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Contemporary Fiction by Dana Lucka
Engaging upmarket contemporary stories and compelling book club smart content for discerning readers
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About Dana Lucka
More about the author
Dana Zupanovich Lucka writes upmarket contemporary romance for readers who want their love stories with a little substance — the kind of books your book club will still be arguing about after the wine's gone.
She's the author of the Perfect Series, launched with Picture Perfect Love — the story that introduces the Babich family and asks the question every woman eventually has to answer: is this the relationship that looks right, or the one that actually fits? Spoiler: those are rarely the same thing. Expect heart, humor, and just enough Croatian family chaos to keep things interesting.
Before the meet-cutes, Dana spent two decades in higher education and healthcare administration, earned a doctorate, wrote two textbooks nobody reads for fun, and edited more academic journals than she'd like to admit. Then she decided life was too short to keep footnoting other people's ideas — so she started writing her own.
Book two, Chasing the Perfect Spark (which will drop before the end of the year) — following Dani Babich as she learns the difference between a spark that burns hot and a love built to last. (It already snagged a five-star review from Readers' Favorite, so no pressure, Dana.) Book three? Already brewing. The Babich family isn't done with us yet.
Dana splits her time between California and Poland with her husband — and come next summer, she's headed to Croatia for a little "research." Purely professional, of course. 😉
Find her (and the rest of the family drama) on Substack, Instagram, and Facebook.
About the book
Picture Perfect Love
Dani Babich had her future mapped out: graduate law school, land a prestigious job, and build a career that proves she’s more than just her Croatian family’s expectations. No distractions, no detours, just success on her own terms. But life, love, and a deeply rooted culture have a funny way of interfering with the best-laid plans.
As she steps into the high-pressure world of corporate law, Dani quickly learns that success isn’t as glamorous as she once imagined. The long hours, the unrelenting demands, and the cutthroat competition begin to wear on her, making her question whether this was really the dream she fought so hard for. Meanwhile, Max, her easygoing musician boyfriend, seems content coasting through life, which only amplifies Dani’s growing doubts about their future together.
Her Croatian family isn’t making things any easier. With every gathering comes another not-so-subtle reminder that she should be settling down, starting a family, and embracing the traditions that have defined generations before her. While her cousin Ana embraces the cultural path, Dani isn’t ready to trade in her independence for a predictable life just yet.
Then enters Blake Williams, sharp, ambitious, handsome, and undeniably intriguing. As their professional paths cross, Dani finds herself drawn to his confidence and the effortless way he seems to understand her drive. But is he the answer to her restlessness, or just another complication? And just when she thinks she’s getting a handle on things, an unexpected, fleeting encounter in the most unlikely place makes her question her definition of the perfect life: love, career, and what it truly means to find happiness.
Picture Perfect Love, a contemporary literature gem by Dana Lucka, is a witty, heartfelt exploration of ambition, identity, and the often-messy journey of self-discovery. With humor, warmth, and a deep appreciation for Croatian stories, this romance novel reminds us that sometimes, the life we think we want isn’t the one that will make us happiest.
Buy Now Amazon or ask for it at your favorite book store (also available on IngramSpark).
Are you ready for Dani' next adventure?
BIG NEWS: Get ready for the sequel to Picture Perfect Love. Draft manuscript is now in review and will be launched to the general public before the end of the year as part of the Perfect Series (book three is still in my head at this point). Picture Perfect Love will go on sale at a reduced price NOW to give everyone a chance to meet Dani Babich and her family....so come join in the fun! As a special treat, the first chapter of Book Two will go live in early October on Substack (@authordanalucka in Steamy Plots & Espresso Shots) and on Instagram (@Fictional-Focus)!
Book signings and other events
Book Signings:
- Stay tuned - Two book signings in the works (Visalia, CA and Pasadena, CA).
Signed copies are also available at A Book Barn in Clovis, CA ( three (3) copies) and Petunia's Place in Fresno, CA (One (1) last remaining copy!!) NOTE: These book are limited edition with the original 2025 cover!!
Join Dana Lucka at various book signings and events to dive deeper into the world of 'Picture Perfect Love.' Experience the moments that inspired the story and get your copy signed. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow readers and share your thoughts on the book.
Liked the book?
Did you enjoy the book? Share your thoughts in a review on Goodreads, and you can receive a custom Picture Perfect Love bookmark signed by the author, Dana Lucka. Just screenshot your review and send it along with your mailing address to info@DanaLucka.com. Thank you for your support, and happy reading of contemporary literature and Croatian stories in the romance novel genre!