David Fox & Stacey Rubin Series Bible
Overview
A 20+ book historical-spiritual thriller series blending artifact mysteries with Torah wisdom, debunking Orthodox myths through David Fox and Stacey Rubin’s partnership. From Buried Secrets (1999, ossuary) to Shadow of the Ark (2000, Ark) and beyond (Hidden Treasure: Reclaiming What Was Lost, Iran/Purim, Menorah/parenthood, Maccabees, Babylon), each book uncovers hidden truths while balancing Jewish authenticity with universal stakes (identity, love, miracles) for mass market appeal, targeting non-Jewish Israel supporters via author’s Galilee Green platform (10,000+ customers, 80% U.S., 5,000-subscriber Mailchimp newsletter). Builds on author’s proven success: The Jerusalem Conspiracy (1995, Israel bestseller, outsold Grisham/Collins at Steimatzky’s, endorsed by Larry King, Dershowitz, Jerusalem Post, reviewed by Simon & Schuster), Faith Under Fire (2025, #1 in three Amazon categories), Missiles, Masks and Miracles (5,000+ copies, five editions, Russian/Spanish translations). Dual protagonists: David-led books (e.g., Book 1, 2) emphasize external quests; Stacey-led books (e.g., Book 3, 70/30 POV) focus on internal rediscovery. Content from author’s password-protected WordPress pages (e.g., https://shmuelveffer.com/seriesbible) can be shared via copy-paste or Google Doc for integration.
Characters
Major Characters
David Fox: 28 (1999), ENTP (“Debater”). Journalist to novelist (Book 5), father. Charismatic, intuitive, logical, adaptable. Lean, wiry, 5’10”, tousled dark brown hair, sharp blue eyes, quick smile, restless gestures. Wears casual reporter attire (jeans, button-downs, leather jacket, bold ties, 1999 vibe), evolves to polished casual with kippah by Book 5. Journals in Book 2, drafts in Book 3, rejected in Book 4, publishes modestly in Book 5, bestseller by Book 7. Seeks Rabbi Steinberg’s counsel. Backstory: Raised in secular LA family (skeptical father Aaron, teacher mother Ruth, brother Lenny), driven by debate triumph and family tragedy to enlighten through journalism/novels.
Stacey Rubin: 27 (1999), INFP (“Mediator”). Archaeologist to mother, Torah lecturer/speaker, writer. Idealistic, empathetic, intuitive, adaptable. Petite, graceful, 5’4”, long auburn hair, piercing green eyes, soft features, gentle movements. Wears bohemian archaeologist attire (flowing skirts, earth-tone blouses, scarf), shifts to modest dresses/headscarves in Shadow. Ba’al teshuva journey begins in Buried Secrets (Steinberg’s program), Shomer Shabbat in Shadow, first lecture in Book 3, rising speaker in Book 4, writer by Book 5. Uses Aboulaffia/Porat’s artifacts. Backstory: Raised in secular Boston family (academic parents David/Ellen, sister Jamie, maternal grandfather Manuel Lopez, non-Jewish Paisa from Colombia with Converso roots), drawn to digs via family stories and spiritual void.
Rabbi Steinberg: 50s, Yeshiva head, guides Stacey’s Shomer Shabbat path and David’s faith struggles. Medium build, 5’8”, salt-and-pepper beard, warm brown eyes, wire-rimmed glasses, calm demeanor. Wears Haredi black suit, white shirt, black hat, traditional Ashkenazi tallit (white with black stripes, silver-colored collar on Shabbat). Hosts introductory program in Buried Secrets (Chapter 48) and Shadow (Chapter 6).
Marc Goodman: 30s, Temple Heritage Institute chair, Modern Orthodox mentor (The Jerusalem Conspiracy). Athletic, 6’0”, short black hair, intense hazel eyes, confident posture. Wears tailored slacks, polo shirts, kippah sruga. Debuts in Shadow (Chapter 8), facilitates sifting/tunnels, hosts Shabbat with Rachel.
