According to a 2023 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Report, U.S. teenagers are experiencing record high levels of violence, sadness, and suicide risk, with 30% of teen girls and 14% of teen boys seriously considering attempting suicide. A staggering and grim statistic, this harrowing reality can be altered with a thoughtful, progressive solution. In TopKnotch, author CJ Thomas has written a pioneering young adult fiction book designed to empower readers to connect with their inner voice, be brave and follow their heart. The story follows Robin, whose picture-perfect life is anything but. With the help of her three Shih Tzu pooches, Robin embarks on a journey to finding true love and most importantly, finding herself. By shedding light on the fact that how people look on the outside doesn’t always translate to what is going on inside, the book empowers readers to connect with themselves and others in a happier, healthier way.
“As someone who has had to learn how to live life from my heart and not my head, I discovered that everyone has a ‘story’. I liked writing about what appears on the outside might not be how we feel on the inside,” says CJ Thomas. A multi-faceted talent, Thomas wrote and produced after dinner shows for a touring concert band, and a screenplay, in addition to her novel, TopKnotch. An inventive story which grapples with the universal themes of love, connectedness and staying true to oneself, the book is designed to help readers gain a better understanding of what’s truly going on beneath the surface to believe in their inherent strength and value. “I realized that all that glitters is not gold and that everyone has tears that don’t always show. We’re all kind of messy but that’s what being human is all about!”
Set in Santa Barbara, TopKnotch pits a modern-day woman, Robin, against her uber-successful and domineering dad, Fritz, who is determined that she marry Sean, a shallow, thief-of-a-lawyer who works for him. Unless Robin becomes skilled at standing up for herself, she must accept her fate. High jinx ensue when her three Shih Tzu pooches, Missy, Hapi, and Ginger lend a ‘paw’ and attempt to set her up with Luke, a highly unlikely candidate for a boyfriend with his own special gifts. Increasingly torn between geeky Luke and father-approved Sean, the Universe reveals that wisdom and rewards come from listening to one’s inner voice, and not the expectations spoken by society. In the end, Robin realizes that ‘father doesn’t always know best’ and loyalty follows being true to oneself.
TopKnotch has received positive reviews from well-known literary organizations, authors, and reviewers around the world. Publisher’s Weekly writes, “A sweet romance perfect for animal lovers—and lovers of talking animal comedy. The plot turns on surprising inventions and chatty critters, giving a playful edge to the story that will appeal to readers who don’t mind a touch of fantasy.” In addition, Jaime writes, “This book was wonderfully entertaining with a great message about finding your heart and being brave…an empowering must-read for all ages.”
A humorous and heartwarming debut with an important message, TopKnotch is available for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Nook, Google Play and other online bookstores. Fans original, captivating young adult fiction are encouraged to purchase their copy today: https://www.amazon.com/TopKnotch-Adventures-Clueless-Human-Topknotch/dp/B0BMJQ68DD
About the Author
CJ began writing when she was about 10 years old and as a kid produced plays for the neighborhood. This mad, creative thought process continued into her college years where she wrote and produced after dinner shows for a touring concert band. After graduating, she stopped but began writing again to satisfy her creative spirit.
Her first work was a screenplay, TopKnotch – the story of a feisty venture capitalist, a strong character, who confronts industrial sabotage and betrayal, stands up to her domineering dad and connects with her truelove. With the intervention of three fearless but chatty, scheming shih tzu dogs she rediscovers her childhood ability to hear them speak.
Next, she wrote the book version of the screenplay which was released in November 2022.
Coming in 2024, the shenanigans of the three pooches and their pals continues in the book, Permanent Play Date – where they develop their superpowers and lend a paw to help their human and four-legged friends.
To learn more, please visit: https://www.topknotchdogs.com
Connect with CJ Thomas on Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/topknotchdogs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/topknotchdogbooks/
Podcast: https://www.audible.com/pd/Spill-the-Tea-with-the-Topknotch-Dogs-Podcast/B0CLFBDPNN
Media Contact
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