The Turquoise Trader: A Zia Yazzie Novel - Paperback

by Patricia Bezunartea (Author)

A young Navajo man encounters the lucrative Indian jewelry business. A traditional Navajo, Zia Yazzie suddenly finds himself working in his Anglo father's entrepreneurial world during the 1970s Indian jewelry boom in Gallup, New Mexico. With the exception of his Navajo family, Zia has been a secret for 21. He grudgingly accepts the situation, but nobody is to know he is the son of Ben Monroe, super-successful Indian arts and crafts dealer. A senior at the University of New Mexico, Zia's hopes of graduating in the spring seem to evaporate. Because he is an excellent student, UNM offers him an independent study to complete his degree, but only if he can propose a strong and valid topic. Juggling long hours at the Monroe Trading Company, while learning all facets of the business, Zia discovers a unique entrepreneurial concept. At the store, Ben teaches Zia how to buy from artisans who bring their creations to the store, He takes him to the homes of highly-skilled silversmiths to purchase their collectible works. Business continues to flourish, and Ben has even greater plans for Monroe Trading Company. On campus, Zia meets a lovely girl and romance blossoms-but secrets and lies find the relationship riddled with taboo, and he has to seek out the healing of a Medicine Man. The truth about Zia is revealed and more twists and turns change many lives. A Sequel Coming Soon: ZIA YAZZIE'S NEW FRONTIER

Author Biography

Patricia Bezunartea consistently uses the southwest as the setting for her writing. She has spent her life in Arizona and New Mexico, where she and her late husband, Frank, developed businesses in Native American arts and crafts in the Phoenix area and later became the concessionaires at Bandelier National Monument, NM. Moving back to Arizona, they created a new southwest retail concept called "Peppers-the hottest little gifts shop in Scottsdale" and were featured in Entrepreneur magazine. Patricia is a prize-winning author of many short stories. She has written the memoirs of Gilbert Ortega, nationally known Native American art dealer, as well as that of internationally known flamenco dancer, Lydia Torea. She lives in Scottsdale and spends her summers in the Arizona high country where she researches and writes her novels. She is currently working on a medical-themed novel, as well as a sequel to her Zia Yazzie story. Patricia is a member of the Scottsdale Society of Women Writers, Arizona Historical Novel Society and Arizona Authors Association.