Kendall Shores from Brookhaven and Meredith Lavender from Buckhead, two close friends, have come together to write their debut crime novel titled ‘Happy Wife.’
This novel explores the complexities of marriage and mystery, combining both authors’ unique backgrounds and skills in writing.
Their friendship blossomed three years ago when their children became friends, and the dream of creating a novel started to take shape after Shores turned 40.
Shores, whose career included grant writing and communications consulting for organizations like Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Mailchimp, sought a creative outlet that had been eluding her.
“I always had jobs that involved writing, but turning 40 made me realize I hadn’t found a way to be creative,” Shores explained.
On the other hand, Lavender brought a wealth of experience to the table, with an impressive 25-year career writing TV scripts for major productions such as ABC, USA Network, and HBO’s Max.
In a bold move during the pandemic, she and her husband decided to leave their life in Los Angeles and settle in Atlanta, a city known for its thriving film industry.
“I knew about film and TV productions here from my childhood trips to Georgia,” Lavender shared, reflecting on her roots in Illinois.
As she continued working in the industry, she remained open to new ideas while hearing pitches.
“I got excited when Kendall pitched her idea for a book,” recalled Lavender, highlighting the synergy they shared.
During their regular walks around Chastain Park, Shores unveiled her storyline set against the backdrop of Winter Park, Florida.
The tale revolves around a younger second wife living in an exclusive community who finds herself embroiled in the mystery of her high-powered attorney husband’s sudden disappearance after a lavish party.
As she navigates the turmoil and aims to clear her name, tension mounts within the narrative.
Lavender remarked, “I love great ideas and working with people I admire. We were both highly motivated to bring this story to life.”
In June 2023, Shores sent Lavender a detailed outline containing chapters and character sketches.
Just two weeks later, they decided to move forward with the novel, which they completed by Labor Day.
The timing was serendipitous as a writers’ strike was ongoing, allowing both authors to dedicate ample time to their project.
Lavender took the completed manuscript to her TV agent, who promptly shared it with a literary agent.
By Thanksgiving, the manuscript had been read, and in January 2024, ‘Happy Wife’ was officially sold to Penguin Random House.
The novel is set to hit shelves online and in bookstores this month, marking a significant milestone for both first-time authors.
Shores and Lavender attribute their success to the strength of their friendship and their collaborative spirit.
“This was a departure from my corporate world and Meredith’s time on strike,” Shores explained.
They crafted the book to evoke the feeling of leisurely time spent among friends, a testament to the bond that fueled their creativity.
For more details, you can visit their website at meredithandkendall.com or follow them on social media @meredithandkendalll.
image source from：https://simplybuckhead.com/partners-in-crime/
