And Then The Lights Went Out: An Acadian Love Story

Written by Cape Breton native, S. N. Hayes, And Then the Lights Went Out is based loosely on the life of S’s Great-Great-Grandmother, Adelphine Samson. Featuring elements of fiction, truth, and spirituality, this is a story of love and loss in the age of the first world war. And Then the Lights Went Out is a historical romance with elements of magical realism, inspired by books like 100 Years of Solitude, The House of Spirits, and the later works of Lucy Maud Montgomery.

On the small island of Isle Madame, off the coast of Cape Breton, Canada, a love story unfolds between 1912 and 1920 that is as passionate as it is tragic. And Then The Lights Went Out chronicles the turbulent relationship between Adelphine Samson and Travis McDougal, two strong-willed young lovers whose dreams and desires pull them in opposing directions. Adelphine, with a restless spirit and a longing to see the world, finds herself deeply in love with Travis, a gifted writer who craves the simplicity and stability of island life. Their love is intense but fraught with conflict, culminating in a bitter argument that leaves their future uncertain.

As the First World War casts its shadow over the world, Travis is called away, leaving behind the island and the tangled emotions he shares with Adelphine. Despite the he and Adelphine begin exchanging letters, rekindling their love in the most unlikely of circumstances. Through their correspondence, they share their deepest fears, hopes, and the enduring love that refuses to fade, despite the barriers between them.

As the world darkens and the lights of innocence dim, Adelphine and Travis must confront the reality of their situation. Can they reconcile their conflicting dreams and close the chasm of war between them? Or is their love destined to remain a beautiful but impossible dream?

And Then The Lights Went Out is a poignant exploration of forbidden love, the choices we make, and the sacrifices we endure in the name of love. It’s a story of passion, stubbornness, and the resilience of the human heart, set against the backdrop of a world forever altered by war.