Rachel Stein Goodman: 30s, Modern Orthodox role model (The Jerusalem Conspiracy). Slender, 5’6”, dark curly hair, bright brown eyes, expressive hands. Wears modest dresses, vibrant scarves, kippah for prayer. Debuts in Shadow (Chapter 8), inspires Stacey’s frum dating (Chapter 10), introduces David to Udi Harel as family protector, big sister to Stacey.
Secondary Characters
Jacob Aboulaffia: 60s, ENTP (“Debater”). Antiquities dealer, ally/mentor by Shadow, finances adventures, provides artifacts for Stacey’s lectures (e.g., Book 3 Inquisition relic, Torah fragment). Charismatic, intuitive, strategic. Stocky, 5’7”, graying hair, deep-set gray eyes, furrowed brow. Wears rumpled suits, mismatched ties, shifts to polished attire in Shadow.
Porat: 50s, ISTJ (“Logistician”). Archaeologist, Stacey’s mentor, smuggler, recurs as ally/antagonist (e.g., Book 3 converso scroll). Methodical, detail-oriented. Wiry, 5’9”, thinning brown hair, sharp black eyes, calloused hands. Wears khakis, worn boots, wide-brimmed hat, adds scarf in Book 3.
Samir: 30s, ISTP (“Virtuoso”). Archaeologist, Porat’s student, traitor in Buried Secrets (Chapter 47), recurs as antagonist/ally (e.g., Book 4 Susa intel). Analytical, independent. Lean, 5’10”, short black hair, dark eyes, quick movements. Wears jeans, t-shirts, cross necklace.
Tamar Regev: 40s, ENTJ (“Commander”). Human rights lawyer, challenges coercion in Buried Secrets (Chapters 23-30), recurs as legal ally/skeptic. Assertive, strategic. Tall, 5’8”, straight black hair, piercing gray eyes, confident stance. Wears tailored blazers, skirts, softens in Book 3.
Udi Harel: 30s, ESTJ (“Commander”). Non-Orthodox, Shabak officer (The Jerusalem Conspiracy), senior Mossad agent by Shadow. David’s contact, married to Galit, family protector shaped by Ari Tal’s spiritual influence (e.g., chesed). Pragmatic, protective. Muscular, 5’11”, cropped dark hair, steely blue eyes, jaw scar. Wears cargo pants, fitted shirts, no kippah. Debuts in Shadow (Chapter 8).
Lenny Fox: 32, ESTJ (“Executive”). David’s brother, tech entrepreneur, recurs in Shadow (Shabbat guest), challenges David’s faith shift. Pragmatic, confident. Lanky, 6’1”, sandy hair, blue eyes, tech-geek glasses. Wears hoodies, sneakers.
Miriam Rubin: 30s, INFP (“Mediator”). Stacey’s cousin, historian, recurs in Shadow (Shabbat guest), supports Stacey’s lectures. Empathetic, intuitive. Medium build, 5’5”, wavy brown hair, hazel eyes, gentle smile. Wears cardigans, jeans, modest touches in Book 3.
Yehuda Veingarten: 50s, ISFJ (“Defender”). Haredi mentor (Buried Secrets), hosts Seder (Chapter 48), recurs in Shadow (Chapter 47) and Book 3 (ossuary ethics). Nurturing, traditional. Stout, 5’7”, full gray beard, kind brown eyes, steady hands. Wears Haredi black suit, white shirt, black hat, traditional Ashkenazi tallit (white with black stripes, silver-colored collar on Shabbat).
Galit Harel: 30s, ESFP (“Entertainer”). Udi’s wife, secular Israeli, debuts in Shadow (Chapter 47, Shabbat cameo), supports Udi’s protective role. Vibrant, supportive. Athletic, 5’6”, short blonde hair, vibrant green eyes, confident stride. Wears jeans, fitted tops, no head covering.
Cameo as Needed
Dr. Leah Averick: 40s, political scientist (The Jerusalem Conspiracy). Academic ally, supports Stacey’s lectures. Slender, 5’6”, short gray hair, sharp blue eyes. Wears blouses, slacks.
Rasfanji: 40s, Gaza smuggler. Antagonist in Buried Secrets, potential ally. Medium build, 5’8”, dark hair, weathered face. Wears loose tunics, sandals.
