Sherwood Smith and Dave Trowbridge wrote a good five book space opera series, called Exordium. The books are out of print, and book four is a pain to find, but they are rereleasing them as ebooks through Bookview Cafe. It looks like only book 1 is out so far.

I also enjoyed Debra Doyle and James McDonald's Mageworlds books. Again out of print, but being released as ebooks (except book 2).

Not sure if either will scratch the same itch.