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Kelly Tough: Live Courageously by Faith
Kelly Tough is an intimate, deeply personal account of life inside the Kelly family. The book shares the heart of a young woman—the oldest Kelly daughter, Erin—who has experienced the loss of a sibling and stood by her father’s side as he battled cancer. Never-before-shared photos, journals, and stories will be revealed. Readers will go behind the scenes with the Kelly family and experience their private struggles and failures as well as their determination and passion.
In this book, readers will see a close-knit family who is not exempt from the realities and struggles of life. How they choose to approach the situations they face shows a real, lasting love and hope that digs deep and goes beyond this temporary life. Kelly Tough is a story of finding strength in weakness, hope in the midst of heartache, and joy in spite of suffering.
In this book, readers will see a close-knit family who is not exempt from the realities and struggles of life. How they choose to approach the situations they face shows a real, lasting love and hope that digs deep and goes beyond this temporary life. Kelly Tough is a story of finding strength in weakness, hope in the midst of heartache, and joy in spite of suffering.
- GenresNonfictionChristian
224 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2015
17 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 14, 2016
This book is not about football, so if you are thinking that it is this book is not for you. What this book is about is a family who is TOUGH and through their journey of losing a son, Brother Hunter who passed away from a rare disease. How they came together for their father fighting is cancer. Written by Erin the oldest daughter she gives a very open and honest look into her family’s life. From both sides up and down. She has taken pieces of her journal and put them in this book which I found to be really amazing and helpful for anyone going through what this family has been. Not really knowing what I was getting when I got this book I am glad I did. Overall a very good book. I got this book from netgalley. I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
August 16, 2015
If you’re looking for a book about football and Jim Kelly’s phenomenal career, this probably isn’t for you. This is a book about the family’s Christian faith written from the viewpoint of one of his daughters. She writes well and describes the struggles, setbacks, sorrow and joys of loving and living with a cancer patient and his ups and downs during treatments. Throughout all of it is a testimony of her hope and faith that healed of cancer or not, the situation and it’s hardships and moments of gratitude for grace will bring all involved closer to God and his son Jesus. Being Kelly Tough has more to do with doing the right thing and following God’s word than fighting off big charging linebackers.
As a believer and part of a Christian family and long time Bills fan, I found it easy to identify with her as I went through a similar situation watching my mother suffer, struggle and finally die from lung cancer. Being a close family member caregiver can be at times emotionally as hard as being the patient. It affects everyone close to the person with a life threatening disease. The author doesn’t pretend her father is a saint and talks openly about some of his faults/mistakes including her being born out of wedlock and her dad having an extramarital affair. She also talks freely about her younger brother who died of a rare disease at the age of 8 ½ and the effect this had on the family. She doesn’t say but I’m guessing it was all of these tragedy’s that made her father and mother seek and turn to the Lord since it is mentioned that Jim became a Christian about a year after diagnosed with cancer.
My only criticism, releasing helium balloons to heaven in remembrance of a loved one may be a help spiritually but it’s been shown to be a real detriment to birds and other of God’s creatures once the balloons lose air and fall back to earth. Perhaps consider another way to honor the memory of her loved brother that also honors God’s creation.
I do have one question for this family which appears to have a real love affair with the city of Buffalo where they live. RPCI, a world recognized cancer institute is in Buffalo. I’ve been there three times including in the O.R. and there is nowhere I would rather when facing this disease. You live in Buffalo so why go through all the trouble of flying to NYC? Maybe it’s because we’re taught that bigger is better.
As a believer and part of a Christian family and long time Bills fan, I found it easy to identify with her as I went through a similar situation watching my mother suffer, struggle and finally die from lung cancer. Being a close family member caregiver can be at times emotionally as hard as being the patient. It affects everyone close to the person with a life threatening disease. The author doesn’t pretend her father is a saint and talks openly about some of his faults/mistakes including her being born out of wedlock and her dad having an extramarital affair. She also talks freely about her younger brother who died of a rare disease at the age of 8 ½ and the effect this had on the family. She doesn’t say but I’m guessing it was all of these tragedy’s that made her father and mother seek and turn to the Lord since it is mentioned that Jim became a Christian about a year after diagnosed with cancer.
