Welcome to today's guest Janet Dean. Janet writes historical romance for Love Inspired Historicals, and her latest novel is The Bounty Hunter's Redemption. I'm currently reading it, and I have to say, it is so good!
Take it away, Janet...
Thanks,
Pam, for inviting me to Heroes, Heroines and History! With a bounty hunter hero
in my Love Inspired Historical January release, The Bounty Hunter’s Redemption, I thought it would be fun to talk
about fictional and real life bounty hunters.
The
bounty hunter in my book is Nate Sergeant. He’s determined to track down and bring
an outlaw to justice. I think readers will find his motivation compelling and far
more personal than a mere desire for the reward.
Does
anyone remember Palladin played by actor Richard Boone in “Have Gun will
Travel” and Josh Randall played by Steve McQueen in “Wanted: Dead or Alive” both
bounty hunter TV heroes? Like my hero Nate Sergeant, Palladin and Randall
were men with morals and a strong conscience, not vicious assassins.
In
the days of the Old West, men were encouraged to hunt down fugitives for the
money, partly because the lawlessness of the times put a huge burden on lawmen.
In an attempt to ease their burden, the Supreme Court ruled in 1873 that bounty
hunters were part of our law enforcement system and could pursue fugitives in other states, even enter
a house without a warrant. Unlike marshals and sheriffs who were obligated
to see the accused received his right to legal counsel and a trial, bounty
hunters could use whatever force deemed necessary to get their man. Many lawmen
supplemented their income with bounties and often broke, rather than enforced,
the law.
![]() |
Charlie Siringo |
Wanted: “Dead or Alive” posters encouraged men like Pat Garrett in 1881
to hunt down and kill Billy the Kid for the reward. In 1882, Robert Ford, a
member of the Jesse James gang, shot James in the back for the bounty. Ford
turned himself in, expecting the reward but was sentenced to murder. Although
pardoned before he was to hang, Ford never received the money that made him
turn on his gang leader. Pinkerton detective Charlie Siringo tracked and
brought in hundreds of robbers and murderers alive, his goal since the fee was
cut in half if the fugitive died. Siringo didn’t look the part and even used
his real name, but his cunning and reputation as a sharpshooter enabled him to
bring most outlaws in without violence.
Today’s
bounty hunters are often private investigators or former police officers
educated in criminal justice or law enforcement and trained in martial arts,
self-defense and weapons. In most
states, modern bounty hunters are licensed or registered professionals hired by
a bail bondsman to capture a fugitive, normally for a percentage of the bail.
Former convict Duane Chapman, aka Dog the Bounty Hunter on TV tries to make a
personal connection with those he takes into custody. Petite Texan Michelle
Gomez is referred to as part bounty hunter, part Private Eye, and is supposedly
the best skip chaser in the world, finding people and things that have
disappeared on purpose.
The
bounty hunter is definitely part of our culture.
~<>~
Nate's faced the meanest outlaws in the land—but this petite, strong-willed seamstress may be his greatest challenge. He owes his sister his life, so he's determined she'll have the property that's legally hers. But as Nate and Carly battle for ownership, Nate realizes there's something he's overlooked—the hope of building a family with Carly and her adorable son.
For
a chance to win a copy of The Bounty Hunter’s Redemption, leave a comment.

Janet Dean grew up in a family that cherished the past and had a strong creative streak. Her father recounted fascinating stories, like his father before him. The tales they told instilled in Janet a love of history and the desire to write.
Today Janet spins stories for Love Inspired Historical and is also published on Amazon. As a member of Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers, Janet’s novels have been finalists in the Golden Quill, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, Booksellers Best, Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and the Carol.
Visit Janet at her Website: www.janetdean.net and at her group blog: www.seekerville.blogspot.com
Very interesting!
ReplyDeletebcrug(at)myfairpoint(dot)net
Nice to be with fellow history lovers!
DeleteJanet
I remember Paladdin well and I am also familiar with Robert Ford. As in every occupation, there are bounty hunters who want to do their best and then there are those who only want the money! Thanks for such an interesting post!