Vatican Network: Operatives (e.g., Brother Matthew), antagonists. Vague descriptions (e.g., robed figures).
Old City Program Director: Under Steinberg, supports Book 3 lecture. Minimal description (e.g., 50s, formal attire).
Aaron Fox: 60s, David’s father, lawyer. Cameo in Book 3. Tall, 6’0”, gray hair, stern gray eyes. Wears suits.
Ruth Fox: 50s, David’s mother, teacher. Cameo in Book 5. Petite, 5’3”, silver hair, warm eyes. Wears cardigans.
David Rubin: 50s, Stacey’s father, scientist. Cameo in Book 5. Stocky, 5’9”, balding, brown eyes. Wears lab coats.
Ellen Rubin: 50s, Stacey’s mother, professor. Cameo in Book 4. Slender, 5’7”, blonde hair, blue eyes. Wears academic attire.
Manuel Lopez: 60s, Ellen’s father, non-Jewish Paisa from Antioquia, Colombia, with Converso roots. Alive in Book 3, guides Stacey/David to coffee farm to uncover Jewish vestiges (e.g., menorah, prayer book). Frail, 5’5”, gray hair, weathered brown eyes. Wears cotton shirt, trousers.
Rabbi Shmuel Veffer: 60s, author of Missiles, Masks and Miracles. Cameo in Book 7, interviewed by David on First Gulf War miracles. Minimal description (e.g., wise, rabbinic attire).
Worldbuilding
Jerusalem (1999-2000): Post-Oslo tension, Old City, David’s Village, Yeshiva, sifting stations. Tech: Nokias, Windows 98.
Ethiopia (2000): Timkat festival, Axum monasteries. Sensory: rain, embroidered umbrellas.
Spain/Colombia (~2001, Hidden Treasure: Reclaiming What Was Lost): Toledo synagogues, Cartagena Inquisition museum, Antioquia coffee farms. Sensory: candlelit crypto-Judaism, coffee bean aroma, Caribbean coastlines. Research: Bnei Anusim in Colombia, Jewish pirates (e.g., Cohen Henriques, San José shipwreck).
Iran (~2002): Susa dig, IRGC threat. Sensory: desert dust, palace echoes.
Babylon (~2003): Babylon ruins, post-Saddam Iraq, Jerusalem 2003 (Second Intifada tension). Sensory: desert winds, ziggurat echoes. Research: Nebuchadnezzar’s exile, Hanging Gardens, First Gulf War miracles (Missiles, Masks and Miracles).
Maccabees (Book 6 or Later): Maccabean revolt, 1948 war parallels, Haredi IDF exemptions, Greece trip (Hellenist ties). Sensory: ancient battlegrounds, olive groves.
Future: Morocco (Maimonides), India (diaspora), Japan (lost tribes), Poland (Holocaust), Russia (Chabad).
Research: Inquisition records, Achaemenid archaeology, Bnei Anusim in Antioquia, Jewish pirate history, Haredi IDF debates, Babylonian exile, First Gulf War.
Themes
Core: Science vs. sanctity, hidden truths, covenant over possession.
Subthemes:
Buried Secrets: Faith rediscovery, truth vs. consequence, David’s novelist seed (ENTP creativity), Stacey’s Torah pivot (INFP idealism), contextualized Jewish themes for non-Jewish readers.
Shadow: Frum dating (shomer negiah as intimacy), boundaries as catalyst, David journals, Stacey Shomer Shabbat, Marc/Rachel/Udi/Galit/Veingarten mentor, Porat/Samir recur.
Hidden Treasure: Reclaiming What Was Lost (Book 3): Converso resilience/Bnei Anusim, dating deepens, David’s novel draft/rejection, Stacey’s first lecture, Porat/Samir/Tamar/Udi/Leah/Manuel/Veingarten active.
Book 4: Purim agency, marriage, David’s novel rejection/new draft, Stacey as speaker, Porat/Samir/Rasfanji/Udi active.
Book 5: Parenthood as legacy, David publishes modestly, Stacey as writer, Porat/Tamar/Udi/Leah aid.
Book 6: Maccabean revolt, 1948 war, Haredi IDF exemptions, Greece trip.
