Forward normal text messages to iMessage?

As a Google Voice user, I've found that the experience on an iOS device is always lacking, mostly because the apps don't have the attention to detail that the Apple-designed apps have. That being said, I'd like to know if there's a way to forward normal text messages (sent to my google voice number) to my Apple ID/iCloud account in order to have them show up in iMessage. I'd imagine that there's some magic juju that goes on behind the scenes that identifies messages as normal SMS or apple's format, and routs them accordingly. For the folks out there who have the ability to parse this sort of thing, is there a special way that iMessage handles messages (i.e. a specific/proprietary header, unique address, gateway, etc.), or is it just one of those things that goes on under the cover of night in dark Apple rituals?

I appreciate the time and consideration!