ReplyDeleteConnie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks Connie. Money was probably the main lure. Still bringing outlaws to justice has to be good!
DeleteJanet
Hubby and I watched several episodes of Palladin on youtube last year. We really enjoyed them.
DeleteJanet, so glad to have you here today. I've been in meetings all day, so thank you for being such a wonderful hostess! :)
Interesting to know the facts behind the history that we read in historical fiction books.
ReplyDeletereneerachoyolsenATgmailDOTcom
Thanks Heather! It's very easy to get caught up in researching history for our stories.
DeleteJanet
This looks like a great historical fiction, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeletewfnren at aol dot com
Thanks for your interest in my book, Wendy!
DeleteJanet
Some had a very interesting life. Thanks for the facts behind the history of bounty hunters. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom.
ReplyDeleteHi Kim,
DeleteInteresting and I'd think dangerous.
Janet
Janet, Welcome to Heroes, Heroines, and History! We're thrilled to have you visit us. I do remember Palladin--barely. I don't remember if I ever watched the show because I was pretty young when it was on. One of my first books had a bounty hunter for a hero. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Vickie, I'm showing my age. :-) I'll have to look up the title of your bounty hunter book.
DeleteJanet
Hi Janet! Nice seeing you here. Bounty hunters are always a cool topic. This sounds great! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJustcommonly(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks, Just Commonly. Good to see you here!
DeleteJanet
Such an interesting post, Janet - thank you!! Glad to learn a little more about bounty hunters - love the storyline of "The Bounty Hunter's Redemption", thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!!
ReplyDeletebonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
Shared post!!
Hi Bonton, I appreciate your interest in my book and all you do for authors!
DeleteJanet
Back when we had cable we would watch Dog. I don't think I could ever do it! Great post.
ReplyDeleteLattebooksAThotmailDOTcom
Susan, you're not alone. I couldn't do it for sure. I've never seen Dog. Was it interesting? Scary?
DeleteJanet
Janet, I've seen Dog and it isn't scary. The episodes I saw felt more like staged wrestling shows, but maybe it was just Dog's (and his wife and the rest of his family and team members) manner of dress and actions that made me think that! lol
DeleteThere was a tv series on bounty hunters that we used to watch and I'd enjoy your book about them. Sm. Wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks for your interest in my book, Sharon.
DeleteJanet
I didn't know there were still modern day bounty hunters! I've never watched Dog the Bounty Hunter, but have heard of him. Guess it never occurred to me what his occupation was :-) Fascinating piece of history!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win a copy of "The Bounty Hunter's Redemption", it's been on my want-to-read list since I've seen it come out.
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
Hi Trixi, I never realized bounty hunters were part of our judicial system until I did the research. Always more to learn.
DeleteThanks for your interest in my book!
Janet
I had no idea when bounty hunters came into existence, so it's really cool to learn about this! Thanks for sharing your research with us, Janet! I can't wait to read The Bounty Hunter's Redemption!
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, you're so welcome! So much great information is available through sites like this one.
DeleteJanet
Thank you for sharing all this interesting information about bounty hunters. I enjoyed reading it! Carly and Nate sound like an interesting couple. I would love to read their story.
ReplyDeletemarypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Thank you Janet for a great post! You answered many of my questions that I had about bounty hunters. I had heard the term many times in westerns(and even in Star Wars :)) but never knew much about them. After reading this post,I'm really looking forward to reading your new story! Thanks for the chance to win a copy! lynnefeuerstein(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHi Maryann, I loved writing Nate and Carly's story and seeing them get their happy ending.
ReplyDeleteJanet
Hi Lynne, there's oodles of information available but I hope I gave enough variety to see that the bounty hunter is part of our culture. Thanks for your interest in my book!
ReplyDeleteJanet
Very interesting post, thank you for sharing! Thanks for the opportunity to win your book as well! betherin02(at) gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHi Beth, thanks for your interest!
ReplyDeleteJanet
Congratulations to LYNNE F.!!! You won a copy of Janet Dean's The Bounty Hunter's Redemption Watch for an email from Janet! :)
ReplyDelete