Book 7 (Babylon): Miracles (why they happen/don’t), David’s novelist research (First Gulf War, Rabbi Veffer interview), Babylonian artifact, post-Saddam threats.
Books 8-20+: Tzedakah, chesed, teshuva, exile/redemption.
Myth-Busting: Mitzvot as connection, frum dating as joyful, women as Torah leaders, Torah as scholarly, Orthodoxy as modern, Bnei Anusim as enduring faith, Jewish identity beyond Orthodoxy (Udi/Galit).
Series Arc
Book 1 (1999, Buried Secrets): Ossuary, smuggling, David journals (ENTP-driven), Stacey’s Torah pivot/Manuel hint (INFP-driven), Steinberg/Veingarten focus, Porat/Samir/Tamar seeds.
Book 2 (2000, Shadow of the Ark): Ark hunt, frum dating, David journals, Stacey Shomer Shabbat, Marc/Rachel/Udi/Galit/Veingarten debut, Porat/Samir/Lenny/Miriam recur, Menorah tease.
Book 3 (~2001, Hidden Treasure: Reclaiming What Was Lost): Converso artifact/Bnei Anusim research (Stacey-led, 70/30 POV), Spain/Colombia, Manuel guides to Antioquia farm, dating deepens, David’s novel draft/rejection, Stacey’s first lecture, Porat/Samir/Tamar/Udi/Leah/Manuel/Veingarten active.
Book 4 (~2002): Susa dig, IRGC threat, marriage, David’s novel rejection/new draft, Stacey as speaker, Porat/Samir/Rasfanji/Udi active.
Book 5 (~2003): Menorah quest, parenthood, David publishes modestly, Stacey as writer, Porat/Tamar/Udi/Leah aid.
Book 6 (Maccabees): Maccabean revolt, 1948 war, Haredi IDF exemptions, Greece trip.
Book 7 (Babylon, ~2003): David (novelist) interviews Rabbi Veffer (First Gulf War, Missiles, Masks and Miracles), uncovers Babylonian artifact, miracles theme, post-Saddam threats, Stacey aids, Veingarten/Udi recur.
Books 8-20+: Morocco (Maimonides), India, Japan, Poland, Russia, etc.
Hooks in Book 1: Aboulaffia’s financing/artifacts (Chapter 47), Torah scroll (Chapter 10), David’s journaling (Chapter 2, Babylon hint), Stacey’s spiritual shift/Steinberg’s program/Manuel hint (Chapter 48, prophetic texts), Porat/Samir/Tamar seeds (Chapters 39, 23-30).
Tone/Voice
Crisp, dialogue-driven prose with sensory depth and rabbinic wisdom, balancing Jewish authenticity with universal stakes (e.g., action, romance, identity) to appeal to mass market readers, especially non-Jewish Israel supporters via Galilee Green platform.
Publishing Strategy
Primary Goal: Traditional publishing to rival Kellerman/Silva, leveraging The Jerusalem Conspiracy’s 1995 bestseller status (outsold Grisham/Collins at Steimatzky’s, endorsed by Larry King, Dershowitz, Jerusalem Post, reviewed by Simon & Schuster), Faith Under Fire’s #1 Amazon ranking (2025), Missiles, Masks and Miracles’s 5,000+ sales, and Galilee Green platform (10,000+ customers, 5,000-subscriber newsletter). Pitch Buried Secrets as a standalone with series potential to thriller/Jewish fiction agents (e.g., Jane Dystel), emphasizing rabbinic expertise and universal stakes for non-Jewish readers.
Fallback: Self-publish on KDP (2026, Buried Secrets), targeting ~1,000-3,000 sales via Galilee Green, Mailchimp, Amazon ads, Jewish communities, and non-Jewish Israel supporters, building on Faith Under Fire’s success. Reinvest to fund Shadow, Hidden Treasure, and beyond.
Hybrid Approach: Secure traditional deal for Buried Secrets to establish U.S. fiction credibility, then use KDP for later books (Books 3-20) if needed. Market fit: Jewish-themed thrillers with universal appeal (e.g., Hidden Treasure’s identity quest, Jamie/Liam’s family dynamics), supported by author’s proven sales and platform.