Book "Taking You Under My Skin" by Marvin J. Newell at MissionBooks.org, from William Carey Publishing

2025 Winner Speak Up Radio Firebird Book Awards

An Unexpected Journey of Obedience

In the foothills of northwest Laos, an unreached tribal group lives unaware of the gospel—until an American army medic is captured and brought to their village. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, Taking You Under My Skin imagines a mountain tribe’s encounter with Jesus and how it transforms their lives forever.

Follow the gripping journey of Mike Neilson as he miraculously escapes death to become a messenger of life. During his captivity, his fiancée, Lisa, clings to hope as she patiently waits for his return. She dedicates herself to translating the Bible into a previously unwritten dialect in a neighboring country—never knowing that Mike is nearby. Will their paths cross again? Perfect for readers who appreciate historical fiction, wartime drama, and stories of unwavering faith, this book will inspire and challenge you to consider what it truly means to embrace God’s calling—no matter the cost.

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Taking You Under My Skin invites you on a journey of heartache and hope, sacrifice and joy. This story of costly obedience to the Great Commission reminds us not only of our responsibility but also the privilege of taking the gospel where it is yet to be known.
— Sue Eenigenburg, Author, Screams in the Desert and Grit To Stay, Grace To Go
Taking You Under My Skin is a masterpiece! It takes an experienced missiologist and practitioner like Marv Newell to write such a compelling novel with a dramatic storyline. The heartfelt concern for the lost, as well as the sacrifice and urgency needed to provide gospel access to unreached people groups, is masterfully portrayed.
— Ken Katayama, President, Crossover Global
You will love this book because it tells an amazing story of love, faith, and the surprising ways God works—all within the context of the Vietnam War. This is a hopeful and inspiring book that will challenge you to think about the power of God, the call to missions, and what it means to walk by faith in the darkest seasons of life. The book has surprising twists and turns that will keep you turning pages until the very end. Only a veteran missionary like Marv Newell could bring a story like this to life.
— Stephen Leston, DBS, Resident Missiologist, To Every Tribe
In Taking You Under My Skin, Marv Newell weaves together the challenges of being called to serve God while also serving one’s nation. Most intriguing is how God uses this seeming clash of events in the lives of young missionaries to transform the lives of tribal groups through the gospel message of love and forgiveness.
— Jeff McLinden, Executive Director, Alliance for the Unreached
This book is very captivating! The war account is true to reality and very similar to what I experienced. In fact, it brought back many memories, as well as praises to God for evacuating me out of the battle zone and back to safety and medical attention. The helicopter coming to take you back to base when you are wounded has such a special sound. The battle describing the spiritual world is just as captivating and dangerous. Being carried to safety is not done by a helicopter but on the wings of prayer. This book challenges you to a higher level of dedication and service.
— Jesse Stout, SP4 11 B 20 Co. B 1rst Bn 6th Inf 198th IB, Wounded Vietnam War Veteran