My only criticism, releasing helium balloons to heaven in remembrance of a loved one may be a help spiritually but it’s been shown to be a real detriment to birds and other of God’s creatures once the balloons lose air and fall back to earth. Perhaps consider another way to honor the memory of her loved brother that also honors God’s creation.
I do have one question for this family which appears to have a real love affair with the city of Buffalo where they live. RPCI, a world recognized cancer institute is in Buffalo. I’ve been there three times including in the O.R. and there is nowhere I would rather when facing this disease. You live in Buffalo so why go through all the trouble of flying to NYC? Maybe it’s because we’re taught that bigger is better.
April 25, 2015
Kelly Tough
By Erin and Jill Kelly
First I would like to thank NetGalley, Broadstreet PublishingGroup LLC, Erin and Jill Kelly for providing me with this book so I may bring you this book.
I was excited to see that both Erin Kelly and Jill Kelly collaborated on a book about their family. Reason being is that I’m born and raised a Buffalo Bills fan. The Kelly’s have been through a lot over the years. I was interested to see what Mother and Daughter Kelly wrote.
In the beginning of the book are some very nice quotes about the family from Dan Marino, Bill Polian, Thurman Thomas, etc.
In the book is a very touching and beautifully written letter from Jim Kelly to his daughter Erin. I admit the letter tugged on my heart strings and made me tear up a little bit.
Jim Kelly’s Daughter Erin’s book was very well written. It is a story is a love story about a love between a father and his daughter. A greater love between your heavenly Father and you. It showed us an inside look of their family, their faith, and what it means to be Kelly Tough. Erin and Jill both shared some great stories of their life with Jim Kelly.
Kelly Tough was dedicated to Hunter Kelly and Jim Kelly. In the second chapter discusses all about Hunter from Erin’s view. I admit I teared up reading about it and remember seeing him in the media.
Some quotes that I found meaningful were:
“Sometimes the victory isn’t in the winning or the losing, but the willingness to join the fight regardless of the odds, or the fear”
“Being Kelly Tough means you always do more than what’s expected of you. To give and keep giving when you feel like you can’t give anymore. To play through the pain, and go above and beyond—without being told.”
I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of the Buffalo Bills fan or a Jim Kelly fan.
By Erin and Jill Kelly
First I would like to thank NetGalley, Broadstreet PublishingGroup LLC, Erin and Jill Kelly for providing me with this book so I may bring you this book.
I was excited to see that both Erin Kelly and Jill Kelly collaborated on a book about their family. Reason being is that I’m born and raised a Buffalo Bills fan. The Kelly’s have been through a lot over the years. I was interested to see what Mother and Daughter Kelly wrote.
In the beginning of the book are some very nice quotes about the family from Dan Marino, Bill Polian, Thurman Thomas, etc.
In the book is a very touching and beautifully written letter from Jim Kelly to his daughter Erin. I admit the letter tugged on my heart strings and made me tear up a little bit.
Jim Kelly’s Daughter Erin’s book was very well written. It is a story is a love story about a love between a father and his daughter. A greater love between your heavenly Father and you. It showed us an inside look of their family, their faith, and what it means to be Kelly Tough. Erin and Jill both shared some great stories of their life with Jim Kelly.
Kelly Tough was dedicated to Hunter Kelly and Jim Kelly. In the second chapter discusses all about Hunter from Erin’s view. I admit I teared up reading about it and remember seeing him in the media.
Some quotes that I found meaningful were:
“Sometimes the victory isn’t in the winning or the losing, but the willingness to join the fight regardless of the odds, or the fear”
“Being Kelly Tough means you always do more than what’s expected of you. To give and keep giving when you feel like you can’t give anymore. To play through the pain, and go above and beyond—without being told.”
I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of the Buffalo Bills fan or a Jim Kelly fan.
May 15, 2015
This is a good book for young people. Erin is college age but she shows a wisdom beyond her years. This is a memoir of sorts, relating her childhood experiences but mostly focusing on her father's cancer, treatment, and recovery. Erin is very open about her Christian faith and the lessons she has learned through this ordeal. She had a time of questioning God but ultimately came to know hope and the source of it. There are lessons of forgiveness, trust, perseverance, and more. I recommend this book for college age or young career age, especially of there are hard family issues.
