I had left ‘the Rock’ as we call it. Educated at the University of Miami, considered going to law school. I interrupted my plans to settle their estate, and to recover from the shock. Now, I’m a paralegal at Huffman Koons. We have an estate, trust, and probate practice with a side order of litigation. My boss is Grant Huffman. We’re good friends, and it’s starting to look like we’ll be more. Not sure how I feel about that.
Any free time I have is spent under water. I’ve been a scuba diver since about the time I could breathe. I still blame Fisherman’s Hospital for making me trade my birth gills for working lungs. I don’t think I got the best end of that deal. Everyone I know is a diver. I’m also an instructor. Lucky thing since I’m teaching Grant. Diving is a source of great comfort to me. Although not too long ago, I was diving the wreck of the Humboldt. She lies upright in a hundred twenty feet of water. That’s where I found the body. As the events unfolded, I turned out to be one of the two prime suspects. If it wasn’t for the investigative skills I learned as a paralegal, I might be in jail now or dead myself.
Things happen fast under water. And it’s true what they say. Under water, no one hears your screams.
You can read more about Hayden in Death by Blue Water, the first book in the new “Hayden Kent” mystery series, published by Henery Press.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on November 14 for the chance to win a signed copy of DEATH BY BLUE WATER. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
About the author
Kait Carson has been writing mysteries since the fourth grade when she penned the words, “pop, pop, pop, here comes the cop” for a story poetry assignment. She opted for a career as a paralegal practicing in the area of probate, tax, and probate litigation. When she’s not writing, you can find her scuba diving or in the air with her pilot husband. Kait lives with her husband, eight (count ‘em) rescue cats, a conure, cockatoo, and a harlequin macaw at an airpark in Fort Denaud, Florida. Visit Kait at www.kaitcarson.com or on Twitter or on Facebook
Love to win this
Thanks Wanda, I’ll keep my fins crossed for you 🙂
This sounds like it will be very good.
Thanks Kimberly, I hope you enjoy it.
Sounds like a great book, living in FL makes it sound more fun
Thanks Debbie, the rules are different in Florida. It is a fun place to live (and write about).
It’s now on my t-b-r list 🙂
Thanks Gram! Hope you enjoy it. Let me know.
Would love to read this, thank you for the chance 🙂
My pleasure. Thank you, Lisa, for your interest.
Would love to read it also. In the future, take a diving partner alson and then when you find a dead body…
Oh so true, Karin. Should always have a buddy anyway. I tried to tell Hayden that. She wouldn’t listen.
Sorry, should be along
No worries, I got it.
You had me from the word “Conch.” I spent a few days in Key West once and it was fabulous. I’d like to go back. I’ve been a paralegal myself, although estates is not the first area I’d pick as a practice specialty. Lots of opportunities for mysteries there. I want to know more about the days and life of Hayden Kent.
Thanks Denise. She’s really up to her neck in hot water these days.
Keep trying Kait. Some people just take a little longer :>
Kait happy release day! As someone with family in Key West, you put me there! I recognized everything you said. Can’t wait to get further acquainted with Hayden Kent! Keep us posted! ~Donnell
Thanks Donnell – Key West is wonderful! Even better if you have family there. Glad the book rang true. Hayden would have had my head otherwise.
I love books about Florida! Owning them is even better. This one sounds really cool.
Hi Amy, thanks! Hope you enjoy it. Hayden is up to more trouble in Death by Doubloons.
Haven’t been to Florida in a long time. Would be fun to read about the area and being in the water. thanks.
Thank you, have a great time. Hayden loves to share her diving experiences.
This sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance to win!
Good Luck! Thanks for stopping by.
I think I want this one Dru… My oldest boy Josh is a Certified Diver, Rescue and Wreck Diver. I’d definitely even let him read it when I’m done with it. LOL
Sounds like Josh and Hayden have taken similar paths. Good luck with the drawing!
Thanks Kait.
” . . . underwater no one hears your screams.” I would say that last line is the best reason to read more of your novel Kait! 🙂 Have a great day and hope you sell a ton of books! Looking forward to reading it.
