I've been reading the 'Honor Harrington' series by David Weber and have enjoyed them so far. I'm into book seven of the eight I have.
There was, so far, only one instance where I felt the line was crossed. And, that wasn't nearly as bad as many I have stumbled across in my avid Sci-Fi reading.
I personally liked 'The Ship that Searched' and the 'City that Fought' books. I think they are by Anne McCafry (sp?) At least they had good endings compared to the Dragon Riders of Pern stories where it seems as soon as you start liking a hero or heroine they get killed off.
I, too, lament the fact that there are so few really good Sci-Fi stories that do not use gratuitous sexuality as a 'hook'.
Orson Scott Card is a good author, even if he is Mormon. His 'Ender' series was a good read.
I'll have to go through my 'keeper' box of paperbacks and see what else is in there.
'FootFall' wasn't too awful bad either.