See my complete review at http://bit.ly/1PnH9uZ.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Icon Media for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
See my complete review at http://bit.ly/1PnH9uZ.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Icon Media for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
June 2, 2017
I would say that on one hand I loved this book but on the other I found it a tough read. I bought this book not wanting to read about Jim Kellys career as such but I wanted to get behind the scenes into a family that I admire. I certainly got that. Some great stories are told and its some heart warming and inspiring stuff. However, the religious side is very forced on you as a reader. If you are not Christian this book is not for you.
August 6, 2015
As a daddy's girl, this book spoke to my heart on so many levels. Having seen my dad fight for his life and survive a major injury, I related to the fear. Beyond that, I related to her hope. Her hope and love for Jesus shines through every page in this book. What an inspiring book that reminds us we can overcome the hard things in life because Jesus came.
August 19, 2015
This was a fantastic read. Anyone that is going through or has been through tough times should pick this book up. Erin's conviction, strength and her love for her family and God is amazing, especially considering her age. I also saw Erin and her mom Jill speak at our church and their brutal honesty (both in the book) and in person is so refreshing.
April 1, 2018
Being from buffalo I feel this is a must read.
This is a wonderful story about family, love and Faith.
You can feel the love for family and GOD in this book.
The fact that it is written by a 19 year old makes me And my faith feel very immature she has a wonderful view on life.
This is a wonderful story about family, love and Faith.
You can feel the love for family and GOD in this book.
The fact that it is written by a 19 year old makes me And my faith feel very immature she has a wonderful view on life.
October 4, 2018
I liked this book and found the author's candor refreshing. However, I read the book straight through, I skipped the By faith.... section at each chapter. They were distracting to the flow of the book. Not a book I would have picked up myself, but very glad I read it.
June 30, 2015
I am such a fan of Erin Kelly and the Kelly family. The message behind this book was thoughtful, beautiful and inspirational. Thank you for sharing your story and your faith with us.
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August 6, 2015AMAZING! Heartwarming, inspirational, motivational! Truly resonates with what my family and I have endured with my medical hardships. This is a must read!!
September 17, 2015
A touching tribute to faith and family, with a bonus love letter to Buffalo in the middle. Could have used more narrative coherency.
February 11, 2016
Wonderfully inspiring book about the adoration a daughter has for her father. Her faith is strong and keeps her going through some extremely tough battles.
July 22, 2016
This was written by a teenager, the daughter, so I think taking that into perspective it's a great inside scoop to the reader. However she repeated some things a couple times.
August 19, 2016
I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes stories about the Kelly family.
April 27, 2017
A read about it and ordered it. It was a good read but was like it an an outside looking in. Had some very good bits but overall an OK book.
July 16, 2017
Personal faith story
This is a Good faith story about a pro football hero and his families journey through adversity during his battle with cancer.
This is a Good faith story about a pro football hero and his families journey through adversity during his battle with cancer.
August 7, 2022
Heartfelt and real, Erin & Jill Kelly tell of Jim Kelly's fight with cancer. Only their faith on God and deep love of family enabled them to survive through the challenges of this type of diagnosis.
August 28, 2023
Great book but tough read
This is really good but it’s hard to read about families that face such difficulties. Their faith brought them through it. I enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
This is really good but it’s hard to read about families that face such difficulties. Their faith brought them through it. I enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
May 6, 2024
Erin Kelly was only a college student when she wrote this book with her mom, yet the depth of her faith is clear and well thought out. I appreciated the encouragement in this book, as well as just hearing more about the story of how they walked through Jim’s cancer diagnoses.
November 8, 2019
Too religious for me. Only redeeming feature is Jim Kelly is one of my all time heroes.
October 6, 2020
Kelly toughness above all else! A story of resilience, strength and never giving up.. an absolute beautiful read. A father / daughter bond is like no other.
May 12, 2015
This a must read. She is amazing as a daughter and an author.
May 26, 2015
Excellent book!!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews