The Las Vegas Madam: The Escorts, The Clients, The Truth

I've been researching escorts and prostitution, both the high end and the lowest saddest end (slavery) for a work of fiction I'm writing. I've interviewed real life escorts and sex workers, but when it comes to books - most are trash. You just really don't get honesty. They're either absurd glamorization's of the industry or in the other direction - some sort of pseudo-feminist sermon against the evils of the industry. This book comes as close to the feelings and observations the escorts I've talked to out in the real world as any other book I've read. I'm sure she brushed up the stories a bit to give them more impact and drama, but overall I feel that Jami's book is the most honest and well written work of the bunch. The way this book describes people matches up to the way people I've observed tend to actually behave out here in the real world.There are times in this book where I became physically nauseated by her descriptions. I'm thinking "how did she escape this industry without contracting HIV and a dozen other other ailments." Well, maybe she didn't. There's a lot of room for thought between the sordid details, and I commend her for putting herself out there like this. When I was younger and more self-righteous I would have dismissed a book like this and the sort of people who work in this industry as getting what they deserve. I would have gone on a tirade about how "they need to eliminate this crap from society entirely."But now I'm not so sure. I see things differently. I know actual people in this industry, and I've found them to be worthy friends. Would I ever hire an escort? Absolutely not.. but I know that other people will. They always will, so why not make sex workers much safer, and give them the ability to be in control of their own destiny? Why should they go through all this crap and give 70% of what they earn to a damned pimp? That's the thing I'm most outraged about now. We say that we want women to make decisions about their own body... well, if we truly mean that, then if they want to sell it... why should they not get the full benefit from that? Anyway, I digress. This book not only told a good story, it got me thinking deep thoughts.Not only have I come to the point where I no longer judge people like Jami, I've been through enough in life to find things about her to really admire. Yes, she's an admirable person, IMO. She sounds like a person you'd want to listen to.Now, the next can of worms I'm only opening because religion is a big part of this book. It's in her upbringing, and it always remains a thread through her life, which reminds me of the days when I was a bit on the religious side. One thing I always remembered from my church days was a minister once telling me that one of the greatest heroes of the Bible was a prostitute named Rahab. He pointed out that too many people in churches don't get the big picture. He then went on to point out that Esther was basically prostituting herself as well -- for what is being a high end concubine and dancing and seducing a King, if not "high end sex work"? She's getting it on with a powerful man she doesn't love to get herself and her family (or her people) a leg up on things. She's selling her body to the King for a benefit. That's prostitution, and it's "according to God's Will" - if you believe that sort of thing. Makes you see things even from a religious point of view - as a bit more "gray".Anyway, if I ever find a book about this industry as thought provoking and well written as this one, I'll truly be thrilled. The only thing so far that has come close is a fictional book called "Sold", which is a heart breaking story about sex trafficking in India and Nepal. I'll give this one 5 stars. Kudo's to the author for telling her story.

I preordered this book out of curiosity in the wake of the Suzi Favor Hamilton scandal. Once It arrived, I couldn't put it down and finished it in one night. It is Jami Rodman's self narrated journey into becoming the infamous Haley Heston. I find Rodman's story incredibly interesting. She delivers a raw and comprehensive accounting of her experiences that show both the glamour and the harsh downside of sex work in sin city. If you are curious as to what takes place behind the closed doors of hotel rooms in glittering Las Vegas, this book will not disappoint. I'm ready for her to begin writing a follow up as to where life takes this dynamic woman next!

I was truly disgusted reading the explicit details of the escorting even though the book is written nicely. It creates the false image of a woman in sex industry putting up with anything for the sake of money. I am not proud to say it, but I know quite a bit about it. Nothing is mentioned about game-players who abuse and waste our time and set up fake appointments. Not much is mentioned about cheaters who underpay women using various tricks. Finally, I doubt that every escort lowers herself to the level of a brainless animal and agrees to do things the author was doing. What she describes in her book is basically crossing the line between being a human and being an animal.I also noticed that most women (not all!) claim themselves to be pretty or beautiful. Check out their photos and you'll see they have a little too much confidence (but it's a minor thing).Many sex workers have respect for themselves, lay out certain boundaries even when those boundaries eliminate some business. Makingthree thousand a night and spending all that money shopping? She is either lying or not very smart. One more thing: every escort goes through slow time when business dries out. Not for this girl. Clients keep calling her day and night, and each pays her thousands. WOW!!!That's another thing about some (not all!!!)women doing sex work: inflating their real earnings in addition to overrating their looks.Constantly Jami/Haley keeps saying she is a good person and how many lives she saved. It gave me the impression she tried to convinceherself more than her readers. People who feel good about themselves and know they are good hardly ever bring this up let alone repeat it over and over.

This book is a page turner! I had an interest in Haley's story but I really did not expect to enjoy reading the book that much; for me it was more curiosity about a girl that I never forgot. However, Jami's book is a winner. She is shockingly honest in describing her experiences starting as a young, curious girl searching for independence from her small town and conservative family life, to an unabashed escort in Vegas willing to experiment with just about anything--or maybe everything--in search of freedom, love, and her true self. This is a well written, absorbing and candid recount of Jami's story and the behind the scenes life styles in sin city. I can't wait to read Jami's next book; she is a great writer and a deep observer of the human condition.

Nicely written candid story of a young lady, Jami Rodman following her passion for sex starting out from the entry level of the business working her way to the top of the “sin trade” in Las Vegas. Learning from experiences along the way, she built what became known as best high class business in the industry. She not only had her heart in the business she had a caring heart for the women she managed and worked with as well as for many of the clients she served. Despite the ups and downs she never lost sight of her goal and always had a “can-do” attitude. Sadly, she sacrificed establishing “personal loving relationships “ to focus on business and money. I admire Ms Rodman for her tenacity in following her passion to achieve her goal, and the way she handled adversity when her business was threatened and ultimately dissolved. Very good read!

More like Penthouse letters versus a book. Was hoping for some type of story