If someone else is having this problem I can share with you what I learned.

The paragraph returns I created to anchor an object was the problem. Once I deleted the ¶ following or before my toc entry my toc fell into place.

I also found out one of my book docs was corrupted. To undo the damage I found this very helpful link:

https://vector.tutsplus.com/tut…..ign-files/

to anyone interested… on lynda.com… https://www.lynda.com/InDesign-CS5-5-tutorials/InDesign-Secrets/85324-2.html

Anne Marie explains how to “fake” a page break with an anchored object. Pretty cool solution to an awkward problem.