COMING TO LAS VEGAS tells the story how the author arrived in Las Vegas in 1973 to join a circus and then opened the original MGM Grand Hotel, the world’s largest hotel/casino, as a cocktail waitress.

Fresh out of commercial art school, Hamilton moves from Los Angeles to Las Vegas with her boyfriend to join the newly-formed Las Vegas International Circus. When that job doesn’t “fly” she experiences a series of short-term jobs in order to save enough money to move back to LA.

But the MGM Grand Hotel, the world’s largest hotel/casino is scheduled to open, and Hamilton, who was also a former Playboy Bunny, is hired as a cocktail waitress.

She subsequently marries her boyfriend, a former undercover ATF officer now District Court bailiff, who is later revealed to be a bigamist.

Hamilton quickly learns the ways of the casino world. Along with several of her fellow workers, she battles sexual pressure from bartenders and the machinations of unscrupulous casino bosses who resent the tips players give to cocktail waitresses.

A city-wide Las Vegas Culinary Union strike in 1974 proves to be an eye-opening political event that none of the cocktail waitresses view seriously.

This is a highly personal and quite entertaining account of 3 years in a young woman’s life. Several of the author’s personal photos are included.

The seventies were an era of change and Hamilton faced them all: drugs, alcohol, sex and women’s liberation.

Carolyn V. Hamilton names real names, real places, and real events. These true stories show keen insight into casino life in the Las Vegas of the 1970s.

Here’s what advance reviews say about COMING TO LAS VEGAS:

“Honestly told and forthcoming.”

“Hamilton reveals the seamy and steamy side of America’s Sin City. It’s a wild ride of time, place, and opportunity and she tells the story in a most compelling and engaging fashion.”

"A brilliant look at behind the glitter of Las Vegas.”

“Funny, poignant and disarmingly honest, her stories kept me turning pages well into the night.”

“Really enjoyed the MGM Grand cast of characters, the colorful clothing styles and all the ‘juicy’ details.”

“Hamilton takes readers on a fun, fast-paced, and sexy romp through 1970’s Las Vegas. Hang on to your chips! This is quite a ride.”

“An astonishingly good read.”

“Lots of humor and laughs, too.”