Lorraine
Thanks Lorraine!
I like the aspect of a book set around scuba diving. Look forward to reading this.
Thanks Becky! The underwater world is rich with possibilities.
I’m one of those rare people actually born in Florida (rare here in Boca Raton, at least), but since I was born in Jacksonvile, I am certainly not a Conch. But I do enjoy the Keys.
You are right, it is rare to be born in Florida. The Keys are a lot of fun. Since the market boom, I think there are fewer Conchs living there then before. It used to be fairly common in the lower Keys to meet Conchs who loved to share the history. I’ve been lucky to know a few.
This should be a great read on those cold winter days where you just want to sit with a cup of hot tea and a good book. Thanks so much for the review and introducing me to Kait Carson.
Hi Robin, don’t forget the fireplace if you have one. That’s always been a dream of mine. Reading in front of the fireplace.
This is a whole new world to me, but, I would love the opportunity to read about it.
Hi Ruth, it’s a fun world, but yes, alien to many. Hope you enjoy the read.
Death by Blue Water is on my “gotta have it” list. Thanks for the chance to win. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
Got my fingers crossed for you to! Good luck.
She’s definitely someone I’d like to meet.
She is fun to know.
Kait, you can have a fireplace in Florida. You just might want to put candles in it for a pretty effect.
My home state is Florida but I’ve never made it to the keys except in books like yours and paintings my mother brought back of Hemingway’s house. Always glad for a chance to visit. .. spiritually if not in person.
I enjoy your books. Look forward to reading this one.
Diane
Thanks Diane. I love Hemingway’s house. It must have been even better in his day. You need to make the trip – come by car. The Overseas Highway has views that can’t be beat!
I’d never heard what people were called that are Florida keys born and raised—interesting. I’d love to win this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Fingers crossed for you Sue. Good luck.
Love the location! I lived on Homestead AFB before the Hurricane and spent a little time in the Keys. Wonderful place. And Hayden sounds like a character it will be fun to get to know.
Glad you missed Andrew. It devastated HAFB. My husband and his brother both pulled duty on the clean-up and clean out. I think he still has nightmares about it. Looking forward to having you meet Hayden and friends.
Isn’t it amazing how great all the authors with Henery Press are? I have really enjoyed all of the books put out by HP that I have read so far, with some being extra extra special but all of them really good. I would really like to be considered for Death by Blue Water for sure. Thank you for letting us know about another authors and her book, Dru Ann.
Cynthia
Thanks for the wonderful words on Henery. I can tell you, Cynthia, they are a great press to be associated with. Good luck in the drawing.
I have always loved the Keys (would love to relocate there, but the reality of that happening in my old age is slim & none!) and also have some experience with hurricanes (having survived Camille in Biloxi MS in 1969). This book (series, I hope!) sounds like one I would love to have. Can’t wait to read it!
Thanks Jan. I remember Camille. Heartbreaking. Hope you like the book, and the series.
I’ll keep checking back, but I wanted to say, Dru, you are amazing. Thank you so much for introducing Hayden to the world!
Oh this sounds interesting
Thanks Wanda! I hope you enjoy it.
Sounds like a great read.
Thanks Jen!
Looks good
Thanks Daniele, it was fun to write too.
i like books about Florida and Floridians.
Thanks Woffmew! Florida is a fun place to live and grow up.
I have been fascinated by scuba diving ever since I watched Sea Hunt as a child.
I hate to admit it, but I have the boxed set. Not only is it wonderful to watch, but all the future headliners! Leonard Nimoy with round ears was in a bunch of them. I think William Schatner was too.
I want to read more from the conch!
Thanks Judy, I’m working on it!
This sounds like a good one.
contest is closed.
Thanks Karen!
Thank you for inviting me. I had a great time. I have been out of town,but I will send the winner the book on Thursday. It will be worth the wait, I promise! Thank you all for the great comments and for entering to win DEATH BY BLUE WATER.