Books like Nimisha's Ship by Anne McCaffrey

Vega III is a planet of intrigues and opulence where Lady Nimisha Boynton‑Rondymense feels out of place among her frivolous peers. She prefers the hard work of her father, Lord Tionel, the famed starship designer and owner of the Rondymense shipyards. Nimisha’s precocious talents earn her a position as Lord Tionel’s secret assistant, and after a tragedy she is chosen to succeed him, bypassing the designated heir, Lord Vestrin. Vestrin and his mother, Lady Vescuya, hold grudges and plot to reclaim the shipyards. Meanwhile Nimisha is focused on completing the experimental long‑distance cruiser, the Mark 5. During a solo test flight, the vessel goes awry and leaves Nimisha stranded on a hostile, beautiful planet light‑years from home. Vestrin and Vescuya seize the opportunity to act, but Nimisha’s daughter, Cuiva, a brilliant young mind, emerges as the obstacle in their plans. With her daughter unable to provide help, Nimisha faces a perilous situation yet again. Determined, she refuses to surrender and must confront the challenges that threaten both her line and the future of space travel. A thrilling mix of space‑opera adventure, high‑stakes family drama, and the challenges of leadership, Nimisha’s Ship delivers action, romance, and a deep look at the responsibilities of stewardship.

First publish date: 1993