Author Michelle Moran takes the threads of history and convincingly weaves an epic love story that’s also a gorgeously detailed and gripping tale of political intrigue in her sophomore novel, “The Heretic Queen,” which picks up a few years after her first novel, “Nefertiti,” ends.

Reviled for her role in the near-ruin of Egypt and dubbed the Heretic Queen for turning her back on the traditional gods during her reign, Queen Nefertiti has been murdered, and most of her family has perished in a suspicious fire. The sole survivor is her namesake niece, Nefertari, who lives in the shadows of the royal court, her family’s contributions to the country stripped from the official records.

The orphaned princess is taken in by Pharaoh Seti I and falls in love with Ramesses II, the heir to the throne of Egypt. Though beloved by the pharaoh, Nefertari is feared by his people because of her link to Nefertiti.

Like Moran’s first book, “The Heretic Queen” is rooted in meticulous research; her fictional characters are based on actual people and historically documented facts, which makes the story resonate on many levels.

$24.95 at Amazon.com.