Nancy J. Hedin presents her new novel "Bend"

Lorraine Tyler is the only queer person in Bend, Minnesota. Or at least that's what it feels like when the local church preaches so sternly against homosexuality. Which is why she's fighting so hard to win the McGerber scholarship--her ticket out of Bend--even though her biggest competition is her twin sister, Becky. And even though she's got no real hope--not with the scholarship's morality clause and that one time she kissed the preacher's daughter.

Everything changes when a new girl comes to town. Charity is mysterious, passionate, and--to Lorraine's delighted surprise--queer too. Now Lorraine may have a chance at freedom and real love.

But then Becky disappears, and Lorraine uncovers an old, painful secret that could tear the family apart. They need each other more than ever now, and somehow it's Lorraine--the sinner, the black sheep--who holds the power to bring them together. But only if she herself can learn to bend.

Nancy J. Hedin has worked as a mental health crisis worker for over twenty years. She lives in St. Paul with her partner, two daughters, one dog, one bearded dragon, and two cats.