C. J. Cherryh may not be my favorite author but she is damn close. I took my online name from her Faded Sun Trilogy. It is one series I highly recommend. It has been released again in paper back. Look for it!
Cherry write both pure Sci Fi and fantasy. She likes to write stories that involve one universe. The Union, Merchant and Earth series of books is wonderful. I have not read them all cause there are so many, but I will. The books cover a large time span each are a separate story but can intertwine with each other. Its best to follow the oder of the books so as not to get confused.
The Chanur series is also based on the same universe as above, but in completely separate part where humans aren't found. It too is excellent. I need the last book of the series. Once I have that I shall be happy.
Check out the sites on Cherryh they will help with your choosing which books to read.